[pictured: crusted broiled tilapia]

It is warm outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to sweat your armpits off in the kitchen (besides, where do they go when they slip off? It could be potentially awkward, and a little weird.



Want dinners that are seriously versatile, easy to throw together and make freaktacular leftovers?

Here are five fantastic, gluten free, diabetic friendly and fast dinner ideas to try now when you’re just too tired to get your Martha on.

These dishes also go to show you don’t have to break out the expensive food items or dinner settings; just make real food.

Crusted Broiled Tilapia

In simplest terms, this super easy dish only requires an oven with a broiler, some tilapia, Parmesan and about 15 minutes.

Serve with: sugar snap peas and carrots with ranch dressing

Under 6 carbs per tilapia + 1 cup peas or 1/2 cup carrots

Broiled Tilapia recipe

Crock Pot Pizza

Crock pots might sound a little unsexy and school marmie, but picture the sexy librarian in a push-up bra and go for it. This dish is not only delicious, it makes the house smell amazing for hours. Don’t have an oven? Assemble the dish the day before in an oven proof pan and bake, covered, for 60-90 minutes at 350 degree Fahrenheit.

Serve with: Bagged side salad and Caesar dressing

Under 8 carbs for a heaping helping of the pizza + 1 cup salad

Crock Pot Pizza recipe

Mexican Meatloaf

Hate meatloaf? Me, too. Think of this as a flavor explosion in your mouth. What’s more, it’s even better the next day, taking dinner even farther.

Serve with: A shaved jicama salad

Under 8 carbs for meatloaf with a Tbsp of sour cream, a Tbsp of salsa, and a cup of salad greens (with a few slivers of jicama for crunch).

Mexican Meatloaf recipe

Crusted Ranch Chicken

Chicken can be sexy and full of flavor; just try this recipe and see what I’m talking about. To make it even easier, you can skip bake mix and use flax seed meal, dried parsley and a little pepper and garlic powder to bring the zhoozh. Didn’t I tell you? Easy peasy.

Serve with: Green beans and/or mashed cauliflower.

Under 8 carbs for a cup of vegetable and a serving of chicken.

Crusted Ranch Chicken recipe

Macho Nacho Broiled Salad

Sound weird? Awesome. Delicious? Damned skippy. Easy to make? Please, sister; you’re talking to the queen of lazy. Just make sure you have a broiler proof plate and fixings and you’re ready for a dish of fabulousness. People pay over $10 in a store and you can make this filling dinner in 10 minutes.

Serve with: Dressing and a long glass of sugar free iced tea

Under 10 carbs for a loaded platter of righteousness.

Macho Nacho Salad recipe