What’s For Dinner? 4 Easy Recipes For Family Dinners
If cooking is not your forte, planning a family dinner can be quite a task. Even more difficult if you have a family of picky eaters. While some prefer chicken over beef or pork, your vegan offspring would disagree with both options.
The struggle of finding recipes that are both tasty and family-friendly is understandable, but fear not. These easy dinner recipes are finger-licking good and will have your whole family cheering for seconds. Even the picky ones!
So grab your apron, and let’s dive into the world of culinary arts. It is time to show off your kitchen skills!
Hot dogs but with a twist
This hot dog chili recipe is a great twist on regular food-truck hot dogs and will leave your taste buds craving more.
Ingredients:
*Hot dog buns
*Ground beef
*Hot dog chili
*Ketchup and canned tomato sauce
*White onions
*Seasonings – salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder
*Worcestershire sauce –
*Mustard
*A pinch of brown sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat and break it into smaller chunks with your spatula.
Step 2: Drain the fat off and cook it in a cooker
Step 3: Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cover and cook on high for 1.5 hours or low for 3 hours, and stir it occasionally to prevent the chili from burning.
Step 4: Serve over hot dogs and buns. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated cheddar cheese on top. You can also add a sprinkle of diced onions for a delightful crunch and a whimsical touch of flavor.
Spaghetti with hidden veggie meatballs
This one’s a classic; you can never go wrong with it.
Ingredients:
*1 pound ground beef
*1/2 cup grated zucchini (sneaky, sneaky)
*1/2 cup grated carrot (they’ll never know!)
*1/4 cup bread crumbs
*1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*1/4 cup chopped parsley
*1 egg
*Salt and pepper to taste
*Your favorite spaghetti sauce
*Spaghetti
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook spaghetti according to the instructions mentioned on the packet.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix ground beef, grated zucchini, grated carrot, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Put your muscles to work and make meatballs about the size of a ping-pong ball.
Step 3: Heat your favorite spaghetti sauce in a pan. Carefully place the meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they’re generously covered. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until they are properly cooked.
Step 4: Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti.
Taco Tuesdays
These are light, crunchy, and versatile, especially when cooking for picky eaters.
Ingredients:
*1 pound ground beef
*1 packet taco seasoning (because the seasoning is the superhero of flavors)
*Hard or soft taco shells
*Shredded lettuce
*Chopped tomatoes
*Shredded cheese
*Sour cream
*Salsa
*Guacamole
Instructions:
Step 1: In a pan, cook the ground beef until browned. Break up the beef into crumbly bits.
Step 2: Add the taco seasoning and water as per the packet instructions. Stir well and let it simmer for a few minutes. Pretend you’re a salsa dancer, swaying and shaking the flavors together.
Step 3: Warm up your taco shells in the oven or stovetop. Watch them closely; they have a sneaky tendency to go from soft to crispy in seconds.
Step 4: Set up a taco assembly line with all the toppings: shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. Let everyone customize their own tacos with a little friendly competition for the most creative combo.
Stir-fry sensation
Who said meat-free recipes have to be boring? This recipe will take your vegan friends on a trip to flavor town!
Ingredients:
*Assorted stir-fry veggies (e.g., broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms)
*Firm tofu or tempeh (cubed)
*Soy sauce or your favorite stir-fry sauce
*Cooked rice or noodles
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the stir-fried veggies by washing and chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a splash of oil.
Step 3: Add the cubed tofu or tempeh to the skillet, stirring and cooking until golden and slightly crisp.
Step 4: Add the chopped veggies to the skillet, stirring constantly for a few minutes until they’re tender and crisp.
Step 5: Pour soy sauce or your favorite stir-fry sauce over the veggies and tofu, tossing to coat everything evenly.
Step 6: Serve the stir-fry sensation over a bed of cooked rice or pasta, allowing everyone to customize their plate with their preferred amount of veggies and protein. Prepare your chopsticks and enjoy your stir-fry creation of vibrant flavors and textures!
Conclusion
Who says cooking dinner can’t be entertaining? With these easy recipes, you’ll whip up delicious meals and enjoy every step of the process. Whether you are tenderizing chicken like a pro, hiding veggies like a magician, or dancing salsa with taco fillings, these dishes will make family dinners an event to remember. So put on your chef’s hat, unleash your creativity, and let the laughter and good food flow. Happy cooking!
