8 Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinners For Busy Families
Managing work school and extracurriculars may make supper preparation difficult. To reduce stress we've included eight simple weeknight meals for busy families. These dishes are easy to make healthy and tasty so you can have a home cooked supper even on busy evenings.
At no time should family time and eating together be diminished as this are the smallest ways that families can stay together and connected in this trying times.
1. One Pot Wonders
One pot dinners save busy families. They maximize taste and nutrients with minor cleaning. Hearty chicken and vegetable stir fry is one example. Saut chicken breast strips in a large pan until golden brown. Mix colorful bell peppers, broccoli florets and snap peas with a zesty soy sauce, garlic and ginger sauce. A whole supper may be made in about 20 minutes with this recipe over rice or noodles. Another great alternative is one pot spaghetti primavera. Cook spaghetti in a big pot and add cherry tomatoes, zucchini and spinach in the final few minutes. Add a creamy Alfredo or light lemon garlic sauce for a vitamin packed fast meal.
2. Sheet Pan Dinners
Sheet pan meals are convenient since you can prepare a dish on one tray. These meals are excellent for families that desire variety and texture without cooking for hours. A favorite is sheet pan chicken fajitas after marinating chicken strips in olive oil lime juice and fajita spice on a sheet pan with cut onions and bell peppers. Bake until chicken is done and veggies are soft then serve with warm tortillas, avocado slices and salsa for a customized supper that everyone will love. Roasted salmon with asparagus and tiny potatoes is another simple alternative. Roast salmon filets and veggies in olive oil, salt and pepper until flaky and potatoes are golden. This recipe is tasty and high in omega 3s and fiber.
3. Slow Cooker Favorites
Setting up a slow cooker may save the morning day with additional time. Meals in the slow cooker simmer all day so supper is ready when you get home. One favorite is slow cooker beef stew. Blend meat carrots potatoes onions and peas with tomato paste beef broth and seasonings. Let everything boil on low for eight hours for a thick delicious stew for comfortable nights. Another hit is slow cooker chicken tacos. Add chicken breasts salsa taco seasoning and lime juice to the slow cooker. Shred the chicken and provide in taco shells with your preferred toppings after slow simmering all day. These recipes save time and fill your house with delectable fragrances that excite everyone for supper.
4. 30 Minute Meals
Families that need supper on the table quickly might try 30 minute dinners. These simple dishes won't sacrifice taste or nutrition. Shrimp scampi is classic. The Mediterranean flavor is brought to your dinner table in just 30 minutes with this entree. Saut garlic in butter and olive oil then add shrimp white wine lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Add cooked spaghetti and fresh parsley when the shrimp are pink and soft.
It makes a light tasty lunch that will become a family favorite. Another great option is chicken piccata. This Italian inspired meal includes flouring and pan frying thin chicken cutlets till browned. The simple yet colorful sauce of lemon juice capers chicken stock and butter works wonders. For an elegant yet straightforward supper serve it over spaghetti or rice.
5. Kid Friendly Favorites
Kids might be picky about supper but these kid friendly classics satisfy even the pickiest eaters. One favorite is homemade chicken tenders. Instead of processed they are fresh chicken breast strips coated in seasoned flour egg and breadcrumbs then baked or air fried until crispy. Serve with sweet potato fries and dipping sauces like honey mustard or ketchup and watch the youngsters enjoy it. Healthy macaroni and cheese is another popular dish. Create a thick cheese sauce using cheddar and cream cheese then add cooked macaroni and steamed broccoli or peas for additional nutrients.
It is cheesy , cozy and a terrific way to sneak vegetables into this recipe. DIY tiny pizzas make mealtime exciting and engaging. Put out pepperoni bell peppers mushrooms olives shredded mozzarella and marinara sauce. Let the kids make pizzas using whole wheat pita or naan bread bases and bake until the cheese melts and bubbles. This provides a tasty supper and gets kids involved in cooking helping them try new items.
6. International Flavors
Introducing your family to foreign cuisines can be fun and easy with these simple dishes. Beef stir fry with veggies is a popular Asian dish. Thinly slice flank steak and serve with colorful veggies like bell peppers, snap peas and carrots. The soy sauce, hoisin garlic and ginger sauce bind everything. A hot wok or pan cooks this meal quickly making it ideal for hectic weeknights. Indian favorite chicken tikka masala is another excellent alternative. It may seem not easy but a reduced version takes around 30 minutes. Cook chicken in a rich tomato based sauce with garlic ginger and garam masala after marinating it in yogurt and spices. Provide with basmati rice or naan for a cozy ethnic supper.
7. Vegetarian Delights
These vegetarian dishes are tasty and easy to make for nightly plant based dinners. One favorite is vegetarian chili. This substantial chili with beans, tomatoes , bell peppers and spices pleases meat eaters too. Saute onions garlic and bell peppers until smooth then add kidney beans black beans chopped tomatoes and vegetable broth. Season with chili powder cumin and paprika and simmer for 20 minutes to blend flavors. Add shredded cheese, avocado sour cream or Greek yogurt for a healthy and comfortable supper. Another good choice is stuffed bell peppers. Half bell peppers should be filled with quinoa black beans, corn chopped tomatoes and chopped cheese then baked until soft and cooked.
8. Quick And Healthy Salads
A healthy evening supper may be as simple as a refreshing salad. These salad ideas go beyond greens to provide flavorful nutritious lunches. My favorite is grilled chicken Caesar salad. Season chicken breast with salt pepper and a dash of garlic powder and grill until done. Serve sliced chicken atop crisp romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing Parmesan cheese shavings and handmade croutons. This salad is tasty and balanced with protein and veggies. Asian inspired quinoa salad is colorful too.
Conclusion
Adding these eight simple weeknight dinners to your family meal rotation may make stressful nights fun at the dinner table. Each recipe, one pot miracle sheet pan meals, slow cooker favorites or vegetarian options is simple without sacrificing taste or nutrition. Planning and testing these various dishes can help you find new favorites that satisfy everyone's preferences and make dinner time stress free and tasty.
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