Seven simple family dinners when there is no time to cook

You don’t need me to tell you how busy you are, nor that, despite being very busy, your family still has to eat. You know that. What could be helpful for me to share with you, though, is a week’s worth of meals that you can bung on the family table while barely pausing for breath from your never-ending to-do list. So instead of saying ‘to do’, you can say ‘ta da’! (Hey, there’s always time to cringe at bad jokes …)

1. Fettucine boscaiola

Nothing could be easier and more happily scarfed down by all than a big fat bowl of fettucine boscaiola. Use fresh pasta and it’ll be on the table even quicker!

2. Easy chilli con carne

Minimum effort, maximum satisfaction. So easy, it’s got the word ‘easy’ in the title. Our kind of dish.

3. Fast burgers

The kids want takeaway, and you don’t want to cook. But when you can whip up some yummy burgers faster than it takes to drive to the fast food shop, it makes sense to both your wallet and your waistline to opt for this tasty homemade version instead.

4. Quick glazed salmon

A healthy and delicious way to get a fix of fish into the family’s diet, this also happens to be ridiculously simple. Not to mention so quick that it’s got the word ‘quick’ in the title …

5. Spaghetti with tuna and olives

Got time to crack open a tin of tuna? Well then, you’re practically done! A great family meal for satisfying the hungry hordes without working up a sweat in the kitchen.

6. Chorizo fried rice

An awesomely simply dish that’s perfect for using up leftover rice. Get the kids to set the table before you start cooking … by the time they’ve finished it will be ready. In fact, if your kids dither as much as mine, dinner will probably be ready first!

7. Hoisin chicken stir fry

It’s hard to find a speedier meal than a stir fry – it’s only the chopping of veggies that takes time and this recipe has less prep than most, without skimping on health or taste.

10 Comments

  1. kymmage 01/09/2019 at 11:34 pm

    Oh yum! Mouth watering already! I love doing a fresh pasta dish. The pasta is done in a matter of minutes and it’s just the sauce to do. I’m going to do pasta tomorrow night. You have inspired me.

  2. Alezandra 31/08/2019 at 10:23 pm

    Woot! Quick glazed salmon sounds so delicious right now. These are great options and we can rotate them around and give variety for lunch or dinner.

  3. Loucyd3 31/08/2019 at 9:53 pm

    Some yummy ideas, we have been buying pizza bases lately and letting our older son make the pizzas for the family and he is loving it, they are quick and easy to make and are filled with fresh healthy toppings, homemade burgers are also a big hit. Just because they are quick and easy doesn’t mean they can’t be nutritious.

  4. Micht 31/08/2019 at 12:13 pm

    Oooh im loving these…the chorizo fried rice looks lovely…will be the first one im going to try .. the others will follow… love trying new recipes too… thank u so much!

  5. Bevik1971 30/08/2019 at 4:27 pm

    Oh this is making me hungry! All great recipe ideas for the fam – I don’t do much of the cooking during the week as I’m at work full time and hubby does all the house work and meals etc as he is stay at home Dad 🙂 He is a Chef by trade so we always get good meals luckily 🙂

  6. candyjanenz 30/08/2019 at 3:38 pm

    The burgers sound like a great idea. Usually I make my own patties but I should really have some pre made bought ones in the freezer for when I don’t have the time. I also like buying pizza bases and then quickly making my own pizzas for dinner – so easy.

  7. Shorrty4life1 28/08/2019 at 9:20 pm

    Yumm some of these recipes sound so great with little effort needed. I have been needing this in my life at the moment as I’ve not been well so quick and easy is by far the way to go at the moment. Will definitely be printing these recipes out to help me out til I’m better. Nothing worse than slaving over a dish for ages when not got the energy. Thanks kidspot this truly helps.

  8. MuddledUpMolly 27/08/2019 at 1:43 pm

    Definitely need a few life hack quick and easy recipes up my sleeve for when we are pushed for time. I cook during the week and sometimes it is a rush getting dinner on the table at a reasonable time after school, after school activities etc. Have saved a few of these links to my recipe tab 🙂

  9. Mands1980 27/08/2019 at 11:15 am

    Thanks for these recipes I love the idea of quick food to cook as some nights are busier than others with kids sport going on. It’s also great than when you click on the recipe it leads onto other fast food recipes to cook. Just what I need thanks heaps.

  10. Jen_Wiig 26/08/2019 at 4:33 pm

    Omgosh that Hoisen chicken stir fry and chilli con carne would be huge hits here. Love quick simple family friendly meals… Just because they’re quick and easy doesn’t mean that they can’t be nutritious. I liked that these recipes were easy enough I could teach my older 2 easily enough and get them in the kitchen as well.

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