- Recipes
Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.
updated Nov 28, 2023
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When you’re on vacation with your family, what do you want in a recipe? I know what I’m looking for — a few ingredients, even fewer dishes, and the ability to feed family or friends who stop by to visit or vacation with us. The challenge, of course, is that there’s no telling what your vacation kitchen will or won’t be equipped with.
Here are 15 family favorites that don’t call for any special gear or much fuss whatsoever. In fact, most of them only call for one pot, one bowl, or one baking sheet.
Easy Meals for Vacation Rental
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Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Sour cream makes this hashbrown breakfast casserole better than the rest, adding a richness that prevents the eggs from becoming too dry during baking.
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Sheet Pan Sweet Potatoes and Black Bean Hash
This one-pan wonder does double duty as breakfast or dinner fare. Serve with tortillas and that local salsa you found at the farmers market.
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Blueberry Pancake Casserole
This casserole for a crowd is everything you love about fluffy buttermilk pancakes loaded with blueberries the added bonus of a streusel topping.
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Frittata
As long as you have a few vegetables and some eggs on hand, you can have a frittata on the table in about 20 minutes.
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30-Minute Sheet Pan Potatoes and Chicken Sausage
This is another example of a one-pan meal that plays well for dinner, breakfast, or lunch. Serve with apple slices, grainy mustard, and delicious beer for the adults.
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Greek-Style Tuna Salad
A light and wholesome Mediterranean-inspired tuna salad that's packed with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs.
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Smoked Turkey Sandwich for a Crowd
Forever my favorite, my grandmother built these deep-dish sandwiches for our lake trips every summer. Slice it up before you leave the vacation rental and enjoy easy eating on the beach, boat, or zoo trip.
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Garlicky Soba Noodle Bowls
This quick cooking vegetarian noodle bowl is made with soba noodles, cucumbers, greens, and a light chili garlic sauce.
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French Bread Pesto Chicken Pizza
My family has a tradition of making pizza every Friday night, vacation included. This keeps me from making pizza dough when I’d rather be reading or solving puzzles.
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Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
This cold, hearty pasta salad makes the most of summer produce and grocery store shortcuts too — buy some local pasta and pesto to make it taste even more like vacation.
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Sweet Potato Fajitas
These fajitas have roasted sweet potatoes seasoned with cumin and smoked paprika. Stuff them into tortillas and drizzle with a tangy crema.
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Easy Sheet Pan Chili Garlic Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli
This easy sheet pan supper is flavored with a combination of soy sauce and ginger and amped up with just one simple addition: chili garlic sauce.
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Pasta alla Gricia
Think of this as an easier version of carbonara. This pasta is one of those things you can quickly pull off when you first arrive at your vacation rental and everyone is famished. It’ll quickly give you stock of how equipped the rental is, without being too reliant on things that might be lacking.
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Tuscan Chicken Skillet
Caramelized mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, tender white beans, juicy chicken: there's nothing but good flavor happening here. And all in one skillet!
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Ice Cream Sandwiches for a Crowd
How to be a vacation hero? Stock the freezer with ice cream sandwiches when you arrive! No need to mix up cookie dough — buy the pre-made stuff and some good vanilla ice cream for instant success.
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