Cottage 15 Minute Meals
15 Minute Meals at the cottage are a must! After all, the summer season is finally here and less time in the kitchen means more time relaxing by the water! So let’s pack our bags and head to a remote and tranquil escape. One thing’s for sure when planning cottage meals: Stress should stay low and enjoyment needs to stay high. Thus, 15 minute meals at the cottage can be the perfect solution to both these goals!
This post was sponsored by the Egg Farmer so Ontario, as always, all opinions are genuine.
Therefore, today’s blog will showcase my dietitian-approved, 15 minute meals for the cottage, the trailer or anywhere you’re vacationing where you’re responsible for preparing your own nourishment. Nevertheless, let’s still eat healthy with easy meals that maximize summer enjoyment.
5 Tips for Planning Cottage 15 Minute Meals:
1. First, Plan Groceries for Stocking your Kitchen.
Ask yourself: What staples do you need? Think versatile necessities like bread, eggs, milk, cheese and nut or seed butter. See our blog on dietitian kitchen staples for stocking your fridge, freezer or pantry.
Having trouble stocking your fridge? Check out our blog post on the best fridge, freezer, and pantry foods!
2. Next, Brainstorm Family Favourites.
This could be granny’s grilled cheese, a fried egg sandwich or your little brother’s favourite, Macaroni and Cheese. After all, keeping meals positive and fun means we are including preferences. This way, everyone can be involved in the planning and we can always up the nutrition with more veggies and protein.
Brainstorm family meal favourites for fun, 15 minute cottage meals!
3. Get Organized by Writing Meals to Make for the Week.
This can be done in a Meal Planner template (like this FREE one). A little planning ahead goes a long way to help us use existing groceries (cutting down on food waste) and ensure we have the necessary groceries to follow through with our plan. Remember, Meal Planning saves time, money and decreases stress! Get your FREE guide to Meal Plan Like a Pro.
Download or order FREE copies of Andrea’ Meal Plan Like a Pro!
4. Prepare Make-Ahead Options for Cottage 15 Minute Meals.
Your future self will thank you for planning ahead with planned leftovers for upcoming meals. For example, you can BBQ extra veggies and fish, chicken or steak for quick lunches or dinner additions. Perhaps you’d enjoy extra grilled chicken or shrimp for a Caesar wrap or hard cooked eggs for Cobb Salad or Buddha bowl?
Hard Boiled Eggs are a protein-packed, meal prep option that only take 10 minutes.
5. Always Know your Food Inventory.
To cut down on food waste, and reduce your grocery bill, be aware of what you have to use up. This could be in your fridge, pantry or freezer. Be sure to use items up in your freezer so that we use older items FIRST before buying new ones.
Use this freezer inventory sheet to use what you have! Check out our full blog on how to do a Freezer Inventory.
Ready for Healthy 15-Minute Meals at the Cottage?
Let’s dive into my dietitian picks for my favourite, 15-Minute Meals for the Cottage!
Dietitian’s Top 15 Minute Meals for Cottage:
First, breakfast is a BIG deal at the cottage. After all, waking up to a solid, protein-rich breakfast starts the day off right. Don’t you agree? These Elegant Eggs in Pepper Rings are simple but impressive for a crowd or your family. I love Ontario Eggs as a top kitchen staple because they’re always fresh – going from farm to grocery store in only 4 to 7 days. We also receive 6 grams of protein per egg and only 70 calories. Plus, there are 14 essential nutrients, like choline, which is good for the brain and lutein, which is important for eye health. Additionally, eggs are an economical protein source costing about $0.25 an egg.
Pepper Ring Eggs are a 15 Minute Meal that start the cottage weekend off with a boost of nutrition!
How to Make Pepper Ring Eggs for a 15-Minute Meal:
Simply slice your peppers into 1/2” thick rings so they are deep enough to contain the entire cracked egg on a fry pan. My first attempt at these eggs was unsuccessful with the rings too thinly sliced and the egg spilling over. They were still tasty though! Check out the full recipe for these Elegant Pepper Eggs.
Remember to cut your pepper rings 1/2 inch thick to hold an entire egg.
What I love about this 15 Minute Meal of Pepper Ring Eggs is that it allows you to cook your eggs to your desired doneness. Some prefer sunny-side up and others over easy. No problem! After you slowly crack your egg above the sautéed pepper ring, sprinkle with salt and pepper. If you are going for an over-easy egg, wait 2 minutes and flip your entire pepper egg to cook on the other side. Finally, if desired, you can place grated cheese on top. Allow to cook for another three minutes for a firmer yolk. I often place a lid over top to melt the cheese.
Choose your egg doneness! Check the full recipe for Pepper Ring Eggs!
To finish this dish, place your pepper eggs on top of avocado toast or simply buttered bread. I love adding sautéed veggies on the bread and the pepper egg on top. Could also add your egg in a pepper to an egg sandwich for another tasty option.
Next, a solid 15 Minute Meal for cottage includes simple lunch wraps. This involves having wraps on hand (I store tortillas in the freezer so they’re always available and fresh). As a dietitian, I recommend separating meals into components for nutritional balance. Be sure to include a source of protein (like tuna, egg salad, chicken breast, turkey slices, ham, black beans, tofu, etc.) and of course your favourite veggies (tomato, match-stick carrots, olives, cucumber, peppers, lettuce, spinach, fresh herbs). Finally, be sure to finish with your favourite sauce or condiment. I love yellow or Dijon mustard, pickles and light mayo. Stocking up on common condiments at the cottage will be handy for dressings, marinades and those burgers.
Italian Salmon Wraps are an easy and protein-packed lunch that the whole family will love.
This Curry Egg Salad can be eaten in a wrap, pita rounds or with crackers!
Cottage Meals involve using our BBQ! Plus, everyone loves pizzas, which is why these BBQed Flatbreads are a real cottage hit. They only take about five minutes on the grill until the bottom is crisp and the cheese is nice and melted. If you prefer, you can also do them easily in the oven. Check out our oven recipe for Speedy Naan Pizzas, which have converted many clients who were in the weekly habit of ordering pizza. Similarly, they love the taste, lower cost and the improved digestion feeling afterwards.
Check the recipe for out BBQ Flatbreads for a 15 Minute Cottage Meal!
DYK: One piece of awalk-in pizza slice packs 600 to 800 calories and with over a third of your daily fat and salt intake. Therefore, a healthier alternative is to make-your-ownSpeedy Naan Pizzas and throw them on the grill!
Pizza Meal Theme for Cottage 15 Minute Meals
One or our most popular Dietetic Directions blogs is the 15 Fun & Unique Meal Themes post! Nevertheless, Naan Pizzas or Flatbreads are a simple and delicious way to “build-your-own pizzas” as a fun meal theme). The naan or pita bread makes a crispy crust when baked in the oven. Therefore, keep pizza sauce (I have a resealable squeeze bottle) and mozzarella cheese stocked in your kitchen so you can make these any time!
Putting together Charcuterie boards for easy cottage meals is the perfect solution. Simply cut up veggies, portions of meats, hard-cooked eggs, cheeses or open a can of lupini beans or a container of hummus and put them on a pretty wooden board! You can bring small plates and the gang can grab what they like from what’s being offered. These boards can also be a great “fridge-cleaner” for adding leftovers like hard cooked eggs, which are awesome protein powerhouses on a charcuterie board.
A Lunch Charcuterie Board is a great way to feed an entire family on vacation (especially if you have kids who are picky eaters).
- Pasta Salad
As an Italian Dietitian, I love a good ol’ pasta salad! They’re just so satisfying. Plus, there’s endless potential to include a variety of veggies and proteins as well. You can also vary the type of pasta by using whole wheat, tricolour or legume pastas for extra protein made with lentils or beans. Nevertheless, my Grilled Veggie and Chicken Pasta is an example of an easy batch recipe using leftover grilled goodies. I tossed these in with pre-cooked, cold pasta and it’s superb!
When it comes to pasta salad, the options are endless! Try this Grilled Veggie and Chicken Pasta.
Dietitian Time-Saving Tip: Pre-cut veggies, cook proteins or your carbohydrates (like pasta) in advance for speedy salad assembly later!
- French Toast with Warmed Berries
We often overlook French Toast as a fun and delicious 15 Minute Meal at cottage or home! Best part, no special trips to the grocery store because this recipe uses ingredients we generally have on hand – bread, eggs, and milk. You can add cinnamon to egg mixture and top with fresh berries for an antioxidant and fibre-boost. And of course, I love a drizzle of real, Canadian maple syrup to top it off. If you’re interested, here’s a variation with my Pumpkin Cinnamon French Toast.
Who doesn’t love French Toast? Try our Classic French Toast or Pumpkin Cinnamon French Toast.
Nutrition Boosting? Whisking our eggs reminds us to not skip the yolk! We receive half of the protein in the yolk and most of the nutrition such as choline, an essential nutrient for the brain, heart-health and healthy pregnancy – not to mention we also tend to not get enough in our diet.
Did you know? We receive half the protein and most of the nutrition in the yolk? Don’t skip it!
- Summer Citrus Salad or Cobb Salad
Fresh summer salads are part of cottage season! Be sure to make them interesting with different flavours and textures. To bring your salads to the next level try adding fresh or dried fruit, nuts and fresh herbs. You can also add different proteins on top of entrée salads like the Cobb Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing.
Try our Grapefruit Salad with Pistachios for a refreshing, 15 Minute Meal on a scorching summer day.
Andrea’s Dressing Tip: For simple dressings I like to use a 2:1 ratio of oil to vinegar. I vary the type of oil and vinegar. Add a pinch of Kosher salt to pull the flavours and you’re ready to enjoy!
- Salmon Melt (can be done on the BBQ as well)
Open-faced sandwiches, like a Salmon Melt or standard sandwiches are solid 15 minute cottage meals. I love a good salmon or tuna melt for a warm, flavourful and filling meal option. Top with cheese or arugula and side veggies and you’re off to the races in your canoe.
Salmon Melts make for an omega 3-rich, 15 Minute Meal!
What About Omega-3 Fat’s?
Omega-3 fats are anti-inflammatory and support heart health, immunity, and mental health along with healthy eyes and skin. Specifically, the EPA and DHA fatty acids (in Omega 3’s) help with maintaining integrity of the brain cell membrane to send signals to other parts of the body and reduce inflammation. Additionally, salmon contains vitamin D, which can assist in the management of depression and supports immune functioning.
Health Canada recommends adults aim for at least two servings of fish per week. This would approximately meet the recommended (500 mg) dosage of DHA and EPA daily. However, most people are not even getting to 100 mg of EPA and DHA daily. Try your best to consume adequate omega 3’s (through diet) and if necessary,your dietitian can recommend supplements.
Did you know? Health Canada recommends adults aim for at least two servings of fish per week.
- Greek Lentil Salad or Bean Salad
I love the ease of having a pantry stocked with canned beans,lentils and chickpeas! They are pre-cooked, ready-to-eat and nutritious wonders. Beans also provide us with a source of protein, fibre and heart-healthy minerals such as magnesium and potassium. This no-cook, Greek Lentil Salad is one of my go-to, easy, 15-minute meals. It’s also an ideal lunch and a summer potluck pleaser. It uses a simple dressing of oil and red wine vinegar with oregano. Any recipe that includes feta and black olives is also a success in my books!
Easiest Greek Lentil Salad is a 15 Minute, portable lunch to bring to the beach or a potluck.
- Grilled Cheese & Fried Egg Sandwich
Finally, to finish off our 15 Minute Meals for the cottage, I have to include a classic grilled cheese or Fried Egg Sandwich. They’re just so quick and delicious! These were my grandma’s favourite quick meal options to make when surprised by a visitor with a hungry belly. After all, she always had bread, margarine, cheese and eggs on hand. I find nostalgia cooking is a great way to inspire meals with delicious comfort foods.
Who doesn’t love a classic Grilled Cheese? Easy to make and absolutely delicious!
To boost the nutrition of this 15-Minute Meal, be sure to add veggies on the side and use high-fibre,high-protein breads. I love sprouted grain breads with 4 to 6 grams of both fibre and protein per slice. You can also switch up the cheese (like gruyere or gouda) to suit your preferences.
Bottom Line of Cottage 15 Minute Meals:
Healthy 15 Minute Meals are a must-make when at the cottage! After all, we do not have to compromise nutrition or enjoyment while maximizing our time spent outdoors with loved ones. Hope you enjoyed our round-up of my dietitian picks for easy cottage meals! Lastly, be sure to check out my TV segment on CHCH featuring three of these recipes!
Watch Andrea on CHCH Morning Live sharing tips on Nutritious Cottage Meals!
Now’s your turn. What are your favourite easy cottage meals? Finally, which of our highlighted 15 minute meals are you excited to try?
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Andrea D'Ambrosio is a Registered Dietitian, health-enthusiast and adoring foodie. She started Dietetic Directions as a way to share science-based information mixed with inspirational content for lifelong change.
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Hi! I’m Andrea,
Dietitian, health-enthusiast and an adoring foodie. I started Dietetic Directions as a way to share science-based information mixed with inspirational content for lifelong change. I’m all about eating well and loving life.
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