A friend of mine recently shared a recipe in a group text message, and everyone responded with the same general feeling about the cooking routine. We are all caught up in our daily lives. Rotate 3-5 recipes a week and it gets old fast. To feed our families, we need recipes that are quick, easy, and universally loved by most people. We wanted to try squeezing some veggies and protein in there and finally have something delicious to eat together and enjoy each other’s company. Sitting down at the table to eat together as a family at the end of the day is a great way to bond and connect after a day that has gone in a million different directions.
If you too have been following a cooking routine, then today’s post is for you. We’re sharing our favorite easy, family-friendly recipes to help inspire you in the kitchen.
Easy family friendly recipes
baked potatoes
Baked potato night was one of my favorite nights growing up. My mom would wrap them in foil and bake them, telling me they were little gifts that we would open later. That memory is so nostalgic and endearing. We still love baked potato night at our house and it’s fun to change the ingredients every week. Try these different variations each week to mix up your baked potato night: Ham and broccoli, Tacos (ground beef, sour cream, cheddar cheese) with sweet or sweet potatoes, Italian greens (zucchini, tomatoes, cheese) , mozzarella and roasted tomatoes, bacon, avocado and tomato pesto. The options are endless!
Grilled Chicken with Potatoes and Vegetables
Another classic and easy weeknight dinner in our family is roasted chicken with potatoes and vegetables. I throw the roasted chicken in the pan in the morning so it can slow cook all day. Then I briefly grill it to get the skin nice and crispy. Whip up some mashed potatoes or roast potatoes and veggies for a delicious, comforting meal during the cold winter months. Another benefit of roasting chicken is that it makes delicious leftovers. You can make chicken enchiladas, tacos, or chicken salad for snacks throughout the week. Don’t forget to save the stock in the crockpot! This is very nutritious for our bodies! You can drink a cup every morning, which is a great way to strengthen your gut.
Homemade pizza
Homemade pizza is another fun and easy pizza that everyone in the family will love. Grab your favorite dough from the grocery store and let everyone in the family choose their favorite toppings: pizza sauce, pesto, cheese, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, broccoli, etc. Each of you can make your own personal pizza or you can make a large pizza for the family. Share with family. Everyone will love adding their toppings and tasting the delicious results!
Pasta feast!
We usually eat pasta once a week at home and there are many different variations and recipes to choose from. For a quick weekend meal, keep some Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese in the pantry.we also like If you’re looking for a healthy protein-rich meal that’s gluten-free, make it with chickpea pasta. For the most part, kids love pasta, so this is usually always a hit.Sneaking in some veggies for those who refuse to try this Cauliflower Parmesan Cream Pasta. We love casseroles because they usually last for several meals.this Vegetable Pasta Bake It’s a staple in our family. We like to add sausage and then switch to chickpea pasta.this Pesto Pasta Bake is another favorite!This is a favorite place to go spaghetti sauce Weekly pasta night! And of course one of our favorite pastas, the classic Chicken Parmesan, check out this recipe!
Tacos, Burritos & Quesadillas
Another meal we eat every week is tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Everyone loves the toppings – cheese, sour cream, lettuce, lime, avocado, peppers, tomatoes, olives and salsa.Here are some more fun ones top creativity! We always make a pot of white rice and black beans for tortillas and then use the leftovers to make burritos in advance for lunches during the week. Taco Salad is another favorite of ours and a great way to use up leftover beef. Making a delicious homemade dressing with limes is key!this Quinoa Taco Casserole Another favorite in our house!
Here’s a friend’s foolproof burrito recipe:
Place ingredients in Instant Pot and cook for 12 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes or slow cooker 8 hours.
Layer the ingredients into the pot in the following order:
- 1 onion, chopped
- Two boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Drained canned black beans
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- Half a jar of salsa
Cook rice separately when ready.
- Layers of rice
- Use tongs to shred chicken as desired for burritos and fillings
- Add sour cream
- Add sliced avocado
- Add Chipotle Tabasco (extra zipper)
Mediterranean Chicken
this recipe My mother-in-law’s is one of my favorites too! It’s easy to make quickly and tastes delicious! I also like to add feta cheese and potatoes. Um!
dinner sandwich
How about a delicious BLT sandwich on those nights when you’re feeling exhausted and stuck? If you’re feeling ambitious, add turkey, cheese, or avocado. Tuna melt is another easy dinner sandwich. Add pineapple or tomatoes to make open-face sandwiches and grill in the toaster or oven. On those colder days of fall and winter, there’s nothing better than grilled cheese and tomato soup. Purchase tomato soup and grilled cheese toppings from your local market. Keep it simple and I’m sure your family will love it!
breakfast dinner
Not sure about breakfast or dinner. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I have no problem eating it for dinner.you can make pancakes, eggs and bacon, waffles, French toast, or even cereal if you’re too tired to make any effort.this blender recipe Banana Oatmeal Pancakes One of our favorites. An added bonus is that they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and baby-friendly!
soups and stews
this Black Bean and Corn Chowder This is an easy and delicious meal on a cold day. If you’re vegetarian, skip the bacon!This instant pot Broccoli Cheddar Zucchini Soup It’s so easy to make and delicious with some crusty yeast.Another favorite is this delicious Lasagna Soup.
Casserole
this Dump and Bake Parmesan Chicken Just as described, the ingredients are poured into a dish quickly and easily. Easy prep and cleanup are crucial with little ones! Not to mention it makes a delicious cheesy meal that everyone in your family will love. Throw in some spinach or other greens for even more nutritional value.
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