Pinterest Favorites: Dinners (November Challenge Day #14)

If you are anything like me, planning dinners is a huge part of my job.  I feel like I do OK with breakfasts and since my hubby does the kids lunches, dinner is my main chance to pack my kids with goodness.  Unfortunately, if your family is anything like mine, my kids have the hardest time with dinner.  I think it's mainly fatigue but my challenge to deliver something yummy is real so that it's a pleasant experience instead of a battle.

I will make it known, and unashamedly so, that I do not cook for my kids.  I cook for myself and I believe I have a pretty adventurous pallet.  I also have a pretty good knack at looking at a recipe and begin able to tell if it's going to be good, so if you ever come to dinner you may hear me tell one or more of my children who may be struggling with what's on the menu that, "Mommy doesn't' make anything gross!"  If it's gross, I'm not eating it either so they should have no fear.

On a recent visit to my in-laws I did discover that I am a way simpler cook then perhaps the generation before me.  I do still cook from scratch but I'm pretty much a one dish dinner sort of gal.  The variety of my mother-in-laws cooking was fantastic, but on a daily basis I just don't' have the time or patience for preparing such a meal.  I will certainly do 2 or maybe 3 things on occasion, but for the most part you can find it all packed into one dish.  Here are a few of our favorites:

One Pot Paprika Chicken:

Hands down, this is one of my most favorite dinner recipes of all time!!  It makes a ton, can be made in advance, and the chicken always comes out supper moist.  If you serve it over rice it is a filling and hearty meal.  I guarantee that you have about a 75% chance of being served this at some point if you come for dinner at my house.

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Red Chile Sauce Chicken Enchiladas:

This is a bit time consuming of a recipe but it is worth it.  I think these are some of the best enchiladas I've had.  I also love the girl who came up with these.  Mel's Kitchen is a great resource for yummy recipes.

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One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese:

This is going to make you never want to go back to regular mac and cheese.  My kids love it and it is comfort food at it's best.  Perfect for the cold days that lay ahead of us!

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"Stacked" Chicken Enchiladas:

I have only made these once because they are a little on the time consuming side and I like quick and easy, but they are good enough to include.  I love that they are packed with tons of good stuff and an easy way to get good things into my kids bellies!

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Broccoli Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes:

I just made these the other night and they were delicious!!  I made the mistake of wrapping my potatoes in tin foil to bake them.  Big no-no if you are doing twice baked potatoes.  The skins were soft and broke apart easily.  So note to self, place those taters right on the oven rack so the skins are nice and tough when you dig out the centers.  I loved these because they were easy and they were light yet yummy.  They do call for the now classified carcinogenic bacon, but a little is OK.

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One Pot Pasta:

Love, love, love, LOVE this recipe.  So easy!  So yummy!  It does have a kick from the andouille sausage, but not too bad and my kids eat it.  Try this tonight and thank me tomorrow.  Your tummy will be happy you did!

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I hope all of these will help you plan out your menu next week.  I'd love to hear how you and your family liked them.  Happy eaten and ….

Happiest of Saturdays!