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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Taste easy recipes
5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (2024)

FAQs

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.

What to have for dinner lazy? ›

30 lazy dinners to make on weeknights
  1. Ramen carbonara. 4.75. 4.8. 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. 4.2.

What should I cook for my mom and dad? ›

Cooking for mom and dad
  • Paneer Tikka Masala in Instant Pot. Paneer Tikka Masala in Instant Pot. Beth Shields. ...
  • 1:00. CHEESY BROCCOLI STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST. ...
  • Baked Tomatoes with Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® Baked Tomatoes with Cheese Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® ...
  • Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken.

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

Ten Healthy Family Meals Under $10
  1. Healthy Fried Rice.
  2. Pasta Salad.
  3. Fettuccini Alfredo… or Bowtie, or Shells, or Rotini.
  4. Rosemary White Bean Soup or Turkey White Bean Chili.
  5. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos.
  6. Black-eyed Peas and Pork…with Kale.
  7. Enchilada Casserole.
  8. Down-home Macaroni and Cheese.

What are 10 good dinner foods? ›

Our 20 most popular dinners of 2024
  • Air-fryer salmon.
  • Sweet potato & peanut curry.
  • Beef stroganoff.
  • Easy sausage casserole.
  • Chicken & chorizo jambalaya.
  • Lasagne.
  • Easy chicken curry.
  • No-fuss shepherd's pie.
Mar 14, 2024

How do busy people cook? ›

People Are Sharing Their Favorite Time-Saving Tactics For Cooking On A Busy Schedule
  1. 1. " ...
  2. "Cook several things at once by dividing your sheet pan using foil. ...
  3. "I plan ahead and keep dinner simple. ...
  4. "I make frozen veggies often. ...
  5. "I buy lots of garlic, peel it, and put it in the food processor or blender.
Feb 14, 2023

How to meal plan with no time? ›

Meal Preparation For People with No Time
  1. Start small and keep it simple. If you're new to meal prep, it may seem like a lot to prepare a week of meals all at one time. ...
  2. Have the right tools. ...
  3. Choose recipes with similar ingredients. ...
  4. Keep a routine. ...
  5. Go easy on yourself.

What is the simplest food to cook? ›

Our 50 Easiest Recipes Ever For Lazy Cooks
  • 01 of 50. Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta. ...
  • 02 of 50. Soulful Chicken Soup. ...
  • 03 of 50. Spaghetti Casserole. ...
  • 04 of 50. Chicken Cutlets With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce. ...
  • 05 of 50. Quick Beef Chili. ...
  • 06 of 50. Sloppy Joe Casserole. ...
  • 07 of 50. Green Chile Mac And Cheese With Chicken. ...
  • 08 of 50.
Sep 20, 2023

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 supper when you don t want to cook? ›

You can fill in with salads or fruit or cooked frozen vegetables to make a somewhat balanced meal.
  1. Pasta with Butter and Parmesan Cheese. ...
  2. Rotisserie Chicken. ...
  3. Embellished Baked Potatoes. ...
  4. French Bread Pizza. ...
  5. Bertolli Frozen Penne Pasta with Chicken. ...
  6. Quesadillas. ...
  7. Fried Rice. ...
  8. Amy's Frozen Cheese Enchiladas.
Jan 29, 2023

What should I cook for elderly parents? ›

Nutrition During the Golden Years: 7 Awesome Meal Ideas for Elderly Parents
  • Leafy Green Salads. ...
  • Sweet Summer Salad. ...
  • Herb-Roasted Chicken. ...
  • Tomato and Basil Flatbread. ...
  • Vegetable Stir-Fry. ...
  • Microgreen Pesto Pasta. ...
  • Guacamole Dip and Spread.

Which food you enjoy cooking with your parents? ›

EXPLANATION: Anything that is made by my mother is really enjoyable for me. Whether it be Indian, Chinese or some confectionery food items like cake, pastry, cookies etc. everything that is being cooked by my parents is really amazing for me.

What should I bring to dinner with his parents? ›

Bring a hostess gift.

If it is a formal dinner bring a bottle of wine (unless his parents do not drink), a lovely cheese spread, darling little floral arrangement, or something sweet! No matter how big or small the gift is, it's always an elegant gesture and much appreciated.

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.

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