5 Quick Dinners for Busy Weeknights

This time of year can be hectic, so when you need to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes without any fuss it can feel like a challenge. Let us help!

Some tips for easy meals:

  • Invest in a slow cooker or instant pot
  • Keep precut stir fry veggies handy
  • Rely on frozen/steam in bag veggies and grains like quinoa/rice/cauliflower rice
  • Stock up on pantry items like pasta sauce, salsa, canned beans, canned tuna/salmon, etc.
  • Keep essentials stocked: Onions, potatoes, garlic have a long shelf life and are featured in a lot of recipes

Here are 5 of our quickest recipes for those nights when minimal effort is needed:

Mexican Chicken Salads

2 lbs. organic chicken breasts or thighs

1 jar salsa of choice

1 packet of taco seasoning (We like Siete Foods brand!)

Optional toppings/Salad Mix ins: Black beans, cooked quinoa, avocado

Directions:

Place chicken, salsa and taco seasoning in your crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours or until chicken is easily shredded. Place on top of mixed greens and add whatever toppings you’d like!

Chicken Sausage, Potatoes and Brussels Sprout Hash

2 packages organic chicken sausage (precooked)

½ pound baby potatoes, cut in half

1 bag pre-cut brussels sprouts

¼ cup olive oil

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 T. grainy mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix olive oil, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper together and toss potatoes and brussels sprouts to coat.
  • Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring once halfway through cook time
  • Meanwhile, cut precooked chicken sausage into bite size rounds
  • Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the chicken sausage and heat through.
  • Serve Brussels sprouts, potatoes and the sausage in one bowl!

Cauliflower Gnocchi with Turkey Bolognese

1 bag frozen cauliflower gnocchi (You can find at Trader Joe’s or Walmart!)

2-3 garlic cloves minced

1 jar low sugar pasta sauce (we like Primal Foods brand)

1 lb. ground turkey

Directions:

  • Heat a small amount of olive oil in a medium sized pan. Add the frozen gnocchi in a single layer and let cook for 5 minutes or so until browned. Flip over and brown on the other side adding the minced garlic at this step. If gnocchi sticks a bit, add several teaspoons of water to the pan
  • Meanwhile, brown the ground turkey in separate pan.
  • Once cooked, drain the fat and add the pasta sauce to the same pan as the meat, heating together.
  • Serve gnocchi topped with the Bolognese and your favorite easy side veggie!

 Salmon Burgers

2 cans wild caught Alaskan salmon

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Gluten free if desired)

1 egg

1 T brown mustard

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 T dill relish or ¼ teaspoon fresh dill weed

Directions:

Mix all ingredients, adding more breadcrumbs if necessary, until mixture is moist but holds together. Form cakes and pan fry until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes per side). Serve with your favorite steam in bag veggie!

Peanut Stir Fry

1 lb. ground turkey

½ cup no sugar added peanut butter

2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos

1 tbsp honey

1 bag precut stir fry veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, etc.)

1 white or yellow onion, diced

1 tbsp olive or coconut oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground turkey, breaking into pieces as it cooks. Remove from pan.
  • Dice (in large pieces) the onion. Place in the same pan you cooked the turkey in.  Add a dash of salt.  Stir well and allow to cook for 2-4 min.
  • Add in the precut stir fry veggies and a dash of pepper and salt. Allow to cook.
  • While cooking, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, and honey in a bowl. Mix well.
  • Add to the pan and allow the peanut sauce to coat the vegetables.
  • Add the ground turkey in and allow to heat through.
  • Enjoy!
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  • All
  • Diabetes Program
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  • General Information
  • Gut Health
  • Hormone Health
  • Inflammation
  • Nutrient Spotlight
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  • Uncategorized
All
  • All
  • Diabetes Program
  • Exercise
  • Food Sensitivities
  • General Information
  • Gut Health
  • Hormone Health
  • Inflammation
  • Nutrient Spotlight
  • Recipes
  • Uncategorized

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