Are you looking for quick and easy meals to feed your family? We all lead very busy lives. All too often the temptation is there to want to pick up a ready meal or a takeaway.
Having to prepare something fresh and delicious for our families every day can also sometimes seem a bit of a chore. Maybe you find yourself in a bit of a mealtime rut, cooking the same things day in and day out.
Today I am sharing some weeknight dinners that are not only delicious, but quick and easy to make as well. They are also very family friendly and budget friendly.
Some tasty ideas and recipes that are sure to add a bit excitement and interest to your family dinner table, because, lets face it, we all can use a bit of help every now and then!
CHICKEN
Like as not, I often turn to chicken for my choice of protein. Its much healthier than red meats and is so adaptable to a wide variety of recipes and flavors. Here are some of my favorites.
SIMPLE LEMON & HERB CHICKEN - Chicken thighs flavored with lemon and herbs, baked on a baking sheet with potato wedges and asparagus. It doesn't get much easier or tastier, and if you line the baking sheet with aluminum foil, clean-up is minimal! A salad on the side goes wonderfully. The recipe is for two, but can easily be doubled or tripled.
LEMONY CHICKEN AND RICE -This is a smaller batch slow cooker recipe for two, but can easily be doubled to feed more and cooked in a larger crockpot. Tender lemony chicken with lemon, oregano, feta cheese, spinach and cream. What's not to like? The fact that there is only one pot to clean up afterwards is also a huge bonus!
BUTTERMILK CHICKEN - This chicken always turns out delicious and tender with very little effort. It is a real family favorite. Chicken breasts are rolled in flour and dipped in buttermilk before placing in a baking dish. A mix of soup and buttermilk is poured over top and then the whole lot is baked to juicy tender perfection. All you need on the side is some potatoes or rice and a vegetable. Deliciously simple!
CRISPY SHEET PAN CHICKEN & POTATOES - Everything for this delicious chicken dinner cooks on one sheet pan. Crispy coated chicken breasts, green beans, tomatoes and beautifully gilded potatoes. I like to sprinkle some parmesan on top of the finished dish and serve each serving with a wedge of lemon for squeezing.
GROUND BEEF
Ground beef has always been a family favorite. Economical and versatile, it goes together in an abundant of taste tempting and delicious ways that are usually very simple and easy to throw together.
SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE - This is a basic recipe for a from scratch sauce that can be a jumping off point for any number of other recipes. I always used to make a huge pot of this and then freeze it in smaller amounts ready to thaw out and use for a quick dish of Italian style spaghetti, or for in a lasagna.
MOCK LASAGNE CASSEROLE - This is one of those dishes you can use some of that Bolognese sauce for. Macaroni, Bolognese sauce, layered together with ricotta and some other cheeses. Bang it into the oven for half hour and then sit back and enjoy all the pats on the back you are going to get! Again, a nice salad and some crusty bread and Bob's your Uncle. Dinner is served!
KOREAN BEEF - This simple stir fry of ground beef and seasonings is something we all enjoy. Slightly spicy, a bit sticky, Quick, economical and delicious, we like to enjoy it with some boiled or steamed rice. Its fabulously tasty! Everyone loves this.
HAMBURGER GRAVY - This is an old family standby that may not be the most attractive pencil in the box but it is one of the tastiest! Meant to be ladled over some mashed potatoes and rice, my children always enjoyed this with corn on the side.
BBQ BACON CHEESEBURGER SKILLET MACARONI - I never have any leftovers when I make this delicious skillet meal. Ground beef, minced onions, bacon, BBQ Sauce, tomato soup, cheese . . . all together this is one very tasty combination. I used to make this all the time for the missionaries as well and they practically licked their plates clean!
PORK
Like as not, pork is one of the most economical proteins out there today. Sausage, chops, roasts, etc. Today's pork is also quite lean which is why they call it the other white meat I guess!
PORK STEAK WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY - Here you can buy pork minute steaks. Pieces of pork that have been tenderized. They are flash fried along with some mushrooms and then a tasty gravy is made to ladle over top. Pop a few jacket potatoes into the microwave and pop on a frozen or tinned vegetable and a quick, easy and delicious dinner is served!
SHEET PAN PORK TENDERLOIN - Pieces of pork tenderloin are sprinkled with herbs and roasted on a sheet pan together with some sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts. While roasting you can quickly make some mashed potatoes. If you are lucky enough to live in the UK you can buy frozen mashed potato pellets which are incredibly handy to have at the ready in the freezer. Any kind of potato goes well. If you wanted to you could throw in some oven chips at the same time as everything else.
SAUSAGE & VEGETABLE SKILLET DINNER - Everything for this easy dinner cooks all in one skillet. Cabbage, potatoes, carrots, thick and meaty banger sausages. Delicious served with some grainy mustard on the side.
BRAISED SAUSAGES WITH APPLE GRAVY - You are going to fall absolutely in love with this delicious apple and bacon pan gravy. Its so tasty that you might even want to double up on it. Meaty succulent sausages, with this delicious gravy, served with some mashed potatoes and a vegetable. This might well be destined to become one of your family favorites!
MAPLE GLAZED PORK CHOPS - Quick and easy these tasty chops are flash fried in a skillet along with some mushrooms. You begin by rub curing the chops with a tasty brown sugar rub. They are then fried and glazed with a simple chicken stock and maple syrup glaze. Can you say delicious?
FISH
THE ULTIMATE FISH FINGER SANDWICH - Children love fingers and so do I. This fish finger sandwich (fish sticks) is sure to be enjoyed with buttery toasted buns, a layer of guacamole (leave out for the fussy ones), a spicy cabbage and carrot coleslaw and cheese!
PISTACHIO & LEMON DUSTED TILAPIA - A very affordable fish, lightly dusted with crushed pistachio nuts and grated lemon zest. Pan fried very simply in butter and served with lemon for squeezing. It goes together very quickly. Enjoy it with some peas and sweet and white potato wedges!
NOVA SCOTIA FISH CHOWDER - People love this chowder. I learned how to make it from my mother in law and have been making it for many, many years. Filled with lots of beautiful haddock, melt in the mouth potatoes, bacon, onions and a rich milky broth. Serve with crackers or bread.
VEGETARIAN
HEARTY VEGETARIAN CHILI - Nicely spiced, thick and luxurious with plenty of vegetables and flavor. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, some guacamole and tortilla chips. Yummy!
MACARONI PEAS - Beautiful to look at with a brilliant green color. With plenty of sweet English Peas, butter, garlic and Parmesan Cheese.
VEGETARIAN PAELLA - A tasty mix of nicely spiced rice, and an abundance of vegetables. Topped with toasted flaked almonds, this is great for when the gardens really get going and the farm stands are filled with an abundance of fresh local vegetables!
OTHER OPTIONS
Of course there are a lot of other options that make for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Grilled Cheese and soup. Pizzas. Eggs. Breakfast for supper is an option my family always enjoyed!
BREAD AND CHEESE OMELET - This is quite simply one of my favorite suppers. Bread cubes are fried until toasty brown in some butter. Wipe the skillet out, add some beaten eggs for a simple omelet, fill with the butter browned bread cubes and some cheese, along with some spring onions for a real supper time treat!
CRISPY TORTILLA EGGS - I love these eggs so much that I once made them three times in one week. Of course you can enjoy them for a different kind of a breakfast, but they also make fabulously quick suppers. With crisp butter browned tortillas, fried eggs, and cheese. I like to scatter some spring onions over top and drizzle with green Tabasco sauce and sriracha sauce. Yummy Yummy!
GRILLED CHEESE DOGS - Why settle for a grilled cheese sandwich when you can have a Grilled Cheese Dog instead!! Weiners are split and folded open like a book before grilling and topping with cheese. Once the cheese melts, tuck into toasted soft sided buns and serve with your favorite hot dog toppings and some oven chips on the side, or yes, even a cup of tomato soup!!
BAKED CHILI CHEESE DOGS - Hot dogs and cheese are wrapped in croissant/biscuit dough and then baked on top of a dish of canned chili con carne for a quick easy and delicious meal that everyone loves. Convenient and very tasty. All you need on the side is a salad. I like to brush some melted butter on top and sprinkle with some herbs and cheese before baking. Coleslaw is particularly good with this.
And there you have it, a wide variety of tasty dishes to choose from. A bit more inspiring than a takeaway, easy and simple to make. Quick. Delicious. Much more satisfying than just opening a tin or taking a frozen dinner from the freezer!
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