Sharing some of my go-to easy dinner ideas when I’m solo parenting.
Hi friends! How are ya? I hope that you’re enjoying the week so far! I have a podcast interview today, Pilates, and we’ll probably hit the pool. We’re trying to live up the last bit of summer before we’re back in school craziness.
For today’s post, I wanted to share some of my favorite easy dinner ideas when I’m solo parenting. Since the Pilot is back with the airlines, he’s back to traveling more regularly while I hold it down with the crew here. When he’s gone, meals are wayyyyy more casual. They’re things I can make in less than 20 minutes that I know we all love. Usually I’ll make something that includes leftovers so we can enjoy them the following day for lunch.
For our family, meals will include some type of protein, some type of starch, a fruit and/or vegetable. It makes it pretty plug and play, and when the kids have rounded meals like this, they’re happier (no blood sugar crash) and maybe a little less snacky? (Though let’s be real, summer is an all-day snack avalanche.)
Here are some of the things I have in the rotation when it’s just me and I want to cook something tasty, healthy, and quick.
Easy solo parenting dinner ideas
– Breakfast for dinner.
We do this at least once a week, whether the Pilot is here or not, because it’s a crowd pleaser and you can customize it based on what you have. I might make Hello Kitty gluten-free waffles, pancakes (they still love these banana pancakes after all these years), French toast, and serve it up with breakfast sausage, bacon, or eggs as the protein, and some fruit.
– Tacos, rice and beans.
I put the chicken in the Instant Pot with oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and some chicken broth, and cook for 12 minutes on manual. I shred it with the mixer, and serve with tortillas, beans, Mexican rice, and guac. I’ll cut up whatever fresh fruit we have on hand and serve it on the side.
– Spanish tortilla.
This is one of our all-time favorites. I’ll cook the tortilla and often just serve it with sliced veggies and guac, and a side of fruit.
– Greek salad bowls.
This is another family fave: chopped salad (you can use a kit to make life easier, or just chop romaine, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and add kalamata olives and feta), cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover chicken), hummus (storebought or homemade), and stuffed grape leaves (I buy the ones in a can from Trader Joe’s). Serve pita on the side.
– Gluten-free chicken nuggets
I order the ones from ButcherBox and serve with salad, and fruit. Easy peasy.
– Ramen with shredded chicken or shrimp.
I’ll buy ramen from Whole Foods (they have a few gluten-free options) and add shredded chicken or sauteed shrimp, and cut up fruit on the side.
– Stiry fry noodle bowl.
I’ll stir fry a ton of veggies (bell pepper, onion, broccoli, carrot, whatever we have on hand), and add in cooked noodles and a peanut sauce with peanut butter, Tamari, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sriracha and honey. I make the sauce while the veggies and noodles cook, and everything is done so quickly. I usually top with sesame seeds and cilantro.
– Salmon sushi roll bowl.
We have this one often, too. It’s just cooked rice (cooked in the Instant Pot with equal parts broth/water and rice), salmon (cooked in the air fryer), cucumber, edamame, avocado, and seaweed.
– Egg roll in a bowl.
Just saute some ground meat with a cabbage/slaw mix, garlic, ginger, and season with Tamari, sriracha, and sesame oil. Top with everything but the bagel seasoning. I’ll serve with fresh fruit – just whatever we have on hand.
– Homemade pizza.
Dough, sauce, pepperoni, cheese, and served with a salad or roasted veggies.
– Sheet pan meals!
We especially like the organic chicken sausage from Costco, bell peppers, and broccoli
– Kevin’s sauce meal.
This is another fan fave. Kevin’s makes AMAZING sauces – I buy them from Thrive Market – and I’ll just cook up a ton of veggies, add some chicken, steak, salmon or shrimp, and add the Kevin’s sauce before serving on top of rice. We love the teriyaki, Korean bbq, and coconut curry.
– Turkey meatballs with pasta, sauce, and a veggie.
I usually make the turkey meatballs in advance and freeze them for an easy/quick meal. This is my go-to recipe
So, tell me, friends: what are your go-to recipes if you need something quick and delicious? Please feel free to share all of the ideas and link away – I’m hoping we can give each other some new ideas!
xo
Gina
Some of my favorite healthy meal hacks:
Shopping at Thrive Market. This link gets you 40% off your first order!
Ordering meat and seafood from Butcher Box
Occasional meals from Sakara to make life way easier
