As we dive into fall, that means the inevitable: schedules are filling up faster than we can imagine, kids are loaded down with homework, and you’re probably just trying to balance it all. Despite your best intentions, dinner is hardly something that you have time to think about, and before you know it, you’re working to scrounge together an easy meal or ordering takeout. California Walnuts is here to help with a roundup of some of our favorite weeknight dinners that will keep the whole family happy, without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Quick and Easy Recipes
With California walnuts, you can make delicious meals in less than thirty minutes. Turn taco night into a no-hassle event with plant-based Walnut Stuffed Korean Street Tacos. This meal is a fun way to switch up your weeknight dinners and introduce some new flavors into your tacos: gochujang sauce, soy sauce and ginger intertwine in the walnut meat, while the homemade crema adds heat on top.
If you need a light dish that still fits your time constraint, look no further than this Lighter Honey Walnut Shrimp. This take on traditional takeout is so simple to make that you’ll be adding it into your regular dinner menu. The walnuts are lightly coated with a sugar mixture and added to the prepared shrimp for a sweet and crunchy topping that balances out the dish. Put it over rice and cabbage, and you have a complete and filling meal.
For those of you who are trying to create a dinner menu that pleases picky eaters: you can never go wrong with a pasta dish. Pappardelle with California Walnut Pesto has all the allure of a classic pesto, but California walnuts add texture, making the sauce creamy and nutritious (hello, hidden dose of omega-3 ALA at 2.5g/oz!). With perfectly cooked al dente pasta, this dish is sure to make your week.
Put Your Kitchen Gadgets to the Test
Sometimes the easiest way to prep dinner is sitting right in your kitchen cabinet. Kitchen gadgets are useful tools, but are you really taking advantage of them enough? With a slow cooker you can set-it-and-forget-it, leaving you free to go about your busy day, knowing that a delicious meal is waiting for you.
These Mini Mexican Slow Cooker Meatloaves are perfect for either a family dinner or to meal prep ahead of time for yourself. They’re individually prepared, but all cook up together at once, so portioning them out is as simple as can be. The classic Mexican flavors will please your taste buds and fill the house with delicious flavors as these cook throughout the day.
For a warm and seasonal recipe, try this rich and hearty Brilliant Chili Topped with Walnuts. Chili is one of those easy dishes that, when made in a slow cooker, meld the aromas together perfectly. This chili uses fresh onions, juicy tomatoes, colorful bell peppers and lean ground turkey, in addition to the familiar combination of cumin and chili powder, to make for a meal that packs a punch and is much more wholesome than the canned alternatives. The toasted walnuts add that great bite as a crunchy texture contrast to the soft red kidney beans.
Another slow cooker recipe we love is this Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Chicken that is a perfect addition to sandwiches or salads. It’s a great meal prep option because it generates big portions that can be stored in the fridge all week long, accessible for the whole family. The crunchy slaw made from California walnuts and cabbage adds just the right touch no matter how you’re enjoying this dish.
While your days fill up with upcoming holiday planning, balancing the busy school year, and whatever else this year throws your way, let California Walnuts help you conquer the weeknight dinner menu with our fast and easy weeknight dinners.
