Tuesday, March 19, 2019
If you’re like many, you struggle with getting week night dinners on the table at dinnertime due to activities that run until past when you would need to start making dinner!
Spring sports have started along with whatever other activities you or your kids have going on.
I have 2-3 nights a week where I don’t get home until 6:30. That isn’t that bad, but we like to eat around that time.
I try to make dinner more complicated than it needs to be. I’m working on this!
So, my tips probably aren’t going to break the internet, but here goes:
-Make dinners simpler – think lunch for dinner – sandwiches and salads
-Make all of your meat on Sunday. I did this last weekend. I made my spaghetti meat and my taco meat at the same time and also grilled my chicken for a Greek salad.
Here is my sample menu for the week:
Monday – leftovers from the weekend – We have an abundance of Chinese take out! We also cleaned out other random single portions of leftovers. Leftovers can be fun. I have heard some families draw numbers and the number one gets first dibs on their choice of leftovers. Wouldn’t this be kind of fun?
Tuesday – Taco Tuesday with already cooked taco meat. Our family an always eat Mexican! It’s nice to know Tuesdays are done for me!
Wednesday – spaghetti – We have pasta at least once a week.
Thursday – Entree Greek Salad with grilled chicken, cucumbers, feta, tomatoes, and lettuce. I’m trying to get my family on board with more entree salads.
Other ideas:
sandwich bar – a couple of types of meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, condiments and chips or veggies for a side
potato bar – already bake the potatoes on the weekend or all day in crockpot wrapped in foil. You can top with chili, cheese, sour cream, chicken, bbq – anything!
burrito bowls with protein prepped on weekend
ready made bbq on top of Texas Toast, baked beans from a can
fajitas with ready made meat and flour tortillas
quesadillas with ready made meat. You can cook these the night before and the reheat in the microwave just fine
soup and grilled cheese
already cooked ham, ready made mashed potatoes, canned green beans, rolls
Sometimes you need a little help from the store! It’s still healthier than fast food!
How do you get dinner on the table? Any go to meal ideas or suggestions for me?
Hope you got at least one new idea!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Thanks, that was some really good ideas for those nights when you arrive home late! When I’m really late/lazy I do frozen pizza with extra topping (like mozzarella and ham)… Other quite quick dinners are potato sallad with chicken, cannelloni (use fresh lasagne sheets; ham, mozzarella, fresh spinach, make rolls, cover with tomato sauce and grated cheese), and ready made meatballs with tomato sauce and spaghetti. Enjoy your Tuesday!
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Great ideas, too! I prefer to have an hour to cook but it isn’t always possible!
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I always feel better when I have a plan of what we’re eating for the week. Now that the kids are gone it’s a bit easier to get dinner done. My husband is pretty easy to please. You have some great tips and who knows, you just might break the internet!
Have a great day!
xo,
Kellyann
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Yes! I would love to hear what empty nesters eat! I will be there soon!
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Great ideas! I try to do some meal prep every Sunday. Maybe make a soup or chili or chicken salad, etc. but I like your idea to prep some taco meat and grill some chicken. Gave me the idea to grill extra meat this summer on the weekends to use later in the week. For an easy weeknight meal we love the oven baked sandwiches using the Hawaiian rolls. And making fried rice with leftover pork roast or chicken. Love Trader Joe’s vegetable fried rice for this. And pizza or Stromboli with TJ’s ready made dough. Another go to is Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Parmesan baked chicken. It’s and easy and quick 30 minute meal idea!
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Me too! Sunday prep really helps make my week go smoother! Yes extra grilling on the weekend is so smart! I love Hawaiian rolls! You have some great ideas! Thank you!
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Are those street tacos from Costco not amazing?!?! I agree about this time of year being crazy with all the practices and events at the end of the school year. We are big on sandwiches in the spring, baked potato bars (I cook my baked potatoes in the crock pot for these nights) and salads as well as hot dogs and french-fries. Simple is always best this time of year. I love your ideas!
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What a help the street tacos are! I prefer my homemade but in a pinch they are great! You always have great menus!
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My favorite easy dinner lately is what I call “pasta bar.” I boil some pasta, have some sauce or pesto, and then we add leftover meat and vegetables to our pasta bowl. Everyone can get what they want, it’s fast, and it uses up leftovers. Great ideas!
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That’s a great idea! I love the “bar” concept and it will also be good for entertaining!
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Breakfast for dinner is always a hit here. An omelette with any kind of meat and cheese, brown and serve sausages in the microwave and instead of doing hash browns on the stove I do tater tots or crispy crowns in the oven.
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I love breakfast food so much but can you believe my three boys (including my hub here) would not think that was dinner worthy?
Lol!
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I like the idea of making entree salads. I’ve never done this but with spring here, it would be a hit I think with my husband!
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Yes! You could even grill chicken on weekend for the salad
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