Easy Dinner Menu Ideas

Everyone needs some quick and Easy Dinner Menu Ideas up their sleeve and these are a few of mine to help you out.

By now I’m hoping you realize I’m all about quick and easy recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor. What you might not realize is that I don’t make every single thing from scratch every single day for every single meal. In fact, my philosophy is to take one to two items and make that from scratch, while supplementing the others with quality pre-made products.

It may sound like a shortcut… because it is. But what it ultimately does is save my sanity, while still providing a delicious and nutritious meal that my family enjoys.

I’m teaming up with Bob Evans Grocery again this year to not only bring you some really delicious recipes utilizing their convenient refrigerated products, but also to remind you just how delicious these items are all on their own!

In fact – I invited some of my girl friends over to see if they could tell that these creamy and perfectly seasoned Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes were not “homemade” mashed potatoes. They were raving about how delicious my potatoes were, and when I revealed to them that they were not homemade they were shocked!

Simple Side Dish Ideas:

• Dress up pre-made side dishes with a colorful garnish.
• Use bottled dressings to top a bagged salad mix.
• Steam or boil veggies on the stove top for a quick side dish.
• If serving company, try using a pretty plate or bowl for pre-made dishes like these mashed potatoes!
• Check out my entire list of SIDE DISH RECIPES here for more great ideas.

How to Build a Simple Dinner Menu:

Whenever I build a simple dinner menu, whether it’s for my family or company, I always try to include a balance of proteins, starches and vegetables.

• Decide which type of protein you would like to use.
  • Beef
  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Pork
  • Vegetarian
• Pick a vegetable side dish that accompanies the protein, while also taking into consideration the seasonal veggies and weather.
  • Seasonal Spring Produce: artichokes, asparagus, beets, carrots, peas, all kinds of lettuce and greens, lemons, strawberries
  • Seasonal Summer Produce: radishes, cucumber, zucchini, corn, bell peppers. tomatoes, melons, peaches
  • Seasonal Fall Produce: squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mushrooms, pomegranate
  • Seasonal Winter Produce: brussels sprouts, citrus, leeks, kale, endive, turnips, pears
• Pick a starch to go with your dinner.
  • Rice
  • Potato
  • Pasta
  • Bread

Typically I’ll pick one or two of the items above and make that from scratch. I’ll use items like Bob Evans mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese to supplement the other.

Don’t forget to utilize your slow cooker or pressure cooker to keep your time in the kitchen short and sweet.

Examples of super easy dinner menu ideas

Pork:

• BBQ Pulled Pork made in the slow cooker served with sliced cheese and store bought hamburger buns.
• Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes
• Steamed Broccoli

Beef:

• Thai Beef Skewers with grilled peppers and onions
• Garlic Parmesan Rice

Poultry:

• Grilled Chicken
• Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Bob Evans Macaroni and Cheese

Seafood:

• Skillet Tilapia with Shrimp
• Steamed Green Beans
• Bagged Salad with bottled dressing

Do you think your family would be able to tell the difference between from-scratch mashed potatoes and Bob Evans mashed potatoes? Take the #BobEvansChallenge and find out!

Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Bob Evans Grocery. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make I Wash You Dry Possible.