Spatula Diaries: 25 fast and easy weeknight meal ideas

Last week, I had an embarrassing moment.

While presenting about meal planning to a group of busy, professional women, I offered my strategy of beginning with a list of possible meals—things you already cook on weeknights or would like to add to the line-up. I suggested brainstorming 30-40 of these possible meals, to which a few of the women burst out laughing. Three or four meals were far more realistic, they said to each other; “30 to 40” was insane.

OK, I get it. But I still maintain that coming up with a serviceable list of meals to pull from is a great strategy for any family, and I really believe it’s easier than you think to get there. The rest of my talk included having the crowd turn to each other to both suggest, and come away with, three possible meals to make for dinner, tried-and-true stuff they knew to work with little pain and effort.

So this week, as we plow further into busy January, I’m sharing 25 easy possibilities—some of which are modifications on familiar themes.

It’s easier than you think. I promise.

25 easy dinners to try:

1. Turkey Sloppy Joes with red beans and peppers
2. Chili. Vary it with beef, chicken, turkey or veggies, etc.
3. Tacos. Include both hard and soft shells tortillas served with a variety of toppings and cuts of meat.
4. Convert taco night into dinners featuring homemade enchiladas, a burrito bar or fancy quesadillas
5. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
6. Homemade pizza
7. Deli night (Subway-style at home)
8. Veggie plate night. Ideas: roasted potatoes, sweet potato soufflé, steamed cabbage with cashews, broccoli with chili flakes, lima beans, sautéed green beans, etc.
9. Red beans and rice with sweet potatoes and cornbread. Vary it with white or black beans.
10. Spaghetti and meatballs. Meatballs are easy! Bake them for easier clean-up.
11. Pork chops with mac ‘n’ cheese
12. Chicken Alfredo. A retro favorite kids love.
13. Risotto. Easier than you think and a great use of small amounts of meat, veggies and seafood.
14. Soup and salad night
15. Roast chicken with Israeli couscous and roasted Brussels sprouts
16. Crawfish étouffée. Besides red beans and rice, the easiest of the Louisiana classics.
17. Gumbo. Every family should have a recipe.
18. Grilled steak and baked potatoes. Easy! Vary it with different cuts.
19. Shepherd’s pie. Nothing more than seasoned ground beef, mashed potatoes and green peas.
20. Pan-fried breaded catfish
21. Slow-cooker pulled pork sandwiches with homemade slaw and baked beans
22. Salmon fillets in parchment. Ridiculously easy.
23. Pork tenderloin sliced and sautéed with butter and capers
24. Fajitas. Interactive and universally loved.
25. Super spuds. Baked potatoes with a topping bar that might include chili, steamed broccoli, creamed spinach, cheeses and caramelized onions.

Maggie Heyn Richardson is a mother of three and a regular 225 contributor and the author of Hungry for Louisiana, An Omnivore’s Journey. Reach her at hungryforlouisiana.com.