Need a shortcut tonight? Combine store-bought staples with fresh ingredients for a quick and delicious meal in less time.

1. Loaded Mac and Cheese

Start With: A box of macaroni and cheese

Add Fresh: Veggies (chopped broccoli or peas) and meat (cooked ground beef or turkey)

Make: Prepare macaroni and cheese as directed on the box, using low-fat or fat-free milk, then stir in the veggies and cooked meat. Top with fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Time-Saving Swap: Use veggies and chopped rotisserie chicken from the Publix Deli. Be sure to remove the skin before preparing.

2. Pizza Salad

Start With: A frozen cheese pizza

Add Fresh: Chopped arugula or spinach

Make: Bake the frozen pizza as directed; toss the arugula or spinach with balsamic vinaigrette and chopped tomatoes. Top the pizza with the salad and cut into slices. Cool and serve.

Time-Saving Swap: Use a salad kit (with dressing included) to top your pizza.

3. Chicken Stir-Fry

Start With: Shredded rotisserie chicken from the Publix Deli. Be sure to remove the skin before preparing.

Add Fresh: Red, orange, and yellow sweet peppers

Make: Sauté the chicken and sweet peppers with olive oil and reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce. Serve over brown rice and garnish with green onions.

Time-Saving Swap: Use microwavable instant brown rice.

4. Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Start With: Shredded barbecue pork

Add Fresh: Shredded cabbage

Make: Heat the pork as directed on package. Toss the shredded cabbage with your favorite vinaigrette-style salad dressing or a little mayonnaise, low-fat yogurt, or sour cream with a hint of mustard to make an easy coleslaw. Spoon pork onto rolls and top with the slaw.

Time-Saving Swap: Use coleslaw from the Publix Deli.

5. BLT Salad

Start With: Bagged romaine lettuce or spring mix

Add Fresh: Chopped tomatoes

Make: Combine the bagged lettuce and tomatoes with crumbled turkey bacon and cubed, toasted chunks of French bread or croutons. Serve with your favorite salad dressing.

Time-Saving Swap: Use microwavable turkey bacon.

Looking for more ideas? We have you covered with these quick lunches.

This content is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or a guarantee of prevention, improvement, or treatment of specific conditions. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific medical questions or concerns.