School is back in session, so odds are you need plenty of lightning-fast, kid-friendly, easy dinner recipes at the ready. To make mealtime as painless as possible, I suggest serving these seven dishes that are quick, simple and picky-eater-proof—well, almost. My favorites range from Hawaiian roll French toast to crispy coconut chicken tenders (which make a great lunch the following day, BTW).
Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (September 9 – 15)
It’s chicken teriyaki night
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Published Sep 3, 2024
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Frazao Studio Latino/Getty Images
Shopping List
Produce
6 Boston or butter lettuce leaves
2 tomatoes
1 avocado
1 lime
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
One 1-inch piece ginger
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch scallions
Meat
1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or chicken breasts)
24 to 30 slices pepperoni
1 pound thick-sliced bacon
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy
6 large eggs
40 ounces whole milk
1 stick butter, plus more for greasing
2 ounces cream cheese
12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
12 ounces Jack cheese
Sour cream, for serving
Grains
1 pound orecchiette
12 tortillas
12 rectangular tortillas or wraps
12 pull-apart Hawaiian rolls
16 ounces cooked white rice, for serving
Canned and Packaged Goods
One 7-ounce package sweetened shredded coconut
Barbecue sauce, ketchup or Thai sweet chili sauce, for serving
1 sheet store-bought puff pastry
Pizza sauce, for serving
5 ounces salsa, plus more for serving
Pantry Ingredients: vegetable oil or peanut oil, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, vanilla extract, confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame seeds
Monday: Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders
Whether they dunk them in ketchup, honey mustard or nothing at all, these protein-packed tenders are a guaranteed hit. If you feel like skipping the ordeal of frying, bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F until golden instead.
Tuesday: One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Seven ingredients and one pot stand between you and this comfort food classic. Not only does it take a mere 30 minutes to prepare, but it also feeds six people with ease. Add shredded rotisserie chicken, canned tuna or leftover ground beef to the mix to make it even more filling.
Wednesday: Puff Pastry Pizza Bundles
This nostalgic dinner is totally foolproof, and it’ll make you the coolest mom on the block (in your kids’ eyes, at least). Serve the saucy, cheesy bites with Caesar salad, tomato soup or store-bought pizza sauce or pesto for dunking.
Thursday: BLT Tacos
Friday: Baking Sheet Quesadillas
Odds are you can find rectangular wraps or tortillas in your grocery store’s deli section, but feel free to substitute round tortillas if you already have some in your pantry. This cheesy homerun is all about the fillings and condiments—like scallions, guacamole and sour cream—anyway.
Saturday: Hawaiian Roll French Toast
Breakfast for dinner is a no-brainer for kids, picky or not. I’ll bet they ask for seconds of this eight-ingredient riff on French toast, starring pillowy soft rolls in place of challah or white bread. Plate it with scrambled eggs for a protein boost.
Sunday: Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki
