5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (2024)

5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (1)

Working parents have it tough. I have no earthly idea how it's possible to work 40+ hours a week, run errands, go to PTA meetings, put Band-Aids on boo-boos and prepare dinner for hungry families. But mom and dad are superhuman - and manage to fit more activity into one day than seems remotely reasonable. So here are five quick, easy international recipes that will hopefully have everyone around the dinner table chewing and murmuring appreciatively at your culinary prowess. A tip of the hat to mom and dad.

After a long day at work, the last thing you want is a complex, time consuming and messy hour in the kitchen. These savory and hearty veggie-filled pork rolls are a total no-brainer. You'll have dinner on the table before SpongeBob SquarePants hits the second commercial break.
Total Cooking Time: 17 Minutes
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It's tough to get the kids to voluntarily eat their veggies. But trust me when I tell you these zucchini cakes have a flavor and texture that borders on meaty indeed. Aside from the zucchini, some leftover spaghetti sauce and grated Parmesan are about all you need to whip up a post-swim-meet Italian crowd-pleaser.
Total Cooking Time: 25 Minutes
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Yes - you could make a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese for dinner (confession: sometimes I like a little taste from the 'blue box'). But it doesn't take much more time to whip up a macaroni dish that is intense, hearty and nuanced. And the addition of soy sauce might have your future honor-student asking what umami is while (hopefully not) sticking macaroni in their nose.
Total Cooking Time: 27 Minutes
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Fish sticks get a bum rap. The school cafeteria version can only be made palatable if you drown them in enough ketchup or tartar sauce. These Thai fish sticks aren't breaded, but still turn out crunchy on the outside with an herbaceous, fluffy interior. A dunk in the punchy dipping sauce totally beats a ketchup packet!
Total Cooking Time: 21 Minutes
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Sometimes the kids just need a hearty snack, and you're out of Lunchables. Japanese rice balls have been a favorite of mine since I was wearing Hello Kitty pajamas. And with savory chicken, rice, carrots and ginger - that's a whole lot of food groups wrapped up in one delectable bite.
Total Cooking Time: 15 Minutes
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5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (2024)

FAQs

What to eat when too busy to cook? ›

Buy pre-cut and pre-bagged foods.

Vegetable trays pre-cut, frozen vegetables, or bagged salads that come with all the mix-ins can all help you get a meal on the table in less time. “Sure, these are a little more expensive, but they save you time and give you energy.”

What to have for dinner lazy? ›

30 lazy dinners to make on weeknights
  1. Ramen carbonara. 4.666665. 4.7. 30 Minute Cheesy Chicken Risoni. 4.3617. 4.4. ...
  2. Thai Green Curry Chicken Noodle Soup. Family Friendly Fried Rice. 4.285715. 4.3. Asian-style Scrambled Eggs. 3.636365. ...
  3. Sri Lankan Coconut & Cashew Chicken with Saffron Rice. 4.188975. 4.2. Potato Gems Shepherd's Pie. 4.2.

How do you cook for busy people? ›

Time-saving cooking suggestions for busy people

Double up on tasks – you can save time if you do 2 things at once. For example, prepare your pasta sauce while your spaghetti is cooking. Prepare one-pot meals – such as soups, risottos, slow-cooked curries and casseroles to save on time and washing up.

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  2. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  5. Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  6. Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  7. White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  8. Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Apr 2, 2023

What to cook when you're bored easy? ›

Soups, stews, bolognese sauces, white sauces, beans and lentils are all good big batch foods that can be transformed into a variety of dishes. This classic and healthy bolognese sauce can be used for lasagne, with spaghetti, as a cottage pie, in a chilli or a filling for jacket potatoes.

How do I stop being a lazy cook? ›

7 Easy Cooking Tips for Lazy People
  1. Stock your pantry with the basics. ...
  2. Stock up on frozen ingredients. ...
  3. Cook an extra batch of food. ...
  4. Have freezer-friendly containers and bags handy. ...
  5. Master a few one-pot meals. ...
  6. Roast your meals. ...
  7. Invest in the right kitchen helper. ...
  8. 6 Beginner's Recipes you can make with a Kitchen Machine.

How to eat healthy when you're lazy? ›

Eat a small salad or broth-based soup first. It's a nutritious and filling start to your meal that will help you consume fewer calories overall. Choose veggie-based entrees or those with baked, broiled or grilled fish or skinless chicken. Look for meals that aren't greasy or oily.

What is the most easiest to cook? ›

17 Of The Easiest Recipes Of All Time (Seriously)
  • Smoked Gouda and Mushroom Quesadillas. ...
  • Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage. ...
  • Scrambled Egg Tacos. ...
  • 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. ...
  • One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Artichokes. ...
  • Wild Rice and Leftover Turkey Soup. ...
  • Sticky Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp.
Jan 2, 2019

What to make for dinner when you're broke? ›

  • Creamy pasta carbonara. A lovely, creamy version of a well-known favourite.
  • Best Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
  • Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry. ...
  • Devilled sausages. ...
  • Potato and leek soup. ...
  • Lemon chicken. ...
  • Salt and pepper chicken. ...
  • Chicken and bacon carbonara.

How to cook for a lot of people cheap? ›

25 Cheap Meals for Large Families
  1. 01 of 26. Hungarian Goulash. View Recipe. ...
  2. 02 of 26. Simple Chicken and Noodles. ...
  3. 03 of 26. Easy Taco Casserole. ...
  4. 04 of 26. Winter Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  5. 05 of 26. Salisbury Steak. ...
  6. 06 of 26. Crispy and Tender Baked Chicken Thighs. ...
  7. 07 of 26. Black Beans and Rice. ...
  8. 08 of 26. Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Feb 22, 2024

What is a realistic grocery budget for a family of 5? ›

On average, a family of five spends anywhere from $922 to $1,488 a month on groceries, according to USDA monthly food plans. If you're looking to curb your spending, consider meal planning, buying in bulk, and shopping at more affordable grocery stores.

How can I feed my family on a very small budget? ›

How to feed your family for less - Experts tips for shopping and cooking on a budget
  1. Don't feel pressured to always buy fresh. ...
  2. Eat seasonally. ...
  3. Substitute pricey lettuce. ...
  4. Meal plan with the catalogue in hand. ...
  5. Top trick to find the lowest priced groceries. ...
  6. Learn how to stretch your food further. ...
  7. Shop the 'dodgy' bin.

How do I plan 5 small meals a day? ›

How to Eat 5 Small Meals a Day
  1. Plan ahead. Five meals a day equals breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. ...
  2. Stock up. Face it: You're going to grab whatever food is closest. ...
  3. Go for taste. Choose snack foods that will sustain you and taste good. ...
  4. Whip up a smoothie. ...
  5. Combine carbs and protein to stay full longer.
Aug 15, 2014

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