After months of looking through real estate listings, you have finally sold your home and moved into your new dream home. Now one thing that is probably not on your immediate radar, is that you have to figure out what to serve for dinner in the first week of your new house.
While many people opt for takeout their first night because it’s easier if you have been packing and traveling the last thing you want is another pre-packaged meal. Instead, you are ready to celebrate your new kitchen and home by breaking it in with some of these great first week home cooked meals.
The following are five great home-cooked meals that are basic for those who still need to fully unpack their kitchen but still offer that home-style comfort you crave.
Day 1: Instant Pot Chili
Did your search through real estate listing lead you to a colder climate? Then you need a fresh-baked home-style bowl of chili to accumulate to the new weather from the comfort of your new home. Lucky for you, with an instant pot chili can be ready in under half an hour and you can use all of your fridge leftovers to create a magical meal out of scraps. Beans, tomatoes, frozen meat, random veggies, and toppings like cheese and greek yogurt can all spice up an ordinary chili in seconds.
Day 2: Toss Together a Sheet Pan
If you have a sheet pan accessible and a full fridge of food, then a sheet pan dinner is a great way to feed the family a home-cooked meal without too much fuss. Simply grab a favorite veggie out of the fridge, a protein like chicken thighs or pork roast, and a starch like yams and you instantly have dinner in less than 20 minutes. Fish is another great option or mushier veggies like onions and cauliflower. Toss some parchment paper over the pan, grab a ziplock bag and toss the meat and veggies in olive oil or butter, and then spread them out over the pan. Sprinkle with garlic or your favorite herb and you are set.
Day 3: BBQ on the Patio
By the third day, the grill is more than likely already set up in the backyard and the grill master is getting eager to grill up a meal in the new home. Make him/her feel good by grabbing some lawn chairs and heading outside to provide some company while enjoying a cozy mess-free meal outdoors. Hamburgers or hotdogs are always a simple entrée for families with young kids, or you can toss on a few steaks and whip up a salad quickly in the kitchen.
Day 4: Swedish Meatballs in Crock Pot
After living in your home for a few days, you’ve had some great dinners already, but as you continue to unpack and get décor up on your walls, an easy way to keep unpacking and cook while you do so, is using the crock pot – meatballs or Swedish meatballs are a great way to do this. Grab a bag of instant rice and maybe slice up some veggies and you’ve made very little effort for a great home cooked meal – all while not taking away from your unpacking duties.
Day 5: Sliders
Sliders are a great cozy meal item because they are easy to prep and can be served on paper plates with some chips or a quick tossed salad as a side. Simply grab some Hawaiian bread rolls from the store, slice them in half, toss some shredded chicken or pork over it and finish with shredded cheese. Place the tops back on the sliders and roast them in the oven for ten minutes. Just like that you have a filling meal and can celebrate never looking at a home for sale again.
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