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Fast family dinners

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Don’t let the back-to-school frenzy put a damper on dinner plans. Soccer, dance, football and piano lessons don’t have to keep the family from sitting down for a meal together.

With a little planning – and everyone pitching in – you can create memorable family time around the table, even on the busiest of weeknights. Try some of these quick dinner tips and easy recipes for a delicious family dinner – fast.

* Simple is better. During the week, stick to simple family favorites and save multi-step meals and new recipes for the weekends when you have a little more time.

* Do double duty. When you brown ground beef or sausage for one meal, go ahead and brown extra to use in another dish later in the week. Rice, cheese and chopped onion can all be put in the freezer and saved for tacos, spaghetti or a skillet dish when you’re pressed for time.

* Have a back-up plan. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so make sure you’ve got something you can put together in a flash. It could be a meal you’ve prepped and frozen that just needs warming up, or some pasta, jarred sauce and whatever vegetables you have on hand that can be tossed together for a quick Italian feast.

* Use convenience foods. Save some time and hassle with frozen cut vegetables or bagged salads. Look in the freezer and refrigerator sections of your grocery store to find farm-fresh Bob Evans proteins and sides that help you get a wholesome meal on the table with plenty of time to spare.

For more fast family recipes and money-saving coupons, visit www.bobevans.com.

Sausage and mushroom calzone
Prep time: 20 minutes, cook time: 20 minutes, makes 4 servings

1 pound–Bob Evans Italian Roll Sausage
1 pound–loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2 cup–pizza sauce
1 jar–sliced mushrooms, drained (4 ounces)
1/2 cup–grated mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large skillet, crumble and cook sausage until browned. Set aside.

Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 12- to 14-inch rectangle. Cut into 4 pieces.

Top half of each rectangle with sauce, sausage, mushrooms and cheese. Fold dough over to enclose. Crimp around edges with a fork. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Mexican sausage pizza
Prep time: 20 minutes, cook time: 10 minutes, makes 4 servings

1 pound–Bob Evans Original Roll Sausage (can use Hot)
3 cups–baking mix
2 cups–grated cheddar cheese
1 can–(15 ounces) refried beans
1/2 cup–chopped onion
1 cup–diced tomato
1/2 cup–minced cilantro
2 cup–shredded Mexican blend cheese
Sour cream (optional)
Salsa (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In medium skillet over medium heat crumble and cook sausage until brown. Cool.

In large bowl, combine baking mix, cheddar cheese and cooked sausage. Stir in 5 or 6 tablespoons water to form a dough. Pat out into a thin layer on a large baking sheet or pizza pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until light brown.

Spread crust with refried beans. Top with onions, tomato, cilantro and cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

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