Having dinner as a family is a great way to catch up on the day. But after a long week, it’s hard to find the energy to whip up a gourmet meal.
So to help you kick off the weekend, here are some fun and easy ideas for Friday night dinner that your family is sure to love!
Tasty Taco Time
A big taco dinner is something healthy and easy to serve. Everyone gets to make their own tacos just the way they like it.
Here’s what you need:
- Lettuce
- Grated cheese
- Salsa
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Ground beef cooked in taco seasoning
- Chicken cooked in Fajita seasoning
- Taco shells
Put all the supplies in bowls and serve! You can even get sour cream, beans, and guacamole if those are ingredients your family likes on their tacos. Because it’s a make-your-own bar of healthy ingredients, everyone leaves the table with a full belly and good nutrition. That’s a great way to kick-off an activity packed weekend!
“Besto” Pasta Pesto
This pesto pasta recipe is so easy, you can throw it together and still have time for Friday night festivities!
Here’s what you need:
- 2 cups basil leaves without stems
- 2 garlic cloves
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Pine nuts (or pumpkin seeds)
- Pasta
Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor or with an immersion blender. Pesto can be frozen and warmed up to use on chicken, fish, or just plain pasta for a delicious meal. You can even throw in some fresh broccoli and tomatoes with your pasta for some veggie nutrition!
Homemade Pizza
Friday was “Pizza and Movie Night” at my house growing up. And in order to keep the pizza a little healthier, we loved making it in our own kitchen. This recipe lets you control what goes into your pizza while keeping up with your traditions.
Here’s what you need:
- Olive oil spray,
- Your favorite pizza dough (we love Smart Flour Foods pizza crust because it’s made with ancient grains and gluten-free)
- Sauce of choice (pesto, marinara, alfredo, barbeque sauce)
- Cheese
- Meat of choice
- Veggies of choice
Just spray your pizza pan with spray and lay out your crust. Spread a yummy sauce on top. Sprinkle lots of cheese, veggies, and meat all over. Bake at 450 degrees (or whatever temp the crust calls for) for about 10 minutes. Pop in a movie and enjoy!
Healthy Chicken Tenders
Instead of using the store bought bag of breaded nuggets or hitting up the fast food place, use unbreaded chicken breast tenders right out of the butcher’s section of your grocery store! These healthy tenders are much better way to enjoy finger food without splurging on your diet.
Here’s what you need:
- Cooking spray
- Fresh chicken breast tenders
- Salt
- Garlic powder and any other spices of your choice
Cook the chicken breasts up in a ?skillet, and you’ll have a meal you can serve right before game night begins. Paired with your favorite dipping sauce (the homemade ranch dip in the video is excellent, by the way) and some steamed veggies, you have a fun meal to kick off a fun family Friday.
What are some of your favorite family meals? Do you have any special Friday night traditions?
