7 Quick and Delicious Meal Ideas

Choosing what to make for dinner every week can be exhausting, particularly for the busier moms who are attempting to balance working life and mommy life—throw in extra-curricular activities for the kids and it gets easier and easier to justify eating out every night.

However, it doesn’t have to be impossible to cook nutritious meals for the family that also taste great! Creating a seven-day meal plan is a great way to take part of the guesswork out of making dinner. Rather than wracking your brain after a long day trying to figure out what to make, you can plan everything in advance and make things easier on yourself.

Below is a list of some great meal ideas that are quick and easy to make, and also taste delicious.

1. Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Feeds four people.

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2/3 lbs)
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 5 cups uncooked jasmine rice
• 5 cups of water
• 12 oz. frozen stir fry vegetables
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions:

2. Creamy Cajun Chicken Penne

Feeds four people.

Ingredients:

Cajun Seasoning:

• 2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.20)
• 1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
• 1 tsp thyme ($0.10)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.02)
• 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)

Chicken Pasta:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 lb. penne pasta
• 15 oz. fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 oz. cream cheese
• 3 green onions, sliced

Instructions:

3. Bacon and Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Feeds four people.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb frozen broccoli florets
• 4 oz bacon
• 8 oz medium cheddar
• 1/2 lb pasta
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp hot sauce
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

4. Spinach and Chickpea Rice Pilaf

Feeds six people.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1/2 lb. frozen chopped spinach
• 15 oz. can chickpeas
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 3/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1 oz. feta, crumbled

Instructions:

5. Yellow Rice and Chicken Skillet

Feeds four people.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 4 bone-in chicken thighs with skin
• Pinch salt and pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 5 cups long-grain jasmine rice
• 5 cups frozen peas
• 5 cups chicken broth*
• 1/4 bunch cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

6. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

Feeds four people

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 15 oz. can quarter artichoke hearts
• 1 19 oz. can chickpeas
• 5 cups vegetable broth*
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 bunch fresh parsley
• 1 fresh lemon

Instructions:

7. Lentil and Sausage Stew

Feeds eight people.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion
• 3 medium carrots (1/2 lb)
• 4 stalks celery (1/2 bunch)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 cups brown lentils
• 6 cups chicken broth*
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 10 oz frozen spinach

Instructions: