One of the best ways to cut time in the kitchen is to reduce the number of ingredients used. Here this principle is taken to the extreme: five ingredients for the entire meal! Make Spaghetti and Meatballs with fruit salad, or a dinner of steak and potatoes. Easy.

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

When chicken is cooked with a sauce, it stays more tender and juicy. And making a sauce picks up every last bit of flavor. Plus, all you have to do is add rice or pasta and you're well on your way to an easy meal! These delicious recipes all feature different cuts of chicken in a sauce, cooked in the crockpot, on the grill, in the microwave, and on the stovetop. Yum.

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Sandwiches are the perfect solution to busy fall weekends. And hot sandwiches are even better. But what if family members are coming and going and nobody is eating at the same time? Crockpot sandwich fillings come to the rescue. These recipes, once done, will hold on low for a few hours, and on 'keep warm' up to 2 hours. Leave some crusty rolls and hearty breads around and let everyone make their own sammies.

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Late summer is the perfect time to use corn on the cob and the sweetest cherry tomatoes in this delicious salad. It's still warm outside, so a main dish salad is perfectly appropriate. This menu is perfect for this time of year, combining garden produce with the first fruits of fall. Serve with simple grilled cheese bread and an easy fruit dessert.

• Tortellini and Fresh Corn Salad
• Toasted Parmesan Garlic Bread
• Pear Apricot Cobbler

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}