Balancing work, family, and personal time (if that even exists) can be super tough, and finding the time to cook healthy meals is often one of the first things to get cut. As a working mom with three little ones under five, I totally get what it’s like to forget about dinner or open the fridge only to find it empty. To help you feel less overwhelmed and get food on the table fast (we definitely don’t want anyone running on hangries!), I'm sharing my favorite easy and nutritious recipes to make life a little easier.
10 Easy and Nutritious Recipes for Busy Moms
Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, a simple lunch, or a fuss-free weeknight dinner, these easy recipes have you covered! They're easy to prepare and packed with flavor, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time doing the things you enjoy.
1. 30-minute Chicken Shawarma Meatballs
2. Healthy Zucchini Bread
3. Slow Cooker Chili
4. Salmon Rice Bowls
5. Vegan Enchiladas
6. Easy Sheet Pan Peanut Chicken
7. Green Muffins
8. 30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes
9. Anything-You-Have Coconut Curry Soup
10. Apple Sheet Pan Pancakes
Tips for time-saving meal prep
Here some tried and true tips to save time when your prepping your meals:
- Plan ahead: Take some time at the beginning of each week to create a meal plan for the upcoming days. This will save you time and stress during the busy week.
- Utilize leftovers: Don't be afraid to repurpose leftovers into new meals. For example, leftover rotisserie chicken can easily be turned into a delicious stir-fry or added to a Chinese chicken salad for a simple weeknight meal.
- Use a slow cooker: Slow cookers, Crock Pots, or Instant Pots are great for making meals that require minimal prep time. Simply throw in your ingredients and let it cook while you go about your day.
- Invest in kitchen tools: Consider investing in a food processor, blender, or vegetable chopper to help speed up meal prep. These tools can save you time and effort when chopping vegetables or mixing ingredients.
- Cook in batches: Instead of cooking each meal individually, try cooking larger portions and saving the leftovers for later in the week. You can also freeze portions for later in the month.
- Keep a well-stocked pantry: Having essential ingredients on hand such as black beans, grains (rice, quinoa, etc.), and a variety of spices and seasonings can make it easier to whip up quick and healthy dinner without having to go to the grocery store.
How to keep meals interesting?
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, cooking the same meals again and again. To keep things fresh and to avoid meal boredom, try the following meal ideas to keep things interesting and delicious:
Theme nights
Choose a different theme for each night of the week, such as Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday. This will give you some structure and make it easier to plan meals while also keeping things interesting.
Try new recipes
Browse through cookbooks, or search online for new and exciting recipes to try on a blog or Pinterest. You can even involve your family in choosing which ones to make each week.
Allow kids to prep and cook
Getting kids involved in the kitchen can be a fun and educational experience. Allow them to help with meal prep or even let them take charge of cooking one night a week.
Experiment with different cuisines
Don’t be afraid to try new flavors and spices from different cultures. This will open up a whole new world of recipes and flavors. You may discover a new fan favorite.
Make healthy eating a family affair
One of the best ways to encourage healthy eating habits in your family is by involving everyone in the process. This not only teaches children about nutrition and cooking, but it also helps them feel more connected to their meals.
- Involve kids in meal planning: Allow them to choose which vegetables or proteins they want to include in meals for the week. This will give them a sense of control and make them more likely to try new foods.
- Take your kids grocery shopping: This can be a great opportunity to teach them about the different food groups, food safety, and shelf-life. You can also let them pick out some new foods to try.
- Cook together: Cooking as a family not only helps children develop important life skills, but it also creates special bonding time and positive associations with food.
By trying out these new recipes and following these tips, you can make dinner prep easier and mealtime more enjoyable for everyone! Bon appétit!
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Being a working mom is tough, and making sure everyone is fed can feel overwhelming at times. I hope some of the tips in this post make things a bit easier for you. If it helps, check out our weekly meal prep grocery list here!
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