3 Healthy, Quick to Cook Meals for Weeknight Family Dinners

September 13, 2022

Fast food is so tempting on busy nights.  The kids like it, it requires no cleaning up and there's likely at least one option no more than 5 minutes away.  If it's time to shake the fast food habit on busy weeknights, try these 3 healthy, quick to cook meals for family dinner.  

Choose-your-toppings grilled chicken patty sandwiches with veggies and dip:  Costco carries these quick cooking chicken patties that can be microwaved, baked or grilled.  Let your kids choose their toppings, like honey mustard and pickles or barbecue sauce and pineapple.  Serve alongside veggies and hummus or ranch dip.  Make a quick homemade ranch by mixing plain Greek yogurt with one packet of ranch dip mix.

A registered dietitian can help you plan healthier meals.  Work with a dietitian one-on-one with convenient virtual visits.

Family Charcuterie Board:  using a large cutting board, platter or sheet pan, create a picnic-like meal board for the family. 

• Pick protein sources like deli turkey or chicken, halved hard boiled eggs, sliced mozzarella cheese or chopped leftover chicken. 
• Then, choose the carbs, like whole grain crackers, apple slices, grapes, dried apricots and sliced pita bread.
• Add extras like olives, nuts, cheese cubes, trail mix or dips to fill in the board.  

Black Bean Tacos:  it's usually the meat that takes the longest to cook, especially when you don't have anything thawed out!  Try tacos with black beans instead.  Add 2 cans of drained black beans to a large frying pan over medium heat.  Add taco spice, 1 tbsp oil and stir to coat.  Add 2 tablespoons of salsa for more flavor.  Then make tacos as usual, using corn shells or whole wheat tortillas.  

Save any leftovers for lunches the next day.  The black bean taco filling is good on salads too.

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