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Various easy school night dinners laid out for a family meal

Quick way to grow 3 Easy School Night Dinners

This guide provides three easy and quick dinner recipes perfect for busy school nights, ensuring a satisfying meal without much fuss.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Speedy Spinach & Chicken Pasta
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
Quick Black Bean Burgers
  • 15 oz canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 0.5 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 4 buns
  • toppings (lettuce, tomato, etc.)
Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
  • 12 oz chicken or turkey sausage (pre-cooked, sliced)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 bell peppers (any color, sliced)
  • 1 red onion (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • medium bowl
  • baking sheet

Method
 

Speedy Spinach & Chicken Pasta
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add spinach to the skillet and cook until it wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir in shredded chicken, chicken broth, and cooked pasta, tossing to combine.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving.
Quick Black Bean Burgers
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare a skillet with a little oil over medium heat.
  2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until mostly smooth.
  3. Stir in bread crumbs, egg, cumin, chili powder, and onion powder until well combined.
  4. Form the mixture into four patties and cook in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, or pan-fry for 5-7 minutes per side until heated through and lightly browned.
  5. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. On the baking sheet, combine sliced sausage, broccoli florets, bell peppers, and red onion.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, tossing to ensure all ingredients are well coated.
  4. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp and lightly browned, stirring halfway through.

Notes

These recipes are designed for speed and simplicity. Feel free to customize with your family's favorite vegetables or spices. For even faster prep, consider pre-chopping vegetables on the weekend or using pre-cooked ingredients where possible.