Whether your kids are already back in school, are starting this month, or don’t start until after Labor Day, the last thing you want to worry about the first few weeks back is the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” question. I knew early on in my weight loss journey that easy dinners that had been lightened-up was a must as a mom of 3 school aged kids myself.
To start, I keep a handful of kitchen staples in my pantry and fridge to make serving weekday dinners easy even during busy seasons. Download my free checklist here Then, I go to the grocery store and see what’s available or on sale and start to build my weekly dinner meal plan around each protein. Planning and not over-complicating dinners each week helps me avoid the drive-thru and feel good about the healthy foods I’m serving my family. Of course some days I rely on frozen chicken nuggets…
Below you’ll find a few of my favorite healthy family dinner recipes that are kid-approved. These recipes will help you easily transition into the new school routine while navigating allergies, preferences, and sports’ schedules.
Easy Tex-Mex Inspired Skillet Chicken
This dish is ready in under 30 minutes with countless ways to serve! Mexican-inspired dishes are great for picky eaters as the spice level can be adjusted, and they can be served on a tortilla, in a salad, or by themselves. Make your next weekday lunch anything but boring!
More Tex-Mex Inspired Recipes:
Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs and Homemade Marinara Sauce
Who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs? This adapted recipe uses lean chicken breast, a quick but delicious homemade marinara sauce, and tons of pantry staples to make it an easy, weeknight meal.
More Italian-Inspired Pasta Recipes:
Quick and Healthy Sloppy Joe’s
The ultimate weeknight comfort food…lightened-up! This nostalgic dish comes together quick and is lighter in calories thanks to little ingredient swaps. The final dish is sweet, salty, and a little bit smoky. Serve with veggies and a bun for a delicious weeknight dinner.
More Healthy Comfort Food Recipes:
Skinny Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Skipping the drive-thru doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the flavors of your favorite dishes without the preservatives and additives. This dish allows you to save calories and money by controlling the ingredients and portions of your favorite fast food burger.
More Fakeout-Takeout Dinner Recipes:
Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi
You won’t believe how easy this dish is! This healthier version of the Italian classic comes together in under 20 minutes for a restaurant quality meal the whole family will love. Serve over noodles or rice.
Easy Weeknight Chicken Quesadillas
This recipe is my go-to when I need a dinner in a pinch. Made with ingredients you have in your pantry and fridge, these couldn’t be easier to make and get on the table. Customize with what you have on hand or what your family likes: different cheese, more toppings, or using beef instead of chicken!
More Healthy, Cheesy Dinner Recipes:
Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers and Onions
Packed with flavor and easy to make, this weeknight recipe is on weekly rotation at our house. This easy recipe is also easy to clean-up since everything is baked on a sheet pan. Use mild, sweet or spicy sausage. Makes for great leftovers too!
More Sheet Pan Recipes:
- Sheet Pan Italian Chicken and Vegetables
- Healthy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
- Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken and Vegetables
30 Minute or Less Healthy Dinners
Steph’s ebooks contains over 15 quick and easy family friendly recipes. Links, pictures, serving suggestions, and top allergen information included for each full recipe.
As school and practices start back-up and life gets more hectic, these healthier weeknight dinners will make your busy weeks easier by answering the question to “What’s for dinner?”.
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