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5 Preservative-Free (EASY!) Dinner Recipes for the Beginner Cook (& Anyone Who Likes Good Food)

April 1, 2019 by Margaret Leave a Comment

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Yummy, homemade, preservative-free food that is also EASY to make? Is there such a thing? YES! You don’t have to be Martha Stewart in the kitchen to make lip-smacking food; you can be a beginner cook and still whip these up very quickly!

Easy Enchiladas: A 20-Minute Weeknight Meal!

Easy Enchiladas: A 20-Minute Weeknight Meal!

Want Mexican food NOW but don't want the preservatives that come along with the plastic containers? This dish is as quick (or quicker!) than take-out!

White Wine Alfredo Sauce (Reduced-Fat! So, like, healthy! Ish.)

White Wine Alfredo Sauce (Reduced-Fat! So, like, healthy! Ish.)

Craving pasta and sauce but not craving the preservatives that come in canned sauce? This classic sauce has wine added for a more adult flavour, but still manages to be healthy.

Easiest Pizza Dough in the History of Ever

Easiest Pizza Dough in the History of Ever

Want to avoid frozen pizza? This incredibly easy (and preservative-free!) recipe yields enough dough to make one large pizza, but is easily doubled.

Vegetarian (or not) Meat Hand Pies with a Vodka Crust

Vegetarian (or not) Meat Hand Pies with a Vodka Crust

Delish hand pies with a flaky, buttery crust but no preservatives! NOM! (And yes, I said VODKA pie crust!)

5-Minute Easy Cheesy Broccoli Baked Potato Soup

5-Minute Easy Cheesy Broccoli Baked Potato Soup

This recipe for a hearty, spoon-it-up soup, contains no preservatives, but lots of yumminess! (Also uses up leftovers!)

So it’s been a long week, and you’re tired and it would be so much easier just to buy something frozen and stick it in the oven. I get it! Hey, you don’t have to always cook everything from scratch. Start with smaller steps to going preservative-free and then build up. Case in point: my 20-Minute Enchiladas recipe uses canned salsa to make it super-easy to throw together. Could you make the salsa yourself to be extra-sure that it’s preservative-free? Sure. But making homemade enchiladas using canned salsa is still way healthier than buying those frozen enchiladas that are wrapped in plastic.

Take a step at a time, and give yourself some grace. Personally, I am all about progress, not perfection. And also about yummy, yummy food. Mmm…food. *Homer-esque drooling commences*

So try these recipes for easy, yummy dinners, and revel in the fact that you’re cutting out preservatives! You got this!

Next Post: Not Your Momma’s Cheesy Mushroom & Pea Casserole! That’s right, I revamped the classic side dish to make it preservative-free (and WAY MORE delicious!)

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Filed Under: Vegetarian Main Dishes

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Previous Post: « Knock-Your-Socks-Off Cream of Mushroom Soup
Next Post: Not Your Momma’s Cheesy Mushroom & Green Pea Casserole, Plus My Thoughts on Gelatin ‘Salads’ »

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*** NEW POST *** I'm back! With these 🥑Californ *** NEW POST *** I'm back! With these 🥑Californian Chickpea Salad Wraps🍊 that pack a hefty greens and protein punch, but with the brightness of mandarins and the creaminess of avocado! [Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]
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#saladwrap #handheldlunch #saladforlunch #wrapsforlife #avocadolover #mandarins #citrus #chickpeapower #nutritionalyeast #recipeonrepeat #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity
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You know, my kids kind of eat pretty well! Well, t You know, my kids kind of eat pretty well! Well, they're given yummy, nutritious food. Now if they would eat it all, that would be great! Until then, exposure, exposure, exposure is best practice, so food exposures it is!
Want a hearty meal to warm you up and fuel you? Th Want a hearty meal to warm you up and fuel you? This recipe for 🥣 My Mother's Dutch Pea Soup 🥣 is a winner! Studded with chunks of carrots, potatoes, and celery, this soup actually IMPROVES the next day! Leftovers for the win! [Recipe on the blog; link in bio.]
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#wintersoup #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #preservativefree  # thickandhearty #peasoup #dutchfood #motherknowsbest #leftoversforlunch #ordinner #babyfoodtoo
Boost your immunity with this 🌞 sunshine-on-pla Boost your immunity with this 🌞 sunshine-on-plate salad! 🍊 Oranges and 🥕 carrots are all you need, and it makes a surprisingly delicious side dish. Great for the whole family, from babies eating finger foods to adults trying to get their fruits and veg in. [Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]
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#immunity #boost #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #preservativefree  #sunshineonaplate #salad #saladsihaveknownandloved #vitaminc #eatyourcolors #delish
Short on time but craving cookies? Make one dough, Short on time but craving cookies? Make one dough, but two types of cookies! These buttery, crunchy 🍪 PB Cookies 🍪 are a snap to make, and so easy to pull together for a last-minute gift or dessert! [Recipe on the blog, link in bio!] 

Also, check out my cookie tin: I made sugar-topped spritz cookies, as well as Milano-style spritz chocolate sandwich cookies. One dough, two cookies is a huge time-saver!
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#lastminutegifts #cookies🍪 #cookiesofinstagram #peanutbutter #chocolatechips #peanutbuttercups #cookonceeattwice #nomnomnom #christmasevebaking #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement
It's still PSL season, people! And this combo of p It's still PSL season, people! And this combo of pumpkin spice and 🧇WAFFLES🧇 is everything breakfast dreams are made of! Plus, they freeze and toast really well -- weekday mornings, I'm looking at you! [Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #psl #pumpkinspice #waffles #brunch #toasterwaffles #fall #weekendvibes #easybreakfastideas
Whether you're a PSL enthusiast or a lover of pump Whether you're a PSL enthusiast or a lover of pumpkin pie, these 🎃 Pumpkin Spice Pancakes 🥞 will hit the spot! Preservative-free, yet ready in 10 minutes (including prep!), these buttery, plush, and delicately spiced buttermilk pancakes are so tasty, you'll eat them regardless of the season!
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[Recipe on the blog; link in profile]
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#psl #pumpkinspice #pumpkinpie #realfood
#preservative-free #preservativefreemovement #preservativefreecommunity #pumpkinspicepancakes #pumpkinpiepancakes #realfoodrecipes #noaddedsugar
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When to make these Short-cut Cranberry Crumble Squ When to make these Short-cut Cranberry Crumble Squares? When you're rotating your pantry and come across a can of homemade Better-Than-Storebought Cranberry Sauce! Or replace with your fave can of jam. 

A buttery shortbread crust topped with a tart and tangy filling, then covered in a crunchy crumble, these squares are great for coffee time, snack time, dessert! 

(Recipes on the website; link in profile)
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#pantryorganization #pantry #cranberrysauce #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #jam #shortcut #shortbread #crumble #allthenoms #snacktime
Feeling peckish? Looking for a luscious filling & Feeling peckish? Looking for a luscious filling & flaky pastry? These 🍋 Light-as-Air Lemon Curd Turnovers 🍋 are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a coffee break! (Also, INCREDIBLY easy to make!)

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#lemon #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #pastry #turnovers #flaky #lemoncurd #breakfast
#brunch #coffeetime #allthenoms
In case you hadn't noticed, I disappeared off IG ( In case you hadn't noticed, I disappeared off IG (and my blog www.approachingfood.com, and all social media) this fall. Why? Pregnancy!!! 
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I'm pregnant with my second child, a little girl, and had an awful first trimester. I was so sick that my toddler's pretend play now includes imitating mummy vomiting. #truestory 
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I was too sick to develop recipes or post or do anything regarding food or blogging. But I feel better now and am back to a semi-regular blogging schedule. Am also working on creating new freebies and a recipe book, so stay tuned!!!
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#preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #approachingfood #pregnancy #morningsickness #alldaysickness #funtimes #underdevelopment #timeout #debtfreecommunity #pandemicbaking
When you're craving fresh food, this 🥭Chunky Ma When you're craving fresh food, this 🥭Chunky Mango Guac🥑 hits the spot! Juicy mango, creamy avocado, garden fresh tomatoes, a squeeze of lime, and some chopped cilantro combine into one juicy, creamy, tangy mouthful!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile. ]

#summer #guacamole #avocado🥑#salsa #fruitsalad #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #scoopitup #freshfood #approachingfood
Excess zucchini? Just make Zucchini & Provolone Pi Excess zucchini? Just make Zucchini & Provolone Pizza!🍕This tender-crusted, golden cheese-topped pizza is flecked with shredded zucchini and is basically veggies in cheese pizza form. 

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#pizzaislife🍕 #cheesepizza #veggiepizza #zucchinirecipes #zucchini&provolone #eatyourveggies #gardenproduce #freshveggies #homemadepizza #toomanyzucchinis #ormaybenot
When you want a low-cal, nutrient-dense comfort fo When you want a low-cal, nutrient-dense comfort food, this garlicky stir-fried broccoli with freshly zested ginger (finished with fragrant sesame oil) definitely hits the spot! Ready in 20 minutes, it's just as fast (or faster!) than fast food! Peservative-free for the win!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#lowcarb #vegan #lowcal #comfortfood #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #20minutedinner #stirfryveggies #broccoli #garlic #ginger
Creamy, dreamy, and packed full of raspberry-licio Creamy, dreamy, and packed full of raspberry-licious flavour, this 🥤smoothie also contains 5 g of fibre and 6 g of protein. Plus, it's made with real food ingredients. A great preservative-free mini-meal or post-workout snack!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#realfood #raspberries #creamy #proteinsmoothie #fibrerich #fullofflavour #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #beattheheat☀️ #postworkoutmeal
Guilt-free 🍫chocolate cake🍰 is REAL! This su Guilt-free 🍫chocolate cake🍰 is REAL! This super-moist fudgy loaf cake is hiding a healthy secret: each loaf contains a zucchini🥒, a sweet potato🍠, and two bananas🍌!!! Great for lunch boxes, snacks, or as a healthy dessert. Freezes well too!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#guiltfree #chocolatecake #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #fudgy #sweetpotato #zucchini #zucchinirecipes #bananabread #pandemicbaking
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