The other day on Instagram we asked all of you what else we could do for you, besides sharing recipes and giving you all GIANT virtual hugs.
And the resounding answer was more quick & easy meal ideas. Specifically, dinners that could be made with a child or two hanging off your every limb.
Parenting during this stressful time is exhausting. It’s a kind of exhaustion I have never felt before, and I’ve been through the up at all hours newborn phase three times now. By late afternoon, around 4pm, I feel completely and utterly defeated. Parenting is hard on it’s own. Now add to it the anxiety of living in these very uncertain times. Pretty much impossible. Now add to that the endless meal and snack prep. It makes me want to wave the white flag, hop back into bed and pull the covers over my face.
Putting together this list of 8 of our best quick and easy dinner ideas has been super helpful and has calmed at least some of that anxiety of what the heck to feed an extremely hungry family of five when it takes all my energy to just keep upright at the end of the day.
I hope this list helps you find some peace and calm in your life right now too. It’s a delicious mix of family meals that are all easily adaptable and use ingredients you probably already have on hand.
8 Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
Roasted Vegetable and Sausage Sheet Pan Supper
Feel free to substitute any vegetable you’ve got on hand. I’ve made this with broccoli, cauliflower, squash and brussels sprouts and they’ve all worked extremely well. Roast up some sausages plain for the kiddos and serve it as is, with buns or over your grain of choice.
Deconstructed Egg Roll with Crispy Wontons
This dish comes together in under ten minutes and you can easily swap in ground turkey, beef or pork for the chicken. No wontons? No problem. Leave them out and this dish is still a delicious family fave.
One Pan Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls
The humble cabbage has to be one of the most underrated vegetable. Here it takes centre stage in this one pan extremely satisfying dinner. Use any rice or grain you have on hand.
Weeknight Pasta Carbonara
All you really need for this dish is eggs, cheese and pasta. That’s it! Doesn’t get simpler than that. Throw in some frozen peas or spinach and if you’ve got bacon, that’s a bonus! Cook up some plain pasta for the kids and you have the perfect quick and easy family meal.
Weeknight Lasagna Soup
If this doesn’t scream comfort, I don’t know what does! All the flavours you know and love from the classic lasagna in soup form. Quick and easy enough to make any day of the week.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables
There’s a reason this recipe has almost broken the internet. It’s super simple and easily adaptable to use your family’s favourite veggies.
Sheet Pan Halloumi and Vegetables
Bread, cheese and veggies all cook together on one pan to bring a super satisfying family meal. It’s also a great way to use up a loaf of bread that’s about to turn stale.
Sheet Pan Pierogies with Feta and Lemon
Pierogies are a great item to store in your freezer and this method of cooking them couldn’t be simpler. No feta? No problem. Sub in some parmesan or goat cheese and it will be delicious!
Next up, we want to hear from you! What recipes are you looking for? What posts would be most helpful for you during this time. GIANT HUGS TO YOU ALL!
Dara
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Amber says
Looking at the sausages and veggies- don’t “dumb it down” for the kiddos! My kiddos eat be a, onions, peppers, parsnips, carrots, etc with sausage sheet pan meal 🙂
Erin & Dara says
That’s great. We are just trying to give options for families who feel their kids (or adults) are a tad more selective. So they are still exposed to the veggies but can choose not to eat them and still all eat the same thing.
Martochka says
The deconstructed egg roll is my mainstay. Ive been making it often ever since you posted it. In fact that’s what for dinner tonight. And, your banana bread, always perfect, is our Easter treat this year. Thank you, more than ever your consistent reminders to enjoy and appreciate food; and the many people who work within the food supply chain; is on point.
Erin & Dara says
Thank you so very much for this comment! We really appreciate it!
torrent-mac says
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