Making time to cook a meal at home during the week can seem like an impossible feat sometimes. Between running errands, checking your email, making sure the kids get to bed on time, and having time to breathe, weeknights usually fly by. Whether you are letting the slow cooker do all the work for you or popping a quick meal in the toaster oven, these 8 recipes are great options when meal planning for the somewhat (and by somewhat we mean very) hectic week.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Leave the stove off tonight and let the slow cooker do all the cooking for you. Lasagna is always a crowd pleaser and with a little prep in the morning, you can come home to a steaming hot Italian meal. And we assure you, no one will complain about eating leftovers the next day.
Turkey Club Panini
Sometimes weeknights are so hectic all you have time to throw together is a sandwich, but that doesn’t mean the sandwich has to be anything other than delicious. This Turkey Club combines turkey, tomatoes, onions, cheese, bacon AND barbecue sauce into a killer sandwich that comes together in minutes in the panini maker.
Mississippi Roast
Mississippi Roast is a simple but unbelievably delicious pot roast recipe. The best thing about it? It’s made with ingredients you probably already have on-hand, while you might not have thought to combine them before. It can be served as is or over mashed potatoes or as an open-faced sandwich for a hearty weeknight meal.
Veggie Kabobs
No time to stop at the grocery store? Grill up some of the vegetables you have in the fridge for a quick, colorful, vegetarian dinner. Use the indoor or outdoor grill and get your kids to eat more vegetables while relieving the stress cooking a huge family meal.
Chicken Thighs with Roasted Rosemary Root Vegetables
Sheet pan suppers are a great option for quick weeknight dinners. Ingredients cook together on a single pan so assembly is fast and cleanup is easy. Mix and match your favorite proteins and veggies for variations throughout the week.
Asparagus and Chicken Penne Pasta with Lemon Butter Pan Sauce
Pasta is a great go-to option when throwing a quick meal together during the week. This colorful recipe combines chicken, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes and a lemon pan sauce into an outrageously flavorful meal that could be served for lunch or dinner, cold or hot.
Slow Cooker Classic Meatloaf
We love the flavor combinations of classic meatloaf, but it can be a hassle to put together, especially on a weeknight. Try making meatloaf in the slow cooker. Prepare everything in advance, then place the entire crock in the fridge until morning. When you leave for the day, place the crock in the slow cooker, set the timer and come home later to a perfectly cooked, moist and delicious meal.
Rice Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Like slow cookers, rice cookers can help cut down on time and effort when making meals during the week. This Rice Cooker Macaroni and Cheese cooks from start to finish in under 20 minutes. Add broccoli, peas, or chicken to make this quick rice cooker recipe a meal. Get the kids to eat their vegetables and put dinner on the table in under 30 minutes – it’s a win win
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