go-to weeknight dinners
i love cooking & i love coming up with meal ideas (or trying out a great recipe) to feed my family. but when i get in a rut or am low on time, i always go back to my tried-and-true meals - the ones i don’t need to follow a recipe for because i know them so well.
reading what other people cook as their dinner staples is super fun to me, so i figured i’d share some of my go-to weeknight meals in case you need some inspo of your own! 🫶
VODKA PASTA
if i could drink a pasta…this would be the one. vodka pasta is truly divine, and also one of the easiest pasta recipes you could make! i pretty much always have the ingredients on hand. this is a winner every single time, & perfect to impress any last minute dinner guests!
my notes:
omit the chili flakes for kids (or adults) who don’t love spice
i think it’s best on it’s own but you can definitely add ground beef or chicken for some protein!
rotini is my favorite pasta shape to use
THAI COCONUT CURRY
this chicken curry is so simple and quick! it’s an ideal weeknight meal especially in the fall/winter! i serve it over bone broth rice to stretch it into multiple meals. it’s also a perfect way to use up all the veggies in your fridge and pantry that might be on their way out freshness-wise!
my notes:
i usually do it in the instant pot but stovetop works fine too!
my fave veggies to add are onions, peppers, cauliflower, & snow peas - but honestly anything will work
double it & eat for lunch leftovers because it’s just as delicious the next day!
TORTELLINI SOUP
i looove half baked harvest - tbh who doesn’t? it’s pretty much guaranteed that any recipe you try from her website or any of the cookbooks (i have all 3) is going to be amazing. this tortellini soup is perfect amounts creamy, healthy, filling, and easyyy. plus she gives stovetop, slow cooker, and instant pot directions, so it’ll fit your weeknight meal prep timeline!
my notes:
i ALWAYS add browned hot italian sausage!!! or you can top with bacon.
top with fresh parm & pair with a warm slice of sourdough bread
GREEK BOWLS
i’ve made this ‘recipe’ probably 50 times by now! it’s so simple and pretty fast, depending on what ingredients you already have on hand! basically, in a bowl you just combine any greek-ish ingredients you have in the fridge haha. here’s my general recipe:
Ingredients:
orzo (plus bone broth for cooking if you want)
chicken (marinated if you want! or you can buy it already cooked from the store)
feta cheese
pickled red onion
tzatziki
cucumber
chickpeas
steps:
cook your orzo in bone broth (orzo is a pasta, but it cooks like rice! so i usually add a broth that will get soaked up and add a little nutrition at the same time) add some butter & lemon juice for extra flavor if you’d like!
grill or cook your chicken, however you want! i usually marinate mine in some italian dressing the night before i want to cook it.
air fry those chickpeas! drain and rinse canned chickpeas, then dry them as best you can with a paper towel. then spray with olive oil & toss with some onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika & salt. air fry them at 380* for 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
add orzo to a low bowl, and then add all other ingredients on top :) enjoy!
AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS
i am NOT a fan of bulky kitchen appliances but…the instant pot & an air fryer are WORTH it. my oven actually doubles as an air fryer which is the best thing ever. & if you’re not cooking chicken thighs yet…it’s time to start. they’re so tender & flavorful!
steps:
pat dry chicken thighs. skinless or skin on works!
air fry at 400* for 18 min total, flipping at the halfway point
i pair them with some kind of carb (rice, pasta, sweet potato) & roasted veggies.
SHOP MY KITCHEN:
what are some of your go-to meals?! share in the comments so i can try them!!!