I’m done trying to be a Martha Stewart or Ina Garten in the kitchen on weekdays. Don’t get me wrong, I really like to cook (preferably for dinner parties) and LOVE watching Ina Garten, but I need super simple recipes for weeknights. I’ll continue to follow these ladies, but sometimes I just need to get dinner or breakfast on the table in 15 minutes or less. Preferably it’s warm (or hot -that would be nice), and it has to be delicious!
So, in the spirit of Friday’s post and the idea of debunking perfectionism in various areas of my life, like weeknight meals, I’d like to share some ideas on really good weeknight meals that are simple (so simple, it’s a little embarrassing to share, and it’s probably why no one writes about it.). And I hope that you share your simple weeknight meals with me because I NEED YOUR IDEAS! I’ve only got two of these recipes (besides tacos), so I need more!
Beware! These are not pretty food pictures! I’m not a food blogger. I’m just a mom trying to get practical, healthy (most items are organic) and yummy food on the table. No fancy, perfect meals (or pictures) over here.
Yup, it’s that simple and with just three ingredients. Boil the pasta, warm the chicken in the skillet with olive oil (don’t overheat it or the chicken will get tough) and I squeeze a little lemon on top. Then, combine the noodles, chicken and pesto, and viola! SO GOOD! These are the brands I recommend, but I shared this one with my sister and she couldn’t find the exact brands at her store, and it didn’t matter- her family gobbled it up! (If you don’t like already cooked chicken strips, you could use meat from a rotisserie chicken).
I ran into my friend at Whole Foods one day, and she was only there to pick up one item. Guess what it was?!? These Rancher meatballs! Yup, they’re that good! Heat them up in Rao’s Marinara sauce on the stove, put 3 or 4 in a hoagie roll, add a slice or shredded mozzarella cheese on top, and boom! Meatball subs for the win! Or just add these meatballs to your spaghetti and marinara to change things up!
I mean, how simple are these recipes?!? When I was telling my friend about this post she told me one of her simple weeknight meal tricks was store bought tomato basil soup (I like the one from Tres Market) and grilled cheese sandwiches. YESSSS! This is what I’m talking about ladies. Share your ideas with me! Pretty please! If you don’t want to comment, email me (carly@cstyleblog.com)!
Sure, I’d love to have a Martha Stewart/Ina Garten worthy meal on the table every night, but for now, I’m counting on you guys to help me out!
Love the ideas!!! I’m in a serious dinner rut with little time nowadays. Dinners can be simple, I just try to have us at the table eating together. Thanks 😉
Yes, I agree!
First time subscriber here. I agree about making fast meals anymore and even though it’s just my husband and me I get tired of eating out. Not to mention the calories consumed. I’m going to give these a try.
Very nice blog
Hi Linda! Thanks for following along!
I like that you can leave out the pesto and still have a yummy meal to serve our pickier eaters! Or add a salad to the side if the kids (or in my case, my husband!) doesn’t like pesto. And I love a good rotisserie chicken for those days when I don’t have any time to pull a meal together.
Rotisserie chicken has saved me on many occasions!
Did you know that Costco has shredded rotisserie chicken? Huge time saver!!!
No, I didn’t! Oh my, this is a HUGE time saver! Thanks for sharing!
I do chicken and yellow rice some weeks. I buy the vigo brand saffron yellow rice (yellow bag) and cook it in my rice cooker (you can do stove top too, but my rice cooker is so much easier). When it’s done I add torn up rotisserie chicken (heated) and stir it all together. So easy.
Some of my family also likes the vigo black beans and rice with saltine crackers. Super easy and filling.
Can add a bagged salad with both for a more colorful meal.
Also, I do pulled BBQ chicken in my crockpot. 2-3 chicken breast depending on the size or who’s home to eat in my family, a bottle of beer and a whole thing of honey BBQ sauce (or whatever kind you like). Sometimes I add more honey too. Let it cook all day and then pull it apart before serving. The kids like it on rolls, but it’s just as good alone.
These aren’t all various diet friendly, obviously, but they are easy.
I’ve made pulled BBQ chicken in my crockpot, but it wasn’t very good. I think it because I’m missing your secret ingredient… beer! I’m trying it! Thanks you!
Deli sliced roast beef with your favorite brown gravy mix poured on top and heated in the oven. Put on a hoagie and call it done 🙂
Lacey, This is a great idea! What’s your favorite brown gravy mix?
We like the Louisiana Fish Fry Products (that’s the brand) brown gravy mix, however if you can’t locate that at your local grocery store, good ole McCormick works for us too.
Oh, I just thought of another one that my best friend shared with me years ago. We love it. They call it ‘homemades.” Grab a bag of the King’s Hawaiian rolls and slice down the middle, put ham and already pre-cut mini-sliced cheddar cheese in the middle. Add butter on top and back for 10-15 minutes and call it ‘homemade’ Lol!
I noticed I have a trend going here with deli meat….
Thank you! I love that they call them “homemade!” I’m stealing the name!
This sounds so yummy! I am definitely going to give this a try soon.
xx, Merritt
The Style Scribe
Where did you get your Pesto sauce?
Rotisserie chicken in white chicken chilli.
I love this idea! I get the Pesto sauce from Whole Foods.
I love simple meals! Maybe it’s because I love melted cheese so much but quesadillas are a hit at my house. I use the Costco uncooked tortillas, shredded cheese, avocado, and then whatever leftover meat I have chopped up and thrown in there.
Hi!!! Hahahaha! I love melted cheese, too! Ok, you’re going to have to send me a picture of the tortillas you buy from Costco!
So easy – rice (white or brown) topped with a can of black beans mixed with a can of mild Rotel tomatoes (heated up). You can put cheddar cheese, avocado, etc on top. Maybe add your chicken strips?
This sounds delicious! It’s like a rice bowl but better!
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers!
Slice your favorite sausage (I use smoked turkey sausage) length wise and brush the open sides with BBQ sauce. Slice your favorite peppers (I used red and orange) and a red onion on the baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, balsamic glaze, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Add the sausage pieces on the sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the veggies begin to caramelize and the sausage gets golden. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh oregano.
Kayley!!! This sounds fantastic!
Where did you buy the pesto?? Never seen it sold like this and I want to buy some.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Debra, I purchased it at Whole Foods.