Food

Easy Weeknight Meal Plan for Families: Delicious Dinners Without the Stress

Posted onAuthorTaran

Family dinners are a time for bonding, sharing stories, and enjoying delicious food together. However, in our busy lives, planning what to cook every night can be a challenge. That’s where a well-thought-out weeknight meal plan comes in handy. In this article, we present an easy weeknight meal plan designed for families, offering a variety of tasty dishes that are simple to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

Monday: Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti bolognese recipe | Coles

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Remove any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until they’re softened and fragrant.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain.
  5. Serve the Bolognese sauce over the cooked spaghetti, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tuesday: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Best Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe - How To Make Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning mix
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Flour tortillas
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken strips, sliced onion, bell peppers, fajita seasoning mix, and olive oil. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  4. Roast in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
  5. Serve the chicken and vegetable mixture in warm flour tortillas, and let everyone customize their fajitas with their favorite toppings.

Wednesday: One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta - Cook With Manali

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, combine the penne pasta, diced tomatoes (with their juices), heavy cream, and chicken broth.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened (about 12-15 minutes).
  3. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve the creamy tomato basil pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.

Thursday: Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Chinese Beef Stir Fry With Crunchy Vegetables - Sisi Jemimah

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, etc.), chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sugar. Add the sliced flank steak and toss to coat. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
  3. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it’s browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds.
  5. Add the chopped mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they’re tender-crisp.
  6. Return the cooked beef to the skillet and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes to heat through.
  7. Serve the beef and vegetable stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles.

Friday: Homemade Margherita Pizza

Authentic Pizza Margherita Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (usually around 475°F or 245°C).
  2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
  3. Place the rolled-out dough on a pizza stone or baking sheet.
  4. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust.
  5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  6. Tear fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the cheese.
  7. Drizzle olive oil over the pizza, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  9. Slice and serve your homemade Margherita pizza.

Stress-Free Family Dinners

With this easy weeknight meal plan, you can enjoy delicious family dinners without the stress of last-minute cooking decisions. These recipes are designed to be simple, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing, making them perfect for busy evenings. By planning your meals in advance, you can savor quality family time around the dinner table and ensure that everyone leaves with a satisfied palate.