Ever have one of those nights where the day has completely gotten away from you before you realize you have nothing to cook for dinner? And even if you did, you’re out of time to cook it? Yeah, you know what I mean. We’ve all been there!

But before you head out for fast food or takeout again, give this a try. With a few staples you can keep on hand, dinner can be whipped up faster than you can say “McNugget”.

In your freezer, keep a supply of whole wheat english muffins. They sell a nice 12-pack of the Orowheat brand at Costco. In your pantry, keep a few cans of tuna packed in water (also available at Costco). In your fridge, keep light mayo and sweet relish (which you probably have anyway), and some shredded cheddar cheese. I keep shredded cheese on hand always, because I find it does in very handy in a number of quick-meal situations (quesadillas, scrambled eggs, beans and cheese, and so on)

Turn your oven to broil and line a cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
Mix up a quick batch of tuna salad – canned tuna, sweet relish, mayo. Eyeball the portions based on your taste preferences.

Step 1

Split the English muffins open and lie open-faced on the cookie sheet. Top with tuna salad and some shredded cheese.

Step 2

Place in the oven under broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and edges of muffins are toasted brown.

Step 3

Grab any type of fruit or veggie you have on hand and serve it up on the side – carrots and celery with ranch dip, a small green salad, sliced tomatoes (also good on top of the tuna melt), canned olives or applesauce if your cupboards are really bare. Voila! Dinner in 15 minutes or less.

Dinner is served!

Oh, and by the way, English muffins also make great pizzas – just top with marinara and shredded mozzarella cheese instead, and add any other toppings you have available.