10 Quick Weeknight Dinners for Busy Families

One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

This dish offers a burst of zest and flavor, perfect for a quick and satisfying family dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and thyme.
4. Sear the chicken thighs, skin-side down, for 5 minutes until the skin is golden brown.
5. Flip the chicken, add garlic and lemon slices to the skillet, and then transfer to the oven.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

Honey Soy Glazed Salmon

A sweet and savory salmon dish that’s ready in minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cooking Method:

1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear salmon fillets for 4 minutes on each side.
4. Pour the honey soy mixture over salmon and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the glaze thickens.

Quick Shrimp Tacos

These shrimp tacos are a vibrant, quick-to-prepare meal that brings a taste of the coast to your table.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 8 corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Cooking Method:

1. Toss shrimp with olive oil, cumin, and paprika.
2. Cook shrimp in a skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until pink.
3. Serve shrimp in warmed tortillas, garnished with cilantro.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

A classic Italian pasta that’s simple, yet packed with flavor, ideal for a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• Salt to taste

Cooking Method:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté until fragrant.
3. Toss cooked spaghetti with the garlic oil and parsley. Season with salt.

Beef Stir-Fry with Broccoli

A quick and nutritious meal that pairs tender beef with bright green broccoli.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Method:

1. Toss steak slices with cornstarch and soy sauce.
2. Heat oil in a wok over high heat and stir-fry beef until browned.
3. Add broccoli and oyster sauce, stir-fry for an additional 5 minutes.

Chickpea Curry

A hearty vegetarian dish bursting with spices and flavors, ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Method:

1. Sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft.
2. Add curry powder and chickpeas, stirring to coat.
3. Pour in coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over rice.

Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Peppers

These colorful peppers are filled with a savory turkey and spinach mixture for a healthy weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Brown turkey in a skillet, add spinach and quinoa, then season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Stuff mixture into pepper halves and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Vegetable Fried Rice

This quick and colorful vegetable fried rice is a great way to use leftover rice and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 green onions, chopped

Cooking Method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a wok over medium heat.
2. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
3. Push veggies to the side, scramble eggs in the same pan.
4. Add rice and soy sauce, stir-frying everything together. Top with green onions.

Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese

A comforting classic with a twist, perfect for a simple yet delicious meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups tomato puree
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 slices bread
• 4 slices cheese

Cooking Method:

1. Heat oil in a pot, add tomato puree and broth, simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in basil and season with salt.
3. Make grilled cheese sandwiches by grilling bread with cheese in a skillet until golden.

Sausage and Bean Skillet

A hearty and fulfilling dish that combines rustic flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 4 sausages, sliced
• 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Method:

1. Heat oil in a skillet, cook sausages until browned.
2. Add onion and Italian seasoning, sautéing until onion is soft.
3. Stir in beans and tomatoes, simmer for 10 minutes until heated through.