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The Passport Kitchen

20 Weeknight Dinners That Are Perfect for Busy Families

August 26, 2024 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Everyone is either back in school or finishing up summer vacation, but one thing is the same for every family- everyone is BUSY! If you are looking for easy dinners to get onto the table in a flash, here you go!

Shrimp Tacos 

Shrimp Tacos | Stovetop – Air Fryer.
Image Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

Shrimp tacos will be your new favorite taco for every day of the week. They are a perfect 30-minute meal and a flavor bomb for your mouth.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tacos 

Vegan Lentil Taco Meat (Easy Taco Filling!)

Vegan Lentil Taco Meat (Easy Taco Filling!).
Image Credit: Joyful Balance.

Introducing these Vegan Lentil Taco Meat! This recipe is an ideal complement to a simple taco evening, boasting delicious savory and smoky flavors. Crafted completely from plant-based ingredients, this vegan taco meat is bound to delight taco enthusiasts everywhere.

Get the Recipe: Vegan Lentil Taco Meat (Easy Taco Filling!)

Loaded Vegetarian Nachos

Loaded Vegetarian Nachos (Sheet Pan).
Image Credit: Fannetastic Food.

Cheesy vegetarian nachos brimming with wholesome vegetables and black beans make for an excellent, easy 25-minute meal on weeknights! Preparing them on a sheet pan is straightforward, ensuring each tortilla chip is perfectly crispy and generously topped. Kids will be psyched because who doesn’t love nachos? and Parents will be happy because it’s a full, easy, and quick meal that the kids will actually eat. 

Get the Recipe: Loaded Vegetarian Nachos

Baked Goat Cheese Pasta

Baked Goat Cheese Pasta.
Image Credit: Chenee Today.

The baked goat cheese pasta with spinach and mushrooms is amazing! It’s a TikTok-inspired recipe for tomato pasta with goat cheese and spinach that’s both simple and scrumptious!

Get the Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Pasta

Skillet Chicken Spinach Rice Casserole

Skillet Chicken Spinach Rice Casserole (Fast & Easy!).
Image Credit: Midwestern Homelife.

Chicken Spinach Rice Casserole with tender chicken, creamy rice, spinach, tomatoes, and Parmesan is a fast and easy skillet dinner that cooks in about 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Spinach Rice Casserole (Fast & Easy!)

American Goulash Recipe 

American Goulash Recipe (One-Pot).
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

American Goulash is a simple, one-pot comfort dish featuring ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles. Perfect for any season and great as leftovers, this delightful Goulash recipe is sure to please even the most discerning palates!

Get the Recipe: American Goulash Recipe

Easy Chicken Cobbler

Easy Chicken Cobbler.
Image Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

The viral TikTok Chicken Cobbler Recipe is a delectable one-pan meal featuring buttery biscuits, assorted vegetables, and shredded chicken, all combined into a robust dish. It’s a comforting meal that utilizes straightforward ingredients, including a convenient box of cheddar bay biscuit mix, allowing you to prepare dinner for the oven super quickly!

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Cobbler

Ricotta and Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells

Ricotta and Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells.
Image Credit: Carne Diem.

This Italian stuffed shell recipe is an ideal choice for family dinners. Filled with a blend of sweet and spicy Italian sausage, rich ricotta, and sautéed spinach, it has quickly become a favorite for our hectic weeknights, especially since much of the dish can be prepared in advance.

Get the Recipe: Ricotta and Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells

30-Minute Spaghetti with Canned Clams and Fresh Tomato Sauce

30-Minute Spaghetti with Canned Clams and Fresh Tomato Sauce.
Image Credit: Maplewood Road.

Spaghetti served with canned clams and a fresh tomato sauce truly shines as a weeknight dinner option. Just a few pantry staples and some ripe tomatoes are all you need. In under 30 minutes, you can savor a delightful pasta dish with a savory, briny flavor that’s so authentic, you might just be tempted to book a trip to southern Italy with every bite.

Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Spaghetti with Canned Clams and Fresh Tomato Sauce

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.
Image Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

Pasta lovers, rejoice! When you try this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta, it’s sure to become a family favorite. This swift and creamy vegetarian dish features sun-dried tomato pesto, brimming with the robust flavors of garlic, basil, and cheese. Plus, it’s easily adaptable with your choice of vegetables to craft your perfect rendition.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Easy Ground Beef Tacos

Easy Ground Beef Tacos.
Image Credit: Flavor The Moments.

Tacos aren’t reserved for Tuesdays alone! Enjoy these Ground Beef Tacos as a simple meal option on any evening. Packed with savory seasoned ground beef, garnished with crisp vegetables and shredded cheese, they come together in just 20 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Tacos

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce.
Image Credit: Crinkled Cookbook.

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce makes a delightful pairing with any pasta shape, particularly in the fall when the craving for warm comfort food is at its peak. The addition of pumpkin puree imparts a rich and smooth creaminess to this simple, homemade sauce, which can be prepared and ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Pizza Pasta Bake

Pizza pasta bake.
Image Credit: Simply Delicious.

The pizza pasta bake merges two beloved family dishes. Brimming with mozzarella, pepperoni, fresh basil, and tomatoes, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Bake

Healthy Big Mac Casserole

Healthy Big Mac Casserole.
Image Credit: Nourished By Nic.

This healthy Big Mac casserole offers the familiar taste of your favorite McDonald’s meal but includes hidden vegetables! It’s gluten-free and can be prepared in just 45 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Big Mac Casserole

Chicken Crunch Wrap 

Chicken Crunch Wrap [Healthy High-Protein].
Image Credit: Heavenly Spiced.

The chicken crunch wraps come loaded with shredded lettuce, layers of sour cream and queso, and a crispy tostada for added crunch in every bite. All these ingredients are snugly wrapped in a large, burrito-sized tortilla and grilled until each side turns a delicious golden brown. Absolutely delicious!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Crunch Wrap

Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta.
Image Credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta serves as an ideal meal for busy weeknights or for Sunday meal preparation. Requiring only a few pantry essentials, you can whip up this delectable Parmesan pasta dish in less than 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Macaroni and Tomatoes Vegetarian Recipe

Macaroni and Tomatoes Vegetarian Recipe.
Image Credit: My Good Food World.

Macaroni and tomatoes is a quintessential comfort dish! The traditional recipe includes bacon grease, ground beef, and chicken broth. However, as a vegetarian, I’m delighted to share with you a meat-free version of this classic Southern dish that doesn’t skimp on taste and flavor!

Get the Recipe: Macaroni and Tomatoes Vegetarian Recipe

Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Pan Meal

Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Pan Meal.
Image Credit: Healy Eats Real.

This herb-roasted chicken and vegetable sheet pan dinner is a wholesome, delectable, and fulfilling meal that’s simple to prepare. The recipe yields juicy chicken with a crisp, flavorful skin accompanied by soft vegetables infused with herbs.

Get the Recipe: Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Pan Meal

White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili.
Image Credit: Tessie’s Table.

This White Chicken Chili captures the essence of autumn perfectly: it’s warm, creamy, and brimming with flavor. Filled with succulent chicken, robust white beans, and a zesty punch of green chilies, it offers a comforting bowl that is both satisfying and rich, with a delightful hint of spice.

Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes

One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes.
Image Credit: Food Wine Sunshine.

If you’re in search of a speedy and straightforward dinner option for weeknights, try the One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes. It’s a robust, single-pot dish that can be prepared in less than an hour, ideal for those hectic evenings!

Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes

Filed Under: Great Food

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