Easy Family Dinners: What We Ate This Week
As a busy mom juggling work, family, and everything in between, the kitchen can often feel like one more task on the to-do list. That’s why I’ve found a solution that not only lightens the mom load but also gets the whole family involved: having everyone help plan and cook dinner! Today, I’m sharing our easy family dinners from this past week—meals that are simple, budget-friendly, and perfect for reducing the stress of dinner time. Let’s dive into what we ate and how you can try it with your family!
Monday: Rosemary and Thyme Chicken Thighs with Spanish Rice and Vienna Sausages
We kicked off the week with a comforting, flavorful meal made by my daughter, Livi. She prepared rosemary and thyme chicken thighs from Foodstagramafrica with a side of Spanish rice and Vienna sausages. It was such a simple meal to pull together, and the seasoning of the chicken was so aromatic—it really made the house feel cozy.
The great thing about this meal is that it’s both easy and affordable, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights. The rosemary and thyme add such depth of flavor to the chicken thighs, and pairing it with the Spanish rice makes it a complete, satisfying meal.
We don’t have a recipe for the rice because both my grandmother and mom don’t measure in the traditional way. They tend to use their hands or the rice spoon and eyeball a lot. The seasonings are all by taste. The only way to pass this recipe down was by showing her. But here’s an estimate – I’ll have to test it the next time we make rice.
Puerto Rican Red Rice with Vienna Sausage
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 rice spoon of sofrito (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 small can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 packet sazon (with achiote)
- 1 can (5 oz) Vienna sausages, sliced into rounds
- 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 3 1/2 cups water (or chicken broth for more flavor)
- complete seasoning to taste
Instructions:
- Heat the oil: In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook the sofrito: Add the sofrito to the pot and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce and seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce and sazon. Let it cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
- Add the Vienna sausages: Toss in the sliced Vienna sausages and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, so they absorb some of the flavors.
- Add rice and liquid: Stir in the rinsed rice, making sure it’s fully coated in the sauce. Then, add the water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid has been absorbed. Avoid stirring to ensure even cooking.
- Fluff and serve: After the rice is cooked, fluff it gently with a fork. Adjust salt to taste if needed.
Tuesday: Classic BLTs Made by Dad
On Tuesday, my husband took charge of the kitchen with his favorite classic BLT sandwiches. There’s something so satisfying about the crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes all stacked between perfectly toasted bread. It’s a simple, no-fuss meal that’s ready in minutes.
The best part? It requires minimal prep, which is great for those nights when you just want to get dinner on the table without much effort. BLTs are one of our favorite easy family dinners because everyone loves them, and they’re perfect for using up ingredients we already have on hand.
Wednesday: Mac and Cheese with Ground Beef
Wednesday night belonged to Grayson, who decided on mac and cheese with ground beef. This dish was pure comfort food, and the ground beef gave it an extra boost of protein. We used boxed mac and cheese for simplicity and browned some ground beef to stir in, making this a heartier, more filling meal.
This is one of those dinners that’s quick to pull together and perfect for those nights when you don’t have a ton of time. It’s also a great option for picky eaters because who doesn’t love a creamy, cheesy bowl of mac and cheese?
Grayson found this recipe on YouTube and we’ve been trying to find it again but with no luck. We’ll keep trying because Teigan (my picky eater) ate two bowls of it. It was really that good. It had seasonings that I wouldn’t typically add but worked well together.
Thursday: Leftover Night
By the time Thursday rolled around, it was time to clean out the fridge and enjoy a leftovers night. I love leftovers because they help us reduce food waste and save time. We had some chicken thighs, extra mac and cheese, and even a little bacon from the BLTs, so everyone could mix and match their plates.
Leftovers are a busy mom’s best friend—no cooking required, just reheating and enjoying! I like that leftovers let me take the kids to the park on a weeknight after work. I don’t have to cook so we have the free time.
Friday: Takeout Night
Fridays are often our takeout night. After a week of cooking and working, sometimes it’s just nice to let someone else handle dinner. It’s become a bit of a tradition in our home, and everyone looks forward to it. Whether it’s pizza, Thai food, or fried chicken, takeout is our way of hitting the “pause” button on meal prep. And you know what? That’s totally okay! As busy moms, we deserve a break sometimes.
Saturday – Slow-Cooked Jelly Meatballs with White Rice
Saturday was a real treat—we made slow-cooked jelly meatballs (from Spend with Pennies) with white rice. This meal is so easy, it practically cooks itself! Using frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce, I just tossed everything in the slow cooker, and a few hours later, dinner was ready. This meal is perfect for busy weekends when you have errands to run or activities to get to but still want a delicious home-cooked dinner waiting for you. The sweet and tangy flavors of the meatballs were a hit with the whole family.
Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner – Home Fries, Eggs, and Sausage
We wrapped up the week with one of our favorite traditions: breakfast for dinner. There’s something so fun about having breakfast foods at night, and it’s always a hit with the kids. This time, we made home fries, scrambled eggs, and sausages. This meal is budget-friendly and quick to prepare, plus it’s versatile enough that you can mix and match ingredients based on what you have in the fridge. Breakfast for dinner is a great option when you want something comforting and filling without much fuss. My daughter makes the home fries perfect every time.
Dessert: Chocolate Brownies with Cherries and Marshmallows
And we can’t forget dessert! My youngest, Teigan, was in charge of sweets this week, and she made boxed chocolate brownies with a fun twist—she added cherries and marshmallows. The brownies were gooey and chocolatey, and the cherries gave them an extra burst of flavor, while the marshmallows melted into a delicious topping. This was such an easy dessert to make, but it felt a little extra special with those added ingredients. It’s perfect for when you want a sweet treat that doesn’t take hours to bake.
Conclusion: Make Meal Planning a Family Affair
So there you have it—our week of easy family dinners that not only kept us well-fed but also gave me a bit of a break. By getting the whole family involved in meal planning and cooking, I was able to lighten my load as a busy working mom. Plus, the kids got a chance to learn valuable cooking skills and take pride in their meals. If you’re looking for ways to simplify dinner time and reduce your stress, I highly recommend trying this approach. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it makes dinnertime a team effort.
Have you tried getting your family involved in meal planning? Let me know in the comments below!
