Dinner Recipes for the Week

It’s a new week, and I’m now married to a 50 year old.  🙂  My husband had the BIG birthday last week, and we’re both feeling a bit thoughtful over it.  I guess we’re realizing more and more our mortality, and it makes me extra thankful that this life isn’t the end.  Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we will have eternity in heaven.
My hubby didn’t want a cake for his birthday; he much prefers pie, and so we had apple, key lime and banana cream pie to sample from.  He got the obligatory “50” year old “old man” gifts (not from me), like denture cream, joint cream, bladder control pads etc…  He was a good sport, and we had a fun time celebrating with extended family.
It was a busy week, as a lot of them are, and I appreciate having dinners that go together quickly.
To me though, a quick dinner doesn’t necessarily mean a meal you can throw together in two minutes. To me, what makes a dinner quick is the part that comes before dinner time by:

  • having a plan for this week’s dinners
  • having the ingredients on hand–(a.k.a. a trip to the grocery)

Those are the biggest hurdles to jump in having quick dinners. Once you do that, for the most part, you’re set!
For those nights however, that you literally may have minutes to spare, plan a few super simple dinner ideas:

  • light all beef kosher hot dogs (nitrate free if you can find them)
  • pasta
  • scrambled eggs
  • frozen veggie burgers
  • burritos with whatever fillings I have on hand
  • frozen chicken, veggie and pasta “dinner in a bag” from the freezer section of the grocery
  • a crockpot meal that you started in the morning, and is ready at dinner time
  • keep raw veggies and fruits on hand to add to a less than ideal dinner

Check out my post 10 Ways to Make “Making Dinner” Easier.
To help with menu planning and grocery shopping, be sure to check out my free printables:
Dinner Planner and Grocery List Printable
Weekly Meal Planner
Printable Grocery List
Sometimes we get in a rut for breakfast and lunch, so here’s some ideas to get you started:

Breakfast Ideas:
(Any combination of the following)
French toast
Cereal
Fruit
Waffles
Toast
Eggs
Oatmeal
Poptarts
Egg whites and spinach (hubby’s choice)
Pancakes
English muffins
Muffins
Baked oatmeal
Breakfast cookies
Quiche
Cinnamon rolls
Pumpkin pancakes
Baked eggs and cheese casserole
Toasted peanut butter & banana sandwich
Coconut Quinoa Granola

Lunch Ideas:
(We like to add fruit and/or carrots to any of these “entrees”)
Pasta  (my kids love it)
Ravioli
Macaroni and cheese
Vegetarian corn dogs
Vegetarian hamburgers
Hot dogs (We like Hebrew National)
Chicken, turkey or ham sandwiches
Graham crackers and milk
English muffins
Peanut butter and fluff sandwiches
Whole wheat toast
Soup
Yogurt or cheese sticks, crackers
Leftovers

Here are some delicious dinner recipes for your week:

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful HomemakingChicken Nachos
Grocery list: Cooked chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken, tortilla chips, Cheddar cheese, black beans, tomatoes, green onions, taco seasoning, salsa and sour cream

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful HomemakingVegetable Lo Mein
Grocery list:  Noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, peppers, carrots, snow peas and leafy greens

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful HomemakingFettuccini Carbonara
Grocery list:  Fettuccini noodles, cream, bacon, Parmesan cheese, butter and eggs

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful HomemakingHamburger (Shepherd’s) Pie
Grocery list:  Ground beef, vegetarian vegetable soup, mashed potatoes and Cheddar cheese

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful HomemakingHummus Soup
Grocery list: Chickpeas, chicken broth, Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice and spices

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful HomemakingCrock pot baked potato bar
Grocery list: Baking potatoes, shredded cheese, broccoli, bacon and sour cream

My dessert choice for the week are these wonderful Cinnamon Stick Cookies.

quick dinner recipes, Dinner Recipes for the Week, Joyful Homemaking

These crunchy, but chewy cookies, just may be my favorite cookies, and they go wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea.
I hope you have a wonderful week!

Linking to: I’m An Organizing Junkie and Between Naps on the Porch

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