Are you looking for easy weeknight dinners that are quick, tasty, and nutritious? Do you want to feed your family with wholesome meals that don't take hours to prepare and don't break the bank? If so, you're not alone.
Many busy families struggle with finding the time and energy to cook healthy dinners every night. According to a survey by the American Heart Association, 45% of parents say they don't have enough time to make healthy meals for their families. And 43% of parents say they rely on takeout or fast food at least once a week.
But eating out or ordering in can be expensive, unhealthy, and unsatisfying. That's why we've compiled a list of five easy weeknight dinners that are perfect for busy families. These recipes are simple, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor and nutrition. They're also kid-friendly and adaptable to different dietary preferences and needs.
So, without further ado, here are five easy weeknight dinners for busy families that you can whip up in 30 minutes or less.
1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables
This one-pot chicken and rice dish is a classic comfort food that everyone will love. It's hearty, creamy, and loaded with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful vegetables. Plus, it only requires one pot, which means less dishes to wash.
To make this dish, you'll need:
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup of long-grain white rice
- 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, corn, and green beans)
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
Here are the steps
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, cook onion and garlic for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add chicken broth and rice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in frozen vegetables and sour cream and cook for another 5 minutes, or until heated through. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve with chicken.
2. Sheet Pan Salmon and Roasted Vegetables
This sheet pan salmon and roasted vegetables is a healthy and delicious meal that's ready in under 30 minutes. It's packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. You can use any vegetables you like, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or zucchini.
To make this dish, you'll need
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups of chopped vegetables of your choice
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
Here are the steps
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon fillets on one side of the sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 15 minutes, or until salmon is flaky and cooked through.
- In a large bowl, toss vegetables with the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on the other side of the sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until tender and charred.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Drizzle over salmon and vegetables and serve.
3. Taco Stuffed Peppers
These taco stuffed peppers are a fun and flavorful way to enjoy tacos without the tortillas. They're filled with seasoned ground beef, cheese, salsa, and your favorite taco toppings. They're also low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.
To make this dish, you'll need
- 4 large bell peppers, any color, halved and seeded
- 1 pound of lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of salsa
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, etc.
Here are the steps
- Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place pepper halves in the dish, cut side up, and bake for 15 minutes, or until slightly softened.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef and onion, breaking up with a spatula, for about 10 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
- Spoon beef mixture evenly into pepper halves and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with salsa and your favorite toppings and serve.
4. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
This creamy tomato and spinach pasta is a vegetarian-friendly meal that's rich, satisfying, and easy to make. It's made with penne pasta, fresh spinach, and a creamy tomato sauce that's flavored with garlic, basil, and parmesan cheese.
To make this dish, you'll need
- 8 ounces of penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups of fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Here are the steps
- Cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and cook garlic and red pepper flakes for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Add spinach and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted.
- Add tomato sauce and cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle with basil and serve.
5. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Slaw
These slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with apple slaw are a great way to use your slow cooker and make a delicious and filling meal. The pork is tender, juicy, and smoky, and the slaw is crisp, sweet, and tangy. You can serve them on buns, bread, or lettuce wraps.
To make this dish, you'll need
For the pork
- 1 (4-pound) boneless pork shoulder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
For the slaw
- 3 cups of shredded cabbage
- 2 apples, cored and julienned
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For serving
- 8 buns, bread slices, or lettuce leaves
Here are the steps
For the pork
- Season pork with salt and pepper and place in a 6-quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
- In another small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, and barbecue sauce. Pour over the pork and cover with the lid.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Transfer pork to a large cutting board and shred with two forks. Discard any excess fat and bones. Return pork to the slow cooker and toss with the cooking liquid. Keep warm until ready to serve.
For the slaw
- In a large bowl, toss together cabbage and apples.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle over the cabbage and apple mixture and toss to coat.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For serving
- To assemble the sandwiches, spoon some pulled pork over the bottom half of a bun, bread slice, or lettuce leaf.
- Top with some slaw and more barbecue sauce, if desired.
- Cover with the top half of the bun, bread slice, or lettuce leaf.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients and serve.
These are just some of the easy weeknight dinners that you can make for your busy family. They're all delicious, healthy, and satisfying, and they won't take up too much of your time or money. Try them out and let us know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends and family who are looking for some meal inspiration. Bon appétit! 🍽️