Tips for Simplifying Weeknight Dinners

Dinnertime. When you’re tired, overworked, and hungry, that word can seem intimidating. How could you possibly prepare a meal for your family when just changing into sweatpants feels draining? Luckily, your weeknight dinners don’t need to be complicated, time-consuming feasts. These easy tips can help you simplify your weeknight dinners to make them easier and less stressful.

Plan Ahead

Suddenly, it’s time for dinner. You have no clue where the time went and no idea what to eat. We’ve all been there. If you find yourself in this predicament, you may be left scrounging through your fridge or running to the store to gather ingredients. Either way, it will probably take unnecessary time and energy that you may not have to spare on a weeknight.

Planning your meals for the week ahead of time can help ensure you have all the necessary ingredients ready when you need them. Plus, you won’t have to waste any time trying to decide what to have for dinner.

Make Extra Meals Ahead of Time

You don’t have to wait until the evening of to start preparing your meal. Make-ahead meals can be a quick, easy way to feed your family. You can prepare meals a day or two ahead and keep them in the refrigerator, or prepare them whenever you have time and store them in your freezer until you need them.

To make meals ahead, just double or triple the recipe you’re already making. This works particularly well with soups, stews, and casseroles. When you’re ready to eat, all you’ll need to do is heat and serve, which makes for a super-convenient weeknight meal.

Eat Leftovers

When you make a meal, you may have a little bit leftover. If it’s not enough to feed your family for another meal, it can be tempting to throw it away. However, saving your leftovers and eating them later can provide a convenient and satisfying meal.

You might use leftovers from several meals to put together one meal, or you might transform leftovers to use in new contexts. For instance, leftover mashed potatoes can be used as a component in gnocchi, fritters, potato pancakes, or cottage pie.

Find Quick Recipes

If you want a good meal that doesn’t take long to prepare, you’re not alone! In fact, convenient meals are in such hot demand that you can find countless quick, easy recipes in cookbooks and blogs.

With these easy tips, you can still prepare meals for your family without sacrificing as much time and energy. How do you simplify your weeknight meals? Share your strategies in the comments section below!