This is one of those menus that makes me excited for next week. These meals are all solid recipes that produce perfect, easy, delicious weeknight dinners. These are the dinners that my kids love to come home to after a long day. Get ready to add a few new recipes to your culinary arsenal!
I never force my kids to eat what they don’t like but I do encourage them to try things. When I try new recipes on my family, I always have a “safe” food on the table that I know they will eat. For example, I’ll round out a new meal with side dishes (a vegetable or starch) they love. Kids are creatures of habit. They like things that are familiar to them. If you are introducing lentils for the first time, think about spooning the soup over their favorite rice or pasta.
Check out these amazing recipes for an easy and delicious lentil soup, a where-have-you-been-all-my-life quinoa bake, a crowd pleasing mini meatloaf, and a winner of a pasta with sausage, mushrooms, and peas. Let me know how it goes!
Enjoy!
xx
Monday
I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty surprised to find my kids love lentils. They love coming home to find a pot simmering on the stove. For a heartier version, ladle soup over cooked rice (white or brown) or a cooked small pasta (ditalini or macaroni). If you want to make this a Meatless Monday option, swap out Chicken Stock for vegetable stock.
View RecipeTuesday
I’m pretty obsessed with this quinoa bake. It’s loaded with colorful bell peppers, corn, black beans, and enchilada sauce. Did I forget to mention the cheese? I think the entire state of Wisconsin just gave me an eye roll.
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Dear Mini Meatloaf,
Be cuter.
Love, Leslie
P.S. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes, Roasted Broccoli , and a green salad.
View RecipeThursday
This is one of my favorite recipes from Giada De Laurentiis. Pasta with turkey sausage, peas, and mushrooms hits all the right notes for my family. If you have leftovers, pack it up for school lunches the next day.
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