Carolina Living

Easy Family Favorites for Busy Weeknights

After a full day of work, school or activities, the last thing most people want is a complicated dinner. By choosing recipes that are simple to prepare and easy to clean up, you can put hearty dinners on the table without adding extra stress to your day.

One-pot favorites

Chili, soup, stew and pasta are classic comfort foods for a reason. They combine simple ingredients into a single pot to create flavorful meals while keeping cleanup to a minimum.

Sheet pan dinners

Arrange your favorite protein and vegetables on a baking sheet, add oil and seasonings, then roast everything together — quick and easy! With endless ingredient combinations, these meals are both versatile and convenient.

Stock the freezer

Whenever possible, double your favorite recipes and freeze the extras. Having homemade meals ready to reheat makes hectic weeknights much easier.

Slow- and pressure-cooker meals

Take the stress out of dinner by preparing ingredients in the morning so a warm meal is ready when you get home. Slow cookers are perfect for soups, shredded meats and hearty casseroles.

Breakfast for dinner

Breakfast foods aren’t just for mornings. Pancakes, eggs, omelets and breakfast burritos come together quickly, making them fast, affordable, filling and family-friendly for busy evenings.

The best weeknight dinners are often the simplest. By keeping a collection of easy, comforting recipes on hand, you’ll spend less time worrying about dinner and more time enjoying it.

About the Author

Rue Reynold is the editorial assistant for Carolina Country.

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