My husband works second and third shift, which means he's only home for dinner two nights a week. The other five nights, it's just me and my toddler, and as I'm sure many of you know handling the dinner/bedtime portion of the day solo isn't for the faint of heart, especially when your kids are really little. That said, I've tried really hard not to compromise my value by relying on take-out too often. What I've done instead is mastered a pocketful of incredibly easy recipes that even the laziest–or most exhausted mami–can throw together. Here are some super-easy recipes to try, most of which are in my own personal rotation.
Read more ¿Qué más?: Try this super EASY recipe to make arepas you'll love
Image via kitchengidget.com
One-Pot Pasta
This one-pot pasta dish is practically the easiest dinner I can imagine. Just heat up some frozen peas and you're good to go.
Ingredients:
1 pound angel hair pasta
1 quart water salted (plus another cup of water on standby)
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
lots of fresh-cracked black pepper
Get the full recipe at sweetsaltytart.com.
Lentils with Crispy Sausages
I make this warm lentil salad at least a couple times a month. Sometimes I swap out the sausage for bacon or the bell pepper for celery, or change up the herbs. I can do that because the recipe is just so easy.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup brown lentils
2 1/2 – 3 cups liquid (chicken stock, water) or enough to cover lentils by about an inch
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil (plus more for frying)
salt and pepper
1/2 pound good-quality sausage, removed from their casings
1 bunch scallions (white and light green parts), chopped
3 tablespoons chopped bell pepper
leaves from two sprigs of fresh thyme (or finely chopped parsley)
Get the full recipe at dinneralovestory.com
Rice & Beans
This recipe isn't exactly the same as my family's (we don't have an actual recipe), but it's pretty similar. We just add fresh onion, garlic and cilantro to the mix, but it's even easier without the chopping. Don't forget the aguacate!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil
2 heaping tablespoons sofrito
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 cans (15-16 ounces) kidney, red or pink beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) water
1 packet Sazón with Coriander and Annatto (Culantro and Achiote)
1 packet ham concentrate (optional)
Black pepper, adobo, garlic powder and dried oregano to taste
2 tablespoons Manzanilla or Spanish pimento-stuffed olives
1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and diced into large chunks
Cooked white rice, for serving
Get the full recipe at kitchengidget.com.
Burrito Bowls
Cook some chicken, cook some rice, add any toppings. Couldn't be easier.
Ingredients:
Chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
1/2 an onion
Chili powder
1/2 Tsp dried oregano
Lime juice
Rice
1 Can black beans
Salsa
Guacamole
Assorted toppings
Get the whole method at dinneralovestory.com.
Avocado BLTs
Breakfast, lunch or dinner–avocado BLTs are a lazy mami's perfect meal.
Ingredients:
3 slices center cut bacon
2 slices honey 7-grain bread, toasted
1/4 cup lettuce of your choice
2 thin slices tomato
1/4 haas avocado, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
Get the full recipe at skinnytaste.com.
No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
No-bake, five-ingredient cookies that are made entirely in the food processor. And, they're healthy? Yes, please!
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
Pinch of fine sea salt
10 medjool dates
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
6 tbsp nut milk
Get the full recipe at ohladycakes.com.
Chocolate-Banana Smoothie
A chocolate banana smoothie makes for a great breakfast, snack or dessert that the whole family will love, and it only takes a couple of minutes to make.
Ingredients:
8 ounces soy milk, milk, or coconut milk.
1 Tablespoon honey
2 bananas (frozen)
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
Get the full recipe at superhealthykids.com.
Piña Colada
Pouring a glass of wine might be a little easier, but some nights call for the hard stuff. This two-ingredient pina colada is the ultimate lazy cocktail.
Ingredients:
White rum
Pineapple-Coconut Juice
Pineapple, cherry, mint angostura bitters for garnish (optional)
Get the whole method at thekitchn.com.
