With all the craziness going on in my life as midterms approach (yikes), I only have time for fast meals.

Try these out! You can make delicious and healthy meals in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of dry penne pasta

2 cups of baby carrots (the ones already peeled and ready)

3 cups of fresh broccoli florets

1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, your choice of jarred Alfredo sauce

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tablespoons of olive or canola oil 

Directions: 

In a large pot, cook pasta and carrots in water according to pasta package directions. When 6 minutes of pasta cooking time remains, add broccoli florets to the pot. Drain pasta and vegetables; return to the pot. 

While the pasta and vegetables cook, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through. Add cooked chicken into the pasta mixture. 

If desired, sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese. Make it a vegetarian dish! Leave out the chicken!

2. Avocado Basil Pasta 

Ingredients: 

2 1/2 cups of dry bow-tie pasta

2 large avocados

6 slices of bacon (already cooked)

1 cup of chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

2 green onions (already chopped)

2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

Directions: 

Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta cooks, combine bacon, basil, green onions, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

Place lemon juice in a small bowl; coarsely chop avocado and toss it in with the lemon juice. Add avocado and lemon juice mixture to the basil mixture. Drain pasta; add the hot pasta to the avocado mixture and toss to combine. 

Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired. And skip the bacon for a vegetarian meal!

3. Guacamole Grilled Cheese

Ingredients: 

1 medium to large avocado 

1/4 cup of chopped tomato

Juice from 1/2 a lime

About 1/4 tsp. salt, your choice of bread, cheese, and butter 

Directions:

Prepare the Guacamole: 

1. Mash together the avocado and chopped tomato. 

2.  Add the lime juice and salt. Stir to combine.  

Prepare the Sandwich: 

1. Butter one side of each of the bread slices. Flip over three slices of bread and spread the un-buttered side generously with guacamole. 

2. Put the cheese slices on top of the guacamole; top with the remaining bread slices, butter side up. 

3.  Grill in a heated pan, coated with cooking spray or a bit of butter, until golden browned.

4. Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus

Ingredients:

1 package of frozen cheese tortellini

1 lb. fresh asparagus

1/2 cup of the jarred pesto sauce of your choice (add olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan if desired)

Directions: 

Remove tough ends of the asparagus spears by snapping them off and discarding them. Cut asparagus into bite sized pieces. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the asparagus and cook for 3 minutes. 

Drain asparagus in a large colander and immediately dunk the drained asparagus in ice water to stop the cooking process. At the same time, cook the tortellini according to package directions then drain. 

Place tortellini in a large bowl. Add the pesto and toss while the tortellini is still warm. Add olive oil, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Add the asparagus and toss. Chill for a few hours before serving.  

These meals can be made with just a few simple ingredients from the grocery store, or from ingredients you may already have!  The food is delicious, healthy, and will have you on your way in 20 minutes!