Easy Weekday Oatmeal Recipes

For being a simple breakfast dish, oatmeal packs a healthful punch. The fiber in oats can help lower your "bad" cholesterol levels and aid in weight loss. The carbohydrates in oatmeal provide much-needed morning energy. Antioxidants found in oats fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Quite a bit of benefits from such an unassuming bowl of cereal, don't you think?

If you want to start your day with a hot bowl of oatmeal, avoid the instant stuff as the processing it goes through decreases many of the health benefits found in whole oats. Instead, reach for steel-cut oats, which have a nuttier flavor, a chewy texture and rich nutritional value. Rolled oats are good for you as well, so opt for them if you prefer. You may think you do not have time to cook oatmeal on busy weekday mornings, but there are other ways to prepare this healthy, delicious breakfast meal without much time or fuss.

Overnight Oats

Enlist the help of your trusty slow cooker for a warm and hearty breakfast that is waiting for you when you awaken in the morning.

Ingredients
1 cup steel-cut oats OR 2 cups rolled oats
4 ½ cups water
Pinch of salt
Optional: ½ to 1 cup fruit, such as diced apples or raisins

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine ingredients in the slow cooker and close the lid. Cook on low overnight (for six to eight hours). If you have an exceptionally hot slow cooker, you may need to use the "Warm" setting instead of "Low." Serve warm. Sweeten with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey or whatever you choose. Leftovers refrigerate well and can be warmed in the microwave.

Bake-Ahead Oatmeal

Whip up this simple recipe on Sunday afternoon and refrigerate to enjoy during the week. All you need to do is scoop out a single portion and warm up in the microwave.

Ingredients
1 cup steel-cut oats OR 2 cups rolled oats
3 cups water
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 300F. Spray a 9x13 casserole with nonstick cooking spray. Combine ingredients in casserole. Bake for 90 minutes; bake longer for thicker oatmeal or reduce baking time for thinner oats. Top with fruit, sweetener, milk or any other desired additions.

Microwave a Bowl

You can quickly microwave a single bowl any time you want some hot oatmeal. The key is using a larger bowl than you think you will need, as the oatmeal with bubble and expand during cooking. Use a bowl that is too small and you will end up with a gooey mess in the microwave.

Ingredients
One part steel-cut or rolled oats
Two parts water

Combine in large microwave-safe cereal bowl (or small mixing bowl). Heat on high for five minutes. Stir and heat one minute at a time up to three additional minutes until oatmeal has reached the desired consistency. Top with fruit, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey or whatever you choose.