5 can’t-be-bothered dinners I keep in constant rotation
Being married to a firefighter means that I’m solely responsible for dinner during the string of days he’s at the fire station each week. No-dad dinners used to be a huge source of stress until I re-framed my expectations for what dinner needed to look like.
Sometimes, I bust out a low-lift charcuterie board and we just graze. Other times, I do no-recipe cooking and wing it with sheet pan nachos. I also don’t feel guilty about reaching into the freezer for pizza or nuggets or turning to takeout when I need to outsource dinner completely.
When I’m craving something homemade, I turn to my Instagram and Pinterest accounts where I’ve created a collection and board that are exclusively filled with my easy recipe go-to’s. These are the recipes that already have my kids’ stamp of approval, so I don’t need to worry whether they’ll eat or protest. Any other recipe that piques my interest is saved and filed as inspiration dinners for nights when I have more help or energy to experiment. If we love it, I move the recipe to my go-to’s file.
Rotating a handful of these go-to dinners allows us to enjoy low-pressure, home-cooked options. Aside from being quick and delicious, most of them also fall into the one-pot/one-pan category, which cuts prep time and clean up, but also helps them to feel substantial without me having to make multiple side dishes.
Keep reading for the five no-fuss dinners my kids are currently obsessed with.
Turkey taco bake
Laney from Life is but a Dish is one of my favorite creators for finding approachable, family-friendly meal inspiration. I’ve cooked a ton of her recipes, and her turkey taco bake is a staple in our house. I serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, avocado and fresh lime.
Hot tip: I like to swap in quinoa instead of rice for an extra protein boost and use Casa Sanchez’s Mild Salsa Roja so that I don’t have to bother with fresh cilantro. For the cilantro-adverse or kids with extra sensitivity to spice, the Trader Joe’s salsa verde that comes in a jar is another fantastic option.
If I have it on hand, I also chop up and add fresh spinach to sneak in some greens—my kids always assume it’s cilantro, which they love.
20-minute broccoli lemon pasta
Broccoli is one of the “safe” veggies I know my kids will eat. This broccoli lemon pasta recipe features a ridiculously simple sauce that combines broccoli, lemon, olive oil, garlic, and pasta water— the entire dish comes together in just 20 minutes and is crazy good.
Hot tip: Not to get all Ina Garten about it, but because olive oil is such a key ingredient in the sauce, it really helps to use a good-quality olive oil that you like. I’m a fan of Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
I’ve also experimented with adding meat (pancetta, shredded roti chicken, and chicken apple sausages are delicious) and more veggies (like cherry tomatoes and peas). Honestly though, my kids love it best in its original form with a heavy dusting of grated parm. The only item they don’t mind me switching up is the pasta shape.
Instant Pot coconut lime white chicken chili
This coconut lime white chicken chili recipe is the first quickie meal my kids became obsessed with. Every time I make it—whether we’re having friends over or my kids have a babysitter—people always want the recipe. We like to serve it with tortilla chips and lime wedges.
Hot tip: I double the amount of coconut milk and salsa verde to create more broth, which trust me, you’ll want to drink. It’s that good.
Trader Joe’s birria tacos
Mother.ly photography / Angela Elias
If your household doesn’t already observe Taco Tuesday, you’ll want to change that just to have an excuse to eat this easy Trader Joe’s Birria Tacos recipe every week. The succulent birria, gooey mozzarella, fresh cilantro and onions, and sauce-covered tortillas come together for a street-style taco that rivals homemade birria. You can find the birria in the frozen section at Trader Joe’s.
Hot tip: Serve it with simple guacamole (we mash avocados with sea salt, garlic powder, and lime juice) and a salad for some fresh crunch or rice and beans.
Air fryer sticky salmon rice bowls
When we’re craving sushi but don’t want to splurge, this sticky salmon rice bowl recipe hits the spot. My kids love that it tastes like their go-to Lion King roll, and I love that it’s quick and affordable. I often add edamame for extra protein, but the creamy avocado and crunchy cucumbers are non-negotiable.
Hot tip: To save time, I buy the Trader Joe’s frozen cubes of ginger and garlic as well as a box of frozen rice. That way, the entire meal can come together in less than 20 minutes.
source https://www.mother.ly/food/quick-and-easy-dinners-my-kids-love/
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