As a busy parent, I love finding dinners that my family will devour and ask for again. Here are eight family-favorite recipes that have become staples in our weekly meal rotation!
1. Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Spaghetti pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Shape mixture into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- While meatballs bake, cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, heat marinara sauce. Add meatballs once cooked.
- Serve over spaghetti and enjoy!
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 450 calories per serving
2. Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 8 taco shells
- 1 mango, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 lime, juiced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Season chicken with taco seasoning and cook in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
- In a bowl, combine mango, red onion, lime juice, and cilantro to make the salsa.
- Fill taco shells with cooked chicken and top with mango salsa.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 300 calories per serving
3. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup green beans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- On a sheet pan, arrange salmon fillets, lemon slices, and green beans.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle garlic, salt, and pepper over everything.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 350 calories per serving
4. Beef Stir-Fry with Broccoli
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin, sliced thin
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.
- Add beef and cook until browned, then add broccoli and bell pepper.
- Stir in soy sauce and ginger, cooking until vegetables are tender.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 400 calories per serving
5. Vegetable Lasagna
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions.
- Layer noodles, ricotta, spinach, zucchini, marinara, and mozzarella in a baking dish.
- Repeat layers and top with mozzarella.
- Bake for 45 minutes until bubbly.
Servings
Serves 6
Nutrition Info
Approx. 500 calories per serving
6. BBQ Chicken Pizza
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pizza crust
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven according to pizza crust instructions.
- Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
- Spread the mixture over the pizza crust and top with mozzarella and onions.
- Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 450 calories per serving
7. Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- In a pot, heat chicken broth and keep warm.
- In another pot, sauté onions and mushrooms in butter until softened.
- Add Arborio rice and stir for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add warm broth, stirring constantly until absorbed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese before serving.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 400 calories per serving
8. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Prep & Cook Time
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, cook ground turkey until browned. Add cooked rice and diced tomatoes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the mixture into bell pepper halves and place in a baking dish.
- Top with cheese and bake for 30 minutes.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Info
Approx. 350 calories per serving
Final Thoughts
These recipes have truly become family favorites in our home, bringing us together for delicious meals and great memories. I hope your family enjoys them as much as we do!