The 5 Weeknight Dinners I’ve Cooked More Times Than I Can Count—and My Family Still Loves

There will be one less battle with my picky eaters.

Key Takeaways

• Flexible ingredient swaps make these recipes ideal for using what’s in your pantry. 
• You can serve sheet pan dinners with pasta for a full meal option.

Feeding a finicky or picky child can stress out even the most laid-back parent. I describe it as a Dementor's kiss—it sucks the life out of you. So, when my oldest son Ethan said this to me recently, it erased years of dinner-time trauma in one fell swoop:

"Remember how I made dinner for you guys during the pandemic with the online cooking classes? I'd feel really bad if you made not-nice comments about the food because I'm still a bad cook. So, I'm going to thank you even if I don't like dinner and stop making faces... especially when you make mushrooms."

I admire my tween for his self-awareness, and since I felt his love, I didn't serve him as many mushrooms for dinner that night.

Here are five easy weeknight dinners I've made so many times that I know the recipes by memory, including helpful tips.

01 of 05

Pork Chops With Braised Cabbage

Get Recipe: Pork Chops With Braised Cabbage

Simply Recipes Founder Elise Bauer says, "The ultimate cooking time may depend on if you are using pork chops taken directly from the fridge or chops that have been allowed to come closer to room temperature before cooking. Thin chops you can take directly from the refrigerator. Thick chops should probably sit out for a bit before cooking."

02 of 05

One-Pan Ravioli With Sausage and Spinach

Get Recipe: One-Pan Ravioli With Sausage and Spinach

Contributor Theodora Kaloudis says, "If you’re not a fan of pork sausage, you can swap in fresh Italian chicken sausage instead. Just make sure to remove the sausage casing before adding it to the skillet."

03 of 05

Chicken Caesar Pasta

Get Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta

When I don't have anchovies in the pantry, I use a splash or two of fish sauce instead. In this recipe, add it after you add the cream.

04 of 05

Easy Hamburger Soup

Get Recipe: Easy Hamburger Soup

You can follow the recipe as is, or you can add pretty much whatever you have in your pantry: Diced potatoes, canned or frozen corn, and green beans. You can also toss in canned or frozen peas, okra, diced onions, and canned beans.

05 of 05

Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

Get Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

According to Contributor Sheela Prakash, to serve this sheet pan dinner, "cook up a pot of pasta, such as penne or orecchiette, while the sheet pan is in the oven, then toss them together with another glug of olive oil and some finely grated Parmesan cheese. Or stuff it into sub sandwich rolls with a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Broil the sandwiches for a minute or two until the cheese melts. Serve them with warm marinara sauce for dipping and plenty of napkins."

Read the original article on Simply Recipes