Sports practice, swim class, scout meetings—the list goes on and on. With all of these activities and commitments, the traditional family dinner often gets pushed to the back burner. Picking up some food on the way home or eating in the car has become the norm on many a night. And while there’s nothing wrong with take-out or fast food once in a while, our busy calendars have made dinner at home something of an endangered species. So how can you get a hot, hearty dinner on the table when you barely have to time think, let alone prepare a meal? You might be shocked to find the answer in your lunchmeat drawer. A delicious and filling meal the whole family will love doesn't have to be complicated. Here are seven quick meal ideas using lunchmeat to take the struggle out of dinner prep.

1. Bistro Beef Stew

This is classic comfort food at its easiest. Your family won't believe you just whipped it up—it tastes like you’ve been slaving over a hot stove all afternoon!

2. Quick Pizza

Who has time for homemade pizza? You do with this easy pizza recipe that uses a few staple ingredients and the surprising ingredient of Greek yogurt to make a super quick and delicious pizza.

3. BBQ Turkey Flatbread

Think flat bread sounds a little too fancy for your brood? If they like pizza, they’ll flip for this flatbread. I keep pre-made pizza dough on hand so I can throw one of these together at a moment's notice. With just five ingredients, it’s ready in 20 minutes.

4. Beef and Broccoli

Serve this over some rice for a great alternative to Chinese takeout. In fact, you can make this dish at home in less time than it would take you to call in an order and go pick it up!

5. Turkey and Cheddar Pot Pie

Another classic homestyle comfort food, you'll love this twist on a traditional pot pie!

6. Potato Gnocchi

This classic Italian dish comes together quickly and easily—and it’s super versatile! If you’ve never had gnocchi, they are Italian potato dumplings served with pasta. For this recipe, gnocchi is combined with ham and a creamy sauce, but you can also top it with tomato sauce or pesto.

7. Ziti Alfredo with Turkey

This is one of my favorites! If your kids love pasta but you want to get some protein in with their meal, this is the perfect choice. My kids typically balk when I try to put anything into their pasta, but since this recipe uses Land O'Frost Premium Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, which they already eat in sandwiches, it’s an easy sell. It takes roughly 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish, which makes it perfect for those busy nights when you don't think you have time for a hot dinner.

Ziti Alfredo with Turkey Recipe

Ingredients

• 16 oz box uncooked ziti pasta
• 1 & 1/4 cups Alfredo sauce
• 6-7 oz chopped Land O'Frost Premium Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
• 1 & 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
3. Drain and return to pot. Add the Alfredo sauce and stir over low heat.
4. Add the chopped turkey breast and stir to distribute evenly.
5. Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
6. Pour 1/3 of pasta mixture into the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella.
7. Top with another 1/3 of the pasta mixture and cover with another 1/2 cup mozzarella.
8. Top with remaining pasta and cover with remaining mozzarella.
9. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

I will usually serve this Ziti Alfredo with Turkey with a salad and it is always a big hit. It takes roughly 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish which makes it perfect for those busy nights when you don't think you have time for a hot dinner. This recipe can also be made with marinara sauce. I like to use Alfredo sauce sometimes to switch things up a bit.