Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

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Weeknight dinners can be a real challenge, especially when juggling work, school, activities, and everything in between. But, with a little planning and a few go-to recipes, you can whip up a nutritious, satisfying meal for the whole family in 30 minutes or less. These ten recipes are simple, fast, and packed with flavor—perfect for hectic evenings when you need to get food on the table quickly.

1. One-Pan Baked Chicken and Vegetables

A one-pan meal means less cleanup and a simple cooking process. This recipe features bone-in chicken thighs, roasted with your favorite vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and broccoli. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of herbs like rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and olive oil. Simply toss everything onto a baking sheet and let the oven do the work. In 30 minutes, you’ll have a healthy and delicious dinner for the whole family.

Ingredients:

  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Arrange the chicken, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli on a baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables are tender.

2. Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Stir-fries are perfect for busy nights. They come together quickly, are packed with veggies, and can be served over rice or noodles. This beef and vegetable stir-fry uses lean beef strips and a mix of bell peppers, onions, and snap peas. With a savory stir-fry sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey, this dish has a wonderful balance of savory and sweet flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean beef sirloin, sliced thin
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup snap peas
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:

  1. Heat sesame oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add the garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes, until tender-crisp.
  4. Return the beef to the pan and add the soy sauce and honey. Stir to combine and heat through.
  5. Serve the stir-fry over rice.

3. Sheet Pan Fajitas

Fajitas are a fun and customizable dinner option, and this sheet pan version makes them super easy. Simply toss chicken or beef strips with bell peppers, onions, and fajita seasoning, then bake everything in the oven. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings for a family-friendly meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin
  • 2 bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
  • Tortillas, for serving
  • Toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss the chicken, bell peppers, and onions with olive oil and fajita seasoning.
  3. Spread everything in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

4. 15-Minute Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

When you need something quick and simple, pasta is always a winner. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian dish made with garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. It’s light, flavorful, and comes together in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant (about 1 minute).
  3. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the pan with garlic oil and toss to coat. Add a little pasta water if the dish needs moisture.
  5. Season with salt and pepper and top with fresh parsley and Parmesan if desired.

5. Quick Chicken Caesar Wraps

These chicken Caesar wraps are a great option when you need something filling but easy to make. Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time, and wrap it up with Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese. The wrap is portable and can be eaten on the go.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or grilled)
  • 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 large flour tortillas

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan.
  2. Divide the mixture among the tortillas and wrap tightly.
  3. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.

6. Easy Baked Ziti

This baked ziti recipe is a one-pot meal that’s both satisfying and simple. With just a few ingredients—ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella—you’ll have a comforting Italian dish that the whole family will love.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti according to package instructions and drain.
  3. Mix the cooked ziti with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella.
  4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

7. Quick Taco Salad

Taco salad is a fun and healthy alternative to traditional tacos, packed with all the flavors of a taco in one bowl. Use ground beef, turkey, or chicken, along with your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • Tortilla chips, crushed
  • Sour cream and salsa, for serving

Instructions:

  1. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Add taco seasoning and follow package directions.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and crushed tortilla chips.
  3. Top with the seasoned beef, and serve with sour cream and salsa.

8. One-Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and comforting, this one-pot macaroni and cheese is a family favorite that’s incredibly easy to make. You don’t need to boil the pasta separately—just cook it in the same pot with milk and cheese for a creamy texture that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, cook the macaroni with milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  2. Once the pasta is tender, stir in the butter and shredded cheese until creamy.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

9. Veggie-Packed Quesadillas

Quesadillas are quick to make and can be filled with a variety of ingredients. These veggie-packed quesadillas use black beans, corn, spinach, and cheese, making them a nutritious and tasty meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • Salsa, for dipping

Instructions:

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place one tortilla in the pan and sprinkle with black beans, corn, spinach, and cheese.
  3. Top with the second tortilla and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.
  4. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa.

10. 30-Minute Chili

Chili is a hearty and comforting dish that can be made quickly in one pot. With ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning, this recipe is perfect for busy weekn

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