Alright, parents: I have a busy week coming up, so I need to think ahead and come up with some meal plan ideas for quick meals that will keep my family satisfied and nourished for some of these longer nights we have ahead of us (yay spring sports). I’m also looking for some portable meals we can take with us because some of our activities overlap dinnertime this week.
And I’m getting sick of paying for takeout, just saying.
If you’re feeling the same way, I hope these easy dinner ideas will help your family out this week, too.
Related: 6 favorite meals for Cinco de Mayo
Top Image: Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps recipe at The Garlic Diaries and Cajun sausage pasta at Pass Me Some Tasty
When you are meal planning on Sunday, whip up a big batch of the meatballs from this Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps recipe at The Garlic Diaries. In fact, go ahead and double (or triple) it because they’re that good and you can freeze them for quick dinners later. At dinner time, all you need to do is pull out the lettuce and whip up that slaw. My kids rave about this dinner, so it’s definitely worth adding to your meal plan too.
Related: Spring appetizers that make a great spring time dinner
Sausage, peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes and tangy cream cheese make this Cajun sausage pasta at Pass Me Some Tasty a family favorite dinner that’s loaded with flavor but ready in under 30 minutes. You could easily switch up the andouille for vegetarian sausage if you aren’t eating meat, or just leave it out altogether and add more peppers or even black or kidney beans for added protein. This meal can totally be eaten at room temperature and makes a great dinner option for those nights you are eating on the sidelines. These Rubbermaid two-compartment meal prep containers (affiliate) are perfect for those “nights out”
I always crave perfectly cooked, crispy salmon in spring time. Something about the warmer weather just makes it sound so good. I love the idea of preparing it using this air fryer salmon recipe at The Food Blog, because in my busy kitchen with four kids I usually get distracted and let fish burn on the stove top.
Related: How to cook salmon perfectly
Since my family is obsessed with ramen, I’ve been playing around with some recipes that really zhuzh it up, you know? I love what Tieghan has done with this crispy miso katsu chicken ramen at Half Baked Harvest. It has all the ease of making ramen for dinner, with the good feeling that I’ve done more than just, well, make ramen for dinner. All in under 30 minutes. A definite winner. My kids love to take this to school for lunch the next day in this Thermos Funtainer that has a built in spoon – how smart (affiliate).
This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday and that is just perfect for Sheet Pan Quesadillas from Princess Pinky Girl because they are so easy and clean up is a snap. And then you have more time to make a huge bowl of the very best guacamole and your favorite margarita.
