Okay, not really, but I’ve been stupid busy the last couple of years between grad school, work, and coaching youth hockey, and we’ve ordered takeout in a pinch more times than I can count. The fallout from this is that I struggle to even come up with ideas on what to cook during the week.

I need some suggestions! What are some of your relatively-quick & kid friendly weeknight meals? I have almost every cut of beef, pork, & venison on hand (albeit frozen), so I just need to plan ahead to get my game back.

This is quick and tasty. Make up some Mac and cheese , then mix in a can of ranch style beans , cut up some hot dogs, mix it all together and warm up.serve

It’s pretty much a grilled or baked meat, vegetable, and a quick fruit salad for us most nights. Pork chops, pork tenderloin, grilled chicken, chicken legs, whole baked or smoked chicken, fish (salmon or tuna), Or chili.

Venison: tacos, nachos, burgers, spaghetti, meat loaf.

I’ll usually smoke a brisket or pork butt on the weekend, vacuum seal in 1lbs proportions, and make a few meals out of it. Pulled pork or chopped brisket on a baked potato is quick. Try it on a sweet potato too.

Chicken tenders, box of wild rice, 1 can mushroom soup, 1 can condensed chicken soup, and a cup of water. Mix everything, put in a 9x13 and layer chicken on top. Cover in foil and bake at 350 for 30 min.

Buy an insta pot. In a pinch, you can cook quick even if frozen.
I’ll do a 3lbs roast, 2 cups of beef broth, pack of ranch and pack of brown gravy, few potatoes and onion and some butter.. cook for 1 hour. Add carrots and mushrooms for another 10 min and good to go.

Crockpot.. place 2-3 chicken breasts on the bottom, cover in a decent salsa and a pack of taco seasoning. 4 hours on high, shred and have pulled chicken tacos.

Breakfast for dinner usually goes over well too.

I'd eat that!

Tacos are always a good start. Ground elk with old El Paso seasoning. We have that a few times each week.

Do your kids like tacos? Crockpot is your friend. Green Chili pork, fiesta chicken, seasoned beef, etc. I'll usually get the crockpot out the night before so I don't forget then cook stuff on low all day. Keep some spanish rice mixes, canned beans and you are gtg.
Spaghetti is easy and kid friendly. You can premake sauce, freeze it in meal sized portions then just reheat and cook your pasta.
I usually buy a couple premade bagged salads. The kids aren't the biggest fans but they help me eat better.
Fire up the grill on Sunday, cook a variety of stuff then reheat and repurpose for the rest of the week. Cook up ribs, burgers, chickens, and italian sausages on Sunday. Sunday night burgers. Monday night spaghetti using the sausages. Tuesday night grilled chicken salad. Wednesday night ribs, mac n cheese, Bush beans.
Make a cake on Sunday, get a couple different ice creams and you are good on dessert most of the week.
Etc.....

Not imaginative, but when I was a kid my mother would fix hamburgers for our evening meal every Sunday. Years later I asked if that was just because she knew we kids all liked burgers or if it was her way of relaxing on Sunday. She said it was for her benefit more than for ours. Still, I always looked forward to the burgers on Sunday.

Good info guys, thank you! chalet & Stevarino, that’s especially helpful.

Also tacos are always a win, I need to make them more often.

Another vote for Crock Pot cooking. I’ve spent a lot of time working 7 days/week and doing kid stuff. Not much time to cook. I’d get that Crock Pot loaded the night before and stick in the ice box. Put it on in the morning when leaving. Good hot meal waiting for you when you open the door. Roasts, chicken, all sorts of good easy stuff you can do.