10 Quick and Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Weeknights are busy, life is busy. Illness spreads with time; this may be the best way to scale-up growing our own food. When the food at the store grows less healthy, GMO sickly changes so little to enhance the genetic potential of the crop. What if I told you that you can easily prepare flavorful, home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen? The bright side is that you don’t need to choose between sacrifice of flavor and speed.
Today, I am going to take a look at 10 simple recipes which are perfect for a weeknight meal in no time. All of them able to whip up in no time with the fewest ingredients and taste great. These recipes will come in handy whether you are cooking for you, your family, or even guests.
1. One-Pot Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil
They are a godsend for those hectic nights. Fresh pasta combine these flavors with one-pot cleanup. You literally need one pot, and it takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.
For this, you need spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and water. Put all the ingredients in a big pot and heat up on medium flame. While the water is boiling, the pasta will soak in the flavors released from the tomatoes and garlic. Cook the pasta and the sauce should thicken on its own, peaking once in a while. Top using Thai basil and Parmesan for a restaurant replica meal.
2. Chicken Stir-Fry
Are you looking for one of the quickest dinners? Stir-fries are your answer. They’re made with plenty of flavor, they’re versatile and healthy. A quick chicken stir-fry that can be made in under 20 minutes with any leftover vegetables.
For example, beginning with a – chicken breast cut into thin strips. Warm some oil in a big skillet or wok, and cook the chicken in small batches to a golden brown. Take it out from the pan and keep it aside. Next in that same pan add your chopped veggies, they can be any medley of your choosing (onion, bell pepper, carrot, broccoli) Give them a couple of minutes on the stir fry then add chicken back to the pan. Directions for the sauce: Combine soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger. Drizzle it over the chicken and veggies and stir to coat. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
3. Veggie Quesadillas
Quesadillas: A delicious (very simple) way to sneak in flavor without effort. It makes for a great vegetarian/ meatless!.
Lay a tortilla on the counter and cover half of it with shredded cheese. Place diced vegetables (like bell peppers, onions, and spinach) on one side of the tortilla and fold in half. Grease a frying pan and once you have it on medium high, brown the quesadilla on both sides and melt the cheese. Serve with salsa, guacamole,
4. 15-Minute Shrimp Tacos
These shrimp tacos come together in no time and are bursting with flavor. Because shrimp only takes a few minutes to cook, you can whip up this recipe on busy nights.
Season the shrimp with chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and a splash of lime juice. In a pan, heat some oil and fry the shrimps for about 2-3 minutes per side or until pink and cooked throughout. Then warm some of your favorite tortillas up, along with a filling of the shrimp, the cabbage, and a little sour cream or yogurt. Top with some fresh cilantro and a lime wedge. These tacos are fresh, zesty, and wonderful for a quick dinner.
5. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
A sheet pan meal is a time saver for hectic weeknights. Just pile everything into one pan and cleaning up is super easy. It is hearty, healthy and ready in a jiffy — this sausage and veggie recipe is a good example.
Cut sausage links into small pieces and cut vegetables like zucchini, bell pepper and potatoes. Do the whole shebang in olive oil, garlic, and any herbs/spices you prefer. You had to place the mixture on the baking sheet and throw it in the oven (200°C) for 20 minutes to bake. Toss with a spatula in the middle to promote an even cook. After you are done, you will have an extremely spicey and hearty dish that you can eat alone, or with rice on the side.
6. Egg Fried Rice
Egg fried rice using leftovers is the best way to make a meal in minutes. This recipe will be your new best friend when you have leftover rice.
In a large pan or wok, heat some oil. Place a couple of eggs into the pan and beat the fuck out of them. Move the eggs off to one side, then add in cold, cooked rice. Add soy sauce and sesame oil to the rice. Combine with the scrambled eggs. For flavor and texture, frozen peas, carrots and diced green onions can be added. Mix everything until it’s heating hot. You will end up with a meal better than takeout in less than 15 minutes.
7. Caprese Salad with Grilled Chicken
If you want to keep it light but equally still filling, this Caprese salad with grilled chicken would be just the thing. It is a wonderful combination of fresh and healthy that makes in less than 20 minutes.
Chop the tomatoes and the mozzarella cheese, then you have to put in a plate a layer of basil leaves, then a layer of tomatoes, then fill the gaps in a mozzarella cheese. Drizzle over some olive oil and balsamic vinegar, followed with salt and pepper. Enjoy grilled chicken breast for protein with the salad. The chicken can be made in a grill pan or even baked in the oven. A quick, yet sophisticated weeknight meal that would also suit a simple dinner party.
8. Tuna Melt Sandwiches
Tuna melt — the ultimate comfort food that comes together in a pinch and melt into gooey goodness. It is great for nights when you want something easy, but filling.
Combine canned tuna with some mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and a bit of mustard if you prefer. Spread the tuna mixture on a slice of bread and top with the cheese spread. Top with a second slice of bread to make a sandwich. I would then cook the sandwich in skillet or toaster oven until the bread is golden and the cheese melted. Pair with a side of soup or salad and call it a meal.
9. Instant Pot Chili
You NEED this chili recipe if you have an instant pot It is thick, filling, and has the flavor of simmering all day, but only takes 30 minutes!
Brown ground beef or turkey in the Instant Pot with the sauté function. To the melted lard add chopped onion, chopped garlic, canned beans, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and your favorite chili spices such as cumin and chili powder. Mix it all together and place in the Instant Pot and set to high pressure for 15 minutes. When its finished, vent the pressure and stir. Top with shredded cheese or sour cream, or serve alongside cornbread for a warm and comforting meal.
10. Quick Margherita Flatbread
Pizza on flatbreads is an effortless and enjoyable dinner idea! Faster than delivery and just as good!
Store-bought flat breads, with marinara sauce on the top Top with chunks of fresh mozzarella and some whole basil leaves. Put in the oven for 10 min (220°F (100°C), or the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the flatbread are crunchy. Top with olive oil before serving for bonus flavor. You can add additional toppings to these flatties though; things like mushrooms, peppers, or pepperoni would all be delicious additions!
Conclusion: Delicious Dinners Made Simple
There should really be nothing stressful or time-consuming about weeknight dinners. These 10 recipes go to show that you can have a tasty home-cooked meal with very little fuss. This list has something for everyone from one-pot pastas to sheet pan dinners.
The trick is to be prepared and have these staple foods stocked in your pantry like pasta, rice, eggs and spices. With some planning, you can have delicious meals ready on your busiest days. So, pick one of those recipes tonight, and turn weeknight cooking into something to look forward to!
