The magic of simple recipes! Deliciously creamy and surprisingly nutritious mushroom pasta
Isn’t it a wonderful sight watching your family slowly gather around the dinner table as the aroma of a delicious meal wafts through the air? The conversations become louder, the room fills with laughter, and even the occasional debate makes the atmosphere livelier.
However, the most challenging part of the experience is preparing a delicious dinner menu that satisfies everyone. You may have picky eaters in your family or some with unique dietary needs. And then there comes those who don’t have the patience to wait for a long-prepared meal. So, this calls for simple meal options that are flavorful, nutritious, and don’t take much time to prepare.
Here are the five simple family dinner recipes to add to your weekly menu planning:
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Tender, cheesy, and delicious – this simple recipe is the perfect combination of flavor and healthy protein to keep everyone feeling full and satisfied.
You need:
- Four boneless, skinless, pounded chicken breasts
- Four slices ham
- Four slices of Swiss cheese
- Two tablespoons of milk
- Two eggs
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, Italian seasoned
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Two tablespoons butter
Preheat the oven to 400°F and lay the chicken breasts on a flat tray. Top each chicken breast with a ham slice and Swiss cheese. Start rolling at one side until you reach the opposite end. Secure with toothpicks.
Next, dip the bundles in the egg and milk mixture, and then carefully roll them in Parmesan cheese and the breadcrumbs mix to coat. Now, it’s time to cook the chicken. Melt butter over medium-high heat in a skillet, and brown the chicken for two to three minutes on each side until golden.
Follow this popular recipe of chicken cordon bleu from lecremedelacrumb.com, and serve it with some delicious Dijon cream sauce.
Mexican-Style Tortilla Pizzas
Who doesn’t love a good pizza night? This Mexican-style tortilla pizza is the perfect dinner recipe if you’re looking for something fast, easy, and flavorful.
You need:
- Two whole wheat or corn tortillas
- One cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- Two cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup fresh salsa
- Optional: Jalapeños, onions, olives
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Place the tortillas on a baking sheet and spread the black beans on top. Top with one cup of cheese blend and ¼ cup diced bell pepper, then place in the oven for 10 minutes.
Once done, remove from the oven and top with salsa and other desired toppings. You can also make mini pizzas by cutting the tortillas into triangles or wedges and baking them in a muffin tin for individual servings.
Baked Salmon with Roasted Potatoes
If your family is a seafood lover, you have to give this delicious baked salmon with roasted potatoes recipe a try. It only takes 30 minutes to prepare this dish.
You need:
- Two lbs. potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Four salmon fillets
- Two tablespoons of Dijon mustard
- Two tablespoons honey
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place the cubed potatoes in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake the potatoes for 25 minutes.
Next, place the salmon fillets on another baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Mix the Dijon mustard and honey in a bowl and spread evenly over each fillet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or look for the ideal salmon temperature for the perfect tenderness. Remember to flip the salmon halfway through.
When done, take the salmon out of the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with the roasted potatoes, and voila! Your delicious dinner is ready to enjoy.
Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry
When dinner feels like too much work, and you only have limited time, this zucchini noodle stir-fry recipe will make your life much easier.
You need:
- Two zucchinis, cut into noodles
- One bell pepper, sliced thin
- One red onion, diced
- Two cloves garlic, minced
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Two tablespoons of soy sauce
- Two tablespoons of rice vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, red onion, and garlic, and cook for five minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Next, add zucchini noodles to the pan and cook for another five minutes or until the noodles are cooked but still slightly crunchy.
Add soy sauce and rice vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to mix everything and cook until everything is warmed through.
For added flavor, serve this stir-fry with toasted sesame or mixed seeds and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This creamy mushroom pasta will surely please the whole family, from picky eaters to mushroom fanatics.
You need:
- One pound of your favorite pasta
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- One large onion, diced
- Three cloves garlic, minced
- Eight ounces of mushrooms (white or cremini), sliced
- One cup of vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by bringing a large pot of water to boil and cooking your pasta according to package instructions.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms and cook for five minutes or until vegetables are soft and lightly browned.
Next, add vegetable broth to the pan and simmer for two to three minutes until the broth has reduced slightly.
Add cream and cooked pasta to the pan. Simmer gently for three to four minutes or until the sauce thickens. If it gets too thick, add some reserved cooking water. Avoid common mistakes when cooking pasta to ensure the perfect al dente texture.
Conclusion
These five easy-to-make family dinner simple recipes offer tasty solutions for satisfying everyone’s cravings. But remember, it’s not just about the food; it’s about coming together, sharing stories, and making cherished memories over a delicious meal. So, enjoy these recipes and the quality time they bring to your family dinners!