Quick & Easy Weeknight Recipes: My Top 5 Favorites

Hi loves! 

Welcome back to my blog. Today, I'm excited to share my top 5 favorite Pinterest recipes that are perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you're working from home or have a hectic commute, these recipes are quick, easy, and guaranteed to save you time and money.

Recipe 1: Spicy Pan Grilled Shrimp Tacos

• Time: Less than 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Taco shells or tortillas
• Honey
• Cilantro
• Lime
• Sriracha sauce
• (Premade coleslaw from the grocery store, if preferred)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Shrimp: Marinate shrimp with spices and grill in a pan until cooked.
2. Make Slaw: Combine honey, cilantro, lime juice, and premade coleslaw for quick assembly.
3. Assemble Tacos: Fill taco shells with grilled shrimp and top with slaw and creamy sriracha sauce.

    Pair these tacos with a side of rice and maybe a margarita for a complete and easy meal!

Recipe 2: Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs

• Time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients:

• Dinner Rolls (Hawaiian rolls recommended)
• Meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese
• Italian Seasoning
• Garlic, fresh
• Basil
• Onion Powder
• Marinara Sauce (jarred)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Rolls: Hollow out dinner rolls and brush with homemade garlic butter.
2. Add Ingredients: Fill rolls with meatballs, marinara sauce mixed with garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, and onion powder.
3. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
4. Bake: Place in a 9x13" baking pan and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

These delicious bombs pair perfectly with a side Caesar salad and glass of red wine!

Recipe 3: Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese

• Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• Artesano Bread (or preferred bread)
• Butter
• Mozzarella Cheese, sliced
• Pepperoni slices
• Garlic Butter (for spreading)

Instructions:

1. Cook: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter. Place one slice of Artesano Bread in the skillet.
2. Layer Ingredients: Add a slice of mozzarella cheese, followed by pepperoni slices, and another slice of cheese. Top with another slice of Artesano Bread.
3. Grill: Cook until the cheese melts and bread is golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 30 seconds on each side.
4. Spread Garlic Butter: Once done, spread garlic butter on the outside of the grilled cheese and cook for another 30 seconds on each side until crispy.
5. Serve: Remove from heat, slice, and enjoy with marinara sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dip!

This twist on classic grilled cheese is quick to make and perfect for a fun weeknight dinner. Pair with your favorite soup for a comforting meal.

Recipe 4: Chopped Italian Sandwich

• Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• Genoa salami
• Spicy ham
• Sliced turkey
• Sliced tomatoes
• 2 cups Lettuce, chopped
• 2 tsp Oregano, dried
• 1 Red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 cups Mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Black pepper, coarse
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Olive oil, extra virgin
• 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Slice the Genoa salami, spicy ham, turkey, and tomatoes thinly. Chop the lettuce and thinly slice the red onion.
2. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and red wine vinegar until well combined.
3. Assemble Sandwich: Spread the dressing on one side of each bread slice. Layer the salami, ham, turkey, tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion between two slices of bread.
4. Serve: Cut the sandwich in half diagonally and serve with your favorite chips as a side to complete the meal.

Recipe 5: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Time: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. uncooked pasta, such as rotini or penne
• 2 hearts of Romaine, chopped
• Shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts
• Croutons (optional)
• Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
• Anchovies (optional)
• Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
2. Prepare Salad: Add chopped Romaine hearts and shredded chicken to the bowl with the pasta.
3. Add Dressing: Pour prepared Caesar dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Optional Additions: Add croutons and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Include anchovies if desired.
5. Serve: Serve or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

You can serve this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and pair it with some Italian bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

**Tips for Easy Weeknight Cooking**

Planning ahead is essential! I rely on my practical acrylic calendar to stay organized. It helps me map out our dinners for the week, compile a grocery list, and note any last-minute tasks. This way, my fiancé always knows "what's on the dinner menu"!

I hope these quick and easy recipes bring as much satisfaction to your weeknights as they do to mine! They've truly simplified our evenings without sacrificing flavor. Let me know in the comments which recipe you're excited to try, and feel free to share your own favorite weeknight dinner ideas!

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