As a home economics teacher with an afterschool culinary team and junior class sponsor responsibilities, which includes attending volleyball games for concession stand duty, I’ve always felt overwhelmed during the fall season as school begins. Now that my girls are also participating in extracurricular activities – my oldest is taking ice skating lessons and the youngest started dancing – we’re left with only two nights a week to ourselves, Mondays and Fridays.
With a heavy schedule and the importance of feeding my family well, I’ve compiled a collection of delicious recipes to help us navigate this busy period.
Busy Season Recipes to Save You Time
Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa
When I stumbled upon this 30-minute recipe, I was immediately drawn in by the tantalizing combination of succulent shrimp and zesty lemons. The dish is elevated even further by the addition of quinoa, which provides a satisfying seven grams of protein to round out the meal. For those interested in getting the full scoop on this refreshing recipe, I recommend heading over to Erin’s Well Plated for the complete story.
Twice Baked Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes
While this recipe may require a bit more time upfront, its versatility and freezer-friendliness make it an excellent choice for meal prep. Consider whipping up a large batch on the weekend, then enjoying it for dinner one night and as a quick lunch option over the next few days. As someone who appreciates the sweet potato’s unique flavor profile, I must admit that I prefer them to regular potatoes – both savory and sweet!
Furthermore, the original recipe’s adaptability to vegetarian diets is an added bonus, thanks in part to The Creative Bite’s thoughtful approach.
Breakfast For Dinner
From personal experience, I can attest that breakfast items are best when they’re quick and easy to prepare – with the exception of muffins, of course! When seeking a rapid recipe solution, it’s only natural to opt for breakfast. Pancakes and bacon are simple yet satisfying choices that fit the bill perfectly. My recommendation? Whip up a few extra pancakes and stash them in the freezer for a convenient future meal.
Crescent Rolls
A versatile recipe that requires no cooking guidance, simply wrap your preferred filling in crescent dough, shape into rolls, and bake at 375°F until fully cooked. The possibilities are endless! For instance, shredded rotisserie chicken or pulled pork would make excellent fillings. I envision these savory bites being a staple in many households, especially when paired with a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
The pizza roll-ups featured here, with their tangy marinara sauce and melted cheese, exemplify this recipe’s flexibility. As an added bonus, these rolls can be easily packed in lunches, making them a convenient option for busy days.
Sheet Pan Fajitas
Fajitas are a staple in my household, with weekly appearances on our dining table. While I normally prepare them on the stovetop, the prospect of throwing everything into the oven and letting it cook while I attend to other matters is incredibly appealing. The idea of harnessing the power of a food processor to streamline the preparation process and ensure uniform chopping is also a major draw.
With these advantages in mind, it’s no wonder I’m eager to experiment with this recipe and see how it elevates my fajita game. For a glimpse into just how effortless this dish can be, I invite you to visit Tipbuzz.
Mom’s Soup
As autumn’s crisp breeze sets in, warm and comforting meals are just what we need to cozy up with. The team at Smile Sandwich kindly shared their mother’s secret recipe for a hearty beef vegetable soup that’s perfect for the season. What I love about this recipe is its adaptability – it’s easy to modify using frozen veggies or incorporating fresh produce from your garden, if you’re lucky enough to have an abundance left over from the summer. There’s nothing quite like savoring a homegrown treat.
For the full recipe, head on over to Smile Sandwich and get cooking!
Crockpot Cubed Steak
Brandie’s clever recipe at The Country Cook is a testament to the efficiency of crock pot cooking. This dish serves as the main course, and while it’s not a full meal on its own, it can be paired with microwaveable side dishes for a speedy and satisfying dinner. One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is that the slow-cooked process tenderizes the meat, making it less tough than when cooked using other methods.
Dutch Oven Cornbread Topped Chili
When it comes to whipping up quick and easy dinners, I’ve discovered two key takeaways: one, batch-cooking a favorite dish can be a huge time-saver, allowing you to enjoy the same meal throughout the week; and two, recipes can always be tweaked and adapted to suit your tastes. Take, for instance, Laura’s creative spin on chili from her blog Family Spice.
Inspired by her husband’s Dutch oven prowess, she transformed a traditional chili recipe into a stove-top masterpiece that’s then finished off in the oven. I love this approach not only because it showcases the versatility of Dutch ovens but also because it highlights the importance of experimentation and adaptation in cooking. By repurposing Laura’s technique, I’ve been able to create my own variation using a stovetop-to-oven method that yields mouthwatering results.
The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity: just imagine throwing together a pot of chili on the stove, then adding a cornbread mixture and baking it to perfection at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes – it’s a match made in culinary heaven!
Chili Cheese Dog Bake
For many, the allure of a warm cornbread can be too great to resist. Even those who typically devour their share of chili may find themselves indulging in an extra slice (or two) of cornbread instead. But what about putting that leftover chili to good use? A simple yet satisfying solution is to create chili cheese dogs – a classic combination that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
While some concession stands might stick to traditional hot dog buns, I prefer to get creative with my own pastry dough. The result is a more indulgent and flavorful treat. And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out Incredible Recipes from Heaven, where they share their take on this tasty duo. Perhaps it’ll even motivate me to whip up a batch for my family soon!
Boneless Pork Chops and Vegetable Dinner
I’m thrilled to share another sheet pan dinner recipe, which is a hit with my family because each component remains distinct. My husband and youngest daughter appreciate their food being separate, a quirk we’ve developed over time. This dish’s simplicity is an added bonus, as it requires minimal effort from me – a win-win! Interestingly, Tiffany from Eat at Home suggests various side dishes that pair well with this recipe, including green beans.
What caught my attention was her observation that the green beans took slightly longer to prepare than the potatoes, offering a subtle but useful insight for home cooks.
BBQ Chicken Tostadas
Brianne’s creative spin on a recipe from ‘Easy weeknight dinners’ cookbook resulted in pulled chicken instead of pork. The original dish underwent some tweaks, excluding green onions from the topping. Although modified, it remains an attractive option for a buffet-style dinner, where various dishes can be prepared together and then baked simultaneously. For a closer look at the recipe, visit Cupcakes and Kale Chips for further details.
Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy
The revelation that large batches of mashed potatoes can be frozen has opened up new possibilities for quick and easy meals. When I need something simple yet satisfying, I now prepare chicken and gravy ahead of time, then pair it with a container of pre-portioned mashed potato clouds. Upon returning home, the chicken and gravy are ready, while the mashed potatoes thaw out easily, requiring only a brief warming period to be ready to serve.
This recipe holds a special place in my heart for more than one reason – not only is it a comforting combination of mashed potatoes and gravy, but it’s also a reliable solution for a busy day when I need to know that everyone will enjoy the meal. It’s a true soul-satisfier.
Homemade TV Dinners
I’m particularly fond of this idea because it’s both practical and straightforward. The concept is simple: cook a large quantity of a family-friendly meal that you can easily purchase at the grocery store. For instance, I know I can buy TV dinners with spaghetti, which is a cinch to prepare using fresh ground beef – a crucial element here. Never use frozen meat for meals like these.
As I often do, I enjoyed my spaghetti dinner with garlic bread and a salad.
Afterward, feeling full and content, I returned to the kitchen to prepare five TV dinners with spaghetti and bread.
I repeated this process over the next two nights, preparing burritos and Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Fast-forward three weeks: after a busy evening, my oldest requests spaghetti while my youngest yearns for burritos. With a little reheating in the microwave, dinner is served.
The only extra effort required is packaging the leftovers into individual portions – a mere few minutes beyond my regular cooking routine. To see exactly how I adapted this idea, check out Frugal like Grandma.
Ham and Cheese Pockets
Another recipe perfect for pre-making, reheating, and freezing is hot pockets – a crowd-pleaser among kids, adults alike! While reheating leftovers, I suggest popping them in the oven instead of the microwave for an even better experience. The genius behind this recipe lies with Sally from Sally’s Baking Addiction, who has mastered the art of creating satisfying yet homemade treats that are surprisingly quick to prepare – a few minutes is all it takes!
Cheese Skillet Baked Gnocchi Recipe
This recipe is a quick and satisfying option that can be prepared in just over half an hour. The majority of this time is spent on the stovetop, with the final ten minutes dedicated to cooking and the remaining two devoted to finishing it under the broiler – or, if you’re feeling adventurous, using a torch. With proper safety precautions, playing with fire can be a fun and creative way to add a crispy finish.
The recipe’s author, who got the original from a friend, made some tweaks of her own by substituting the cheese for one she preferred and adding some smoky bacon – a combination that’s sure to please even the most discerning palate.
Sausage and Potatoes
Jaren from Diary of a Recipe Collector has shared a recipe that initially caught my attention with its appealing combination. As I began documenting it here, I found myself getting carried away thinking about the various side dishes that would complement this dish perfectly. This recipe is ideal for when you want to host a satisfying dinner without sacrificing too much time.
Imagine serving the sausage and potatoes alongside cinnamon apples, green beans, cranberry jello, corn, or other options – the possibilities are endless! With its comforting nature and versatility, this recipe is a great addition to your culinary repertoire, especially on those busy days when you don’t have the luxury of devoting hours to multiple dishes.
Conclusion
As the busy season unfolds, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of convenience and settle for quick fixes like fast food. But let’s be honest – that kind of fuel only leaves us feeling sluggish when we need our energy most. Instead, why not take a proactive approach by cooking up some mouthwatering recipes over the weekend? Then, simply portion them out throughout the week, allowing ourselves to savor each meal and enjoy the benefits of a well-fed body.