Quick Weeknight Meals that we’ve been loving

If your weeks are anything like ours, they are busy! My kids (4, 2, and 5 months) don’t have a ton of activities yet, but they are just all at a hands-on age. Cooking dinner can be a challenge but using crockpot and instant pot make it a little easier.

Here are 7 meal ideas to get you through the week when looking to feed your family. When I use my crockpot, I usually want it to be a dump & go recipe. I want to set it in the morning and forget about it until dinner time. If I need to sear or sauté an ingredient, I usually use my Instapot on sauté mode, then set to slow cook. It is so nice to only use one pot.

These meals can generally be modified for all family members. If you need more ideas, check out my Family Meal Guide made with a Registered Dietician, Callan Wall of Tula Wellness. It is designed to give you ideas and suggestions to modify a meal for all members of the family 6months and older.

Crockpot

Chicken noodle soup

Dump: 1 1/2lb of chicken breasts

1 chopped onion

2-3 carrots peeled and chopped

2 stalks of celery

2-3 cloves of minced garlic

10 c of low sodium chicken broth

Generous sprinkle of thyme and rosemary

Salt and pepper

Cook on low for 6-8 hours

Shred chicken and add egg noodles (or penne pasta)

Cook for 20 minutes until noodles are al dente.

Chicken and Potatoes

In crockpot place mini potatoes cut in half as well as 3 carrots peeled and chopped on the bottom of slow cooker. Add chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Pour any type of lemon vinaigrette dressing on top to cover it all. My favorite is tessemae’s. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. About 30 min before it is done I like to add a ½ can of rinsed chickpeas (if I can remember!). Serve over rice (if you want) with a side salad.

Winter minestrone

This is a great recipe. I like to sub sweet potatoes for butternut squash.

https://realfoodwholelife.com/recipes/slow-cooker-autumn-minestrone-soup/

Salsa Chicken

Dump your favorite salsa jar and 1.5 cups of frozen corn over chicken breast or chicken thighs and cook on low for 6 hours. Shred the chicken and place over lettuce or in tortillas and top with black beans, cheese, shredded lettuce and any other desired toppings.

Veggie Chili

In a crockpot on low for 6 hours combine:

-1 cup diced onion

-1 cup of diced bell pepper

-1 cup of chopped carrot

-1 cup of chopped celery

-1 (15oz) can of tomato sauce

-1 (15oz) can of diced tomatoes

-1 (15oz) can of black beans (drained and rinsed)

-1 (15oz) can of kidney beans

-1 (15oz) can of pinto beans

- 2 cups of veggie broth or water

-seasonings (1 tsp of each): garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika

- 2 tsp of salt

Stir in 1 tsp of lime juice once done and top with sour cream and cheese

Instapot

Taco soup 

• 1.5 pounds ground beef

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 1 cup diced onions

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning

• 2 10-ounce cans of diced tomatoes, undrained

• 2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce

• 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 14-ounce can corn

• 2 cups water

• salt and pepper to taste

For topping (optional):

• shredded cheese

• sour cream

• lime

1.    Heat oil in instapot on saute mode. Add ground beef until brown. Add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until beef is browned and drain the excess oil. Stir in homemade taco seasoning (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, oregano..) and mix all around.

2.    Stir in: diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, black beans, and water.

3.    Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, and squeeze of lime

BBQ Chicken

1.    Stir together 1 cup of chicken broth, ½ cup BBQ Sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and seasonings (garlic powder, salt, pepper) in the Instant Pot.

2.    Add 2 lbs chicken breasts to pot

3.    Cook for 16 min on high

4.    Let naturally release for 10 min. Quick release any remaining.

5.    Remove and shred chicken

6.    Add chicken back to pot with additional ½-3/4 cup of bbq sauce

7.    Use remaining juices on chicken and serve over rice, lettuce, or in a sandwich bun.

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