If you are looking for easy, kid-friendly weeknight meals, we have you covered! Here are a few of the meals that I regularly include in my weekly meal plan.
Turkey and Veggie Chili, By the Mindfully Scientific Mama
This recipe is both healthy and delicious. Hearty and warm, it is perfect for autumn evenings!
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Pasta, by the Mindfully Scientific Mama
This recipe is like Hamburger Helper, but far better; all the great flavors of a cheeseburger without the grill! You can easily modify it to be a turkey cheeseburger instead of beef.
Salmon, Rice, and Avocado Salsa, By the Mindfully Scientific Mama
Healthy and delicious, this meal is great on days when the weather is still warm (though we eat it all year round).
Taco Instant Pot Pasta – By Foody Schmoody
Okay, so there is a trend of instant pot pasta meals here, but that is for a reason. They are quick, easy, and super kid-friendly. Plus, you wind up with far fewer dishes than if you were cooking a traditional meal. I normally make this recipe with turkey and chicken broth instead of ground beef and beef broth. I also add chopped red pepper.
Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken – By Kristine’s Kitchen
Because my family is managing a sesame and cashew allergy, a lot of Asian cuisines are off the table. That means this awesome chicken recipe hits the spot because it is allergy-friendly for our home and has a lot of great Asian flavors. We usually serve it with rice and broccoli.
Spinach and Feta Turkey Meatballs
I love this meatball recipe because it checks the pasta and meatballs box while still being delicious and healthier than your traditional recipes. Here is how you make it!
Ingredients
- 1 box frozen spinach, defrosted in the microwave
- 1 1/3 lb (1 package) ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (you can also buy minced garlic at the market to save time, ½ Tbsp per clove)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup bread crumbs or panko
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning blend of choice
- Jarred marinara sauce
- Pasta of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Defrost spinach and dry using a paper towel.
- Chop and measure out other vegetables.
- Add turkey to a large mixing bowl.
- Add breadcrumbs, egg, vegetables, cheeses, and seasonings (to your taste) to the turkey, and mix by hand. If the meatballs aren’t sticking well due to being too wet, add a little more of the breadcrumbs/panko (this can happen because the spinach or turkey has retained water). If the meatballs are not sticking well due to being too dry, add a small amount of milk to the mix.
- Pour a small amount of marinara sauce into a glass or ceramic baking dish; You’ll want to add just enough to coat the bottom.
- Form the meatballs. Larger meatballs need to cook for longer than smaller ones, so I recommend making the meatballs no more than 3” in diameter (just a little bigger than a golf ball). Add them to the baking dish, and drizzle with a little more sauce. Save the remaining sauce for later.
- Cover with tinfoil and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the meatballs are cooking, cook the pasta.
- Once the 20 minutes is up, remove the tinfoil from the meatballs, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked to 165 Degrees Fahrenheit or greater.
- Serve with pasta, sauce, cheese, or other sides of your choosing.
Looking for more meal inspiration? Check out these great meal planning resources!
Easy Weeknight Dinners for Fall
Recipes and Cooking for a Food Allergy Family