Sambal oelek, a spicy chile paste known for its vibrant red color and intense heat, adds an extra kick. Reduce or omit it to adjust the heat to your liking. One-pan meals, sheet-pan dinners, slow cooker recipes, and simple casseroles are great options because they cook fast and keep dishes to a minimum.
Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
This fast family dinner idea makes the best juicy chicken breasts. Serve with potatoes, rice or pasta and a veggie for a quick, kid-pleasing meal. When it comes to easy weeknight dinners, chicken is always a winning option. These kid-friendly chicken recipes include classic kid favorites like nuggets, comforting casseroles and more. Kid-friendly dinner ideas that parents also love make planning a meal so much easier.
This quick skillet lasagna brings together familiar flavors in a way that feels both effortless and deeply satisfying, perfect for a quiet evening when time feels suspended. Keep this dish warm and serve it immediately over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, where the savory sauce soaks into each grain. Lately, I’ve found myself craving the comforting embrace of a familiar stir-fry, the kind that fills the kitchen with warmth and nostalgia. Classic beef and broccoli has always been my go-to for a quick yet deeply satisfying meal, especially on evenings when time feels both fleeting and abundant. There’s something about the tender slices of beef mingling with crisp, vibrant broccoli that speaks to simplicity and heart. Nestled in that glossy embrace, the pork chops yield with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, the honey’s sweetness balancing the garlic’s gentle bite.
Veggie Tacos
Thick, rich, and exactly what you want when the weather turns mean. This creamy potato soup is made with simple ingredients and zero drama. Add some cheese, bacon, or green onions if you’re feeling fancy, or just grab a spoon and go.
Pasta with Green Beans
Stir in the shredded chicken, kosher salt, and black pepper, coating everything evenly in the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat and fold in the chopped parsley for freshness. Spoon the chicken Alfredo mixture into the hollowed bell peppers, filling them to the top. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the peppers are tender and the tops are golden.
What are some cheap meals that freeze well?
Carefully quick-release any remaining pressure, then stir in 1 cup of heavy cream until fully incorporated. Add 4 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves, stirring gently until they wilt into the soup, about 2-3 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of finely ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon of sea salt, adjusting if needed after tasting. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crisp exterior. In a small bowl, whisk together the golden extra virgin olive oil, fragrant dried Italian seasoning, coarse kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- This one-dish pasta dinner packs more flavor than your family will believe.
- Roast in the preheated oven at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables are tender with lightly charred edges.
- Whether you’re feeding little ones or just need something easy and nostalgic, this combo always hits the spot.
- Then combine with ground almonds, prawns and cream to finish up and serve with white rice.
- These easy family dinners are approved by everyone.
- With busy schedules and the pressure of planning meals, it’s easy to fall back on last-minute takeout.
Chicken Diane
Browse hundreds of delicious easy home-cooked family dinners with side, freezer, and leftover suggestions. With detailed step-by-step instructions and expert tips, every recipe comes together perfectly, every time. “We eat this as dinner with bread and salad but you can also serve it as a side. Leftovers also taste great cold.” “Serve this pulled pork barbecue on top of a baked potato or on buns for a sandwich.” Stuffed peppers can be hit or miss with kids, but this stuffed pepper casserole is much better received by picky eaters! Rather than stuffing the meat and rice filling into whole bell peppers, this recipe combines everything into an easy skillet meal.
Cheap and Easy Meal Ideas for When You’re Tired
These chicken taquitos are one of our favorite kid-friendly recipes. They’re stuffed with a creamy chicken and cheese filling and then baked until golden and crispy on the outside. Serve them with salsa, guacamole or plain Greek yogurt for dipping.
You can’t go wrong with classic sloppy joes for dinner. This made-from-scratch recipe calls for simple ingredients and takes only 25 minutes to make. Kids will love the fun pasta shells in this easy stovetop recipe. unimeal app Add vegetables like chopped zucchini or serve a spinach salad on the side for a well-rounded meal. There are so many ways to bread chicken, and cornflakes are certainly on our list of favorite methods.
Loaded Broccoli Soup
Even better, it https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4287511/ freezes well so you can make it ahead of time. Store it in the freezer for up to three months. Run out of ideas for what to do with leftover turkey? In just 20 minutes, you can have this wonderful mashup of nachos and pizza. For very hungry families, double the recipe or pair it with a healthier side dish like a salad.
Beef with Ramen Noodles
Stick to meals that rely on starches (like rice, pasta, potatoes) as the base and add whatever vegetables and protein you can afford. It’s all about being resourceful and using what’s already in your pantry or freezer. The cheapest meals usually rely on pantry staples like rice, pasta, beans, and eggs. Think dishes like fried rice, spaghetti, lentil soup, or egg burritos. These meals are not only affordable, but also super customizable depending on what you already have on hand.
One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice
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With tender chuck roast, noodles, and gooey cheese, everything comes together in a single dish. This cheesy twist on lasagna is just as indulgent as the classic dish. It’s layered with plenty of creamy béchamel sauce, ricotta, parmesan, shredded mozzarella, and even veggies for a burst of flavor in every bite. If you’re looking for something unique to eat for dinner, these enchilada-stuffed sweet potatoes are just the thing! They have crispy skins and soft centers that are topped with juicy, tangy chicken and gooey cheese. How can something this creamy and delicious be Keto!?
Bonus points if you prep extra for the rest of the week. And if budget isn’t your only criteria, check out our comprehensive list of delicious, easy breakfast ideas here. This creamy vegetable soup is what you make when the fridge is looking sad but you still want something warm and nourishing. It’s thick, loaded with whatever veggies you’ve got, and comes together fast. Salsa and some pantry staples give this vegetarian bean burger recipe tons of flavor. We use crushed tortilla chips to bind the burgers together, making them a great vehicle for using up those crumbs that inevitably fall to the bottom of the bag.