How many of you out there think of your grandma when you smell a certain dish? Or how many of you have fond memories of restaurants that you and your spouse frequented when dating? Food memories are powerful and stay with you for your entire life.
Some of my fondest family memories revolve around Sunday dinners, baking with my girls, and conversations around the dinner table. Food is such a big part of anyone’s family history, identity, and traditions. And, let's be honest, my family LOVES to eat.
But between taking care of kiddos and checking off our endless list of to-do's, our lives can sometimes feel too busy and crazy to make a healthy, home-cooked meal. So we turned to our friend, food blogger, photographer, and fellow mama Heidi Larsen of FoodieCrush and Nourished Planner for some much-needed help.
We asked Heidi to share some of her favorite family-friendly recipes for quick and easy weeknight meals. Your kiddos will love these tasty 30-minute meals, and you can spend less time cooking and more time making memories with your family.
CHEESY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI WHOLE WHEAT PASTA
Photo: FoodieCrush
First up, we're sharing Heidi's Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Whole Wheat Pasta. This yummy pasta dish is creamy and cheesy like mac 'n cheese, so you know your kids will love it (Heidi's daughter, Ali, approves!). But the dish sneaks in a serving of veggies and whole grain thanks to the broccoli and whole wheat pasta. The recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients (some of the items you may already have in your cupboards and fridge) and it's so simple to make. This 30-minute meal has weeknight dinner written all over it! Get the recipe here.
Photo: FoodieCrush
Hungry for more? Stay tuned for more of Heidi's favorite family-friendly recipes in the weeks ahead! And be sure to check out her blog and Instagram for more quick and easy weeknight recipes!
