With so many choosing to travel to vacation rentals instead of hotels these days, there are many factors to consider. In addition to bringing cleaning supplies and your own linens, it can be helpful to plan vacation meals ahead of time. This allows families to enjoy their time away from home with limited trips for groceries. These are easy meals to cook on vacation that everyone in the family will love.
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Easy Meals to Cook in a Vacation Rental
If you decide to travel to a vacation rental, it can be helpful to have a meal game plan in advance. We searched to find the easiest meals to make on vacation so you can relax, even when everyone is hungry.
So get out your shopping lists, we're going to show you how to make simple meals the whole family will enjoy!
Easy to Fix Breakfast on Vacation
Breakfast at the beach house might be one of my favorite things to do on summer vacation. Use these breakfast ideas, to get everyone out of bed and ready to start the day.
1
Breakfast Crunchwraps Recipe
Photo Credit:zonacooks.com
Breakfast Crunchwraps are an easy and delicious alternative to breakfast burritos which don’t have this amazing crispy fried golden brown tortilla shell.
2
Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns
Photo Credit:foodmeanderings.com
These Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns, adapted from the The Land of Nod Cinnamon Buns, use frozen dinner rolls and are prepped the night before. They are baked in the morning so they are a quick and easy breakfast the next day. They are perfect for bringing along to your vacation rental!
3
Mexican Sheet Pan Eggs with Tortilla Toast
Photo Credit:foodmeanderings.com
These Sheet Pan Eggs are like eating healthy nachos for breakfast! Baked eggs cooked on a baking sheet (sunny side up eggs in the oven) are paired with Mexican nacho flavors like salsa, black olive, green onion, jalapeno and low-fat cheese for a quick and easy to make weekday morning breakfast. This breakfast can also be made ahead, as it keeps for a few days in the fridge. For those that like it less spicy, just skip the jalapenos. This recipe is also vegetarian and gluten-free and perfect for feeding a crowd!
4
Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds
Photo Credit:mamalovestocook.com
Nobody wants to waste time making breakfast on vacation, so these overnight oats are perfect. They take just minutes to make the night before and you can just grab and go in the morning.
5
Strawberry Coconut Almond Coffee Cake
Photo Credit:sharonpalmer.com
Strawberries offer natural sweetness and flavor to this simple, plant-based coffee cake, which is light in sugar and fat, and packed with whole grain goodness.
6
Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Photo Credit:code2cook.com
Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are very good for breakfast or afternoon snack. These healthy snacks are filled with the goodness of oatmeal, flaxseeds, peanut butter, and pumpkin puree.
7
Sheet Pan Breakfast Tostadas
Photo Credit:www.rachelcooks.com
A Southwestern take on eggs and toast, these sheet pan breakfast tostadas are a step away from ordinary, with crunchy corn tortillas, sharp cheddar cheese, a fried egg, and brilliant salsa verde.
8
Scrambled Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Photo Credit:www.chocolatesandchai.com
A breakfast sandwich is a must have when you’re vacationing - easy to feed everyone when you are short on time!
Easy to Fix Lunch for a Crowd
These meals make for the perfect beach vacation lunch. Easy to make and little mess, ensure these will be meals you make long after vacation is over!
9
No Cook Buffalo Pulled Chicken Sandwich
Photo Credit:foodmeanderings.com
These buffalo pulled chicken sandwiches, made with rotisserie chicken and caraway coleslaw are quick, easy and no cook, so they're perfect for summer or anytime you need a fast no cook meal!
10
Banh Mi Turkey Hot Dogs
Photo Credit:foodmeanderings.com
Loaded with fresh vegetables and herbs, this gourmet hot dog is the perfect way to get your Banh Mi sandwich (Vietnamese sub) fix in a quick, economical and healthy way. Using Turkey Hot dogs, it's only 5 Weight Watchers points on the blue plan!
11
Cucumber Sandwiches Recipe
Photo Credit:www.mydiasporakitchen.com
These delightful and cute sandwiches are easy to make and enjoy. They are light yet filling. Make this for breakfast, brunch or as a snack while you vacation with your family.
12
Savory Masala French Toast
Photo Credit:ministryofcurry.com
Made from few basic ingredients like eggs, onions and warming spices like turmeric and chili, this savory masala toast recipe is ready in under 10 mins and makes a perfect meal to enjoy any time of the day!
13
Chicken Hummus Naan Wraps
Photo Credit:www.therisingspoon.com
An easy chicken wrap you can throw together in just 15 minutes for a quick & healthy dinner or lunch. Featuring simple ingredients like shredded chicken, hummus, chopped fresh veggies, a homemade red wine vinaigrette, and crumbled cheese all piled onto a piece of soft & chewy naan bread (Indian flatbread). Other salad dressings could be used, such as a balsalmic vinaigrette or ranch.
14
Chickpea Avocado Salad
Photo Credit:eatplant-based.com
Chickpea Avocado Salad is by far my favorite vegan sandwich of all time. Something about the flavors of lime, avocado, and cilantro just thrill my taste buds and it's easy to make!
15
Turkey and Red Bean Tacos
Photo Credit:www.themamamaven.com
These easy to make turkey and red bean tacos will be ready in no time! (You can use a can of black beans if you prefer).
Easy to Make Dinners on Vacation
These easy dinners will change your vacation for the better. Everything from a one-pan meal to instant pot, these will become your favorite easy vacation meals.
16
Cider Glazed Chicken Breasts
Photo Credit:whatagirleats.com
Cider Glazed Chicken Breasts are a delicious, easy gluten-free chicken dinner that uses just 4 ingredients.
17
Sheet Pan Oven Baked Gnocchi with Sausage and Vegetables
Photo Credit:www.livinglou.com
Sheet pan oven baked gnocchi with sausage and vegetables is a quick dinner that comes together in just 25 minutes and is made in one pan.
18
Chicken And Leek Risotto
Photo Credit:www.greedygourmet.com
Keep things simple with this Chicken and Leek Risotto. You only dirty one pot in the cooking process and the ingredients are easy to get find!
19
Cacio e Pepe Recipe
Photo Credit:sugarandcloth.com
This Cacio e Pepe recipe may sound impressive but it’s a super simple dinner recipe that you only need a few ingredients for. It’s always a crowd please and simple enough that the kids will love it too.
20
Grilled Salmon
Photo Credit:kristineskitchenblog.com
Easy Grilled Salmon with a simple and flavorful marinade. Make this recipe with a grill pan or outdoor grill, perfect for any vacation rental.
21
Chicken Parmesan
Photo Credit:www.thefreshcooky.com
When on vacation, we always make this simple one pan dish. Chicken Parmesan, uses jarred sauce, makes a lot or a little. It's fabulous for dinner AND tastes great for leftovers the next day! Oh and it's ready in 30 minutes!
22
Easy Creamy Chickpea Curry - Chana Masala
Photo Credit:veeatcookbake.com
This easy creamy chickpea curry is a throw together meal and perfect for a one pot meal. You need just a couple of ingredients and you need just 30 min to make this quick dinner.
23
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Photo Credit:kellystilwell.com
Roasting a whole chicken will not only serve up a fabulous dinner, but you can make chicken salad or a pot of chicken soup with the leftovers. This is an easy and super delicious recipe everyone will love.
24
One Pot Taco Beef and Rice
Photo Credit:swirlsofflavor.com
One Pot Taco Beef and Rice is a taco skillet recipe that’s quick, easy and delicious will soon become a family favorite taco alternative. With all the flavors of a taco, you can eat this easy taco rice recipe on it’s own or in taco shells.
25
Creamy One-Pot Spaghetti with Italian Sausage
Photo Credit:www.therisingspoon.com
Need some easy comfort food made with simple ingredients? Fix this Creamy One-Pot Spaghetti in only 45 minutes with onion, sweet bell pepper, garlic, ground Italian sausage, canned tomatoes, broth, canned coconut milk (or heavy cream) + dry spices.
26
Best Easy Chile Relleno Casserole (+ Gluten Free Option)
Photo Credit:www.thefreshcooky.com
I love making Chile Relleno Casserole when traveling, it works for breakfast, lunch or dinner and leftovers are delish! Easy to assemble with just a few ingredients and the chile's are mild enough kids love it too!
27
Vegan Pesto Pasta with Beans and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks
Creamy, delicious, healthy, satisfying vegan pesto pasta is the perfect marriage of comfort food and culinary art that comes together quickly and simply. This dairy-free pesto pasta dinner is flavorful and fast, making it the ideal family meal when on vacation.
28
Best Philly Cheesesteak Burgers
Photo Credit:zonacooks.com
Philly Cheesesteak Burgers are the perfect year round burger that will stand out from the crowd. All of the classic cheese steak flavors of green pepper, onion, and melted cheese are combined in this juicy quarter pound burger.
29
One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Photo Credit:swirlsofflavor.com
One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an easy recipe that cooks pasta and homemade meatballs together in a delicious tomato sauce. Ground beef meatballs simmer in a quick homemade sauce and then uncooked spaghetti is added. Skillet spaghetti and meatballs finishes cooking together in one pot for a saucy pasta dinner!
30
Kale Quinoa Watermelon Salad
Photo Credit:www.suchthespot.com
Requiring little more than a cutting board and knife to put together, this Kale Quinoa Watermelon Salad makes a delicious light dinner and is easy to make when you don't know which kitchen tools you'll have access to. It's easy to omit ingredients for picky eaters, but we've found this one to be a family favorite!
31
Vegan Bolognese
Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks
All you need is 20 minutes and a love of Italian food with this vegan Bolognese. Gently simmered with classic Italian herbs, fragrant garlic, and roasted tempeh “meat” this is sure to become your favorite vegan spaghetti sauce!
32
Portuguese Tomato Rice (Arroz de Tomate)
Photo Credit:foodandjourneys.net
This authentic dish from Lisbon can be served as a rice side dish, or as a base for a fish and seafood main dish. Expect a burst of flavor in every spoonful of Portuguese Tomato Rice (Arroz de Tomate) -- and it's ready in 30 minutes!
33
Sausage and Pepper Pasta
Photo Credit:www.livinglou.com
With only a handful of ingredients this sausage and pepper pasta made with Italian sausages is a quick vacation rental dinner, perfect for a family who wants to enjoy their time away from home.
34
Quick and Easy Chicken & Dumplings
Photo Credit:www.diywithmyguy.com
This quick and easy chicken & dumplings recipe only takes 15 minutes and will taste just like your grandmother’s “made from scratch” version.
35
One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Photo Credit:www.saltycanary.com
This delicious One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta is an easy and quick meal for the entire family and leaves little cleanup in the kitchen because you only need to use … one pot!
36
Roasted Potato Nachos
Photo Credit:karalydon.com
Hands up in the air for a 5-ingredient pantry staple meal! These roasted potato nachos only require a handful of ingredients and are ready in 40 minutes or less! Perfect for when on vacation or traveling!
37
Pizza Potato Packs
Photo Credit:www.mykitchenlove.com
Pizza Potato Packs are the ultimate easy travel recipe with a wholesome potato base and topped with pizza flavours you won’t be able to resist. Grab this almost effortless foil pack meal that will become a new family favourite.
38
Creamy Pesto and Goat Cheese Pasta
Photo Credit:smackofflavor.com
Creamy Pesto and Goat Cheese Pasta is a quick vegetarian weeknight dinner recipe, done in less than 30 minutes. This is an easy and quick pantry pasta dinner recipe. A delicious creamy goat cheese and pesto sauce with no cream!
Desserts to Eat on Vacation
Of course these awesome vacation rental meals have to be followed up my something equally impressive, dessert!
39
Funfetti Mug Cake: Birthday Cake in a Mug
Photo Credit:wellifshecandoit.com
Want something sweet while you’re on vacation, but don’t want to spend tons of time in the kitchen? This microwave mug cake can be made in just a few minutes!
40
Old-Fashioned Blackberry “Easy Cobbler”
Photo Credit:healthychristianhome.com
When time is short, turn to this recipe! This old-fashioned blackberry cobbler recipe is just what you need. Even better, it only takes 10 minutes to prep and is perfect for a crowd.
41
Easy Cheerios™ Treats
Photo Credit:sharonpalmer.com
These super simple, no-bake Easy Cheerios Treat are based on nut butter and agave syrup—a much more wholesome version than typical cereal treats. You could even make it ahead of time and just bring it along.
42
Mini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffin Cookies
Photo Credit:code2cook.com
These mini Chocolate chip muffin cookies prepared with oatmeal in a muffin tin are chewy, crunchy & topped with the mixture of walnuts and pecans.
43
Scotcheroo Bars
Photo Credit:www.thisfarmgirlcooks.com
Chances are you'll need cereal and nut butter on vacation, so why not make Chocolate Peanut Butter Scotcharoos?!?
This decadent dessert is a delicious marriage of peanut butter rice krispie treat, topped with a blend of melted chocolate and butterscotch chips.
44
No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
Photo Credit:My Diaspora Kitchen
This 4 ingredient ice cream will knock your socks off. You don’t even need a machine to make this creamy homemade ice cream. Ready in less than 15 mins all you need to do at this point is to decide if you want it soft serve or frozen.
45
Apple Pie Nachos
Photo Credit:karalydon.com
Nachos just reached a new level. These vegan apple pie nachos are a healthier (and tastier!) spin on traditional apple pie. Wow your guests with a fun, innovative dessert.
Meal planning before heading out on your family vacation will save you time and money. By cooking your own meals at your rental house, not only will you be able to enjoy tasty meals in your rental home, you will be able to sit down and enjoy some of your family’s favorites and try some new easy dinner ideas too.
