Friends, we hate to do this, but we have to break some bad news. It has come to our attention that, despite the fact that we fed our kids yesterday and the day before that and the day before that, we are apparently expected to feed them dinner again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. Man, what a scam this whole dinner situation has turned out to be! Even when we share the cooking duties with our partners, that is still a lot of days to have to think about what's for dinner.
It can be all too easy to fall into a cooking rut, especially when picky eaters are in the mix or we are short on time. While we love us some Taco Tuesday, we also know that variety is important when it comes to healthy (or healthy-ish, let's be realistic) eating and helping kids get comfortable with food beyond dino nuggets and tater tots. So, we're here to help with 15 meal idea for breaking out of a cooking rut! Here's the deal: all of these ideas are realistic for a weekday evening, might help introduce some family members to some new flavors, and feature ingredients that can be found at the average grocery store. And, yep, we've even got some meat-free options and one meal that requires no cooking at all.
Korean Braised Potatoes
Soy braised potatoes (also called gamja jorim) are a popular side dish at Korean restaurants but they are hearty enough to totally work as a main dish option as well. The seasoning level is adjustable, so it can be mild or spicy, and it takes only 30 minutes to get it to the table.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Here's what we love about the Caprese pasta salad recipe from Dining With Alice: It can be made in advance (ideal for those that like to meal prep on the weekend), it only takes 15 to 20 minutes to make, and it can be either vegetarian as written or heartier by adding some cooked chicken or other protein.
Indian-Spiced Chicken
Chicken is a dinner staple in many homes, so mix it up with an Indian-spiced chicken recipe that uses chicken thighs instead of breasts (so much juicier!) and takes about 30 minutes to cook. This pairs well with rice or a rice alternative, like Right Rice, which has more protein and fiber than regular rice.
Dessert for Dinner
We've all probably done breakfast for dinner, but why not do dessert for dinner and get some major cool mom points? A fun idea is to do an ice cream sundae with toppings like fresh fruit, granola, chopped nuts, and even shredded carrots (trust us!). Not only does this dinner cover some nutritional bases with a mix of fat, fiber, and protein, but it can also be easily made into a vegan option with a yummy dairy-free ice cream (we've been liking Klimon's Cherry Bomb flavor lately).
Stamppot
Stamppot is basically the official comfort food of the Netherlands and it is so tasty. Stamppot, including the tasty recipe found at Panning the Globe, feature smoked sausage or kielbasa served over mashed potatoes mixed with sauteed kale or other hearty green. Perfect for a cold day.
Honey Garlic Chicken
This one smells basically like heaven when it's cooking and tastes just as good! Honey garlic chicken is a great main dish option and pairs well with an easy side like sheet pan roasted vegetables. The chicken cooks fast (around 15 minutes or so), so get the veggies going first so everything finishes at the same time.
Sumo Citrus Quinoa Salad
We are obsessed with Sumo Citrus mandarins, which are only available from January to April, and while they are completely delicious on their own, they are also great in a fresh and bright quinoa salad, which is loaded with good stuff like onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado.
Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
We have to make a confession: We don't love olives. But we aren't going to let that stop us from trying this Mediterranean chicken orzo dish. The fact that it takes less than 30 minutes to cook means we'll be happy to pick out (or just omit) the olives.
One Pan Filipino Pancit Bihon Noodles
We love a one-pan recipe and are dying to try this Filipino panict bihon recipe that features rice noodles, pork belly, chicken thighs, and some tasty veggies like shredded carrots and snow peas. This is another one in the "takes less than 30 minutes" category, so we love that journey for us.
West African Peanut Stew
Warm, hearty, and so flavorful, there is just something about West African peanut stew. It is great on its own or served over rice for an even heartier meal. Good soup can take a bit more time (although a lot of it is hands off time), so this is good for a work-from-home day.
The Farmer's Frittata
The farmer's frittata is an Italian-style egg dish that is loaded with veggies, bacon, and cheese. This will make excellent leftovers for breakfast, if it doesn't all get gobbled right up! This one isn't as quick as scrambled eggs, but its so worth it.
Jerk Chicken
Don't be afraid of the spice level of jerk chicken. Jerk chicken is delicious and the heat level can get adjusted by adding or reducing peppers. This is a good option to serve with a less spicy side dish, like mashed potatoes or rice and beans.
Vegan Beet Poke Bowl
We are always a fan of meals that can be customizable for everyone in the family, like this vegan beet poke bowl. Pescatarians can opt to add some fish to the bowl while the veggie lovers in the family can keep it vegan with this recipe that showcases marinated beet.
Beef Stir-Fry With Bell Peppers
Beef stir-fry without having to pay crazy restaurant delivery fees? Yes, please! This recipe is all about tender beef and colorful bell peppers in a savory sauce. Rice is the clear go-to side dish for this one and we'd make a double batch for tasty leftover lunches.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Cordon Bleu is one of those meals that sound way more complicated to make than it actually is, thanks to this easy recipe. Serve this with a side salad (grab a bag from the grocery store, no shame in the bag salad game!) and some great bread and enjoy some French vibes on a weeknight.
