5 Quick Dinner Recipes That Feed the Whole Family

Great for making ahead or throwing together in minutes.

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Even though I haven’t been in a school setting in decades, the first weeks of September feel like a back-to-everything frenzy. We let a lot of things go during the summer, but once September rolls around, it’s back on the hamster wheel we go. I remember how to be an adult again, notice the mess a little bit more, and decide to actually tackle some of those New Years Resolutions, hoping that I can accomplish a year’s worth in the fourth quarter.

With another crazy week in our household (what else is new?!), my husband and I are alternating nights with our little one as we navigate juggling evening work events. Because of this, I’m planning meals that can be prepared in advance or prepared with minimal cooking.

I’ve already ordered my groceries (thanks to having a meal plan!), coordinated who is on daycare duty, who is taking the dog to the vet, and who is in charge of dinner. I feel like a winner already. bring it on, week!

01 of 05

Smoked Almond Summer Squash Salad

Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless

Get Recipe: This No-Cook Summer Side Dish Is Ready in 15 Minutes Flat

A month ago, I bought a can of smoked almonds at my local store because it was on sale, I was hungry while shopping (big mistake), and I mistakenly thought it was regular salted almonds. Whoops! When I saw this recipe, I knew that it was a sign. I finally have a way to use them up! While my husband won’t touch zucchini, I’m dining solo tonight so I’ll be eating every last bit of this while I binge watch my favorite sitcom.

02 of 05

Ginger Scallion Chicken

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Get Recipe: This 3-Ingredient Chicken Always Makes Me Think of My Dad

Recipe developer Frank Tiu says, "I use rotisserie chicken breast strips and pair them with a quick, five-minute ginger-scallion sauce made with just four ingredients, just like my dad taught me. The sauce is bright, punchy, and transforms plain chicken into something seriously crave-worthy." I'll serve this with microwave rice and a green vegetable for a complete meal.

03 of 05

Black Bean Nacho Bowl

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

Get Recipe: How a Cookbook Author Turns a Can of Beans Into a 5-Minute Dinner

I’m teaching a class locally, so my husband is on dinner duty one night this week (this rarely happens), so I want to set him up for success. This recipe is 90% opening cans, packages, and jars, putting them in bowls, and calling it a day. Plus, he'd eat nachos for every meal if it was socially acceptable. It should be foolproof, but I’ll have the pizza delivery phone number handy just in case.

04 of 05

Salmorejo Panzanella Salad

Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless

Get Recipe: This No-Cook Spanish-Inspired Meal Is Perfect for Summertime

Recipe editor Afton Cyrus says, "This recipe takes the flavors of salmorejo and turns them into a summery panzanella-style salad—no blending required. Here, the bread takes center stage, as a rustic loaf of Italian or ciabatta bread is torn into craggy pieces and tossed with juicy heirloom tomatoes and a tangy, garlic-spiked sherry vinegar dressing." A perfect late summer meal.

05 of 05

Dolma Ground Beef Skillet

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Get Recipe: The 3-Ingredient Dinner I Can’t Stop Making

My after school snacks were a little different growing up. Instead of cereal bars or crispy rice treats, we snacked on feta cheese, olives, and grape leaves after school. These salty, briny flavors have always been a favorite of mine, and even my 2-year-old is obsessed. Whenever I go to Trader Joe’s, I always pick up a can of dolma (stuffed grape leaves) for snack plates, appetizers, and this simple three-ingredient skillet using canned tomatoes, dolma, and ground beef. 

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