A Week of Easy Dinners
What a weekend! Between a birthday celebration on Friday, a two-day volleyball tournament at the convention center, a middle school band concert and family photos for a local magazine, it felt non-stop. I’m ready for a quiet evening, Game of Thrones and an early bedtime. With the last stretch of the school year in full swing, life is moving fast—sound familiar? Here’s a simple, practical dinner plan to get you through a busy week without elaborate prep.
SUNDAY
When I need a quick but comforting meal, I rely on a lazy bolognese hack. You can make a classic homemade bolognese if you have the time, but for a fast weeknight version heat one container of Trader Joe’s frozen turkey bolognese with 1 cup of riced cauliflower (frozen or fresh), 1 cup of fresh spinach and 1 cup of marinara. Toss that sauce with cooked pasta for a fast supper, or put it in a casserole dish, top with grated mozzarella and bake at 350°F until bubbly. It’s an easy way to get a satisfying dinner on the table with minimal effort.
MONDAY
Monday is Instant Pot risotto night—specifically a lemon vegetable risotto. Cooking risotto in the Instant Pot saves a lot of stirring and time compared with the stovetop method. The recipe calls for several aromatics; I usually simplify by using just fresh garlic and a couple of aromatics I have on hand. Serve the risotto with a simple green salad and a straightforward vinaigrette for balance.
TUESDAY
Back to the Instant Pot for flavorful black beans that my youngest loves. Dried pinto beans work well as an alternative. For quick tacos, brown ground beef or turkey and season with a homemade taco seasoning blend. Top with homemade guacamole and your favorite taco fixings for a fast, family-friendly meal that’s easy to assemble and customize.
WEDNESDAY
Slow cooker ropa vieja is my midweek lifesaver. Toss the ingredients into the slow cooker mid-morning and it will be warm and ready by the time evening activities are done. I like serving ropa vieja over a bed of fresh spinach, but it’s also great over short-grain rice or riced cauliflower if you prefer a lower-carb option. Preparing the vegetables the night before can make morning assembly even quicker.
THURSDAY
Thursday is leftovers night—often the best night of the week. Leftover ropa vieja reheats beautifully for taco bowls or stuffed quesadillas with green chiles and jack cheese. If there are leftover black beans from Tuesday, they make an excellent side, or blend them into a quick refried bean for tacos and quesadillas.
FRIDAY
On Friday the kids take over dinner with an easy pizza night. Pick up a premade pizza crust or refrigerated pizza dough and let everyone top their own pie. Use marinara and mozzarella as a base, then add pesto, peppers, pickled jalapeños, mushrooms or any favorite toppings. There’s usually at least one plain cheese pizza, and everyone has fun customizing their own slice. It’s a relaxed way to end a busy week and gets the whole family involved.
This menu mixes intentional shortcuts with a few meals that benefit from a little hands-on time, so you can enjoy variety without added stress. Swap recipes and ingredients to suit your family’s tastes, and don’t be afraid to lean on smart shortcuts when life gets hectic.