These Are 5 Quick, Healthy, and CHEAP Weeknight Dinners for Busy Minnesota Families!
Get ready for a week of stress-free, budget-friendly meals that your family will love—try this tasty recipes today! 🌐 #News #StPaulMN #Minnesota #Food
ST. PAUL, MN — As Minnesota families juggle work, school, and extracurriculars, finding time to cook healthy, affordable dinners can feel like a tall order. But it doesn’t have to be! These five weeknight recipes are designed for busy schedules, using simple, budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have in your pantry or can grab at your local grocery store.
Each dish is nutritious, kid-approved, and ready in 30 minutes or less. From hearty one-pan meals to cozy soups, these recipes bring Minnesota comfort to your table without breaking the bank.
1. One-Pan Chicken and Wild Rice Skillet
Minnesota’s wild rice shines in this protein-packed, one-pan wonder that’s as easy to clean up as it is to make.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cubed ($4.00)
- 1 cup Minnesota wild rice ($1.50)
- 1 small onion, diced ($0.50)
- 2 carrots, sliced ($0.50)
- 2 cups chicken broth ($1.00)
- 1 tsp garlic powder ($0.10)
- 1 tsp dried thyme ($0.10)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.20)
Total Cost: $7.90 ($1.98/serving)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and cook until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Add onion and carrots; sauté 3 minutes.
- Stir in wild rice, thyme, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Why It Works: Wild rice is a Minnesota staple, adding nutty flavor and fiber. This dish is a complete meal with lean protein, veggies, and whole grains, perfect for refueling after a busy day.
2. Lentil and Sausage Soup
This hearty soup is a budget-friendly crowd-pleaser, packed with protein and veggies for a cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced ($3.00)
- 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed ($1.00)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes ($0.80)
- 1 small onion, chopped ($0.50)
- 2 cups spinach or kale ($1.00)
- 4 cups water or broth ($0.50)
- 1 tsp cumin ($0.10)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Total Cost: $6.90 ($1.73/serving)
Instructions:
- In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned (5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion until soft (3 minutes).
- Add lentils, tomatoes, water/broth, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Stir in sausage and spinach/kale; cook 2 minutes until greens wilt.
- Serve with crusty bread, if desired.
Why It Works: Lentils are a cheap, nutrient-dense staple, and sausage adds smoky flavor without needing extra spices. This soup freezes well for leftovers, too!
3. Veggie-Packed Turkey Tacos
Tacos are a weeknight win—fast, customizable, and budget-friendly, with hidden veggies for picky eaters.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 1 lb ground turkey ($3.50)
- 1 zucchini, grated ($0.75)
- 1 bell pepper, diced ($0.80)
- 1 packet taco seasoning ($0.50)
- 8 soft tortillas ($1.50)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar ($1.00)
- Salsa or diced tomatoes ($0.50)
Total Cost: $8.55 ($2.14/serving)
Instructions:
- In a skillet, cook turkey over medium heat until browned (5-7 minutes), breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add zucchini, bell pepper, and taco seasoning; cook 5 minutes until veggies soften.
- Warm tortillas in the microwave or on a griddle.
- Spoon turkey mixture into tortillas, top with cheese and salsa.
- Serve with a side of fruit or raw veggies.
Why It Works: Grated zucchini bulks up the filling, stretching the turkey further while sneaking in veggies. Let kids build their own tacos for a fun, interactive dinner.
4. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
This vegetarian pasta is a budget-friendly comfort food that comes together in one pot for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini) ($1.00)
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes ($0.80)
- 1 small onion, diced ($0.50)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced ($0.20)
- 2 cups vegetable broth ($0.75)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt ($0.75)
- 1 tsp dried basil ($0.10)
- 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.20)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Total Cost: $4.30 ($1.08/serving)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft (3 minutes).
- Add tomatoes, broth, pasta, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and sauce thickens (10-12 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in Greek yogurt for creaminess.
- Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan, if desired.
Why It Works: Greek yogurt adds protein and a creamy texture without the cost of heavy cream. This dish is versatile—swap in any veggies you have on hand.
5. Sheet-Pan Veggie and Chickpea Bake
This plant-based sheet-pan meal is a breeze to prep and packed with flavor, perfect for a meatless Monday.
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained ($1.60)
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, cubed ($1.50)
- 1 red onion, sliced ($0.75)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced ($0.80)
- 2 tbsp olive oil ($0.40)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10)
- 1 tsp garlic powder ($0.10)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 4 pita breads ($1.00)
Total Cost: $6.25 ($1.56/serving)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- On a large sheet pan, toss chickpeas, sweet potatoes, onion, and bell pepper with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Spread evenly and roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until veggies are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Serve as is or in warmed pita breads for a handheld meal.
Why It Works: Chickpeas are a cheap, protein-rich base, and sweet potatoes add heartiness. This meal is endlessly customizable with whatever veggies are in season.
Make Weeknights Easy and Delicious
These five recipes prove that healthy, affordable dinners don’t have to be complicated, even for the busiest Minnesota families.
With local ingredients like wild rice and budget staples like lentils and chickpeas, you can whip up nutritious meals that everyone will love. Try one tonight and save the rest for your weekly meal plan. Have a favorite weeknight recipe? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s cooking in your kitchen!
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