Weeknights are tough and the idea of going home to make dinner after a long day at work is exhausting just thinking about it. There are some nights that I don’t get home until 8pm – and other nights we have sports practices or other engagements. The following five dinners are meals that are my tried and true go-to busy weeknight meals to make sure I can get a good, healthy and affordable meal on the table in no time flat.
Beef Stew in the Crockpot
2 lbs of beef stew meat
¼ cup all purpose flour
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon Adobo seasoning
1 clove minced garlic
1 bay leaf
1 onion chopped
4 potatoes, sliced
4 carrots, sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 package McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning
Place flour in Ziploc bag with Adobo seasoning. Please meat in bag to coat with flour. Sauté meat in frying pan with a little oil until slightly brown. Place cooked meat in bottom of crockpot, add potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. Pour in McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning and 2 cups of water and stir. Place bay leaf on top. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours. Serve with crusty bread.
Baked Spaghetti (I learned this recipe from my grandmother. I don’t know whose it is, but it reminds me of my childhood and is super easy and delicious).
French Bread Pizza (Recipe from Cooking with Ruthie through Pinterest). My kids are pizza lovers – this recipe is easy, delicious and super affordable.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken (Recipe from Emily Bites through Pinterest). Super easy meal – throw the chicken on some buns, add lettuce, ranch dressing and maybe a side salad – dinner is done.
Tacos – We love tacos in our house. (I use the Old El Paso Taco Kit with soft and hard tacos). Chop up some lettuce, tomatoes and add your favorite toppings (we like cheese, taco sauce, hot sauce, and sometimes refried beans), add some ground beef or ground turkey, or shredded chicken from a rotisserie chicken, heat up the taco shells or tortillas and dinner is done in no time flat.
So there you have it – five of my family’s favorite meals to eat on a busy weeknight. What are some of your favorite weeknight meals?
Happy cooking!
