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Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (September 4 – 10)

With school back in session, your schedule is about to get much, much busier. To keep dinner from feeling like too much of a chore, we rounded up seven simple, fast meals that the whole family is bound to enjoy. Even better, many of them make delicious leftovers, so you can consider tomorrow’s lunch handled too. You’re welcome.

70 Simple, Delicious School Lunch Ideas That Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love


what to cook this week september 4-10: father holding young daughter up to pick eggplant at the grocery store
FatCamera/Getty Images

Shopping List

Produce
1 large eggplant
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 yellow onions
9 garlic cloves
3 carrots
4 medium russet potatoes (about 3 pounds)
1 red onion
1 jalapeño
1 avocado
1 head cauliflower
One 1-inch piece ginger
5 small dried red chiles
1 sweet onion
2 bunches basil
1 bunch parsley
2 bunches scallions
1 bunch cilantro

Meat
5 eggs
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders
2 pounds ground beef
6 slices bacon
3 cups shredded chicken (or 1 rotisserie chicken

Dairy
14 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
4 ounces milk, cream or half-and-half
Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
Sour cream, for serving
4 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese
14 ounces ricotta cheese

Grains
12 ounces cooked quinoa
6 to 8 fajita-size flour tortillas
Steamed white rice, for serving
2 pounds ravioli

Canned and Packaged Goods
22 ounces marinara sauce
3 ounces plain breadcrumbs
12 ounces beef broth
32 ounces chicken stock
Kettle cooked potato chips, for serving
12 ounces store-bought green enchilada sauce
2 ounces vegetable broth
Sesame seeds, for serving

Pantry Ingredients: all-purpose flour, garlic powder, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, extra-virgin olive oil, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, cornstarch, baking powder, soy sauce (or soy sauce substitute), rice vinegar, vegetable or peanut oil, sesame oil, mirin, sugar, dried oregano

Monday: Baked Quinoa Chicken Nuggets

They’ll be so busy dunking their hearts out in ketchup, honey mustard and barbecue sauce that they won’t even notice the grains in these better-for-you nuggets. Pair them with roasted vegetables, rice, buttered noodles or whatever your picky eater will enjoy.

Tuesday: Eggplant Pizza

Any food that kids can decorate is one they’ll actually eat (or at least try). So, let them top these tender rounds of eggplant with marinara, mozz, tomatoes and whatever else they’d like. You can also substitute pesto or even alfredo sauce if they’re not into red.

Wednesday: Swedish Meatballs

If your kid likes hamburgers or meatloaf, they’ll enjoy this gravy-topped staple. You could serve the meatballs with pasta or rice, but you won’t be sorry if you pair them with our 20-minute mashed potatoes (or better yet, our 15-minute microwave mashed potatoes).

Thursday: Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup

Even soup snobs won’t be able to turn down this comforting bowl, crowned with cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon and crushed potato chips for good measure. It reheats like a dream to boot.

Friday: Easy Green Chicken Enchiladas

This kid-friendly stunner is only eight ingredients away—and that’s including salt and EVOO. Quickly shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make the filling in a flash instead of cooking your own.

Saturday: General Tso’s Cauliflower

A vegetarian-friendly spin on the famous takeout order, this crispy, sweet-and-sticky cauli recipe will earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation at first bite. Serve it over white rice, fried rice, saucy lo mein or vegetable stir fry.

Sunday: Ravioli Lasagna

This freezer-friendly powerhouse serves eight hungry dinner guests in one fell swoop. Choose any type of ravioli you’d like (we’re partial to mushroom, but cheese is more picky eater-proof) and be generous with the shredded mozz.


taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Contributes to PureWow's food vertical
  • Spearheads PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College