Finding time to prepare a wholesome meal can be a challenge for busy families, especially when trying to avoid dairy. These hearty recipes are here to help. Each dish is packed with flavor, easy to make, and free from dairy, ensuring everyone at the table leaves satisfied.
Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions, these recipes will quickly become family favorites. Let’s get cooking!
Steps
- Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Prepare a creamy base using dairy-free cheese and nutritional yeast to mimic cheddar flavor.
- Blend in vegetables like carrots, white sweet potatoes, and broccoli for a hidden veggie boost.
- Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Choose between rice or cauliflower rice to keep it grain-free, and cook for 6 minutes in the Instant Pot.
- Mix with a dairy-free nacho “cheese” sauce and Burnt Broccoli seasoning for added flavor.
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Create a creamy sauce from carrots, white sweet potatoes, and nutritional yeast, and mix with gluten-free pasta.
- Use pre-frozen sauce to have the meal ready in under 20 minutes.
- Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo
- Cook this one-pot meal with spices like paprika and cilantro, and add veggies like peppers and peas.
- Use a food processor to quickly chop onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, and garlic for easy prep.
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Combine store-bought marinara sauce, frozen meatballs, and pasta in the Instant Pot for a quick meal.
- Prepare and freeze grain-free meatballs in advance to save time.
- Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes and Meyer Lemon Olive Salsa
- Roast chicken thighs and white sweet potatoes on a single pan.
- Top with a flavorful olive salsa made with herbs and lemon for a fresh taste.
- Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Pasta
- Cook spaghetti squash strands until tender and top with homemade ranch and buffalo chicken.
- Use the correct method to cut the squash for perfect, non-mushy strands.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Squash Pasta
- Pair cooked spaghetti squash with chicken, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and dairy-free ranch dressing.
- Roast tomatoes until they burst for added flavor.
- BLTA Burgers
- Grill grass-fed burgers and top with a BLT-inspired salsa of lettuce, avocado, tomato, and bacon.
- Add a homemade “special sauce” for an extra flavor boost.
- BBQ Bacon Burger Bowls
- – Serve grass-fed beef burgers with BBQ sauce and honey mustard vinaigrette in a salad bowl.
- – Use a hot grill to prepare these quick, grain-free, and Paleo-friendly meals.
- Thai Basil Beef
- – Prepare this one-pan dish with any ground meat and a mix of Thai basil and other spices.
- – Cook in under 15 minutes for an easy, flavorful meal.
- Paleo French Dip Sandwiches
- – Use chuck roast to make tender meat and a savory dipping broth in a slow cooker.
- – Alternatively, cook the meat in an Instant Pot for a quicker preparation.
- Cali Salmon Bowl
- – Roast curry-seasoned cauliflower and top with wild salmon, dairy-free pesto, and tahini sauce.
- – Add pickled vegetables and garnish with pepitas and cilantro for texture and flavor.
- Paleo Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Cups
- – Slice frozen steak thinly, marinate, and fry for a Korean BBQ-inspired dish.
- – Serve in lettuce cups with Sriracha Aioli, cucumbers, and kimchi.
- California Roll Stuffed Avocados
- – Stuff avocados with crab meat for a sushi roll flavor or try a chicken salad with avocado mayo.
- – Pair with a green salad for a refreshing, no-cook meal.
- Lemon Herb Crusted Halibut with Roasted Tomato and Zucchini Salsa
- – Coat fish with a crust of nuts, shallots, and herbs, then bake until crispy.
- – Complement with a roasted tomato and zucchini salsa for a fresh summer dinner.
Ingredients
- Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup:
- Dairy-free cheese
- Nutritional yeast
- Carrots
- White sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Rice or cauliflower rice
- Dairy-free nacho “cheese” sauce
- Burnt Broccoli seasoning
- Carrots
- White sweet potatoes
- Nutritional yeast
- Ghee
- Gluten and grain-free pasta
- Paprika
- Cilantro
- Peppers
- Olives
- Green peas
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Jalapeño
- Garlic
- Store-bought marinara sauce
- Frozen meatballs
- Chicken thighs
- White sweet potatoes
- Meyer lemon
- Olive “salsa”
- Spaghetti squash
- Homemade ranch dressing
- Buffalo chicken
- Spaghetti squash
- Chicken
- Bacon
- Cherry tomatoes
- Homemade dairy-free ranch dressing
- Iceberg lettuce
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Bacon
- Grass-fed beef burgers
- Grass-fed beef burgers
- BBQ sauce
- Honey mustard vinaigrette
- Ground meat (beef, lamb, turkey, or chicken)
- Thai basil (or regular basil)
- Chuck roast
- Cauliflower florets
- Wild salmon
- Dairy-free pesto
- Tahini sauce
- Pickled veggies
- Pepitas
- Cilantro
- Steak
- Pineapple juice
- Lettuce cups
- Sriracha Aioli
- Cucumbers
- Kimchi
- Avocados
- Crab meat (or chicken salad with dairy-free avocado mayo)
- Halibut (or chicken)
- Nuts
- Shallots
- Herbs
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
FAQ
- What are some easy dairy-free dinner ideas for busy families?
- If you’re short on time but want to prepare a healthy, dairy-free meal, consider dishes like Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole or Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Pasta. These recipes are quick to make and packed with flavor.
- Can I prepare dairy-free meals in advance and freeze them?
- Absolutely! Many dairy-free recipes, such as Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Instant Pot Taco Pasta, are freezer-friendly. You can freeze them as whole meals or in parts, like sauces, to save time on busy evenings.
- What Instant Pot recipes are suitable for a dairy-free diet?
- The Instant Pot is perfect for making quick dairy-free meals like Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo and Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. These recipes are not only speedy but also rich in flavor, making them ideal for family dinners.
- Are there any one-pan dairy-free dinner options?
- Yes, one-pan meals like Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes and Meyer Lemon Olive Salsa are great options. These dishes simplify cooking by using just one pan while still providing a delicious and satisfying meal.
- What are some creative dairy-free dishes for summer?
- For a refreshing summer meal, try California Roll Stuffed Avocados or Lemon Herb Crusted Halibut with Roasted Tomato and Zucchini Salsa. These dishes are light, flavorful, and perfect for warm weather dining.
- How can I recreate takeout flavors in a dairy-free way?
- You can make takeout-inspired meals at home with recipes like Thai Basil Beef and Paleo Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Cups. These dishes capture the essence of your favorite takeout meals without any dairy, allowing you to enjoy them guilt-free.
Tips
- Freezing Ingredients: Consider freezing sauces and veggies before they spoil to use in various recipes. This way, you always have components ready for quick and easy meals.
- Instant Pot Efficiency: Utilize the Instant Pot for quick cooking. Many recipes, like the Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, can be prepared in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-Pan Wonders: Embrace one-pan meals such as the Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes and Meyer Lemon Olive Salsa, which simplifies cooking and cleanup, while still delivering a flavorful meal.
- Ingredient Versatility: Don’t hesitate to substitute ingredients based on availability. For example, in the Thai Basil Beef recipe, you can use any ground meat or regular basil if Thai basil isn’t available.
Equipment
- Instant Pot – For the various Instant Pot recipes mentioned.
- Mini Food Processor – Used for chopping ingredients like onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic quickly.
- Slow Cooker – Needed for the Paleo French Dip Sandwiches if not using an Instant Pot.
- Grill – For the BBQ Bacon Burger Bowls and potentially for grilling burgers.
- Mandoline Slicer – Could be useful for slicing vegetables thinly, such as cucumbers for the Paleo Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Cups.
- Spiralizer – If someone wants to make vegetable noodles, although not explicitly mentioned, it can be useful for recipes using alternatives to traditional pasta like spaghetti squash.
- Salad Spinner – Useful for washing and drying lettuce and other greens that might be used in various recipes.
- Spaghetti Squash Cutter – If someone is unfamiliar with preparing spaghetti squash, this could be a helpful tool.
