Sometimes we get stuck in a rut, deciding what to make for family dinner every day can be overwhelming and exhausting.
Here are some quick ideas that we love in our home with links to the recipes! I am also including links to other food bloggers that I love to browse when I am stuck or am in the mood to try something new.
Doritos Taco Salad
I know, I know, you just read "Doritos" and you're wondering if I have missed the mark when I just said "healthy recipes." We give and take mamma, and when I make this, I find a lot more greens and veggies being eaten to balance it all out and I can resist the temptation of adding Doritos to my salad.
If you did not know, I grew up in the Midwest, so when I came to New England and discovered that Doritos Salad and Walking Tacos weren't common here, my heart broke a little. These fun twists were a cafeteria lunch staple during my childhood and they are fund to put together for a fun week night dinner, a football game, or TV tray diner nights.
Throw together one pound of ground beef, turkey, or chicken, cooked with one packet of taco seasoning; iceberg lettuce; diced tomato; crush Doritos; cheddar cheese; and southwest ranch dressing (or plain ranch) you have a winning salad for dinner. My mom used to serve these in Taco Shell Bowls. Also you can mix up the topping by adding black beans, corn, and colorful peppers.
Air Fryer Taquitos
If you received an Air Fryer for Christmas and it is still sitting in the box (like mine), it's time to break that baby out and whip up some taquitos with hidden carrots.
Air Fryer Taquitos with Hidden Carrots
Honey Garlic Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
To make this child friendly, I serve over buttered white rice and omit the nut topping! I use soy sauce (not the coconut aminos). Throw boneless chicken thighs, minced garlic, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, and oregano in the crock pot for 4-6 and you have an amazing dinner! The sauce is so good that some broccoli may also be consumed!!
Crock Pot Boneless Chicken Thighs
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
A classic that all kids know and love! We love using the cavatappi noodles because they are different than our traditional pasta nights of penne and spaghetti!
Instapot Healthy Hamburger Helper
Pita Pizzas
Small personal pizzas for the kids is an easy dinner for you, a way to prevent arguments over which kid gets to pick the pizza topping and the dreaded accidental pepperoni touching the cheese-only side of the pizza! They are also super quick and a great homework break for weeknights or pre-practice meal.
Toppings are unlimited, but some ideas are: pepperoni, olives, jalepenos, banana peppers, tomatoes, peppers, red sauce, alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, fresh mozzarella, pesto, the sky is the limit-- great opportunity to clean out the fridge.
List of websites that I use when I am in a recipe rut:
