5 Easy Weeknight Dinner Plans with Minimal Prep

Hey, it’s not easy being an adult. Besides the nine-to-five grind turning into 12-hour days and paying bills, you’ve got a slew of other chores to do. Cooking dinner falls into the “chore” category, and at the end of a long day, it seems overwhelming. You want something simple you can throw together in about the same time it takes to turn on the TV.   

While not all effortless meals are ready quite this quickly, there are plenty of dishes that require minimal preparation. And, no, you don’t have to resort to expensive takeout. From pastas and salads to enchiladas and breakfast for dinner dishes, you’ve got a slew of options. To help kick off your weekly menu planning, here are five ideas you can pencil in.

1. Takeout Alternatives

Ordering takeout is an easy fallback plan when you’re exhausted after a long day. Your meal arrives ready to eat because someone else has done all the hard work. While your food may taste good, you can’t control what goes in it. Added calories, sodium, and sugar can have a not-so-positive effect on your body if you eat takeout every night. Plus, there’s the dent the habit will make in your food budget.

Thankfully, there’s an alternative to tasty (and simple) takeout. Switching to healthy meal kits means you get access to similar recipes without the unwanted ingredients and hefty cost. The prep time for these meals is minimal, and there are easy-to-digest cooking instructions. Some meals are already prepared. Only a brief heat-up in the microwave or on the stove is required.  

You can customise your meal kits by dietary restrictions and goals. Maybe you want to try high protein for a while, then cut out dairy. Going meatless? No problem. You can get a slew of good-for-you vegetarian foods and recipes to go.

2. Pastas

Pasta dishes might get a bad rap for being loaded with carbs. But if you make some tweaks, these meals can be good for your waistline, and they’re super simple to prepare. Substituting 100% whole-grain pastas for conventional varieties ensures you’re getting more fibre. You’re also switching from simple to complex carbs, which take your body longer to digest.

Because complex carbs are lower on the glycemic index, your blood sugar doesn’t rise as rapidly and then crash. For sauces, you can look for marinara made with olive oil or add olive oil to a can of tomato paste. Throw in some fresh basil and stir. You’ve got a meal in less than 30 minutes, even with the time it takes to boil the pasta.

If you want more flavour in your sauce, you can also try slicing up some veggies, such as zucchini. Yellow squash is another vegetable that pairs well with pasta. For protein, sprinkle on some fresh Parmesan. Those who like a spicy kick can also sprinkle red pepper flakes on the top of their dish.  

3. Soup, Salad, and Bread

Soup is a go-to comfort meal when there’s a chill in the air. However, soup paired with salad and bread can also work in the summer. Gazpacho is a popular cold soup. So are cucumber and fruit soups. If you’re not a fan of chilled soups, you can try a corn chowder or a vegetable variety during the warm seasons.  

Even if you make your soups from scratch, there’s not a ton of prep involved. Put your broth in the saucepan, then add your other ingredients. There might be a bit of chopping, dicing, and slicing with the veggies, but you won’t break a sweat.

With pre-packaged salad kits, all you have to do is throw everything in a bowl and mix it up. Bread can be bought from a store’s bakery or the frozen food section. If you want flavours like garlic, some store-bought versions already have the flavouring on there. All you have to do is heat or bake until warm.

4. Enchiladas

Tired of tacos every Tuesday? Make enchiladas instead. While this dish may seem complicated, it’s not. Plus, you’ll be sticking with the theme and spirit of Taco Tuesdays while adding variety.

Enchiladas can stay simple when you heat a can of black beans mixed with taco seasoning. Once cooked, put a few spoons of beans on whole wheat tortillas, placing them on a baking sheet or pan. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the beans, folding the tortillas together until they’re closed.  

Then, pour red or green enchilada sauce over the top of the folded tortillas. You can sprinkle more shredded cheese on top before placing the baking pan in the oven. Heat at 350 degrees until the cheese melts and the sauce starts to bubble. Take the pan out and use a spatula to serve your enchiladas on a plate. Simple and easy.  

5. Breakfast for Dinner

Making breakfast for dinner can feel like a treat. Having blueberry pancakes with maple syrup on a weeknight could be like eating dessert without the guilt. Protein pancakes topped with fresh blueberries, for example, aren’t the same as eating the local greasy spoon’s late-night buttermilk flapjacks.

But if indulging your sweet tooth before bedtime isn’t your thing, there are other breakfast-for-dinner meals you can whip up. Scrambled eggs with cheese and omelettes come to mind. You could make your own version of breakfast sandwiches with English muffins, a meat of your choice, and eggs.

Breakfast burritos with store-bought green chilli sauce are another idea. If you want a lighter meal, blend a smoothie with milk, yoghurt, and fresh or frozen fruit. Sometimes reversing traditional meal conventions can make it easier to wind down your day.     

Making Dinner Plans Effortlessly

Cooking dinner doesn’t have to seem like an impossible task when your energy isn’t at its peak. Taking the work out of meal planning and prep is doable with certain dishes and hacks. Meal kits and simple recipes can be the answer, as long as you’re willing to experiment a little in the kitchen.

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