That said, I’m also well aware of just how hectic life can be, and sometimes stuff happens that prevents us from putting the planned meal on the table. We all have those days where we arrive home at 5:45pm, everyone’s starving, there's basketball practice at 7pm, and there’s just no time to cook a meal.
Many families would be inclined to reach for the take-out menu in such instances. But that’s an option that’s tough on the budget and the waistline. So I recommend having “emergency rations” on hand for just such occurrences.
That can include leftovers from the freezer that you stored after a meal you cooked, or something such as frozen ravioli or tortellini that you bought on sale and saved for just such an occasion.