Easy Recipes for Busy Nights

Ever find that there aren’t enough hours in a day? Your spouse might get home from work late, and your children are busy with sports practices and other after school activities. Ever wish you could sit down together as a family for a meal even on the busiest of nights? Take a look at some of our easy meals that could help your dreams become a reality.

 

Black Bean, Corn & Turkey Chili

Time Required: 55 minutes (15 minutes prep, 40 minutes to cook)

Serves 6

Chili is a great way to fill up your family quickly. This one packs plenty of protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 large onion
• 2 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 ¾ cup of chicken stock
• 1 cup of chunky salsa
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of whole kernel corn

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add turkey, onion, chili powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Cook until turkey is browned. Stir often to separate meat.
4. Add the stock, salsa, sugar, beans, and corn. Heat to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until mixture is bubbling or 30 more minutes.

 

Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Time Required: 45 minutes (15 minutes prep, 30 minutes to cook)

Serves 6

All you need is a few basic ingredients and an oven to create this delicious chicken dish. Perfect for a hearty mid-week meal. You could even make this ahead of time and re-heat it over low heat in a pan for 10-15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs
• 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
• ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch-baking dish.
2. Blend your olive oil and garlic in a bowl.
3. Grab another bowl to mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, basil, and pepper.
4. Dip chicken breasts in oil mixture, then breadcrumbs.
5. Place chicken breasts in prepared baking dish, top with remaining bread crumb mixture.
6. Bake 30 minutes in a preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink.

 

Balsamic Steak & Berry Salad

Time Required: 25 minutes (10 minutes prep, 15 minutes to cook)

Serves 4

For a healthy meal that’s quick to make, try this salad. It has arugula and three different fruits. To save even more time, you can purchase your dressing ahead of time.

Ingredients:

Meat

• 4 steaks of your choice (beef sirloin works well)
• Steak seasoning (optional)
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

Salad

• 6 cups of arugula
• 1 cup of raspberries
• 1 cup of blueberries
• 1 cup of diced strawberries
• ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup slivered almonds

Instructions:

1. Start heating oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium high heat.
2. When oil shimmers, add steak to pan. Cook on one side for five minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
3. Transfer steak and let it cool for 5 minutes.
4. Start gathering salad ingredients in a large bowl.
5. Add dressing and begin to shake your salad.
6. Cut the steak into strips.
7. Divide salad into bowls and add steak.

 

Whole Grain Spaghetti with Kale & Tomatoes

Time Required: 30 minutes (15 minutes prep, 15 minutes to cook)

Serves 4

Looking for a unique pasta recipe? This one is a touch healthier than the one you might make, with superfoods like kale and almonds included.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. of whole-grain spaghetti
• 2 tbsp. of olive oil
• 1 thinly sliced red onion
• salt and black pepper
• 8 cups of kale, torn into bite size pieces with stems removed
• 2 pints of halved grape tomatoes
• 1/3 cup of chopped roasted almonds
• ¼ cup of grated pecorino

Instructions:

1. Add pasta into water.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and a little bit of salt and pepper. Cook and stir occasionally until it begins to brown.
3. Add kale and toss frequently, until tender (about two to three minutes).
4. Add tomatoes and cook until they soften (about one to two minutes).
5. See if your pasta is done yet. When you’re ready to release water, leave ¼ cup left over.
6. Combine other ingredients into pot and toss to combine.

 

Recipes Inspired by:

Delish.com

Allrecipes.com

Sweetpeasandsaffron.com

Realsimple.com

 

Sponsored By:  Avery