This post is all about easy weeknight dinner ideas.
Are you looking in the fridge, wondering what on earth you can whip up for dinner tonight? If so, you’re not alone! Every night of the week, we’re all trying to figure out something delicious but easy enough to make with whatever ingredients are left over from prior meals. Don’t worry – this blog post is here to help! Keep reading for lots of easy, weeknight dinner ideas.
I have created a list of ideas that will surely fit your needs and have your taste buds screaming for more. So, put down that take-out menu and prepare to cook up some yummy goodness; it’s time to revolutionize all those boring dinners the family complains about.
This post is all about easy weeknight dinner ideas.
Use Pantry Staples to Whip up a Tasty Meal Like Chili, Mac & Cheese, or Spaghetti.
With pantry staples, creating a delicious and hearty meal has never been easier.
You can craft various meals from the pantry, from chili to mac and cheese to spaghetti. Beans can be cooked with tomatoes, onions, and spices to make a savory chili, while pasta noodles are easily combined with canned sauce or herbs for an equally satisfying meal.
Mix in some green onions or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra special dinner. It’s an affordable way to add nutrition, color, and taste to classic recipes that your family will love.
Things to always have on hand:
- canned tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- tomato paste
- canned beans (kidney, white & black bean varieties)
- canned vegetables (green beans, canned corn)
- select fresh vegetables (carrots, onions, green & red peppers, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, zucchini, celery, & potatoes)
- chicken, beef, & vegetable broth or stock
- herbs & spices (garlic powder, chili powder, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, & taco seasoning)
- pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, & egg noodles)
- rice
- hamburger & chicken (meat that will not be used within a day should be stored in the freezer)
- milk
- cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, & monterey jack)
- cream of chicken, cream of celery, or cream of mushroom soup
- tortillas
- barbecue sauce
- olive oil
If you have these items always on hand, you can create quick, easy, and delicious meals that your family will love.
Here is a list of entrees that you can create with the above items:
- Spaghetti (my favorite recipe)
- Homemade Mac & Cheese (the best mac & cheese recipe ever)
- Taco soup (try this easy recipe)
- Vegetable Soup (Yummy )
- Chicken Noodle Soup (delicious and kid-friendly)
- Tacos
- Brown ground beef,
- add taco seasonings,
- shred cheese and lettuce,
- dice tomatoes,
- serve on tortillas.
- Fajitas (chicken or beef)
- Cut chicken or beef, green pepper, and onions into strips,
- heat olive oil in a skillet,
- add chicken or beef and cook until done (usually just a few minutes),
- add cut onions and green pepper and sauté mixture until vegetables start to soften,
- add ½ cup barbecue sauce and mix well,
- serve on tortillas.
Stir-Fry Vegetables with Rice for a Quick, Easy, Kid-Friendly Meal
Eating vegetables can often be viewed as a chore, but with the right recipes, they can be delicious and quick to prepare.
A great way to incorporate vegetables into dinner is by creating a stir-fry. All vegetables, from peppers and onions to broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms, can be used. You just need to cut them into cubes or strips and throw them in an oiled pan. When vegetables are done, serve them over rice.
If you want to make your stir-fry even healthier, swap out white rice for brown rice or stir-fry with quinoa.
Experiment with herbs and seasonings until you find what tastes best!
Mix and Match Proteins such as Beans, Chicken, and Beef to Create No-fuss, Nutritious Meals!
Preparing easy delicious weeknight meals does not have to be tasteless or unhealthy.
Beans, chicken, and beef are some of the most nutritious, tasty options to choose from. Lucky for us, these proteins can be combined in creative ways to create delicious meals for any occasion.
For example, beans can be incorporated into tacos to create vegetarian tacos, chicken can be fried or added to stir-fry dishes with vegetables, and beef can be sprinkled over salads or combined with beans for chili.
By experimenting with different ingredient combinations, you are sure to find flavors that you enjoy while still making sure that you are preparing quick, easy dinners.
Mix and match beans, chicken, and beef today, and look forward to a fun, easy, and delicious dinner tonight!
Remember Leftovers – Use Them to Create Casseroles and Soups!
Leftover meals can be much more than leftovers! You can create many delicious easy weeknight meals using leftovers – like casseroles and soups.
Soups are great ways to enjoy leftovers, as they can take almost any type of ingredients. Add some cooked chicken or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein, top with croutons for flavor and crunch, or drizzle with a flavorful dressing to give your leftovers soup a taste of its own.
No matter which way you go with leftovers, it’s sure to be tasty.
Try this tasty idea from an earlier post.
Repurposing leftovers into a casserole is also an easy way to make a good lunch or dinner quickly and easily without spending extra time in the kitchen.
Just combine some leftovers, cheese, and winter vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or butternut squash in your favorite dish, and you’ll have a fantastic meal in no time.
Try Out These Easy One-Pot Dinner Ideas!
Looking for some new, quick, easy, and (most importantly!) delicious one-pot dinner ideas? Look no further!
From leftovers to casseroles, soups, and beyond, these tasty recipes will have you and your family feasting in no time. All you need is one pot or pan and a few ingredients – plus the satisfaction of making a home-cooked meal that’s sure to please everyone.
Check out one of my go-to sites for delicious one-pot recipes.
Well, that concludes our little journey. With the help of all of these tips, ideas, and recipe suggestions, you are now equipped to throw together a delicious home-cooked meal any night of the week with minimal effort.
What more could we ask for? Just one more thing, really… Click on the link below to download your free meal planning sheet. You will be well on your way in no time to becoming a master chef and creating delectable dishes in a jiffy!
Bon Appétit!
Xooxoo
