30+ Weeknight Recipes Your Family Has to Try This School Year
There is no doubt that one of the most stressful parts of running a household is figuring out what the heck everyone’s eating for dinner every night. With varying palates, picky eaters (it’s biological!), hectic sports schedules and more, it can become incredibly overwhelming to keep up with meal planning and prepping. And who has time to look all over the place for weeknight recipes when they are playing Mom Uber?! Some of the best mom hacks out there are relying on sheet pan meals, batch cooking (making multiple meals in advance) and of course using the crock pot.
Sometimes, though, you are tired of your family’s usual go to meals and need new inspiration for what to cook. Instead of scouring the internet and wondering which recipes are legit, we’ve done the work for you! Here are 30+ weeknight recipes to try that may just become new staples in your family’s weeknight rotation! All of these have been tried and strongly recommended by busy moms who enjoy good food.
Tried and True Weeknight Recipes
Instant Pot / Slow Cooker Weeknight Recipes
Instant Pot Butter Chicken :: This is my “throw everything in the Instant Pot and go” tried and true recipe. We never have leftovers when I make this one! I double the recipe, add peas and sometimes use half and half to make it a little less dense. I’m sure you could make this in a crock pot or on the stove!
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork :: This one pot dish is soooooo easy and yummy. The meat comes out not overly saucy and makes for great sandwiches (for the kids) or can be eaten alone with a crunchy side salad if you’re watching carbs.
Potato soup :: This is a favorite in our house for when it gets cooler. We pair it with the yummy cheddar rolls from Fresh Market. Weeknight recipes for soup that freeze well are some of our fave to have on hand, especially when it starts to get dark out earlier.
Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala :: A crockpot family favorite with flavors a little outside our typical dinners, but ones everyone enjoys! Pairs well with Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan Bread and roasted green beans. Swap the chicken for canned chickpeas for a delicious vegetarian version!
4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken :: This is delicious and in addition to enjoying it on a weeknight, it’s great for football gatherings!
Pork Carnitas :: These Pork Carnitas are a staple in our house, especially during the school year. I make it in my Instant Pot and it makes a ton, plus it’s so versatile! Crisp the meat up in the pan and serve on tortillas, over chips for nachos, in a bowl over rice, or salad and add sauteed bell peppers and onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc.!
Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili :: When it’s cooler out, there is nothing more satisfying than chili. Enjoy this twist on the traditional version.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos :: Taco Tuesday is a delicious breeze with this slow cooker recipe that is beyond easy and incredibly delicious.
Mississippi Pot Roast (the “best ever”) :: This is a quick and easy crock pot recipe. When the cooler temps hit, we love to make this. I usually have it over garlic mashed potatoes but it’s versatile! Use it for sandwiches, over rice or cauliflower rice, even quesadillas!
Chicken Based Recipes
Keto Oven Baked Chicken Margherita :: Not only is this recipe easy, but it stores really well which is great for families who meal prep. I typically omit the red onion and spinach for ease. Mom hack = make extra seasoning and store in an air tight container so you have it already done the next time you crave this hearty but healthy dish.
Oven Chicken Fajita Bake :: If you love the taste of fajitas but don’t have the time or patience for pulling out a skillet, this is the recipe for you. The best part about this
weeknight recipe is how versatile it is. You can 100% enjoy it inside of tortillas with a side of rice, but you can also enjoy it carb free as a stand alone dish. The leftovers are superb on a salad for lunch. Our favorite way to eat this one is with one of the premade guacamole cups easily found at most grocery stores, as well as Greek yogurt for a sour cream stand in. You can truly top it with whatever you like … black beans, shredded cheese, pico, you get the idea! Make one dish and your family can enjoy it a variety of ways with little extra effort!
Change Your Life Chicken :: We like to make this one on a Sunday and then enjoy the leftovers all week. The way the chicken flavors the veggies is worth the extra effort of this recipe for sure. The chicken falls off the bone and makes for fabulous leftovers to use however you please!
Chicken Enchilada Pasta :: This recipe is super easy, and we usually have all the ingredients in the pantry. The recipe makes a lot and freezes well! Tip – if you’re not going to eat it all right away, freeze the sauce in meal-sized portions. Then take one out of the freezer and add to freshly made pasta to avoid mushy, falling apart noodles. This is our go-to recipe for entertaining dinner guests!
Southern Baked Chicken Thighs :: These Southern Baked Chicken Thighs are a recipe from a former New Orleans Mom author, so you know she understands how much we need those fast and easy dinners that still taste great! The recipe is literally only THREE ingredients, with two of them being salt and pepper. Even my pickiest of eaters goes for this meal! We serve with either cheesy rice or pasta and whatever veggies we have on hand.
Easy Chicken and Dumplings :: My family loves this quick and easy one-pot meal, and they ask for it regularly. I keep most of the ingredients in my pantry or freezer, so on busy or exhausting days, I can grab a rotisserie from the grocery story and still make a hearty meal in minutes.
One Pot Italian Chicken Pasta :: This is one of my personal favorites! To save time I’ve used rotisserie chicken before or already cooked chicken breast or thighs from batch cooking/grilling. My kids like to add their own toppings from tortilla strips, lime, assortment of cheeses, sour cream and avocado. This also freezes well.
Bruschetta Chicken With Roasted Green Beans :: This is a video version of a recipe that is in my weekly rotation. Sometimes we serve this with pasta as well, which satisfies my growing kids.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta :: Buffalo chicken dip is a fan favorite in our home, so why not try it as a pasta dish? To save time you can use rotisserie chicken or even canned chicken.
Perfect Roast Chicken :: This chicken is in our weekly rotation! I like to serve it with rice or sourdough bread. The leftovers are a delicious lunch as well.
Sticky Sweet Barbecue Chicken :: BBQ chicken thighs with baked sweet potatoes and a bagged Caesar salad for an easy crowd pleaser! Use the leftover BBQ chicken on quesadillas or tacos!
Baked Pesto Chicken :: If your family is a tad more adventurous, this pesto chicken is worth the extra effort. The pesto is pretty easy to make and worth the extra step, although you could use store bought in lieu of homemade. Served with a veggie and salad, this packs a lot of flavor and is a nice change of pace from “boring chicken.”
Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast :: This is one we recommend making on a Sunday and storing for the week. It’s a few more steps than most moms would have patience for on a weeknight, but it is really yummy and holds up well in the fridge. We have never had an issue reheating it. It also tastes good cold on top of a salad for an easy weekday lunch!
Creamy Tuscan Chicken :: This recipe is so easy to double. My kids love it and I use it for hosting because it’s fast and a crowd pleaser (without so much work). I serve it over whatever noodles and veggie my kids are into at the time!
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Mediterranean Cod / Tilapia :: This is a go to that everyone loves. We use Costco frozen tilapia instead of cod. Pair with a veggie and you have a healthy and delicious meal.
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Salmon :: If you like salmon, this may be the last salmon recipe you ever try. Making the glaze is beyond easy, and the quick cook time makes this reasonable on a weeknight. Pair it with cous cous and your veggie of choice. The leftovers hold up well in the fridge, and the fish also tastes great on a salad for a weekday lunch.
Classic Shrimp Scampi :: You can enjoy “fancier” meals, even on a weeknight! Pro tip: this recipe works with frozen Louisiana Gulf Shrimp. We always have them on hand for this easy meal.
Instant Pot Crawfish Monica :: Similar to the shrimp scampi above, this weeknight recipe is packed with flavor but so ridiculously easy to make. We’d put this more under comfort food, but it’s a good way to enjoy this New Orleans classic.
Other Weeknight Dinner Recipes
Cheeseburger sliders :: This recipe is kid-friendly to the max and can be made in whatever quantity you need. For example, you can use the 24 pack of Hawaiian rolls or cut that in half for a smaller family. You CAN indeed make these ahead as well, which is nice for a night with sports involved!
Easy Shawarma Hummus Bowls :: I love this meal because its customizable to each person for their tastes and preferences!
Breakfast (pancakes) for dinner :: This is our family favorite pancake recipe, but we love all recipes King Arthur. I make my own buttermilk with 2 cups whole milk and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Pair these with fruit, bacon, sausage or whatever you want and the kids will be excited by the novelty of breakfast for dinner!
Irish Stew :: Everyone in my family loves this one. Bonus: my teenager makes it!
Lemon Chicken Soup :: This is a twist on chicken noodle soup that is absolutely divine!
The lemon adds flavor that is delicious and unexpected, and you can use any kind of noodles your family prefers. This soup freezes very well, too. Do NOT leave out the parmesan! If your kids don’t like “green things,” omit the parsley. The lemon and parmesan bring the fun on this one!
Egg Roll in a Bowl :: When you want to satisfy that craving for Chinese food, this is a really fun and tasty way to do it. This only requires one pan and about 20 minutes of your time!
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies :: This one is a true go to. It is super easy and quick – win, win.
Taco Soup :: This is forever a go to. The best part is that soups make for great “bring to work” lunches as well (or use the air tight glass storage containers from Costco and freeze in batches).
Cheeseburger Casserole :: This recipe is so easy! For a busy night with activities this can be thrown together in minutes and eaten for a night or two. Inexpensive, quick, easy…. all my favorite words.
Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup :: This is my favorite soup to make! It’s delicious all year round and tastes even better when it’s been in the freezer. Tips to enhance the recipe: Roast all of your cauliflower and half the sweet potato to give a richer flavor. Use chicken or veggie stock instead of water to cook the rest of the sweet potato in. Use a potato masher instead of blending the soup to have a creamy – but chunky – soup. You can keep it completely vegetarian or crisp up some ham to put on top.
Red Beans and Rice :: We said we weren’t talking about red beans, but admittedly they are an easy weeknight recipe. Here are 4 different ways to make red beans and rice if you really must!
And For Dessert…
Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies :: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies is the easiest go to recipe when you want something sweet. And most families always have the ingredients on hand.
No Brainer Dessert Bars :: Even if you cannot bake to save your life, you can make these. Be sure to get the ingredients in advance, though, as it is not necessarily stuff you have laying around in your pantry. These are fun for the kids to help with as well. Make them ahead on a weekend for a sweet treat all week!
