Our Favorite Weeknight Wonders
As Taylor Swift said, August slipped away… No more Summer Fridays, back to busy days, after-school practices and rehearsals, etc. When we started What’s 4 Dinner? three years ago, we wanted to be a resource to busy folks like us, who still want to eat well.
This week, we’re laser-focused on solving that dinnertime dilemma for you, as we round up our favorite weeknight meals that are quick, easy, and will set you up for success in the kitchen!
EK: When I am looking for a satisfying and easy weeknight meal, I always go back to Anthony’s Sheet Pan Gnocchi “Amatriciana.” It is my favorite sheet-pan dinner because it is truly a one-sheet pan recipe. So many sheet pan dinners have multiple steps before or after you put it on the sheet pan.
Anthony says it best, “This is a sheet pan supper for when you want to combine a bunch of stuff on a pan, throw it in the oven, and walk away to do the 18 other things you need to accomplish before dinner (one of which, I hope, includes a glass of vino or some relaxation for the cook!).”
And I say, make it because it is delicious and hits the spot!!
AU: And don’t forget the version of Sheet Pan Sausage, Gnocchi, and Broccoli, too!
EK: If you are making almost anything and need a vegetable that sticks to your ribs—you can just about make a meal out of this one—even something to go with a store-bought rotisserie chicken, this veggie is your BFF in the kitchen. Another sheet-pan recipe, it takes almost not prep, three tasty ingredients and if you love Brussels sprouts and bacon, I can’t think of anything better than Crispy Sheet Pan Brussels Sprouts and Bacon!
AU: Can’t go wrong with brussels ‘n’ bacon!
EK: When I want to make something simple but a little extra, I often make either Beer-Can Chicken or my new favorite, Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. It takes about 5 minutes to put together and then just the cooking time which is about 20 minutes for the pork tenderloin and 45-60 minutes for the chicken. The chicken can also be made in advance and used to make all kinds of great dishes—just as you would use a rotisserie chicken—during the week.
EK: And that is the perfect amount of time to make yourself a weekday margarita/martini using our favorite Mexican Martini recipe inspired from Anthony’s old Austin haunt, Trudy’s. And if you want to stay “on trend” you can whip up his Honey-Chipotle-Chicken Quesadillas using that Beer-Can Chix!!
AU: That Honey-Chipotle BBQ Sauce will dress up about anything—it’s so flippin’ good!
AU: When I’m in need of a quick meal, I always take a little help from the grocery store… and often that’s from good ol’ Trader Joes. This Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Pancetta & Baby Broccoli is a slam dunk dinner from our pal Bob Blumer—it comes together in literally 10 minutes in one pan.
AU: If you’re looking for more of a healthy grain-bowl type meal, look no further than this Rainbow Grain Bowl that uses farro as a base, and tops it with plenty of protein, fiber-rich veggies, and a zippy tahini-lime sauce.
AU: We’re both Pressure Cooker Girlies (if you haven’t tried one, you should!), and these Honey-Chipotle Chicken Bowls will make you forget Chipotle even exists. And Guacamole ain’t extra!
AU: Weeknight Larb is my most favorite easy meal to throw together. It takes a bit of chopping, but it is so fast and so good. I love to serve each person a bowl of larb with their own rice, and then put a bunch of lettuce leaves, mint, cucumbers, and peanuts on a platter, so everyone can make their own lettuce wraps. It’s a fun, interactive way to eat dinner on a Wednesday (or any day!).
AU: Don’t forget about Elizabeth’s Spinach-Artichoke Pork Chops or her Mustard White Wine Chicken. Both are one-pot wonders with fewer than 6 ingredients, and both are finger-lickin’ good!
These are just a FEW of our favorites, but there are TONS OF IDEAS in our archives!! Take a spin through ‘em and cook something up this week!