Preparing home-cooked meals for your family doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can make delicious, wholesome meals that everyone will enjoy. Here are five easy, family-friendly recipes that you can whip up even on the busiest days of the week.
1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice
This one-pot meal is a lifesaver for busy nights. It combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vegetables into a single dish, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, it’s versatile – you can customize it with your family’s favourite vegetables or herbs.
Ingredients:
•1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
•1 cup rice (jasmine or basmati works well)
•1 onion, finely chopped
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•2 cups chicken broth
•1 cup mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots, and corn)
•1 tsp paprika
•Salt and pepper to taste
•Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. Stir in the rice, coating it with the onion and garlic mixture.
4 . Add the chicken broth and mixed vegetables, then return the chicken to the pot.
5 . Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
6. Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
2. Sheet Pan Fajitas
Sheet pan meals are ideal for busy families. You throw everything on a single baking sheet, toss it in the oven, and in no time, you have a complete meal. These chicken fajitas are packed with flavour and are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients:
•1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into thin strips
•1 red bell pepper, sliced
•1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
•1 green bell pepper, sliced
•1 onion, sliced
•1 tsp chili powder
•1 tsp cumin
•1/2 tsp paprika
•1/2 tsp garlic powder
•Salt and pepper to taste
•2 tbsp olive oil
•Flour tortillas
•Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, guacamole
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, bell peppers, onion, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
3. Spread everything evenly on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Serve with warm tortillas and your favourite toppings for a complete fajita meal.
3. Spaghetti Carbonara
This classic Italian pasta dish is rich, creamy, and surprisingly easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a deliciously comforting meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
•12 oz spaghetti
•2 large eggs
•3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
•4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•Salt and black pepper to taste
•Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
2 . While the pasta is cooking, whisk the eggs and Parmesan cheese together in a bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the pancetta or bacon over medium heat until crispy. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to let it burn.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine with the bacon and garlic.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and quickly stir in the egg and cheese mixture, adding a little of the reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
4. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a colourful and healthy meal option that’s easy to customize. You can fill them with a variety of ingredients, but this recipe features ground beef, rice, and cheese for a classic flavour.
Ingredients:
•4 large bell peppers (any colour), tops cut off and seeds removed
•1 lb ground beef or turkey
•1 cup cooked rice
•1 small onion, finely chopped
•1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz), drained
•1 tsp Italian seasoning
•Salt and pepper to taste
•1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Stuff each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, then place them in a baking dish.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle cheese on top of each pepper, and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve hot, with a side salad or crusty bread.
5. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese
A bowl of creamy tomato soup paired with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate comfort meal. This homemade soup is packed with flavour and takes just minutes to prepare. Serve it with a classic grilled cheese for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients for Tomato Soup:
•2 tbsp olive oil
•1 onion, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
•2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
•1/2 cup heavy cream
•Fresh basil leaves
•Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients for Grilled Cheese:
•4 slices of bread (sourdough or white work well)
•Butter
•4 slices of cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or American)
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh basil and season with salt and pepper. Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, or leave it chunky if preferred.
4. For the grilled cheese, butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, butter-side down, in a skillet over medium heat. Add a slice of cheese to each, then top with the other bread slices, butter-side up.
5. Cook until golden brown on each side and the cheese is melted.
6. Serve the soup alongside the grilled cheese for dipping.
These five meals are all about simplicity and flavour, providing quick yet satisfying options to feed your family without stress. From one-pot wonders to sheet-pan dishes, each recipe is designed to make dinnertime a little easier. Enjoy these meals with loved ones, knowing that they’re made with wholesome ingredients and lots of love. Happy cooking!
markmunroe
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