5 Easy, No-Stress Dinners I'm Making This Week

These will even satisfy picky eaters.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
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Published May 05, 2025
Micah Siva
Ground turkey and peppers in a grey bowl with a spoon and white rice on the side in a brown bowl

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

As a mom to a picky toddler and husband (yes, even food writers have picky kids), the quest for a weeknight dinner that my whole family will eat is a job in itself. I usually lean towards dishes that have components I know they’ll both enjoy, from sweet bell peppers to a healthy serving of hummus, with optional “adult” upgrades so I don’t feel like I’m stuck eating at the kids' table.

With that in mind, I see recipes as guides, where I can modify as needed so that everyone is satisfied. In reality, half the dinner will be thrown on the floor, where my dog is patiently waiting for scraps. I’ll end up eating leftovers for lunch the next day, and will somehow make my son pancakes for the 100th day in a row. But at least we all sat down for dinner together!

No matter if you have picky eaters or not, here are five simple weeknight dinners that you can adjust according to your tastes. Wish us luck!

  • Mexican Tostadas

    Mexican Tostadas Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    With Cinco de Mayo falling this week, I can’t not include a taco-adjacent recipe with these vegetarian tostadas on the menu. I like to use Trader Joe’s Refried Beans because they are cheap, lard-free, and not too spicy for my little one. I love how simple these tostadas are, and you can just as easily pile these ingredients on top of a bed of lettuce for a no-fuss taco salad.

  • Easy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

    Overhead view of a green baking dish with chicken and broccoli casserole and a serving spoon next to a small plate with a serving

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Sally McKay / Christina Daley

    "This easy casserole is a great way to use up leftovers. You’ll need some cooked chicken (any kind works) and a couple of cups of cooked white rice (this is a great time to use microwave rice if you don’t have cooked rice on hand). With the chicken and rice already cooked, this casserole comes together fast, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights," says contributor Afton Cyrus.

  • Pasta Primavera

    Overhead view of primavera pasta in a bowl with a navy linen underneath.

    Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker

    I like to use bucatini for this pasta primavera; the hollow center of the spaghetti-like noodle helps to soak up that rich and creamy sauce. I use whatever spring vegetables I have on hand, from broccoli to asparagus.

  • Mom's Ground Turkey and Peppers

    A serving bowl of cooked ground turkey and peppers with white rice on the side

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    Founder Elise Bauer explains why she loves this recipe: "It's good. It's cheap (especially ground turkey thighs which have the added benefit of more flavor). It can be cooked in the time it takes to make some rice or pasta to go with it."

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • Hummus Bowl

    Ground Beef Hummus Bowl

    Simply Recipes / Stephanie Ganz

    If there was a petition to make hummus bowls a food group, I’d be the first to sign up. While this recipe calls for beef, I like to top mine with sautéed lentils or beans, grilled fish, or even warmed chickpeas. It’s a great way to get everyone involved in the kitchen, from choosing toppings to building their own bowls. The best part? Leftovers make a super simple lunch the next day!

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