5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (2024)

5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (1)

Working parents have it tough. I have no earthly idea how it's possible to work 40+ hours a week, run errands, go to PTA meetings, put Band-Aids on boo-boos and prepare dinner for hungry families. But mom and dad are superhuman - and manage to fit more activity into one day than seems remotely reasonable. So here are five quick, easy international recipes that will hopefully have everyone around the dinner table chewing and murmuring appreciatively at your culinary prowess. A tip of the hat to mom and dad.

After a long day at work, the last thing you want is a complex, time consuming and messy hour in the kitchen. These savory and hearty veggie-filled pork rolls are a total no-brainer. You'll have dinner on the table before SpongeBob SquarePants hits the second commercial break.
Total Cooking Time: 17 Minutes
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It's tough to get the kids to voluntarily eat their veggies. But trust me when I tell you these zucchini cakes have a flavor and texture that borders on meaty indeed. Aside from the zucchini, some leftover spaghetti sauce and grated Parmesan are about all you need to whip up a post-swim-meet Italian crowd-pleaser.
Total Cooking Time: 25 Minutes
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Yes - you could make a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese for dinner (confession: sometimes I like a little taste from the 'blue box'). But it doesn't take much more time to whip up a macaroni dish that is intense, hearty and nuanced. And the addition of soy sauce might have your future honor-student asking what umami is while (hopefully not) sticking macaroni in their nose.
Total Cooking Time: 27 Minutes
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Fish sticks get a bum rap. The school cafeteria version can only be made palatable if you drown them in enough ketchup or tartar sauce. These Thai fish sticks aren't breaded, but still turn out crunchy on the outside with an herbaceous, fluffy interior. A dunk in the punchy dipping sauce totally beats a ketchup packet!
Total Cooking Time: 21 Minutes
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Sometimes the kids just need a hearty snack, and you're out of Lunchables. Japanese rice balls have been a favorite of mine since I was wearing Hello Kitty pajamas. And with savory chicken, rice, carrots and ginger - that's a whole lot of food groups wrapped up in one delectable bite.
Total Cooking Time: 15 Minutes
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5 Easy, Delicious Recipes For Busy Parents (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest food item? ›

32 Quick and Easy Indian Recipes
  • 01 of 32. Masala Kheema - Dry Spicy Minced Meat. ...
  • 02 of 32. Basic Chicken Curry. ...
  • 03 of 32. Mint-Cucumber Raita. ...
  • 04 of 32. Baingan Aloo Ki Subji (Eggplant and Potatoes) ...
  • 05 of 32. Bhajias (Pakoras) ...
  • 06 of 32. South Indian Lemon Rice. ...
  • 07 of 32. Andey Ki (Egg Curry) ...
  • 08 of 32. Bhindi Dopiaza (Okra)
Mar 14, 2024

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Ten Healthy Family Meals Under $10
  1. Healthy Fried Rice.
  2. Pasta Salad.
  3. Fettuccini Alfredo… or Bowtie, or Shells, or Rotini.
  4. Rosemary White Bean Soup or Turkey White Bean Chili.
  5. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos.
  6. Black-eyed Peas and Pork…with Kale.
  7. Enchilada Casserole.
  8. Down-home Macaroni and Cheese.

How to make 5 small meals a day? ›

How to Eat 5 Small Meals a Day
  1. Plan ahead. Five meals a day equals breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. ...
  2. Stock up. Face it: You're going to grab whatever food is closest. ...
  3. Go for taste. Choose snack foods that will sustain you and taste good. ...
  4. Whip up a smoothie. ...
  5. Combine carbs and protein to stay full longer.
Aug 15, 2014

What is the fastest food to prepare? ›

18 quick meals that can be made in 15 minutes
  1. 18 quick meals that can be made in 15 minutes. Mar 3, 2023. ...
  2. Cucumber Sandwich. It's the easiest dish you can make for lunch/dinner. ...
  3. Naan Pizza. Make a healthier Pizza with just a naan. ...
  4. Walnut Tacos. ...
  5. Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli. ...
  6. Lentil Curry. ...
  7. Cauliflower Rice. ...
  8. Lettuce Wraps.
Mar 3, 2023

What food can be cooked quickly? ›

  • Eggs: Boiled, scrambled, or fried, eggs can be cooked in a matter of minutes.
  • Pasta: Boiling water and a quick stir is all it takes to cook most types of pasta.
  • Rice: White rice can be cooked in as little as 18 minutes, while brown rice takes about 45 minutes.
  • Quinoa: Cooks in about 15-20 minutes.
Apr 26, 2016

What food does almost everyone like? ›

Here is the top 10:
  • Pizza.
  • Burger.
  • Ramen.
  • Paella.
  • Pierogi.
  • Moussaka.
  • Boeuf Bourgignon.
  • Eisbein.
May 24, 2023

What's the easiest thing to bake? ›

Easy baking recipes
  • Classic cheese scones. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
  • Salted caramel brownies. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Ginger & white chocolate cake. A star rating of 4.9 out of 5. ...
  • Double chocolate loaf cake. ...
  • Chocolate traybake. ...
  • Chocolate fairy cakes. ...
  • Easy caramel cake. ...
  • Vegan carrot cake.

What food does everyone likes? ›

And don't forget about the state foods you've got to try.
  • Cheese quesadilla.
  • Sweet potato fries. ...
  • Hummus. ...
  • Pizza margherita. Mizina/Getty Images. ...
  • Chili. Janna Danilova/Getty Images. ...
  • Seaweed salad. Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images. ...
  • Nachos. VeselovaElena/Getty Images. ...
  • Sesame chicken. VeselovaElena/Getty Images. ...
Mar 11, 2024

How to feed 12 people cheaply? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  1. Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  2. Meatballs. ...
  3. Butter Chicken. ...
  4. Lasagna. ...
  5. Chili. ...
  6. Homemade Pizza. ...
  7. Baked Pasta. ...
  8. Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to cook when homeless? ›

Easy meals for homeless
  • Frozen breakfast sandwiches to last 3 weeks! Frozen breakfast sandwiches to last 3 weeks! ...
  • Tiffany Sotelo. ...
  • One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta - Mother Thyme. ...
  • White Sauce Penne Pasta. ...
  • Easy Chili Mac. ...
  • Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe. ...
  • Baked Cheddar Ranch Potatoes, Cheesy Red Potatoes.

What is a realistic grocery budget for a family of 5? ›

On average, a family of five spends anywhere from $922 to $1,488 a month on groceries, according to USDA monthly food plans. If you're looking to curb your spending, consider meal planning, buying in bulk, and shopping at more affordable grocery stores.

How can a family of 5 save money on groceries? ›

Compare prices between stores

If you live near various grocery stores, consider shopping at a few and comparing prices. You can learn which store has the items you need for less and also look at the sales they run. If it's not too much of a hassle, you may want to grocery shop at two stores to optimize savings.

What are good family meals? ›

Best of all, these easy family dinners are kid-and Mama-approved.
  • 01 of 78. Slow-Cooker Honey-Garlic Chicken. ...
  • 02 of 78. Ravioli Lasagna. ...
  • 03 of 78. French Onion Soup Casserole. ...
  • 04 of 78. One-Pan Ranch Chicken And Vegetables. ...
  • 05 of 78. Extra Easy Lasagna. ...
  • 06 of 78. Chicken Nachos. ...
  • 07 of 78. Mini Meatloaves. ...
  • 08 of 78.
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