11 Quick Dinners for Kids During School Week

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One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetables

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken thighs with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the chicken in a single layer in a large baking dish or on a sheet pan.
4. Arrange the sliced zucchini, chopped bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes around the chicken.
5. Drizzle everything with a bit more olive oil and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
6. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Easy Taco Night

Easy Taco Night is a fun and interactive meal that kids will love! It’s perfect for busy school nights, as it allows everyone to customize their tacos with their favorite toppings, making dinner both enjoyable and easy to prepare. With just a few essential ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.

Cooking Steps:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
2. Drain excess fat and add the taco seasoning to the meat, stirring to combine. Follow package instructions, typically adding water and simmering for a few minutes.
3. While the meat is cooking, prepare your toppings in individual bowls (lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, olives, salsa, and avocado).
4. Warm the taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions.
5. Serve the seasoned meat alongside the toppings, allowing everyone to build their own tacos. Enjoy!

Veggie-Packed Pasta Primavera

Veggie-Packed Pasta Primavera is a colorful and nutritious dish that combines fresh vegetables with pasta for a quick, healthy dinner option. This meal is not only vibrant and appealing to kids but also offers a great way to sneak in those essential nutrients. With a variety of vegetables and a light sauce, dinner can be ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy school nights.

Cooking Steps:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
3. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots, cooking until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts.
5. Combine the cooked pasta with the sautéed vegetables, adding salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese to taste.
6. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil if desired. Enjoy your meal!

Mini Pita Pizzas

Mini Pita Pizzas are a fun and customizable dinner option that kids will love. They are quick to make and allow for creativity with toppings, making it easy to cater to individual tastes. Using pita bread as a base, these mini pizzas can be ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy school nights when everyone is hungry.

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the pita breads on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
3. Spread pizza sauce evenly over each pita.
4. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and desired toppings, such as pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.
5. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top, if desired.
6. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
7. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Mini Pita Pizzas!

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas are a delightful, quick dinner option that brings the flavors of the Southwest to your table. This vibrant dish features tender shrimp and colorful veggies seasoned with zesty spices, all roasted together on a single pan. Perfect for a busy weeknight, these fajitas can be prepared in under 30 minutes, giving you more time to enjoy your meal with the family.

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine shrimp, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat everything evenly.
3. Spread the shrimp and vegetable mixture onto a sheet pan in a single layer.
4. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Remove from oven, squeeze fresh lime juice over the top, and toss everything together.
6. Serve the shrimp fajitas with warm tortillas, and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Enjoy your Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas!

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole is a comforting and nutritious dish that pairs well with any weeknight meal. This hearty casserole combines tender broccoli florets, fluffy rice, and creamy cheese sauce, making it a hit among both kids and adults. It’s not only quick to prepare but also a great way to sneak in some vegetables!

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked rice, broccoli, 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
4. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top if desired. Drizzle with olive oil.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden.
6. Let it cool slightly before serving and enjoy your Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole!

Quick Quesadillas With Beans and Cheese

Quick Quesadillas With Beans and Cheese are a fun, easy-to-make meal option perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with protein and fiber, these quesadillas not only satisfy hungry kids but also provide a delicious way to incorporate beans into their diet. With minimal prep time, they can be customized with various fillings and are great served with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Place one tortilla in the skillet and spread half of the black beans and half of the shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla.
3. Fold the tortilla in half and cook for about 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side.
4. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
5. Slice the quesadillas into wedges and serve with salsa, sour cream, or avocado on the side. Enjoy!

Stir-Fried Chicken and Veggies

Stir-Fried Chicken and Veggies is a quick and nutritious dinner option that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy school nights. This one-pan meal is loaded with colorful vegetables and lean protein, ensuring kids get a balanced meal that’s both tasty and satisfying. You can customize the vegetables based on your family’s favorites and serve it over rice or noodles for a complete dish.

Cooking Steps:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the sliced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the bell pepper, broccoli, and carrot to the pan. Stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Pour in the soy sauce, season with salt and pepper, and toss everything to combine.
6. Serve the stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles. Enjoy!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joes are a classic American dish that combines ground meat in a savory, tangy sauce, all served on a soft bun. This dish is hearty, fun to eat, and can be made in just around 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Kids love their messy appeal, and you can easily customize the recipe by adding in some veggies for extra nutrition.

Cooking Steps:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade Sloppy Joes!

Baked Potato Bar

Baked Potato Bar is a fun and customizable dinner idea that lets kids create their own loaded potatoes with a variety of toppings. Baked potatoes are not only filling but also nutritious, packed with vitamins and minerals. This dish is a hit among kids, as they can choose their favorite toppings, making dinner interactive and enjoyable.

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and scrub the russet potatoes, then poke several holes in each potato with a fork. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle salt on top.
2. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Once done, let the potatoes cool for a few minutes before slicing them open.
4. Set up a topping station with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon, steamed broccoli, and chili, allowing everyone to customize their baked potatoes. Enjoy!

15-Minute Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes and Eggs

Minute Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes and Eggs is a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal that kids absolutely love! Combining fluffy pancakes with scrambled eggs makes for a comforting dish that can be prepared in just a few minutes, perfect for busy school nights. Plus, you can easily add toppings or mix-ins to cater to your children’s preferences.

Cooking Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until just blended.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with cooking spray or butter.
4. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and cook until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook until golden brown.
5. In the same skillet, scramble the eggs to desired consistency, seasoning with salt and pepper if preferred.
6. Serve the pancakes and scrambled eggs together, and let the kids choose their favorite toppings. Enjoy!