Eating food in your car doesn’t have to be a big mess. There is no need to be hard on yourself when it comes to eating food while traveling. Several healthy and mess-free recipes can make a good meal while traveling. It is okay to fill your stomach, at least when needed to.

If you’re planning on having a road trip and you’re probably worried about the meals that you or your kids can take without having digestion issues, then worry less because this article got you covered with twenty easy meals you can have for dinner in the car. They include:

20. Salad Shakers

Salad shakers are cute and creative- layered salads and a perfect make-ahead meal option for dinner in the car. It is usually packed with healthy food such as kale, avocado, quinoa, and blueberries. Many other packed options come as salad shakers. It’s a recipe that you can prepare in less than 10 minutes.

A Recipe for Salad Shakers

• 1 pound Ground Beef (95% lean)
• Two teaspoons of ground cumin
• 1/4 cup of water
• Two tablespoons of chili powder
• Two teaspoons of minced garlic
• 10 to 12 ounces of mixed romaine or iceberg salad.
• 1 cup of tomato; diced
• 1/2 cup black beans that are canned, rinsed, and drained
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup low-fat Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1/2 cup prepared low-calorie condiment
• 1/4 cup Crunchy Tortilla Strips (optional)

How to prepare:

Fry the ground beef with garlic in a large nonstick pan over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until brown. Cut the beef into half-inch crumbles. Stir the beef in water, ground cumin, and chili powder. Slightly cool the beef and stir it for another minute to blend the flavors. In a large bowl that has a lid, Put the salad mix, beef, tomato, cheese, corns, and beans in it. Top it with a sauce, i.e., ketchup. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and shake the salad gently to combine. Top it with tortilla strips (optional) For Crunchy Tortilla Strips: Cut two corn tortillas in half, then across into quarter-inch strips. You can put them in a uniform layer on a baking sheet. Use the nonstick cooking spray to spray the tortilla strips. Bake for eight minutes or until crispy while maintaining a temperature of 400°F. A salad shaker is a preferred meal because it has a high nutritious value and can be served at any time.

19. Easy Samosas

This savory pastry can make a good meal for dinner in the car. Samosas come in different types, including veggie samosas, cheese, pasta, chicken, lamb, and many flavors. Samosas are easy to prepare and take about 7-10minutes. You can prepare it early enough before dinner and pack it well.

Recipe for Easy Samosa

• 1/2 lb or (0.2 kg) potatoes, peeled
• Two tablespoons of oil
• One teaspoon of sugar
• 1/4 small onion, diced
• One egg white
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 cup green peas, smashed
• One tablespoon of curry powder
• Salt to taste
• Spring roll wrappers
• Oil for deep-frying

How to prepare:

Boil the potatoes until they are thoroughly cooked. Drain the water and allow it cool. Peel off the potato skin, cut, and mash the potatoes using a potato riser or the back of a spoon. Heat a skillet and add the oil. Sauté the onion until aromatic. Add the potatoes, green peas, chili powder, curry powder, sugar, and salt. Cook it for a few minutes, remove it from the skillet and allow it to cool. Scoop one teaspoon of the filling and put it at the top center part of a wrapper piece. Gently brush the outer edges of the wrapper with the egg white, then fold and form the Samosa into a triangle. Pinch the edges and corners to ensure they are sealed tightly. Repeat the same until the filling is used up. Deep fry the Samosa at 350°F (176°C) until golden brown. Gently remove from the oil using a slotted spoon, and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve warm. You can also eat it when it’s cold. All you need to do is store the samosas well and safely in the containers.

18. Easy Sandwiches

They usually consist of sliced cheese, vegetables, and meat between slices of bread. A sandwich is a delicious weeknight dinner you can take in the car. The best side dishes that pair well with a sandwich for dinner include; homemade potato chips, fruit salad, coleslaw, grilled cheese and chili, fruit salad, and macaroni salad. Sandwiches are preferred because they are easy to make dinner with and have a super tasty flavor.

17. A Quick Quinoa

Quinoa is a good meal for consumption because it has anti-inflammatory properties. It is a gluten-free alternative to starchy grain and is often used as a substitute for rice. Quinoa is a hearty meal to take on the go and served with cubed veggies such as zucchini. If you’re planning to make a quinoa meal prep, then here is a simple recipe you can follow according to Food Network, to prepare quinoa with chicken and lentils

16. Garlic Chicken Hummus Wrap

Hummus is packed with vitamins and minerals that have impactful health benefits such as improving blood sugar control, better digestive health, and helping fight inflammation. They are a highly nutritious meal hence perfect for dinner in the car. Garlic Chicken Hummus Wrap has a fantastic flavor and fills you up.

15. Pesto Pasta

Pesto Pasta is healthy in moderation, and although it is high in fat and calories, it contains many nourishing ingredients. They are rich in minerals and vitamins, providing your body with mechanisms that help maintain cell health and keep your heart healthy. Making a fresher, lighter, and simple pesto pasta is advisable to make it easier to digest. Pesto can pair well with grilled chicken, tuna, and pasta salads.

14. Sandwich Sushi

Sandwiches look fan after rolling them up into tasty sushi sandwich bites. They are easy to make since they take about five minutes to prepare. They are healthy and easy for your kids to enjoy on the go. Sandwich sushi tastes better when made with fresh bread. It usually contains omega-3 fatty acids because of the fish contained in sushi. It also has low calories hence making it a preferred choice for dinner.

13. Tortellini Caprese Salad Skewers

Tortellini Caprese Salad is an Italian-inspired salad that is generally served with slices of fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato and then drizzled with balsamic and oil. Many Tortellini Caprese salads have a grape tomato and a fragrant basil leaf making the meal healthy and nutritional. They are so simple to prepare and an excellent choice for dinner in your car.

12. Chicken Pockets

Usually, chicken has a low-fat protein and is a good source of lean. Chicken pockets are triangles of crescent roll dough wrapped around a mixture of chicken, cheese, and onions. It is an easy meal and a perfect dinner in the car. Ingredients used to prepare the dish are; diced onions, minced garlic, olive oil, softened cream cheese, softened butter, shredded chicken and boneless breast, bread crumbs, and skim milk. You can prepare the procedure using this step-by-step guide from Allrecipes. It is an easy recipe for preparing a creamy chicken dip with bread toppings.

11. Pizza Rolls

It is a frozen food containing breaded pizza pockets with melted cheese, pizza toppings, and tomato sauce. Homemade pizza rolls allow you to enjoy your favorite pizza flavors in easy-to-eat bite-size pieces. They are tasty light meat you can have for dinner in your car. Pizza rolls are graciously delicious and perfect for your kids too.

10. Meat Loaf

Meatloaf is a baked dish containing minced meat and other ingredients, and it is molded into a loaf-like shape. The most common meatloaf recipes include; boiled eggs, sausages, carrots, ground beef, and bread crumbs. It is served with a side dish of rice or mashed potatoes. Meatloaf is a tasty dish and a hearty combo of the meatiest meal that is satisfying and ideally for dinner.

9. Burritos

A burrito is a Mexican cuisine consisting of a tortilla wrapped around a savory filling (as of meat, cheese, and beans) in a cylindrical-like shape. It is usually steamed or lightly grilled to soften and make the cuisine pliable. Burritos are one of those meals that never get old, and there are several ways to customize your wrap. They are best served with Mexican rice with chipotle, Mexican cone, Pico de Gallo, Mexican salad, guacamole, and chips, or lime and coriander rice. Burritos are preferred for dinner in the car because they can be served hot or cold.

8. Green Salad

It is a salad dish consisting primarily of lettuce and other fresh green vegetables. It is made of red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, spinach, and mixed greens that are uncooked. The salads are beyond delicious and are easy to prepare. It is a healthful diet containing Vitamin A, C, and other nutrients. The red and green vegetables contain Vitamin B6 and are higher in antioxidants. Green salad can be served with tuna, salmon prawns, low-fat cheeses, lean chicken, nuts, and seeds.

7. Quiche

A quiche is a French baked tart with a savory filling thickened with eggs, meat, pieces of cheese, seafood, and vegetables. It is a healthy meal that provides you with essential vitamins and minerals. Eggs are a basic recipe; they contain vitamin B-12, which helps maintain the health of your nervous system. Quiche can be served with tomato soup, fruit salad, fries, buttery new potatoes, leafy green salad, and roasted vegetables. Quiches must be eaten while warm and taken on any day.

6. Cold Soups- Classic Spicy Gazpacho

Cold soups are usually made with fresh fruits and vegetables. These soups contain less fat and meat per serving and are lighter than winter soup. Spicy gazpacho soup is a perfect example of classic cold soups. Gazpacho is from Spain and is made with Xérès vinegar, cucumber, tomatoes, pepper, bread, garlic, olive oil, and onion. You can serve the soup with a warm side dish of herby chicken skewers, Tortilla Española, grilled chorizo kebabs, and cheesy spinach quiche. At Betty Crocker, you’ll get a simple recipe on how to prepare the spicy gazpacho.

5. Breaded Chicken Strips

Breaded Chicken Strips are prepared using four fundamental ingredients. These ingredients include; flour, chicken, eggs, and breadcrumbs. You can serve the breaded chicken with squash casserole, candied sweet potatoes, cornbread, and peach cobbler.

4. Pasta Salad

It is a salad dish with one or a variety of pasta. It is an easy-to-prepare meal, and it is coupled with veggies and fat-free options. You can serve pasta salad with sandwiches, fried chicken, Italian Pinwheels, BBQ chicken, fried okra, and hamburgers. It is a good and healthy meal you can eat at any time of the day. You can get a simple recipe at Love and Lemons and prepare one in under thirty minutes.

3. Cheese and Bacon Hash Brown Muffins

It is a great dinner treat for a family that you can have during those long road trips. The muffins are tastier because of the cheese and bacon. It’s an easy-to-prepare meal, and the ingredients include; starchy potatoes, grated cheese, bacon rashes, pepper, olive oil, salt, and optional parsley. You can find the whole recipe at Recipe tin eats.

2. Baked French Toast

Baked French toast is a perfect meal for dinner. It can be served with scrambled eggs, fresh fruits, caramelized bananas, grilled peaches, syrup, and strawberry yogurt. Find the whole recipe at inspire taste. Prepare the meal and cover the dish or put it in an airtight container once it has cooled. Properly seal the meal and store it well for dinner.

1. Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is an Italian dish containing Fettuccine tossed with parmesan cheese, butter, cream, and other seasonings. The meal is easy to prepare, and you will be close to finalizing the meal prep by melting the butter, cheese, and cream together. Using low-fat cheese and cream is advisable and storing the Fettuccine Alfredo in cool containers.

Final Word

Traveling with an empty stomach is not advisable. You can consider planning, and, by this, making meal preparations before starting a journey is quite essential. Ensure that the meals have low fat and the fruits and vegetables are abundant. Also, since your car is your dining, cleanliness inside your car is necessary. You might need to carry disposable plates and bowls to avoid a foul smell of the food if the utensils won’t be thoroughly washed and rinsed.