The school year is in full swing and for many of us that means busy weeknights.
What’s the ultimate solution to solve the problem of the busy weeknight? Well, it’s the quick and easy dinner, of course!
With the following five suggestions, you’ll be sitting down at the dining table before you know it. You can thank me later.
This one might sound weird to some of you, and you’ll definitely need to fill half your plate with some leafy greens or roasted veggies to compensate for the oh-so-cheesy protein richness that is this dish. (Read: ditch the side of salty pickles – you don’t need those!)
Having said that, this meal will taste like a good old-fashioned American childhood favorite, courtesy of Betty Crocker.
to recipes.rememberstuff.meWere you a fan of Hamburger Helper and/or barbecue sauce as a kid, and did you perhaps like to combine the two? I was a fan of neither and definitely never did such a thing, but I’m sure there are at least a few of you out there who will be clamoring for this quick and easy recipe.
This one’s also from Betty Crocker, and it’s so easy to make. Don’t worry – you aren’t expected to eat actual bow ties. We’re talking about the macaroni variety here.
This is something that I’ve heard about many times but never actually tried myself. You dip chicken cutlets in ranch, then breadcrumbs, and fry them up in a skillet.
I would imagine the ranch dressing adds delicious flavor to this dish, and the buttermilk may even tenderize the chicken just a bit. This recipe from Betty Crocker is great in a pinch because, chances are, these are ingredients that you already have in the fridge.
To make it a full meal, take Betty’s serving suggestion and roast some potatoes, carrots and broccoli to serve alongside the chicken.
Here’s a tip that I learned from America’s Test Kitchen:
Try sprinkling the veggies with a little salt and pepper and microwaving them for a few minutes first, and drain off the excess water. Then toss them with a tablespoon or two of oil and roast them in the oven spread out in a single layer on a sheet pan. This will make them cook more quickly, and they’ll brown up nicely since you’ve already removed some of the moisture.
This recipe from the Food Network will taste like takeout. But believe it or not, you can actually make this one yourself in less time than it would take you to place your order and wait for the delivery to arrive at your door!
Plus, making it yourself gives you control over the salt, fat and sugar content.
As a kid, I once experienced my own personal holy grail of chicken salad at a friend’s house, made with a homemade yogurt and poppy seed dressing instead of the traditional mayonnaise.
I can’t wait to try this one from the Food Network in my own kitchen, and I think it really is the perfect quick dinner. Sure, it’s a sandwich, but it walks the line between simple and hearty, convenient and wholesome.
Search for more quick and easy dinners here on rememberstuff.me!
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