You want easy weeknight dinners? Well, it’s time for some real talk, my friend. Have you ever stood in front of your fridge on late afternoon, after work frustrated that you have no idea what to make for dinner…again? Well, I think we’ve all been there at least once.
Are Easy Weeknight Dinners a Real Thing?
Dinner can often feel like a lot to take after a long day. Even when we truly feel like cooking something new and delicious, life has often other plans.
Maybe it is a toddler crying, or a work call running way too long. Suddenly, that imagined dinner turns into another round of frozen store-bought tasteless meals or last-minute takeout.
But what if I tell you that dinner can actually be easy? Not only a less painful experience, but also something you can easily handle and enjoy?
I am excited to show you few tips how to make that happen. No fancy meal plans, or too hard-to-follow recipes, but real-life hacks that work even when your brain’s running on dangerously low speed. Here is how easy weeknight dinners can be.
First Things First: Lower the Bar, My Friend
It is very important at the beginning to get few things straight – easy dinners are not about being perfect.
They are about feeding the people you love (or your dear self) without losing your mind. If that means making grilled cheese and tomato soup – what’s wrong with that? It is actually fantastic!
If it’s rotisserie chicken with easy green salad salad – I think you nailed it a big deal!
Dinner doesn’t have to be entirely made from scratch to be a win. Often requires for you to step back, calm down and just release your creativity, so you can easily figure out how to combine: what you already have or can quickly grab on your way home.
Let’s Start With a Small List
Who wants to talk about decision fatigue? Not me! The reason why dinner feels so hard sometimes is not the cooking, but the lack of ideas. So here are few tips to try this week:
- Grab a piece of paper and write 2–3 “go-to” meals that are always a hit (even if they’re super basic). Maybe something as simple as mac-n-cheese. I know kids will be so happy about that one!
- Put the list somewhere where you can see it – on your fridge, in that notebook or simply add few sticky notes with meal ideas around the kitchen. Really, whatever works for you.
To give you few ideas and spark your own creativity, here’s what mine usually looks like:
Monday – Pasta
For me, it’s usually some kind of pasta variation. Sometimes it’s pasta with a homemade Bolognese sauce. I either make it from scratch (yes, it’s that quick) or use a frozen batch I always keep in the freezer.
Other times, I go for something super simple, like a creamy mushroom pasta casserole.
Tuesday – Leftovers
Weekend leftovers can totally become amazing weeknight dinners – just add a salad and call it done.
Or you can try making a little gyro-style pita. Grab a pita, spread some hummus (or greek yogurt with some oregano and garlic), layer in whatever leftover meat you have, toss in some salad, and roll it up. That’s it!
Wednesday – Stir-fry
You can use whatever is in your veggie drawer. Seriously, whatever you have works. You got some meat leftovers from the day before, or something marinated, even frozen? Time to use it up. Boil some rice, whisk that sauce in 5 minutes and let’s get cooking.
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Thursday – Eggs for Dinner (I love that commercial)
Shakshuka is one of my favourite quick meals, that saved my dinner too many times to count. It’s simple, quick, and so delicious. Follow my recipe and get ready to be amazed.
Friday – Take it Easy
Friday is a great day for a one-pot quick meal. I usually throw whatever I have into my Dutch oven, season it up, let it cook low and slow, then finish it off under the oven’s grill setting to get a crispy, cheesy top.
These familiar, no-brainer meals have been my lifesaver so many times.
If you want few ideas to get you started, check my 7 Days Meal Plan. Choose what you like, and start from there.
Once you unravel it – it gets easier.
Dutch Oven One-Pot Meals
If you know me, you know I am all about Dutch oven cooking. I love my Dutch oven so much because you can literally toss everything in that pot, let it cook, and you’re free to handle homework, laundry, or just stare at a wall in peace for a bit. Or sip a glass of wine (why not)?
Here are some thoughts and ideas on what you can make in a Dutch oven:
- A lazy lasagna – no layering required, you can simply mix sauce and pasta, sprinkle some cheese on top and voilá.
- One-pot creamy chicken and rice – try my yellow rice recipe and just stick the marinated chicken on top. Pop it in the oven and let it do its magic.
- Mixed beans stew (or chilli) that basically cooks itself – try my one-pot vegetable stew, traditional beef stew and chilli recipes, as an example.
Double It Now, and Save it for Later
This is something I often do. I batch cook few meals during the week (just doubled the recipe), so I can count on having at least some leftovers to save a dinner on one of those busy nights. Though let’s be honest… with a hungry teenage boy in the house, saving leftovers is quite challenge.
Still, it’s incredibly helpful. It takes the same effort and time to cook double, and you will be eternally grateful on the day you find something waiting in the fridge, ready to save your sanity. Plus, it often turns into a perfect lunch to grab for work or school the next day.
This works great for the following meals:
- Chili
- Meatballs
- Pasta sauce
- Grilled meat leftovers from the weekend
- Stews and so much more.
Your freezer can be your secret weapon against weeknight chaos. Nothing complicated.
Plan (Even Just a Little)
I am really not asking you to perfect meal prep (I don’t even do that myself). I’m talking about a simple non-ambitious plan. A casual scribble on paper or the back of a receipt. Or that cool Notes app – I love it! Whatever works for you – take it.
Even a rough plan gives you a break and makes you feel amazing. Ready to this? Let’s do it – together!
NO IDEA WHAT TO COOK?
Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron! As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
