I don’t know about you but weeknight meals are the hardest for us once school starts back up. Between busy afterschool schedules & other commitments, it can be hard to figure out what to make on weeknights when time is of the essence.
So here are some of my go-to meals (I will be the first to admit I am no chef ๐ ) along with some recommendations from my Instagram followers.
PASTA
– pasta (red sauce or just buttered w/ Italian seasoning) *serve with breadsticks for a little something extra or sometimes frozen meatballs or salad
– beefaroni (just pasta with jarred tomato sauce & seasoned ground beef. Can be baked with mozzarella or just mixed together)
– slow cooker lasagna. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
– slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
BEEF
– good ole Hamburger Helper. We usually do the ones that use ground beef.
– beefaroni (just pasta with jarred tomato sauce & seasoned ground beef. Can be baked with mozzarella or just mixed together)
– Sloppy Joes with fries or any other easy side (Hawaiian buns are our fave for this)
– meatloaf. We use this recipeย but just with onion/garlic powder instead of fresh ingredients when we need to save on time.
– teriyaki meatballs. Submitted by a follower (1/2 cup teriyaki sauce, 1.5 cup pineapple juice, & 30 frozen meatballs in the crockpot on low for 6 hours. Serve with white rice & broccoli.)
– meatball subs (can use frozen meatballs.) Submitted by a follower. Pair with sweet potato fries.
– tacos using your choice of meat cooked in the crockpot
– slow cooker birria tacos. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
– Korean beef. Submitted by a follower – recipes here
– Mississippi roast. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
CHICKEN
– chicken sandwiches using Aldi red bag chicken. Served with some kind of potato or just mac & cheese.
– grilled chicken with random sides (mac & cheese/Pasta Roni)/veggies. We like using McCormick seasoning packets.
– chicken quesadillas. Can use frozen chicken or I like to fry up chicken with Italian dressing.
– pulled pork or chicken sandwiches. Meat cooked in crockpot. BBQ sauce of your choice.
– foil packets. Submitted by a follower (potatoes, chicken, broccoli, corn, carrots, cheese, ranch dressing & pepper wrapped in foil. Cook on 400 for about 30 minutes.)
– sliced kielbasa (or chicken.) Submitted by a follower. One sheet pan with roasted potatoes & broccoli covered in garlic parm sauce.
– stir fry. Submitted by a follower. Aldi red bag chicken, rice or noodles, sautรฉ frozen veggies & stir fry sauce
– tacos using your choice of meat cooked in the crockpot
– Mediterranean wraps. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
– cilantro lime chicken thighs served with boxed couscous & veggie. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
– slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
– orzo Tuscan chicken bake. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
PORK
– pulled pork or chicken sandwiches. Meat cooked in crockpot. BBQ sauce of your choice.
– homemade chop suey using cut up boneless pork chops. Submitted by a follower – recipes here
GRILLED
– hot dogs. If it’s summer, this is easier since we like ours grilled. We usually do some kind of fries with it.
– brats or sausage sandwiches. Serve with quick veggies &/or pierogies.
– grilled chicken with random sides (mac & cheese/Pasta Roni)/veggies. We like using McCormick seasoning packets.
MISCELLANEOUSย
– make your own pizza. The fresh dough in the produce section of Walmart is our favorite + whatever toppings you want.
– frozen pizza. Cheaper than take out & everyone can choose their own.
– grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup (a fall/winter favorite!)
– breakfast for dinner. We don’t do this often but a lot of moms out there have suggested this.
– sliced kielbasa (or chicken.) Submitted by a follower. One sheet pan with roasted potatoes & broccoli covered in garlic parm sauce.
– tuna/egg/chicken salad sandwiches. Submitted by a follower.
– potato soup. Submitted by a follower.
– loaded baked potato bar. Submitted by a follower.
– Aldi stromboli. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
– zucchini boats. Submitted by a follower – recipes here
– egg roll in a bowl. Submitted by a follower – recipe here
Have a suggestion for this list?
Send it over to: [email protected]
