5 Recipes For Weekday Dinners

After a long day of work and school, the last thing you want to do is cook for yourself. It’s easy to get lazy and rely on junk food or tired leftovers for your weekday dinners. With this routine, we tend to get in ruts. But break out of your dinner cycle with some fun fresh recipes. The cook times are quick and the recipes will have you coming back for more. Here are 5 recipes for your weekday dinners.

This recipe has fast prep and is simple, fast and delicious.

1. Carne Asada Tacos

Looking for something with  some kick and that will give you quality leftovers? Carne asada tacos have an easy prep with beautiful and flavorful results. And the best part about this recipe is there are plenty of room for extras. When you’re looking for something zesty and delicious, pile on some carne asada tacos on your plate. 

Ingredients

Carne Asada

• 1 ½ lb flank steak
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 orange, juiced
• 1 jalapeno , minced, for extra spice leave the seeds in
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 pinch chili powder
• 1 pinch cumin
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper

Tacos

• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 batch guacamole
• 1 batch of chopped white onion
• Cilantro
• Toppings of your choice

Directions

The night before you want your tacos, add your garlic, jalapeno, seasonings and cilantro to a Ziploc bag. Add in some water and marinate the night prior to cooking. When you’re ready to cook your carne asada. Take a pan over medium high heat with some olive oil and cook your flank steak for 5 to 7 minutes. Let rest. Heat up your corn tortillas, either on the stove top or microwave. Assemble your tacos, serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for when you’re looking for a sweet kick out of your next dinner.

2. Red Beans And Rice

When you’re craving something warm and rustic for your next dinner, this recipe is a must try. The red beans and tender sausage are a fast way to a happy stomach. The sausage adds that perfect sense of kick, coupled with the hearty veggies. This recipe is guaranteed to warm your soul for any cold night. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 packet of smoked or spicy sausage, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 dallops tomato paste
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 large pinch Cajun seasonings, preferably salt free, we will be adding the salt later.
• 3 cans of red beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups of chicken stock
• 1 dash hot sauce
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley

Directions

Begin by taking a large pan and adding 2 cups of water. Cook your rice according to the instructions on the package and set to the side. Heat up your vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your sausage and cook until beginning to brown for 3 to 4 minutes. Add your onion, bell pepper and celery. Cook until tender for 3 to 4 minutes. Add in your red beans, chicken stock, hot sauce, seasonings and sausage. Bring to a rolling boil then reduce and cover. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Gently mash your beans. Add additional seasoning if needed. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is a fast and easy way to get your protein into your dinner.

3. Pan Seared Chicken

Looking for a little more protein in your life? This pan seared chicken is sweet and tender, great for any fast dinner fix. The skin is beautiful, browned and crispy, with a perfectly tender chicken within. When you’re looking for a soft crunch for your next dinner, try this pan seared chicken. 

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• ½ cup flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 1 pinch onion powder
• 2 pinches Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Begin by patting dry your chicken with a paper towel. This will ensure there is less moisture and will cook more evenly. Add your dry seasonings, including yoru flour to all surfaces of the chicken. In a large skillet, hear your olive oil on medium high heat. Once hot, place your chicken breasts into the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove your chicken from heat. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is a great way to eat your veggies.

4. Broccoli Salad

This personal favorite is a great way to eat your veggies for your next weekday dinner. Broccoli salad is a great way to fill you up when you simply don’t feel like cooking anything but still crave something delicious. This salad is a great entree or side dish perfect for any work day. 

Ingredients

• 6 cups of broccoli florets
• ⅔ cups dried cranberries
• ½ cup crumbled bacon
• ½ cup sunflower seeds, unsalted
• ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• Poppyseed dressing or dressing of your choice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and plate. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe pairs well with anything and is a fast and easy meal.

5. Crispy Ham And Cheese Sandwich

Are you craving something that is warm and takes minutes to make? A crispy ham and cheese sandwich is a perfect comfort food for your weekday dinner. Nothing beats the combination of sweet and salty ham with the sharpness of cheddar. Topping it off with some light and crispy bread would make anyone’s mouth drool. This recipe pairs well with any side. Whether you have potato chips or a simple salad, this sandwich is a great weekday meal or fast snack. 

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread of your choice
• 2 tbsp butter, unsalted or salted
• 2 slices of cheddar cheese, note, you can use any cheese you feel like
• 2 slices of deli ham
• 1 dollop of mayo
• 1 dollop dijon mustard

Directions

Spread your slices of bread with butter and place down into a hot skillet over medium heat. Top with your cheese until fully melted. Add your mayo and mustard to the second slice of bread. Add your ham and top off your sandwich with the second slice of bread. Flip to ensure even crispiness. Serve hot and enjoy. 

Weekday cooking can be hard and bothersome. Yet with these recipes, you’ll never have to worry about a weekday meal again.