8 Easy Self-Isolation Meal Ideas | Josie + Nina

No matter your reasons are for staying home, you still have to eat. I have assembled a list of 8 easy meal ideas that make isolation a little less confining and a little more comforting. These recipes will become your every day go-to’s.

white bowl of steak chili with bowls of green onions, white grated cheddar and fritos on a gray and white checked runner — Completely Steak Chili

Each recipe is made with ingredients you likely have in your pantry or freezer. While some do require meat, some are strictly from the pantry.

And I’ve included ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and of course, a sweet treat. Because when things get tough, a little sweetness is required.

Breakfast | Perfect Poached Eggs

avocado toast with a poached egg and sriracha on top with salt and an egg in the background — How to Poach an Egg

Staying in is a great time to learn a new skill. Learning how to poach an egg opens the door to topping everything from toast, salads or pizza with yolky goodness.

Lunch | Crispy Baked Burritos

close up of two burritos stacked on top of each other with pickled jalapenos on top all on a white plate and some cilantro — Crispy Beef Burritos

A little prep ahead of time offers a quick meal solution especially when you have several different people in the house with different schedules and tastes. Crispy Baked Beef Burritos can be thrown together assembly-line style, pulled out of the freezer and baked in 15 minutes or less. Easy!

Healthy side | Farro and Orange Salad

a black bowl with farro and orange salad with two wooden spoons on a black and khaki striped background — Farro and Orange Salad

Just because you’re stuck inside doesn’t mean healthy has to be sacrificed. Farro and Orange Salad is a fresh, crispy side dish or lunch solution. Excellent topped with Foolproof Chicken for a complete main meal.

Quick Dinner | Stovetop Veggie Sandwich

two halves of veggie sandwich facing forward one angled on top of the other on a slate board — Stovetop Veggie Sandwich

Rally all your close-to-expiration produce for this healthy and tasty sandwich. Stovetop Veggie Sandwich takes your fav veggies and brightens them with balsamic and lemon. Dinner is on the table in ten!

Pasta’s BFF | Homemade Tomato Sauce with a kick

Homemade Tomato Sauce with a kick on top of fusilli pasta in white bowl on a khaki napkin — Homemade Tomato Sauce

Homemade spaghetti sauce is as easy as opening a can of whole tomatoes or picking them from your garden if that’s your jam. This sauce is amazing on both pasta and pizza. And Tomato Sauce with Butter is another pasta sauce that is our family favorite.

Easy Homemade Salad Dressing

balsamic salad dressing in Weck jar with green bottle and green napkin — How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing

Here is the ultimate guide to making your own salad dressing. Use pantry staples and leave the bottles at the store for someone else who doesn’t have your mad salad skills. Your salads have never been so happy.

Slow-cooked Dinner | Completely steak chili

pot of chili in a red dutch oven with a wooden spoon resting on the pot and the lid nearby on a gray and white checked runner — Completely Steak Chili

Challenging times call for a big bowl of comfort. Completely Steak Chili does just that. A no-bean chili, this dish starts with budget-friendly chuck roast simmered in spicy heat.

Sweets | Triple Chocolate Brownies

three stacked triple chocolate brownies on a dark background sprinkled with powdered sugar — Triple Chocolate Brownies

Sometimes only sugar will do. And these Triple Chocolate Brownies will more than serve. You’ll even have enough to share with a neighbor.

There are plenty more easy meal ideas where these came from! Check out my Recipe Box for the whole lineup or send me a note and I’ll help you come up with something from your pantry.

Hang in there!

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