DeliciouslyEasyWeeknightDinners

Deliciously Easy Weeknight Dinners: 7 Recipes to Conquer Your Busy Schedule

Weeknights are notoriously hectic. Juggling work, family, and social commitments leaves little time for elaborate meal preparation. However, delicious and nutritious dinners don’t have to be time-consuming. These seven recipes are designed for speed and simplicity, without sacrificing flavour or satisfaction.

1. One-Pan Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken and Veggies:

This recipe relies on the efficiency of one-pan roasting. Minimal cleanup and maximum flavour make it a weeknight winner.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered if large
• 1 lb broccoli florets
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 lemons, one thinly sliced, one juiced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss potatoes, broccoli, and red onion with olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
4. Place chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
5. Arrange lemon slices over the chicken.
6. Drizzle with lemon juice.
7. Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

Tip: For extra flavour, marinate the chicken in the lemon juice and herbs for at least 30 minutes before roasting.

2. Speedy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles:

This light and healthy dish is ready in under 15 minutes. Zucchini noodles (zoodles) provide a low-carb alternative to pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 medium zucchini, spiralized or julienned
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional, can substitute with chicken broth)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through.
4. Add white wine (or broth) and lemon juice. Simmer for 1 minute.
5. Add zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, until tender-crisp.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley.

3. 30-Minute Taco Tuesday (or Any Day!):

Skip the lengthy taco prep with this streamlined approach.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 12 taco shells
• Toppings of your choice (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
3. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Stir in taco seasoning and water.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
6. Fill taco shells with meat mixture and your favourite toppings.

4. Quick Chickpea Curry:

This vegetarian curry is packed with flavour and protein, and it’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice or naan bread, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Stir in curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder (if using). Cook for 1 minute.
5. Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
6. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve over rice or with naan bread.

5. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers:

Another one-pan wonder, this recipe is perfect for a casual weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Italian seasoning to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss sausage, bell peppers, and onion with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
4. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until sausage is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

6. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta:

This comforting pasta dish comes together quickly and requires minimal ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pasta (penne, rotini, or your favourite shape)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Drain pasta and add to the sauce. Toss to coat.

7. Black Bean Burgers:

A healthy and satisfying vegetarian option, these burgers are quick to assemble and cook.

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Burger buns and toppings of your choice

Instructions:

1. Mash black beans with a fork until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky.
2. Combine mashed beans, rice, onion, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
3. Mix well to combine.
4. Form mixture into 4 patties.
5. Cook patties in a skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, or until heated through and slightly browned.
6. Serve on burger buns with your favourite toppings.

These seven recipes offer a diverse range of flavours and cuisines, all designed to fit comfortably into even the busiest weeknight schedule. Remember to adjust seasoning and ingredients to your own preferences. Happy cooking!