3 Easy Weeknight Dinners for Busy Families

At OWNA, we have a growing team of parents who are looking forward to the new academic year.

We discussed our go-to weeknight dinners one lunch time: "what's your go-to dinner with the family when you're in a rush?"

Now, we know many parents are in the same boat - maybe on that New Year diet, looking for options that would appease both children and adults in the household.

So why not share some of these recipes with fellow parents?

Remember - this was made by the team at OWNA. Don't expect recipes you'd find down at Matt Moran's 2 Hat restaurants.

These are just some quick, healthy, easy dinner that can be made in 30 mins or less.

So let's get started...

1. Mild Chicken Curry with Rice (serves 4-6)

This quick chicken curry is good for everyone. Not only is it mild enough for children, but it's cheap, easy to make, and you can change quite a lot about this (e.g. substituting roti/naan for rice, or adding different spices),

Prep time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 15 mins

Ingredients

- 2 chicken breasts (diced) - can substitute for chicken thighs or veggie alternative

- 1 red onion (diced)

- 1in ginger (minced)

- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes

- 1 dollop of greek yoghurt - can substitute for coconut milk

- 2.5tsp curry powder

- 1 cup of chicken stock

- 1 chilli (sliced and seeds removed)

- 1/2 cup of spinach

- Rice

- Oil

- Roti or Naan (optional)

Method

1. Prepare your rice per packet instructions (optional - add ground turmeric & butter to the water when cooking)

2. Heat oil in your pan over medium-high heat. Add red onion & curry powder, cook for 1-2 mins. Add chilli & ginger, cook for 1 minute.

3. Add chicken breast, cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add tomatoes & yoghurt, cook for 2 minutes.

5. Slowly add chicken stock until preferred texture & chicken is cooked (around 4-5 mins).

6. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

7. Serve

2. Spaghetti Bolognese (serves 3-4)

A classic that everyone goes to during the week. I'm sure everyone has made 'spag bol' at least once - but if you struggle for a quick recipe that gets good results, feel free to use ours. Just don't tell Nonna you make it this way.

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Ingredients

- 500g Minced Beef/Pork mixture - can substitute for just minced beef, or veggie alternative

- 1 brown onion (finely diced)

- 3 garlic cloves (diced)

- 1 tin of crushed tomatoes

- 2tbsp tomato paste

- dried oregano

- Parsley (fresh or dried)

- Parmesan cheese (optional)

- 250g (half a packet) of pasta (preferably spaghetti)

Method

1. Prepare pasta per packet instructions

2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add onions, cook for 2 mins. Add garlic, cook for 1 min.

3. Add minced meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned.

4. Add oregano and tomato paste, tomatoes and parsely. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until preferred texture (optional - add chicken stock if you have more cooking time for a more flavourful sauce)

5. Serve with grated parmesan cheese.

3. Pita Pizzas (serves as many as you like)

This one is a really good one for involving your children with cooking, as they're really easy to assemble. Simply top your pitas, pop them in the oven and you're good to go.

Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 10 mins

Ingredients

- Pitas

- Tomato Paste

- Cheese (preferably a mix of mozzarella & parmesan)

Optional toppings inc. shredded chicken, fresh tomato, ham, onion, capsicum, sweetcorn, basil, pepperoni

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C & line your baking trays with baking paper

2. Grate your cheese and assemble any extra toppings

3. Top your pitas with tomato paste, cheese & any of your toppings

4. Pop into the oven for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and pitas are starting to crisp.

5. Serve

Hopefully these weeknight meals can help save you a bit of time whilst still getting the nutrition your family needs.