Okay, I’m not an expert but listen… y’all are doing too much. I feel like everywhere I look I see parents trying to make a 37-step meal on a weeknight, and if I’m being honest… I wouldn’t even do that on a weekend. Here are a few easy fall family recipes to make on weeknights (I swear I won’t say simple and then start with chopping onions) that are both quick and delicious.
Pasta & Meatballs with Trader Joe’s Autumn Harvest Sauce
Okay, this one feels like I’m cheating but we truly make this one several times a week in the fall so it feels like I really need to share it, lol. It is super yummy and my boys devour it! No lie my friends, I boil water, toss the pasta in, meatballs, and frozen peas into the water at the same time, strain, and add the sauce. Unconventional way to cook meatballs, but these are precooked, and I swear, you just need to trust me. We are basically best friends from the internet, so you know I’m not lying.
Ingredients:
- Pasta of choice
- Fun-shaped pasta or shells
- Trader Joe’s chicken meatballs (these are juicy and delish AND gluten-free – and trust me, you can’t tell)
- Autumn Harvest Sauce
- Add-ins: Add any veggie on the side or mix in peas. I don’t have an official recipe to follow for this one, so just do the above!
Chicken & Gnocchi Soup
This one is way better when you don’t use gluten-free gnocchi, but it’s still possible! Also, this one looks super fancy, but I promise you that I buy precut mirepoix and chicken for when I make this on a weeknight. Nobody’s got time to cut 6 different things on a weeknight, don’t worry I see you! This recipe takes about 30 minutes when I buy the ingredients pre-cut! Find the recipe here.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Dairy Free Milk (I use plain almond)
- Chicken Broth
- Gnocchi
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Spinach
- Butter
- Salt & Pepper
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
The second it’s fall, I begin to eat my weight in buffalo chicken dip. It’s just not a summer food, I don’t know why. Football on the TV, buffalo chicken dip, and pretzels… say less. But also, I feel scared to tell you that I use canned chicken for my buffalo chicken dip and nobody ever knows…don’t come for me, please just trust me!! It is such a time saver, oh my goodness. If you’re doing boats, use ground chicken; if you’re just making dip, use canned!
Ingredients:
- Canned or Ground Chicken
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese Chunks
- Colby Jack Shredded Cheese
- Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- Zucchini
- Pepper
Here is the recipe I use for the boats; regular buffalo chicken dip is slightly different but not by much.
Let us know in the comments if you enjoyed one of these easy fall family recipes. Make sure to tag us on social media when sharing these quick and easy weeknight family recipes.
