15 Dinner Ideas for Busy Moms Trying to Survive Spring Break
These quick recipes are way better than takeout.
Spring break always seems to come out of nowhere! Somehow it slips your mind that the kids will be home all day and night for an entire week…or more. That means you have to make sure that they’re fed at least three times a day and kept occupied—and, oh yeah, at some point you have your own work and errands to do. By evening, you’re going to need all the help you can get. That’s where these easy spring break dinner ideas come in!
Skip the takeout, because there are plenty of lazy spring dinners that don’t skimp on flavor. You can whip up dinner in 30 minutes or less and still make sure they have their fill of spring veggies. Even picky eaters will love homemade chicken and broccoli. You’ll finally get them to eat something green while all they’ll see is their favorite order! There are also easy one-pot meals and sheet pan recipes that make cleanup just as easy as dinner. That’s called a win-win, even when you’re not on spring break.
And don’t forget to put those appliances to work! You can make entire meals (or at least the time-consuming part) in an air fryer or Instant Pot. Or set it in the morning and forget about it until dinner with your slow cooker. Do whatever will make your life easier as a busy mom (or dad!) to survive spring break. You’ve got 15 ideas right here, so don’t stress. The kids will be happy with these easy dinner recipes and so will you. And they’ll be back in school before you know it. Phew!
Chicken Carbonara
You’ll see the nutritious peas. The kids will see the bacon and pasta. Either way, there will be—as Ree puts it—"noodle-slurping smiles” in just 25 minutes.
Get Ree’s Chicken Carbonara recipe.
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Make a classic family favorite way less sloppy by using your slow cooker. Ree says, “You can practically walk away and forget about them until it's time for dinner.” Now that’s what a busy mom needs to hear!
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes recipe.
Chicken and Broccoli
Make your kids’ favorite takeout order right at home! The secret is blanching the broccoli before tossing it in the skillet so nothing is overcooked.
Get the Chicken and Broccoli recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos
Taco Tuesday (or any day of the week, really) just got super flavorful and fast thanks to your multicooker. You can even make an easy topping by using premade slaw mix from the store.
Get Ree’s Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
If your kids like salmon, you’re about to make dinner in ten minutes—seriously! Pop it in the air fryer while you toss a salad and nuke a packet of rice and dinner will be done before they can say “I’m hungry.”
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Asparagus Pasta
Packed full of spring veggies and ready to serve in just a half hour, this pasta will become your next family favorite. You can also add chicken or shrimp for more protein.
Get the Asparagus Pasta recipe.
Veggie Stir-Fry
Vegetarian doesn’t mean boring! Toss what you’ve got available in your crisper drawer with some flavorful condiments and dinner will be ready in no time. You can also prep everything a day in advance and just fry it up when the kids are hungry.
Get Ree’s Veggie Stir-Fry recipe.
Pork Fried Rice
Got leftover rice? Make a takeout classic with ease in just 30 minutes. Use a bag of frozen veggies and you’ll barely chop a thing!
Get Ree's Pork Fried Rice recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
Let that package of refrigerated gnocchi save the day! All you have to do is toss it on a sheet pan with veggies and cheese and let your oven work its magic.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe.
Lemon Pasta
Not only does this easy pasta dish come together in just 25 minutes, but it’s made with just one pot, too. Fewer dishes to clean up for the win!
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
One kid is clamoring for pizza. The other wants burgers. Give everyone what they want with Ree’s fun twist on both in one bite.
Get Ree’s Pepperoni Pizza Burgers recipe.
Chili Mac and Cheese
Why choose between chili and mac and cheese when you can get both in the same skillet? No cans or boxes of the premade stuff, either. Make it all from scratch in just a half hour.
Get Ree’s Chili Mac and Cheese recipe.
Air Fryer Fish
Do your kids like fish sticks? Then they’ll love this homemade version that takes just 30 minutes to make. Toss some fries in the fryer and dinner is ready.
Get the Air Fryer Fish recipe.
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Get everything you love about egg rolls— ground pork, ginger, garlic, cabbage—but in an easy bowl version instead. It will be ready in 15 minutes from start to finish. Even takeout takes longer than that!
Get Ree’s Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe.
Lemon-Thyme Sheet-Pan Chicken and Potatoes
Add another one-pan wonder to your weeknight dinner rotation. The most magical part is when you squeeze the roasted lemon wedges on the chicken before serving. Everyone will want more!
Get Ree’s Lemon-Thyme Sheet-Pan Chicken and Potatoes recipe.
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