37 EASY dinner recipes for when you’re too tired to cook
Hangry moms unite! We’ve all been there. Tired, hungry, over it, and just about to reach for the fast food or delivery menu.
But fear not, help is at hand. Recently we asked the Healthy Mommy Private Facebook Support Group to share their go-to recipes for when you are absolutely too tired to cook.
This is what we came up with. Flick through the list and save the recipes that you like the sound of so that you can add them to your meal plan for when you are having one of those days.
37 EASY dinner recipes for when you’re too tired to cook
Rice
Healthy Mommy Food Editor Lee Price says, “My fall back recipe is the Tamari Fried Rice (using defrosted brown rice from the freezer) from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.” You can tailor the recipe to whatever veggies you have on hand.
Belinda Toscano says that the Spanish Rice with Chorizo (from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge) is always quick and easy to whip up. Chorizo gives so much flavor for a small amount of effort.
Belinda’s husband loves to take the leftovers for lunch the next day (if there are any!).
Naomi Pearl Warr says that this is one of her favorites too. She uses microwave rice to speed it up.
Kara Pendergast loves the Chicken and Pineapple Fried Rice. “I use pre-cooked rice, frozen diced veggies and pre-cooked leftover chicken (or whatever left over meat I have). Oh and a whole tin of crushed pineapple.”
Manda Short opts for the Bacon and Spinach Risotto from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. “I have a pressure cooker that cooks everything in 7 minutes!”
Jess Mullington has a simple idea. Mix a small can of your favorite flavored tuna into a serve of rice, with a quick toss salad on the side. EASY.
Vegetarian
Yvonne Vuillermin chooses the Butternut Squash and Feta Tart from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for a quick meal. Use leftover butternut squash from the night before to make it in a snap.
Healthy Mommy Food Editor Lee Price loves the Vegetarian Stuffed Sweet Potatoes for a family friendly meal that doesn’t take much effort.
Mexican
Eleanor Hannah says that these Easy Chicken Nachos are a winner winner chicken dinner at her house.
Steph Needham chooses quesadillas, filled with any leftover meat in the fridge, beans, cheese, chopped tomato – anything goes!
Chicken fajitas from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is the first choice for Kirsty Hopley. You can even serve it up deconstructed if you have fussy eaters, so that everyone can use the ingredients they like.
Here’s a great tip from Danielle McKenna. “I make a double batch of the Chilli con Carne and then use it for nachos, tacos, Mexican lasagna, quesadillas, and jacket potatoes. It’s so versatile and very freezer friendly.”
Soup
Prepared in advance and kept in the fridge or freezer, soup is a great option for a super speedy dinner.
Need inspiration? Jess Seymour loves the Spicy Chicken and Corn Soup from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge
Asian
Shannon O’Connor loves thecChicken Satay Noodles. “So quick and easy!”
Instead of ordering from a restaurant, make your own favorites at home! Rebecca Rankin makes the Chicken Pad Thai while Patrice Tail prepares Vietnamese Spring Rice Paper Rolls.
Love laksa? Anna Sunderland makes the Healthy Chicken Laksa – she says it takes her just a few minutes (and only 5 ingredients).
One of our most popular recipes on the website is the Beef San Choy Bow. It’s easy to see why when you realize how easy it is. Loriel Melville says, “Beef San Choy Bow is pretty quick and super delish!”
Loriel says she likes to freeze the filling (without noodles) to use for nights when she is too tired to cook.
Hayley Evans loves it too. She says, “It was the first recipe I ever made back in 2014 and I still make it regularly now! My fam bam love it!”
Pasta
Both Carrol Dean and Brooke McGregor say it’s all about the Creamy Bacon Mushroom Ravioli at their place. It’s SO quick!
Sophie Vaarzon-Morel likes to go rogue and make her own without a recipe. “My go to is a gnocchi dish.”
Here’s how to do it:
Cook the gnocchi, then sauté together mushrooms, garlic, chili, spring onions. Then add this to the gnocchi along with some olives, tuna, tomato paste, parsley and some Parmesan to serve. So easy, tasty and healthy.’
For Anna Sunderland, the One Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce is the go-to, as she says, “I always have the ingredients in the house.”
Pizza
Ashleigh Dunkley says she always has pita bread at home to prepare homemade pita pizza. Chop up the toppings and let everyone make their own.
Instead of the pita, Michelle Billingsley makes the ever-popular Two Ingredient Pizza Base. Top with anything you like and bake until golden.
Meat and Veg
Elisha-Jane Williams says that for her, Devilled Sausages works every time. “I know on a crazy work night, this is simple! So easy.
“I can do it while following up on work stuff, and with miss 4 sitting on the bench having a catch up on our day!”
Lots of other moms mentioned this recipe too, it’s very popular with big and little people.
Jessica May Magill loves the Chicken Parmesan With Salad. “It’s like a healthy bar food dinner.”
Belinda Toscano also loves the Steak and Greek Salad (from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge). “By the time you put the steak on and fix the salad you’re ready to plate up!
“My 7 year old makes the Greek Salad with supervision. She has a kid safe knife and really enjoys helping out in the kitchen and reading the recipe from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge App.”
Ground Meat
Gem Rachel Bath says, “The beef burgers are amazing and easy to whip up.
“I make up a 2 lb batch and I freeze half. Use some for dinner and also for lunch the next day, the Dad Friendly Beef Burgers are the go to.”
Kandichi Jordelia chooses wraps or tacos for tired nights. “Put salad and some meat in there and you’re good to go.”
Eleanor Hannah loves this Stovetop Lasagna, all made without turning the oven on.
Kellie Jones loves these Porcupine Meatballs prepared in the slow cooker. Prep it all in the morning and come home to dinner ready to go. Just add pasta or rice!
Chicken
Comfort plus simplicity is the go for Rebekah Nichols, who says, “The Chicken Curry Potato Bake with steamed greens is the winner here.”
Chicken is a popular option, with Georgia Pearce recommending the Sticky Sesame Lime and Soy Chicken; the Paprika Chicken from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge was a hit for JC Ballis.
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