Dinner solutions: because weeknights don't have to be nearly as hectic as weekdays!
Being a mom is no joke, and neither is making dinner. So, being a mom and having to make dinner is really just a bad joke gone even worse. Luckily, here at SkinnyMs., we work to provide you wonderful moms with dinner recipes that take that bad joke and turn it into a relaxing, delicious family meal. This is why we’ve put together 45 healthy recipes for busy moms!
And let me tell you, having 45 healthy weeknight dinner solutions isn’t just great for moms; it’s great for the whole family! I don’t know a single kid who doesn’t come home from school, or soccer, or gymnastics, or whatever after-school activity the day may hold, asking what’s for dinner. This list will ensure that you always have an answer for those munchkins of yours.
1. 5-Minute Prep Tex-Mex Casserole
Our 5-Minute Prep Tex-Mex Casserole recipe is one of my favorites. If you think it’s hard to find recipes that are full of flavor AND don’t take the entire afternoon to make, then you’ve come to the right place. This recipe is quick, tasty, healthy, and, therefore, the perfect Taco Tuesday meal for the whole family!
Try the recipe: 5-Minute Prep Tex-Mex Casserole
2. Cheater’s Skillet Lasagna with Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
Classic lasagna can take hours to make when you think about prep time and bake time. This “cheater’s” skillet lasagna with corn and cherry tomatoes is loaded with the same tasty flavors without the wait! In just 35 minutes, this decadent dish will be ready to serve and enjoy!
Try the recipe: Cheater’s Skillet Lasagna with Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
3. Shrimp with Cauliflower “Grits” and Arugula
Cauliflower has given us the ability to enjoy some of our favorite meals in a new, healthy way! In this recipe, traditional grits have been replaced with perfectly seasoned cauliflower to cut down on carbs (without cutting down on flavor.) This high-protein meal is an excellent choice for a healthy weeknight dinner, as it can be on the table in 30 minutes or less!
Try the recipe: Shrimp with Cauliflower “Grits” and Arugula
4. Thai Beef Bowls with Rice Noodles
Put the takeout menu away! These Thai beef bowls with rice noodles will satisfy that craving without expanding your waistline. The combination of savory seasoned beef and zesty noodles makes for one healthy, well-rounded recipe that will keep you on track!
Try the recipe: Thai Beef Bowls with Rice Noodles
5. Super Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice
Tell your kids fried rice is for dinner! If they’re anything like younger me, they’ll jump up and down for joy. If you choose to leave out the fact that this fried rice is made with cauliflower instead of rice, your kids probably won’t even question it. It tastes just as good as the normal dish, but provides a LOT more health benefits like:
- Fewer carbs
- Less chance of feeling bloated
- More nutrients
Try the recipe: Super Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice
6. Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
You’ll find this recipe on a website called Pinch of Yum, and you will fall in love with how simple and fast it is to make! You’ll have dinner ready in just 10 minutes, AND it’ll be Mac & Cheese (AKA every kid’s dream dinner). Your name will change from “Mom” to “Supermom” in no time!
Try the recipe: Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
7. Crispy Quinoa Patties with Spinach and Tomatoes
Vegan, crunchy, and loaded with nutrients, this meal by Jessica in the Kitchen will leave you and the family more than satisfied. Now, I know that you’re thinking that most kids aren’t going to eat something that’s lying in a bed of greens. If your little ones fall into that category, just serve them the Crispy Quinoa Patties separately! They’re so crispy, like chicken nuggets, they may even mistake them for that favorite dinner of theirs!
Try the recipe: Crispy Quinoa Patties with Spinach and Tomatoes
8. Vegan Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch)
Jessica in the Kitchen is the creator of this recipe, too, and like the one above, it’s quick and delicious! My mom’s Thanksgiving dinner specialty is green bean casserole. I am a huge fan, but my stomach is, unfortunately, not as big of a fan.
Why? Because it’s not made with healthy ingredients like Jessica in the Kitchen’s version is. Hers is not only made with wholesome ingredients, but it’s also vegan (of course). It’s so tasty that even non-vegan family members (kids included) wouldn’t notice the difference.
Try the recipe: Vegan Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch)
9. Clean Eating Loaded Grilled Chicken Nachos
When I say my family loves food, I mean my family REALLY loves food. This means that when we go out to eat, nachos are more often than not ordered as an appetizer before we even get our meals. I sometimes even order nachos as my meal, and the rest of my family has followed in my footsteps by making this recipe of ours at home! It always hits the spot for a quick, snack-like dinner and only takes 10 minutes to bake.
Try the recipe: Clean Eating Loaded Grilled Chicken Nachos
10. Keto Fathead Low-Carb Pizza Rolls
Sugar Free Mom is the maker of this delicious pizza roll recipe. Since she’s a mom, she knows the struggle. So, you should take her word for it and make this great healthy recipe for busy moms! In less than 30 minutes, you and your family could be enjoying these sugar-free, keto, gluten-free, low-carb, grain-free, nut-free pizza rolls that are insanely yummy.
Try the recipe: Keto Fathead Low-Carb Pizza Rolls
11. Crispy Pretzel Chicken with Parmesan Honey Mustard Sauce
Okay, so you can get pretzels, cheese, chicken, and yummy dipping sauce all in one recipe?! Yup! Thanks to A Family Feast, you can get all of those things and still keep you and your family healthy. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with chicken tenders—and I think your kids would agree with me!
Try the recipe: Crispy Pretzel Chicken with Parmesan Honey Mustard Sauce
12. Beet & Avocado Soup with Cashew Cream
Hey busy moms, this soup by This Rawsome Vegan Life is…PURPLE and BLENDABLE. Yup! Your kiddos get a fun-colored meal, and you get to make that meal quickly in your blender. It’s a win-win of a dinner solution if you ask me!
Try the recipe: Beet & Avocado Soup with Cashew Cream
13. Quick & Easy Black Bean and Lentil Soup
Soup is such a great winter dinner. It’s great to set the mood for a cozy night after a long, busy day at work and, well, just after another day of being a mom. The bad thing about a lot of soups is that they’re time-consuming to make. This soup, however, isn’t! It’s perfect for all of you busy moms out there.
Try the recipe:
14. Egg Roll Soup
This Gimme Some Oven recipe is super unique and really hits the spot when you want something warm and also something bursting with Asian flavor.
Try the recipe: Egg Roll Soup
15. 20-Minute Pan-Seared Fish with Pomegranate Salsa
I couldn’t not list this second Gimme Some Oven recipe after seeing “20-Minute” pop up on my screen. That’s almost like seeing “Busy Mom’s Savior” pop up on the screen! This is definitely a great dinner solution for all busy moms who are looking for a quick and easy “savior.”
Try the recipe: 20-Minute Pan-Seared Fish with Pomegranate Salsa
16. Copycat McDonalds Sausage McMuffins
McDonald’s “All Day Breakfast” has been the latest craze. Not only has it been popping up all over billboards on the way to work, but it’s also all the kids can talk about! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of breakfast for dinner, but I am not a huge fan of greasy, fattening fast food.
That’s where this recipe of The Big Man’s World for Copycat McDonalds Sausage McMuffins comes into play. It’s ready in 10 minutes, just like a McDonalds McMuffin, but it has far less of the bad stuff and way more of the good stuff that you and your family can enjoy!
Try the recipe: Copycat McDonalds Sausage McMuffins
17. Skinny Lasagna Rolls
These lasagna rolls of ours are not only easy and quick to make, but they’re also the winner of the Joyful Cook-Off on the Today Show’s Kathy Lee & Hoda! Talk about yummy and perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Try the recipe: Skinny Lasagna Rolls
18. 30-Minute Cashew Alfredo
This is one of Dana’s 30-minute recipes from her website called Minimalist Baker, and it’s one you and your family shouldn’t go without!
Try the recipe: 30-Minute Cashew Alfredo
19. Sriracha Shrimp Ramen Noodle Soup
I’m currently sitting in my living room, wrapped up in a blanket, wishing I was warming up to a soup like this one! This recipe from Peas and Crayons is so different, yummy, and quick to make. It’s done in just 20 minutes!
Try the recipe: Sriracha Shrimp Ramen Noodle Soup
20. French Dip Sliders
Let’s just take a second here to appreciate this recipe for French Dip Sliders by Six Sisters’ Stuff. It’s ready in 25 minutes and kid-approved!
Try the recipe: French Dip Sliders
21. Clean Eating Chicken Salad
Some nights, all the family wants and needs is a quick and easy chicken salad sandwich. The issue with those nights is that all of the mayonnaise most chicken salad recipes call for is not very healthy. Thankfully, our Clean Eating Chicken Salad recipe replaces mayo with Greek yogurt so you and your family can enjoy the same tastes without any of the guilt. It’s one of my weeknight go-to dinners!
Try the recipe: Clean Eating Chicken Salad
22. Best Ever Skillet Steak with Peppercorn Brandy Cream Sauce
This recipe by The Cookie Rookie is perfect for a family of four on one of those hectic weeknights. In just 20 minutes, you and your family could have a steak meal! I personally love to just add a vegetable as a side dish, and voila! Dinner is served!
Try the recipe: Best Ever Skillet Steak with Peppercorn Brandy Cream Sauce
23. (Huge) Grilled BBQ Brisket Burritos
If your family loves BBQ as much as mine does, and you’re a busy mom, this recipe is for you! The Cookie Rookie is at it again with this recipe and is giving you a (huge) dinner in just 19 minutes!
Try the recipe: (Huge) Grilled BBQ Brisket Burritos
24. Cheesy Ranch Broccoli Chicken Burritos
The Cookie Rookie is certainly no rookie. After seeing this recipe for yet another kid-friendly recipe that busy moms can make in under half an hour, I’m convinced that she’s more of an expert.
Try the recipe: Cheesy Ranch Broccoli Chicken Burritos
25. Quick One-Skillet Taco Turkey & Rice
In only two simple steps, you and your family can be enjoying a healthy yet filling SkinnyMs. meal of taco turkey and rice any night of the week!
Try the recipe:
26. Blueberry Corn Chicken Salad with Maple Dressing
Tell your kids that dinner has a maple dressing, they’ll immediately think “maple syrup,” and they might just find this 20-minute salad by Eating Bird Food to be a salad they love!
Try the recipe: Blueberry Corn Chicken Salad with Maple Dressing
27. Blueberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese
This recipe by Eat Live Learn is one that will change your entire outlook on grilled cheese. It includes nutritious ingredients such as:
- blueberries
- goat cheese
- arugula
- honey
- prosciutto
And it provides you and your entire family with a kid-friendly meal that also has 22 grams of protein per serving!
Try the recipe: Blueberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese
28. Chickpea Pasta with Smoked Mozzarella
It’s a weeknight, and you just got home from a long day at work. Your little ones are starving. You spend 30 minutes max making dinner and end up with a cheesy pasta dish that satisfies your little ones.
That’s what your weeknight can look like with this recipe by Healthy Nibbles and Bits!
Try the recipe: Chickpea Pasta with Smoked Mozzarella
29. Skinny Quinoa with Black Beans
Quinoa is one of my all-time favorite foods to use in recipes, and I’m sure your kids will love the opportunity to sing that (dreaded) beans song. You know, the one that goes, “Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you…”, you know the rest.
In just a short amount of time, you and your busy self can be relaxing while eating this quick dinner and listening to your kids sing that wonderful song!
Try the recipe: Skinny Quinoa with Black Beans
30. Gluten-Free Thin Crust Pizza
This recipe from A Saucy Kitchen is a busy mom’s dream–especially one who wants their family to eat healthy, but doesn’t have much time to cook. This pizza is healthy and takes less than 30 minutes to make. A dinner solution that your kids will never say “no” to! Rejoice!
Try the recipe: Gluten-Free Thin Crust Pizza
31. Tomato Basil Garlic Chicken
This recipe from A Saucy Kitchen is a busy mom’s dream–especially one who wants their family to eat healthy but doesn’t have much time to cook. This pizza is healthy and takes less than 30 minutes to make. A dinner solution that your kids will never say “no” to! Rejoice!
Try the recipe: Tomato Basil Garlic Chicken
32. Mexican-Style Juicy Lucys with Fire-Roasted Corn Pico
Fit Foodie Finds created this recipe, and busy moms are definitely ones who can appreciate it! Nutritious, delicious, and ready in 35 minutes. You can’t go wrong!
Try the recipe: Mexican-Style Juicy Lucys with Fire-Roasted Corn Pico
33. Easy Taco Pie
Okay, I just cannot get enough taco recipes, and thankfully, our taco recipes here at SkinnyMs are healthy ones! This one yields a healthy, extraordinary take on a Mexican favorite.
Try the recipe: Easy Taco Pie
34. Tomato, Avocado, and Burrata Flatbread
This recipe is located under the “Kid Friendly” section of the Two Peas & Their Pod website. If they’re saying that kids will eat this pizza recipe that calls for avocado, then I say, “Hey, busy moms, make this recipe!”
Try the recipe: Tomato, Avocado, and Burrata Flatbread
35. Lemon Broccoli Tortellini
Another recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod, and a great one at that! This is a great quick recipe for when you’re trying to get your little ones to eat some veggies. I used to only eat broccoli when it was hidden underneath something delicious—so why not hide it under some delicious tortellini?!
Try the recipe: Lemon Broccoli Tortellini
36. Bowties with Sugar Snaps, Lemon and Ricotta
The Smitten Kitchen knows how to turn a busy weekday into a relaxing weeknight.
I used to LOVE bowtie noodles as a kid. I used to hold them up to my chest (yes, even when sauce was involved) and pretend like I was wearing a real bowtie. Back then, I liked to think I was just being cute, and I’m sure you’ll think your kids are cute too…especially when the dinner doesn’t take hours to cook!
Try the recipe: Bowties with Sugar Snaps, Lemon and Ricotta
37. 5-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan
Our chicken parmesan recipe is one of our favorite healthy recipes for busy moms because it‘s so simple and so quick! I mean, what busy mom wouldn’t want a quick recipe that only calls for five ingredients? It’s a weeknight miracle!
Try the recipe: 5-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan
38. 30-Minute Tempeh & Chickpea Sloppy Joes
I’m not sure what kid doesn’t want to get sloppy with dinner (despite what Mom and Dad might think about it). If you’re a mom who isn’t thrilled about having messy eaters, hear me out. This recipe from She Likes Food only takes 30 minutes to prepare and cook. As a busy mom, I think you might find that the sloppiness will be worth it.
Try the recipe: 30-Minute Tempeh & Chickpea Sloppy Joes
39. Quick Caprese Pasta
This recipe, courtesy of Spiced, takes the term “quick dinner” to a whole new level. This one is ready in just 10 minutes!
Try the recipe: Quick Caprese Pasta
40. Avocado Tuna Salad
As a kid, I actually chose tuna salad over most other foods. I thought there was nothing better than a tuna salad sandwich. But, like the chicken salad issue I mentioned earlier on in this list, tuna salad often calls for unhealthy ingredients. This recipe by Cooking Classy, however, calls for all nutritious ingredients (AVOCADO!!!), making it a great weeknight dinner solution for busy moms.
Try the recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
41. One-Pot Sesame Chicken
One pot and a family of happy faces, this meal is one you’ll want to make every busy night of the week! You’ll especially agree with me after finding out that it provides almost 30 grams of protein per serving!
Try the recipe: One-Pot Sesame Chicken
42. Creamy Cheese Tortellini + Mushroom Soup
This healthy recipe for busy moms is brought to you by Simple Healthy Kitchen, and it is definitely a simple healthy recipe. It’s one that, like many other recipes on this list, takes only 30 minutes to make!
Try the recipe: Creamy Cheese Tortellini + Mushroom Soup
43. Indian Curry Turkey Burgers
If your family loves burgers like my family does, then Simple Healthy Kitchen has your back with this recipe that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Try the recipe: Indian Curry Turkey Burgers
44. Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Give your kiddos a healthier version of their favorite dinner with this recipe by The Healthy Maven! It’s perfect for every busy mom!
Try the recipe: Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
45. One Pan Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops
Picky eaters just make weeknights feel longer with their constant yells of “I don’t want that for dinner!” and yet consistent screams of “I’m hungry!” Sometimes, all a busy mom needs is a quick one-pan meal that’s sweeter than most to satisfy the kids. This recipe is that quick one-pan meal!
Try the recipe: One Pan Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops
Every single one of these 45 healthy recipes for busy moms is quick, yummy, and sure to take some of that weekday stress away. So, if you’re looking for a solution to your weeknight madness, you’ve found 45 here. You have more than enough quick-to-make, delicious recipes that you and everyone else in your house will love, all you have to do is pick one and make it!
Enjoyed this post? Check out more:
- Healthy Eating for Busy Moms: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes
- 38 Quick and Easy Skinny Mom Recipes Under 300 Calories
- Better than Your Mom’s Chicken Soup
- Slow Cooker White Bean Stew
For more healthy recipes for busy moms and even some awesome workouts, check out our Facebook page and follow us on both Pinterest, and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to our eNewsletter for the latest and greatest from SkinnyMs!
