Easy Dinner Ideas to Shake up Quarantine
Meal planning has taken on a whole new meaning these past few weeks. We’re all doing our best to limit our grocery store trips so we’ve had to really think about our meals in advance. My friend Jill emailed us this morning for recipe ideas and I had to laugh that this blog post was already in the works. She sparked an idea to ask friends for their “go-to” recipes and collect them all in one place. Here are a few. I might group some together in the future as well… favorite crock pot recipes? Breakfast for dinner? Mexican night? Shoot me a note if you any favorites!
Mike’s Favorite Meatloaf Recipe
My family has a meatloaf recipe that my great grandmother originated. This recipe is the closest I’ve come to finding something similar. My husband Mike LOVES meatloaf so this is always a crowd favorite in our house. One tip…use pre-made BBQ sauce if you have it in the fridge. It just makes this all a little easier. This is also a great one to make in advance and then pop in the oven about an hour before you’re ready to eat. I typically serve it with my friend Lisa’s smashed potatoes and salad.
Megan’s Greek Lemon Soup
My friend Megan shared this recipe with our Bentley crew at the last girls weekend. I’ve made it about 5 times since and it’s ALWAYS a hit. I’ve only ever made it with rotisserie chicken so that simplifies things. If you chop everything up before hand and break down the chicken then it comes together really fast. It was also my first time buying Israeli Couscous (pearl) and now I’ll always have it in my pantry. It’s perfect in soup! A few more tips…Don’t skip the scallions, don’t be afraid of the red pepper and sprinkling feta over the top is a game changer!
Jen’s Pasta, Broccoli and Chicken Alfredo
Jen always cooks so healthy for her twin boys. I’m always inspired by the recipes she shares. I haven’t tried this one yet but it’s on my list for this week!
Nancy’s Chicken Avocado Burritos
Nancy is the mother of 4 active boys so I know her recipes have to be efficient and filling! She’s always on the go and this recipe works up in minutes! Again using a rotisserie chicken just speeds up the process. All of my kids gobble this every time we make it!
Natalie’s Tips
Cool once, eat twice so you want to make extra!
“Bone in chicken breast cooked for 45 minutes at 375, season with EVOO, salt & pepper. Roast a bunch of veggies with it. Favs are sweet potato, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and asparagus (cool for only 10-15). Serve with side of rice. I love Right Rice’s Spanish rice! Then you have leftover cooked chicken for soup and/or tacos and veggies for lunch bowls (serve those with scoop of hummus and a protein of chicken).” ~Natalie
I’m loving this idea of a sheet pan meal! I found this one that looks similar to Natalie’s suggestion. Sounds like it’s a perfect plan for a Monday night meal!
Well I hoped that helped! I loved the response of my friends so I’m happy to share these and many more in the coming weeks. I love my friend crew. These ladies are CRUSHING IT on all levels. Moms all over the country are making dinner, entertaining kids, teaching kids, many are working and all of us are trying to find two seconds to think straight. Making dinner is my time to feel like myself, a semblance of normal in some way. When my family eats well I feel like it’s all going to be OK. Back to basics I guess.
