https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:24:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732828 Fri, 05 May 2017 18:52:08 +0000 pachamama 2732828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: one pot pastas have been a hit. Chicken broth, a little cream cheese, diced tomato, canned tomato sauce, gemelli, bam! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732770 Fri, 05 May 2017 15:00:38 +0000 Kemma 2732770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a big fan of tray bakes, just throw meat (chicken thighs etc) and veg (onions, carrots zucchini, tomatoes - basically whatever you like) in a roasting tray, season with balsamic, paprika - whatever you like, drizzle with oil and shove it in the oven until its cooked! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732545 Thu, 04 May 2017 21:55:17 +0000 yoursilverlining 2732545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: I LOVE poaching fish too. Takes 10 minutes to cook. Toss together a salad in that time and you literally have a fresh and awesome dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732528 Thu, 04 May 2017 20:20:08 +0000 SweetiePie 2732528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh never mind. It's not that low prep. Edited to remove. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732519 Thu, 04 May 2017 19:39:53 +0000 ShootingStar 2732519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pancakes: At our costco if you walk past the hot chickens there's a cold case of prepared and ready to heat foods. It has shrimp rings, ready to bake chicken alfredo, side dishes, etc. at the far corner of that case is the vacuum packed chicken. </p> <p>I tried it but didn't like it as much as getting the rotisserie chickens and cutting them up. I'm much more particular about the fat and stuff that I cut off. It also seemed drier. I like to buy 4 chickens at a time and make DH cut them up and then we vacuum pack ourselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732515 Thu, 04 May 2017 19:33:40 +0000 FaithFertility 2732515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Beef stew in crock pot<br /> Stew beef, carrots, onion with water and A1 sauce mixed<br /> Low for 8hrs<br /> Serve over rice</p> <p>Rotisserie chicken with macaroni salad and fruit</p> <p>Tacos, prep meat ahead of time </p> <p>Salmon quick in oven with steam in a bag veggies and rice/ orzo pasta </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners/page/2#post-2732509 Thu, 04 May 2017 19:24:33 +0000 ineebee 2732509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE poaching fish in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 3/4 cup water, 1 TBS sugar. Throw in some scallions and minced garlic -- or not! Eat with rice. So quick and easy! Good luck with the move! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732493 Thu, 04 May 2017 18:29:49 +0000 Pancakes 2732493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I have never seen those vacuum packaged bags of rotisserie chicken you always mention at Costco! Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. In what area do you find those? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732477 Thu, 04 May 2017 16:53:42 +0000 krispi 2732477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We really like the Stouffer's frozen veggie lasagna at our house. :) They also have a chicken and pasta with pesto sauce that we like, but it doesn't seem to make as much food as their other family sizes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732474 Thu, 04 May 2017 16:44:16 +0000 looch 2732474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: thanks for sharing those ideas, very helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732451 Thu, 04 May 2017 15:57:12 +0000 gingerbebe 2732451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I don't know if that was me! But I buy the vacuum packed bags of rotisserie chicken breast meat they sell at Costco and make a huge batch of entree salads (like they take an entire shelf in our fridge) to eat for lunch during the week. We chop up the chicken and then we have a Chinese chicken (chicken, shredded carrots, mandarin orange slices, cucumber, lettuce, crunchy chow mein noodles, slivered almonds over lettuce with a bottled ginger sesame dressing), a Cobb with the precooked and chopped bacon bits, hard boiled egg, avocado, blue cheese, tomato, cucumber, croutons, etc, and usually a fruit and nut one with apples, raisins or craisins, pecans, veggies, feta, and vinaigrette. Usually we also have a Chef salad using leftover lunch meat ham and hard boiled eggs, and a taco salad using leftover taco fixings for taco night too. </p> <p>I make chicken salad with the remaining chicken and it's a standard chicken salad with mayo and pickle relish but I add lots of celery, chopped apple, red grapes, and almonds with a dash of cinnamon. We do add some sweet curry powder to it to switch it up a bit.</p> <p>Or I use the meat for a curry. We use Kitchens of India chicken curry paste (cheap, all natural, on Amazon), the chicken, and either yogurt or a can of coconut cream, plus a dash of sugar to make a creamy tikka masala style curry that we bulk out with chickpeas and frozen green beans.</p> <p>🤷🏻‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732439 Thu, 04 May 2017 15:39:16 +0000 LuLu Mom 2732439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stromboli, tacos/taco salad, pulled pork -crockpot, stir fry, omelets, breakfast for dinner (eggs, toast, sausage/bacon), BLTs/clubs sandwiches, taquitos, I've done frozen lasagna (Stauffer's was pretty good actually), and our groery story has crockpot ready meals and pre-seasoned meat that we will grill. </p> <p>Something we did before moving. - paper plates/silverware - we packed away the kitchen and it was so much easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732396 Thu, 04 May 2017 14:17:04 +0000 winniebee 2732396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make a batch of potato or pasta salad on Sunday and you can have that with a piece of grilled meat (steak, chicken that's been marinated, hot dogs, sausage, fish) and fruit or green salad. Super fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732395 Thu, 04 May 2017 14:16:12 +0000 erinbaderin 2732395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do sausages, grilled cheese, eggs on toast with cream cheese and avocado, or white cheese macaroni with spinach and tomato as our quick meals.</p> <p>Also the Skinnytaste Korean Beef bowl or Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps are quick and delicious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732392 Thu, 04 May 2017 14:12:45 +0000 merriment 2732392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sweet potato and black bean tacos are popular in our house.</p> <p>I also pulled out my 20 year old george forman grill. If I hit a chicken breast with a mallet I can get out my aggravations and it cooks in about 5 minutes (which is about as long as it takes to steam a bag of broccoli and put it in a bowl). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732387 Thu, 04 May 2017 14:06:57 +0000 Ms. RV 2732387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Burrito bowls: Rice, black beans from a can, salsa, and shredded cheese. If you need a veggie on it, microwave frozen fajita veggies like these: <a href="https://www.birdseye.com/vegetable-products/recipe-ready/tri-color-pepper-onion-blend" rel="nofollow">https://www.birdseye.com/vegetable-products/recipe-ready/tri-color-pepper-onion-blend</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732383 Thu, 04 May 2017 14:00:25 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2732383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken tossed with a Caesar salad kit, grill packets with potatoes, frozen corn, and halved grape tomatoes served with a grilled meat. Quesadillas are also great, as others have mentioned. For pizza we usually pick up a papa Murphy take and bake so we can have it hot from the oven but have no prep and minimal clean up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732372 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:50:06 +0000 looch 2732372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I think you had also posted the chicken breast salad things that you do....like one of them was chicken breasts in the oven slathered with curry paste and yogurt. then you had a whole list of add-ins that you had for salad to go with that chicken.</p> <p>It was so inspiring I wrote it down, there were like three flavors.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732367 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:42:15 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2732367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: oh yes we do that too! So quick and easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732359 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:37:04 +0000 looch 2732359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I am going to keep an eye out for that BumbleBee fish...that looks promising.</p> <p>Do your kids eat soup? I make a noodle soup that uses all premade stuff and then I just add sliced cabbage and whatever protein I have left over.</p> <p>Also, you can do cold pasta salads, the traditional chopped Italian meat/cubed provolone/tortellini/Italian dressing one is very popular with kids.</p> <p>I also do one that is bowtie pasta/pesto/shredded carrots/shredded zucchini/halved grape tomatoes/tiny mozzarella balls/pitted olives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732346 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:15:31 +0000 MrsSRS 2732346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cut chicken breasts into 1x2 inch pieces, slice up bell pepper and onion, toss it all with taco seasoning and put it on a sheet pan. 20 minutes at 425 and you have fajitas. We like simple so we just have it with tortillas, avocado and salsa. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732344 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:14:10 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2732344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We often grill chicken (enough for two nights) and serve it on a tortilla with greens, cheese, other veggies, and salad dressing. DS just has a deconstructed version of it. It's quite tasty and I pack it full of leafy greens. </p> <p>Tonight I'm just broiling chicken and veggies all in the same pan and probably some brown rice on the side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732343 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:12:06 +0000 josina 2732343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do ham and cheese calzones for an easy meal...<br /> I make them with pizza dough (the bagged kind, just add water), butter the dough, top with ham, mozzerella cheese, and basil, roll up, butter the top and sprinkle with garlic/italian seasoning. Bake for 20 minutes.<br /> Can also do the same but with pizza toppings. Side of mashed cauliflower. Yum.</p> <p>Also, a one-pot mexican skillet (google for the recipe). It's basically just hamburger (or turkey) with salsa, egg noodles, black beans, corn, and mexican cheese. Delicious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732342 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:10:31 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2732342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dahlia: Ive been wanting to try a pesto/pasta kid friendly recipe so I may have to try that. </p> <p>Thanks for reminding me about rotisserie! Thats a good one. </p> <p>When we do grill we have gotten in the habit of grilling steak and chicken and then saving the extra meat for a second night (to toss with rice/pasta or whatever). I think this week I may do grilled chicken one night with squash/zuchini packets (@pinkarmadillo: kabobs are great but DH hates turning them on the grill. So packets are a great alternative and no prep no mess!) Then we will use the steak the next night for steak fajitas (pre-cut veggies are B1G1 this week at publix) and then finally one more night with the chicken on a fresh salad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732326 Thu, 04 May 2017 12:54:21 +0000 gingerbebe 2732326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pizza pinwheels on crescent dough goes over well with my son. We also do lots of all in one rice dishes - Mexican rice with corn, beans, and ground beef all in there together topped with lettuce and salsa and what not. Jambalaya. Dirty rice. Fried rice. We just add lots of chopped veggies or frozen veg to bulk it out. Potstickers or egg rolls are an easy meal - just add some veggies or edamame pods. Rotisserie chicken one night, then chicken salad on rolls or crackers the next night. Tortellini pasta salad with chunks of cheese and veggies. Pasta with chicken sausage, tomatoes, broccoli or zucchini, tossed with lemon juice, butter/olive oil, lots of Parmesan, white wine if you have it. Pulled pork BBQ sliders on Hawaiian rolls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732325 Thu, 04 May 2017 12:53:57 +0000 Dahlia 2732325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pesto pasta with peas. I throw the peas in with the pasta for the last minute or two, strain, then mix it all up with store bought pesto. If I'm feeling ambitious I'll throw in some chunks of fresh mozzarella. DD loves it. </p> <p>- stir fry - I like TJs sauces<br /> - pearl couscous cooked with veggie stock, throw in whatever veggies I have and some chickpeas<br /> - rice and bean bowls - rice, black beans, corn, veggies if I have them, then stir all up with salsa<br /> - quesadillas<br /> - fried rice if you have leftover rice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732322 Thu, 04 May 2017 12:51:30 +0000 SweetiePie 2732322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and Aidells makes some great chicken sausages. Huge variety of flavors. We like those - they are fully cooked so just heat. Also serve with easy veg and carb. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732319 Thu, 04 May 2017 12:49:51 +0000 SweetiePie 2732319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I *hate* cooking. Have I ever mentioned that here before? 😂</p> <p>An amaaaaazing option is Bumblee frozen tilapia and salmon. Pic attached. It's like 4 ingredients (the fish, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper) and they come with parchment paper pouches. They go in the oven for like 20 mins and come out perfectly. My husband and son both devour them and DH says it tastes like a fancy restaurant dish. Also serve with rice or couscous or quinoa and a frozen veggie. </p> <p>Another option to mix it up is that Birdseye now makes different flavors of veggies. Buffalo cauliflower, Parmesan peas, etc. We like those for something different. </p> <p>And I like buying simmering sauces. Stonewall Kitchen is carried at a little market here and they have a huge variety. Usually just sauté chunks of chicken then add sauce and simmer for 10-15 mins. So easy and so good. I made a coconut curry one last night that we all loved. Served with jasmine rice and edamame on the side. </p> <p>I also invest in a lot of seasonings and rubs. Lemon herb, Cajun, Italian, Montreal steak, etc. DH loves them and I just coat thin chicken cutlets and use the cuisinart griddler. Takes about 10 mins total and serve with frozen veggies and rice/couscous/quinoa. It just gives a little more variety to the chicken/grain/veg thing. </p> [attach=3764/17/opfwbb.450x600.IMG_1022.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732316 Thu, 04 May 2017 12:47:28 +0000 PawPrints 2732316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like the grill would be an ideal way for you guys to make things a little more fun and better-tasting.</p> <p>I don't know how much your picky DH might be willing to branch out, but Indian and Thai dishes are really easy to make at home (many are one-pot prep). Or stir-fry with rice or noodles. Or dinner salads. This is one of our favorites, which I'm making tonight with toasted pita points: <a href="https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/04/lentil-and-chickpea-salad-with-feta-and-tahini/" rel="nofollow">https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/04/lentil-and-chickpea-salad-with-feta-and-tahini/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/simple-low-prep-weeknight-family-dinners#post-2732303 Thu, 04 May 2017 12:18:27 +0000 psw27 2732303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Quesadillas are a great suggestion! We also do breakfast for dinner about once a week. And tacos - we change it up if we do hard or soft shelled and if we do beef, turkey or fish. We also do chicken sausage with sweet potatoes and a green veggie (sounds like your usual go-to). We also like these pork pitas - but you can use turkey too: <a href="https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/gingery-pork-and-cucumber-pitas-recipe" rel="nofollow">https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/gingery-pork-and-cucumber-pitas-recipe</a> </p>