As a parent, juggling work, school, extracurricular activities, and household chores can leave you feeling like there’s never enough time in the day. The last thing you want to worry about is what to cook for dinner. Can you relate? That’s where quick and easy weeknight meals come to the rescue! In this blog post, we’ll share five delicious and hassle-free recipes that will not only save you time but also please even the pickiest eaters in your family. You’ll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less!
One-Pot Pasta Primavera
Ingredients:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, and zucchini)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine pasta, vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and minced garlic.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Flour tortillas
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and shredded cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, toss chicken, bell peppers, and red onion with fajita seasoning and olive oil.
- Spread the mixture evenly on a sheet pan.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs stewing beef
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 4 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and brown the beef.
- Add in the onions and garlic and cook until translucent.
- Stir in carrots, potatoes, beef broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Close the Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook for 30 minutes.
- Allow for natural release or manually release the pressure.
- Serve your hearty beef stew hot.
15-Minute Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu), thinly sliced
- 4 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup stir-fry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Instructions:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add the protein and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove from the pan.
- In the same pan, add garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Return the protein to the pan, add the stir-fry sauce, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toothpicks
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine spinach, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Slice a pocket into each chicken breast.
- Stuff each chicken breast with the spinach and feta mixture and secure with toothpicks.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet and sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
These five easy weeknight meals for busy parents are designed to simplify your life without sacrificing flavor. With a little planning and minimal effort, you can serve up delicious, home-cooked dinners that your family will love. Plus, these recipes are versatile, so feel free to customize them to your family’s taste preferences. Happy cooking and enjoy more quality time with your loved ones!
Leave a Reply