Dinner Ideas for a Busy Family?

Question

So my mom has been stressing about dinner lately. So for X-mas I am going to compile a list of menus and grocery lists for various weeks, so all she has to do is cook. I've got a younger brother- very picky, me- vegetarian, and dad who doesn't eat a lot of meat, and really doesn't like processed food. I can use all the help I can get- recipes, menus, or just sugesstions.
Thanx

Answer 1

Give her easy ideas- pasta is great, as you, the veggie child, can have a large serving, while super quick sauted chicken breasts, shrimp, turkey meatballs or italian sausage can be added for the rest of the family.

Tacos/Quesadillas are another option- they get ground beef, chicken, or steak, and you get seasoned beans. Served with spanish rice and a big green salad, it is a quick easy meal.


Here is a pasta recipe to get you started!

Spaghetti con burro e pomodori (Spaghetti with butter and tomato sauce)

Put pasta water on to boil. Salt it generously. When water boils, add in 1 package of (thick) spaghetti. Cook about 1 minute less than package indicates for al dente pasta.

In the mean time, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted, best-quality butter in a saute pan ove medium heat. When butter starts to foam, add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Heat until butter smells garlicky and is completely melted then dump in a large can of imported San Marzano whole, peeled tomatoes. Smash tomatoes up with a wooden spoon.

Continue simmering until sauce is reduced by about a third, 20 minutes or so. Salt and pepper to taste. Toss with hot, cooked pasta. Pass the grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese. (My family is Roman, so we prefer pecorino romano.) Serves 4 as a main dish or 6 as a starter.

Answer 2

Spinach Quiche

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 (6 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion in butter until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, feta and 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into pie crust.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into the pastry shell, allowing egg mixture to thoroughly combine with spinach mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining Cheddar cheese, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until set in center. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.