No matter if you’re craving pasta, tacos or something more exotic, we have the ideal dinner recipes for you. These quick and easy dishes are packed with healthy ingredients and take only 30 minutes to make – the perfect time-saving dinner!
From homemade baby food to kid-friendly pastas and hearty casseroles, these quick and easy dinners will please the entire family. Not only that, but they’re budget friendly as well as easy to make ahead – making them the ideal go-to recipe for busy weeknights.
Chicken and Vegetable Skillet
A chicken and vegetable skillet is an excellent way to utilize leftover veggies, and it’s simple to prepare. You can use any type of chicken or vegetable in the fridge as long as they’re cooked until tender.
You can also add other vegetables like green beans, sugar snap peas, broccoli florets or cauliflower florets if desired! This meal comes together quickly and takes only 45 minutes to prepare – the possibilities are endless!
This one-pot dinner is packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients that make for an easy weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s low in carbohydrates so everyone will love it!
You can serve this chicken and vegetable skillet with rice, quinoa or even mashed potatoes for an easy, delicious dinner that your whole family will love! Plus it takes only 20 minutes to make which makes it perfect for meal prepping since you only need 20 minutes to prep! Plus you can freeze it individually in individual freezer bags for up to three months!
Soba Noodles
If you’re searching for a low-cal alternative to wheat pasta, soba noodles make an excellent choice. Not only are they lower in calories than most types of pasta, but they’re also packed with manganese for added nutritional benefits.
Buckwheat noodles contain more fiber than other pasta varieties, helping you feel fuller for longer. Plus, these nutritious noodles boast protein, B-complex vitamins and iron.
To prepare soba noodles, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Unlike spaghetti, there is no need for salting the water before beginning.
Next, add the soba noodles and cook until tender, stirring frequently to prevent sticking between each other or the bottom of the pot.
Once they’re cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to prevent them from cooking too long and becoming mushy. Additionally, this helps wash away any extra starch.
Stir-Fry
Stir-fry is an increasingly popular Asian cooking method that makes it easy to quickly whip up a nutritious meal for your family. Plus, it’s the perfect way to use up leftover vegetables!
Making the ideal stir-fry requires these straightforward steps for optimal flavor:
Begin by cutting your ingredients into smaller pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Next, plan the timing of each ingredient based on how long they should be cooked for optimal flavor and texture.
For instance, proteins like tofu, seitan and tempeh require longer cooking times than vegetables do.
To guarantee an even cooking, keep stirring and moving the ingredients around in the pan frequently.
For a fast and satisfying dinner, serve your stir-fry with either rice or noodles to soak up the sauce. This will provide some carbohydrates to your meal and make it more filling.
Potato Bake
Baked potatoes are a timeless side dish that always gets rave reviews. They go great with meats and fish alike, or can even be served on their own for added flavor and convenience.
For the ideal baked potato, choose russets. These potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture – ideal for baking in an oven.
Additionally, rub the potatoes with oil or bacon grease for an even crispier skin.
Once the skins have been thoroughly rubbed, place them on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until golden and crisp on the outside. Your cracks may appear slightly wrinkled at this stage; however, you’ll know they’re ready when they yield easily when pressured.
You can top baked potatoes with any of your favorite toppings, such as chives, cheese and bacon. My personal favorite is cashew sour cream; it gives them an irresistibly decadent touch without overpowering them.
