Simple Weeknight Dinner Ideas

Tired of rotating the same 15 meals every month to satisfy your family, while sticking to what you know? Or maybe the task of trying a different recipe from your Pinterest board seems daunting because you don’t claim to be a professional chef by any means. Or maybe you just want to shake things up tonight, either way, here are a few of my family’s tried and true dinner favorites.

Maple Mustard Salmon, Sautéed Green Beans and Salad

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Arrange 2-3 salmon filets on a large baking sheet.

• Mix together…

  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard

  • 1 tbsp Maple Syrup

  • 1 tsp minced garlic

• Top salmon filets with maple dijon mixture and roast for 20-25 min (depending on size)

• While Salmon is roasting, make green beans.

  • Heat 2 tsp olive oil, 1 tbsp water, 1 tsp minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in medium to large pan

  • Add rinsed green beans (tips optional) and sauté 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently

  • Add slivered almonds and sauté for 2-3 more minutes.

• Toss your salad of choice right before serving.

  • Salads don’t have to be fancy - grab a bag kit from your produce aisle or toss some spring mix and baby spinach and any veggies on hand in an easy balsamic vinaigrette.

Chicken Sausage & Bell Peppers Sheet Pan Dinner

• Slice one package (4-6 links) of your favorite nitrate-free chicken sausage into 1/2 inch pieces.

• Cut up your favorite bell peppers to size. (We love red and yellow, but any color will do!)

  • Don’t be limited by peppers only, red onion, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, parsnips, and so many other veggies will work well for this!

• Toss them all in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and your favorite spices (or keep it easy with salt and pepper) and put them on the same pan, evenly spaced.

• Roast at 375 for 20-30 minutes.

Zoodles & Turkey Meatballs

• Preheat oven to 400F

• Mix the following ingredients together and form into 2” meatballs on a sheet pan:

  • 1lb ground turkey

  • 1 egg

  • 1/3 c. Italian seasoned bread crumbs

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp pepper

  • 2 tsp minced garlic

  • 1 tsp onion power

  • 1tbsp dried parsley

  • optional: 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Bake for 18-20 minutes or until no longer pink Inside.

• Simmer your favorite pasta sauce in a pot on the stove for 10-15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. (I love Rao’s tomato basil!)

• Make fresh zoodles with a rinsed zucchini and a spiralizer OR buy them ready-made (fresh or frozen) and ready to heat.
  Sauté in olive oil for 8ish minutes. Drain water if frozen.

• Top with sprinkle of parmesan or mozzarella.

• Plate and enjoy your low carb, low fat spaghetti!