As a mom juggling a million things, dinner can feel like an elusive unicorn—magical, but oh-so-hard to capture. Picture this: the kids are hungry, the clock is ticking, and your energy is fading faster than last year’s TikTok trend.
But fear not! These five dinner ideas are like a superhero cape, ready to swoop in and save the day, bringing warmth, flavor, and a dash of comfort to your bustling evenings.
Steps
- Recipe #1: Prepare a meal in approximately 15 minutes. To save time, use Evan’s Mashed Potatoes from the Deli Section, which can be microwaved in just a few minutes.
- Recipe #2: This kid-friendly soup can be made easier by using frozen diced carrots and onions to eliminate chopping. Shred your rotisserie chicken in the morning and refrigerate it to save time in the afternoon. Prepare the soup in the morning and keep it warm in a slow cooker so it’s ready when you return home.
- Recipe #3: This Tex-Mex meal requires no more than 10 minutes of active cooking. Break up tortillas in a plastic bag in the morning. Enhance canned black beans with Latin Nights Seasoning Blend, use 90-second microwavable rice pouches, and substitute lime juice from a bottle if fresh limes are unavailable.
- Recipe #4: A simple soup with no chopping that tastes like lasagna. Serve with crusty bread for a full meal. Ensure ground meat is defrosted in the fridge, and substitute red wine vinegar if you lack red wine.
- Recipe #5: This Tex-Mex dish with Instant Rice is made in one skillet and topped with cheese. Substitute poblano pepper with canned diced chilies, use frozen diced onions, and precook and season the meat in the morning to save time later.
- Recipe #6: A 15-minute meal when served with couscous, which cooks in 5 minutes. Use microwaveable green beans, seasoning them with salt and olive oil while the salmon cooks, to enjoy a meal reminiscent of a bistro experience.
Ingredients
- Evan’s Mashed Potatoes (store-bought, microwaveable)
- Frozen diced carrots
- Frozen diced onions
- Shredded rotisserie chicken
- Gnocchi (dry pasta section)
- Tortillas
- Canned black beans
- Latin Nights Seasoning Blend
- 90-second microwavable rice
- Lime juice (plastic squeezable bottle)
- Ground meat (defrosted)
- Red wine or red wine vinegar
- Crusty bread (for serving)
- Instant rice
- Melty cheese
- Diced chilies (small can)
- Frozen diced onions
- Pre-cooked and seasoned meat
- Salmon
- Couscous
- Microwaveable green beans
- Salt
- Olive oil
FAQ
- What are some quick meal options for busy weeknights?
- The article lists several recipes that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less, such as meals with store-bought shortcuts like Evan’s Mashed Potatoes or microwaveable green beans.
- How can I save time on meal prep?
- To save time, gather your ingredients and equipment in the morning and consider using shortcuts like pre-shredded rotisserie chicken, canned seasonings, and instant rice.
- What are some tips for getting kids to eat more than just simple foods?
- By having flavorful yet easy-to-make recipes on hand, such as Tex-Mex meals or lasagna soup, you can introduce your kids to a variety of tastes without much fuss.
- How can I make my meals more flavorful without extra effort?
- The article suggests using pre-mixed seasoning blends, like Mustard Seed Seasonings, to add a burst of flavor to your dishes quickly.
- What should I do if I don’t have fresh ingredients like limes or onions?
- You can use substitutes such as bottled lime juice or frozen diced onions, which are convenient and save time.
Tips
- Stock Up on Pantry Staples: Always keep essential pantry items on hand so that on busy days, you only need to grab fresh ingredients like meats or seafood. This way, you can quickly assemble a delicious meal without stress.
- Prepare Ingredients in Advance: Organize your ingredients and cooking tools in the morning. This “mise en place” approach saves time and reduces stress during the hectic dinner hour.
- Print and Organize Recipes: Have your favorite recipes printed and stored in an easily accessible place. This ensures you don’t have to scramble to find them when you need to start cooking.
- Utilize Convenience Short-Cuts: Take advantage of pre-prepared items like microwaveable mashed potatoes, frozen diced vegetables, and instant rice to cut down on prep time while still delivering a flavorful meal.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker – Useful for the soup recipe that can be left in the warmer.
- Microwavable Rice Cooker – For the 90-second microwavable rice pouches.
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker – Although not mentioned directly, these can be helpful for quick meal preparations like Tex-Mex recipes.
- Hand Blender or Immersion Blender – For soups, especially if you want to blend directly in the pot.
- Rice Cooker – For making instant rice or couscous quickly and efficiently.
- Microwave Steamer – For steaming microwaveable green beans efficiently.
