- Mary
Realistic Dinner Ideas: An Answer to the Age Old Question, "What's For Dinner?"
Everyone wants to know what's for dinner, and as a busy mom I too would like to know. It can be exhausting to try to think up what to make, as finding the brain power to be creative in the kitchen at the end of a long day can be frustrating. I have often googled "What should I make for dinner"and have scrolled through countless lists of "Easy Dinner Recipes", and "Quick Dinner Ideas"only to find unhelpful options such as "Herb Sea Scallops with Cheesy Risotto"and, "Authentic Pad Thai With Homemade Pad Thai Sauce" topping the lists. I am sorry, but I am not making my family either of those things on a random Tuesday night, especially when my two year old will happily eat cold chicken nuggets that he found on the floor from yesterday's lunch.
Sometimes we need a little inspiration, so here is a REALISTIC list of dinners you can whip up in a flash with ingredients you most likely already have on hand. These meal ideas are healthy and delicious options that I am confident your family will enjoy.
CHICKEN DINNERS | BEEF DINNERS | PORK/SEAFOOD DINNERS | VEGETARIAN |
Chicken and veg sheet pan, rice side | Quick stroganoff | Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches | Black bean falafel burgers |
Chicken fried rice | Steak and eggs | Slow cooker pork loin with potatoes and carrots | Lemony quinoa and bean salad |
Breaded chicken with pasta | Grilled steak on a salad with goat or feta cheese and tomatoes | Loaded baked potato soup with bacon or ham | Spaghetti with marinara sauce, vodka sauce, or alfredo sauce |
Chicken and dumplings | Tacos or taco wraps | Fried spam and noodles with cheese (we call this poor man's pasta) | Vegetarian lasagna |
Chicken noodle soup | Pot roast with potatoes and carrots | Pork and beans over rice | Grilled cheese and tomato soup |
Mexican rice with chicken (breast or thighs) | Beef goulash (with egg noodles) | Pork fried rice | Quesadillas with cheese and beans, side of sour cream and guac |
Grilled chicken on a salad (add ins: boiled eggs, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, bacon...) | Beef and broccoli with fried or white rice | Breakfast for dinner (bacon, ham, eggs, toast or pancakes) | Vegetarian curry with rice |
Baked chicken sandwich topped with bacon and cheese, side salad | Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and veg | Breaded (or non-breaded) pork chops with homemade blueberry sauce, side potatoes or salad | Mac and Cheese with peas |
Lemon garlic chicken with noodles or rice and broccoli | Homemade hamburgers | Sausage zucchini boats or sausage stuffed squash | Vegetable barley soup with homemade crusty bread |
Quick chicken pot pie | Meatball subs | Stuffed pepper soup with sausage | Baked feta pasta (try it topped with arugula!) |
Marinaded chicken using salad dressing | Beef and barley soup | Lemon, or honey glazed, salmon and asparagus | Homemade pizza (with toppings of choice) and side salad |
Chicken curry with rice | Chili and homemade cornbread | | |
Buffalo chicken wraps with avocado | | | |
Chicken enchiladas or chicken enchilada soup | | | |
Sometimes when we try to think of what to make for dinner, we cannot think of ideas outside of the normal things we make for our families (What do people make for dinner other than spaghetti and burgers?) I wish this list helps inspire you when you cannot think of what to make for dinner or while you are meal planning.
What are some of your family staples? My favorite go-to is always a sheet pan meal. We like kielbasa, broccoli, carrots, and a side of white rice.
See you next Monday!
Mary