5 Easy Dinners for Busy Families - Meal Plan #2

Are you dreading grocery shopping and need dinner ideas for the upcoming week? You are in the right place because I have everything you need right at your fingertips.

I used to DREAD figuring out what to make for dinner, especially when I needed something quick. Although we're often in a rush, we still wanted a tasty meal that wasn't just chicken nuggets.

If you can relate to this well, welcome. I have grabbed 5 easy recipes for you to make this week that you and your kids will love. Better yet, I have a grocery list included at the end for all the meals.

Skillet Lasagna

Creating a delicious lasagna doesn’t have to take hours in the kitchen. This easy skillet lasagna recipe brings all the flavors of traditional lasagna to the table in just 20 minutes!

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this one-pan dish requires minimal prep and even less cleanup, making it a great option for busy families. Recipe by the Six Sisters.

Chopped Italian Sandwiches

I am not much of a sandwich person, but this one is amazing. Not only is it easy, it's flavorful fast! You can make it in many different ways, but this recipe by Ninjacue is amazing. The best part, it only takes 15 minutes to make.

Chicken Curry

I love curry but seem to always mess it up. This recipe by Family Food on the Table makes curry easy, delicious, and fast. As long as you have cooked your chicken beforehand, this recipe should only take 15-20 minutes.

Don't have cooked chicken on hand? Don't stress. Pressure cook it! Place frozen chicken breasts in your pressure cooker with some water and cook it on high for 12 minutes.

Teriyaki Chicken

Only 30 minutes for an amazing meal? Sign me up. This is my family's current favorite meal and is beyond easy to make.

Not only are you getting some good protein in, but it's super easy to through a frozen veggie in there for some more nutritious benefits. Check out this recipe by The Pioneer Women.

Cajun Pasta

A super easy 25-minute meal that kids and adults love is a huge win! This simple, tasty dish is sure to become a new favorite. This is our family's current favorite cajun pasta recipe!

That's the plan for the week! Since we’re usually out of the house on weekends or have leftovers, we typically only plan meals for five days. If you find yourself needing more meals, feel free to repeat any from previous plans!

Ingredient List For This Week

Proteins

- 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (plus additional chicken as needed for specific recipes)

- 2 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs

- 6 slices of pepperoni

- 6 slices of salami

- 6 slices of ham

- 6 slices of provolone cheese

Vegetables

- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced

- 2 1/2 red onions (some diced, some thinly sliced)

- 1 small yellow onion, chopped

- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

- 4 roma tomatoes, diced

- 1/4 cup banana peppers, sliced

- Garlic (9 cloves, finely chopped or minced)

- 2 green onions, thinly sliced

- Steamed broccoli (optional)

Carbs

- 1 lb. fettuccine

- 4 hoagie or sub rolls

- Crushed tortilla chips or strips (for serving)

- Steamed white rice (optional)

Dairy

- 1 c. heavy cream

- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (non-fat, 2%, or 5% fat)

- 1/2 c. salted butter (divided as needed)

Canned and Jarred Goods

- 1 cup canned low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained

- 1/2 cup canned Mexicorn, drained

- 1 14.5 oz. can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained

Seasonings and Spices

- Cajun seasoning

- Kosher salt

- Black pepper

- Cayenne pepper (optional)

- 1 tablespoon curry powder

- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

- Salt and pepper (to taste)

Oils and Vinegars

- 3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

- 3 tablespoons olive oil (additional)

- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

- 2 tsp. sesame oil

- 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar

Other

- 1/2 c. white wine or apple cider vinegar

- 2 c. low-sodium chicken broth (plus additional as needed)

- 3/4 c. soy sauce

- 1/3 c. packed dark brown sugar

- 2 tbsp. honey

- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

- 1 tbsp. cornstarch

- 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

- 2 tablespoons homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce

Fresh Herbs

- Chopped fresh parsley (to serve)

- Chopped fresh cilantro (for serving)