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Fletcher’s first birthday party was this weekend and I have SO much to share. Full recap coming Wednesday in this week’s newsletter — all the details, all the photos, all the feelings. This week’s dinner plan had to be fast, easy, and mostly hands off because we are still coming down from party mode and nobody has energy for anything complicated. These five dinners are some of my absolute favorites right now and every single one is on the table in 30 minutes or less!
Keep scrolling for everything you need to make your life easier:
5 easy dinner recipes (all are gluten free with dairy free suggestions!)
how to save time and money with each recipe
how to serve these recipes to your WHOLE family, including toddlers
How to Save Money AND Time this Week
Chicken shows up in three out of five dinners this week. Buy one bulk pack of chicken breasts and you are covered for Nights 2, 3, and 5. The Korean BBQ beef on Night 1 is a Sunday cook that feeds four and keeps in the fridge for three days — if you make it Sunday night the leftovers carry you into the week.
The salmon tacos on Night 4 come together in 10 minutes using canned or ready made salmon so no extra protein prep needed there.
Make the cashew chicken sauce and the peanut sauce on Sunday and both sheet pan nights become 10 minute assemblies.
Rice shows up in Nights 1, 2, and 3 so buy a multipack of microwavable rice and you are covered for the whole week with zero extra cooking!
Making Your Week Easier: What Dinner to Double
The Korean BBQ shredded beef is your most important double batch this week. It takes four hours in the oven but is completely hands off and feeds four generously. Make a full batch on Sunday and the leftovers reheat beautifully all week — incredible over rice, in tacos, or in a bowl with whatever vegetables you have.
The white chicken enchiladas also freeze beautifully for up to 2 months so make a double batch on Night 5 and pop half in the freezer for a future post-party week when cooking is the last thing on your mind!
The 5 Fast and Easy Dinner Recipes
Night 1: One Pot Korean BBQ Shredded Beef
This one goes in the oven Sunday afternoon and the whole house smells incredible for four hours while you do absolutely nothing. Fletcher loves the tender beef served plain over soft rice!
Use what you have: Any bell pepper or vegetable that holds up to long oven cooking works here!
For the little ones: The beef is SO tender after four hours. Serve plain over soft rice with no sauce or with the sauce like I did!.
Swap: This one is built around beef but the 2-ingredient sauce is incredible over roasted portobello mushrooms or cauliflower for a plant based version!
Night 2: 30 Minute Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken
The sheet pan goes in the oven and dinner is ready in 30 minutes while you spend time outside or decompress after the party weekend. Make the sauce on Sunday and tonight is a pure 10 minute assembly.
Use what you have: Any vegetable works here — broccoli, frozen stir fry mix, snap peas, whatever is in the fridge or on sale!
For the little ones: Fletche loved this cut into small pieces and served with soft rice.
Swap: Firm tofu works beautifully here for a vegan version. Press dry, toss in tamari and cornstarch, bake the same way!
Night 3: One Pan Thai Peanut Chicken Bowl
Make extra sauce and freeze it — it is incredible with summer rolls, rice noodles, over roasted vegetables, or as a dip all week.
Use what you have: Bok choy is what I used but broccoli, snap peas, or any vegetable that roasts well works great here!
For the little ones: Serve over rice with a small drizzle of peanut sauce with no extra spice.
Swap: Ground chicken or ground turkey cook faster and are often cheaper. Skip the searing step and cook the ground meat directly in the pan!
Night 4: 10 Minute Avocado Salmon Tacos
The fastest dinner of the week. Blend the jalapeño avocado crema first — 60 seconds in the blender.
Use what you have: Arugula is what I used but shredded cabbage, romaine, or any leafy green works great inside the taco!
For the little ones: Serve plain flaked salmon over soft rice. Leave the jalapeño out of the crema for a toddler-friendly avocado drizzle!
Swap: Any white fish works here — tilapia, cod, or halibut are all great. Shrimp works beautifully too!
Night 5:
End the week with this one. Make a double batch tonight and freeze half for next time!
Use what you have: Any color bell pepper works instead of poblano if that is what you have. Salsa verde is the key ingredient here so keep that one!
For the little ones: Scoop out plain chicken filling before rolling, let it cool, and serve with mild cheese and soft rice on the side.
Swap: Ground turkey or ground chicken works in place of shredded chicken. For vegetarian fill with black beans, corn, and extra peppers!
Dessert
Definitely try these!! Best Rice Krispie Treats Ever (and gluten-free!) by Celeste Noland. Rice crispy treats are SO nostalgic for me. I truly have loved them since I was a kid and these bring me RIGHT BACK!
Grocery List
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Produce
1 red bell pepper (Night 2)
