Tips for Stress-Free Weeknight Dinners
Tired of scrambling for dinner ideas every night and wondering if cereal can be considered a full meal? If so, meal planning might just be your new best friend. The first tip to get started is to plan your meals around what you already have in the pantry or freezer. Take a quick inventory before heading to the store to avoid buying duplicates of items you already have. Plus, it’s a great way to challenge yourself to get creative with the ingredients you’ve been ignoring—maybe that can of tuna has a higher purpose than just collecting dust!
Another tip is to keep things simple yet versatile. Pick a few base recipes that can be easily tweaked throughout the week. For instance, if you roast a big batch of chicken, you can switch things up by pairing it with different sides, like a quinoa salad one day and roasted veggies the next. It helps prevent the “same meal, five days in a row” situation, and honestly, who doesn’t want a bit of variety in their life? You can also save time by prepping ingredients in advance—chop those veggies, cook your grains, and get ready to assemble meals in a snap, leaving more time for binge-watching your favorite show (no judgment here).
Lastly, make your leftovers work for you. Leftover night isn’t just a cop-out; it’s a strategic move! Whether it’s turning that roast chicken into tacos or repurposing pasta into a salad, leftovers can save you time and money. For example, if you have leftover roast chicken, turn it into a flavorful chicken and vegetable stir-fry. Simply heat some olive oil in a pan, add chopped onions, bell peppers, and any veggies you have on hand (think broccoli, carrots, or zucchini). Toss in the leftover chicken, add soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, and stir-fry for a quick and satisfying meal. With a little planning and some creative thinking, meal prepping can make your week run smoother—and maybe even bring some humor to your kitchen adventures!
A great leftover recipe is Leftover Chicken Quesadillas—super simple, and you can customize it based on what you have! Here’s a quick way to turn your roast chicken into a delicious meal:
Leftover Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- 2 cups leftover cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (optional)
- 1/4 cup salsa or tomato sauce
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for dipping
Instructions:
- Prep the filling: In a bowl, mix your leftover chicken with the salsa or tomato sauce. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste. Add in any veggies (like onions or bell peppers) if you have them, and stir to combine.
- Assemble the quesadillas: Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with olive oil or butter. Place one tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle some cheese on one half of the tortilla, then add a generous amount of the chicken mixture. Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling.
- Cook and flip: Cook the quesadilla for about 2-3 minutes on one side until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve: Slice the quesadilla into wedges and serve with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa on the side.
This is a super flexible recipe, so feel free to add any leftover beans, corn, or even rice to the mix. Plus, it’s the perfect way to make use of extra chicken and have a tasty meal ready in minutes!
Michelle Grassau, Senior Director at the Mills County YMCA