School has started, and I’m doing all I can to keep the pace of our days as slow and laid back as possible. It’s very easy to succumb to chaos this time of year. With new schools, new activities, and new schedules, I think it’s so important to keep things simple whenever possible, even when it comes to weeknight dinners.
As the leaves prepare to turn, I tend to do a lot more batch cooking than in summer. I love having a big pot of soup or chili in the fridge and freezer, ready to go.
Here are some of my fave weeknight dinners for fall. These meals are great to make or prep ahead, and both options will yield two or more meals for a family of four. You can adapt these for the slow cooker or instant pot pretty easily, too – chuck everything in and cook it on low.
1. Loaded Chili {serves 4 with a good heap of leftovers}
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- Cumin, chili powder, cayenne, and paprika
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 2 large sweet potatoes, medium diced
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with chili peppers, drain the excess liquid
- 1 bag frozen corn
- 2 cans of beans, drained (I prefer kidney and black beans)
Warm up a large Dutch oven or stockpot on medium-high heat. Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper, then add the spices. Start with a tablespoon of cumin and paprika, a teaspoon of chili powder, and a sprinkle of cayenne. Taste and add more chili powder and cayenne, depending on how you like it. Move everything to a pile on one side.
Toss in your meats, season with salt and pepper, and brown for 3-5 minutes. Add the diced sweet potatoes for 3-5 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, corn, and beans, and cook till bubbling. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer for 20-60 minutes. Serve with shredded cheddar, Greek yogurt, or sour cream, and top with chopped romaine lettuce. Chives and cilantro also taste amazing with this chili, but they’re totally optional, and I don’t usually bother with them during the week.
This meal is great all the way through winter. Plus, you can enjoy it with eggs on top for a delicious breakfast or brunch! The sweet potatoes add a unique and special touch to this cozy classic.
2. Chicken Fajitas – {serves four plus leftovers for a fajita salad}
- 4 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 4 peppers, sliced – a mix of colors is best
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 1/2 tbsp each – cumin and chili powder
- Dash of cayenne and red pepper flakes
- 8 flour tortillas
- Avocado
- Sour cream
- 2 heads of romaine for second-day salad
Preheat a large pan over medium-high heat. Cast iron works best, but any large pan will do. Warm up some olive oil and add the chicken, cooking 2-4 minutes without stirring or until the chicken is browned. Remove and set aside in a bowl. Add extra oil if the pan is dry, then sauté the peppers, onions, and garlic with a bit of salt and pepper. Return the chicken to the pan and stir in the spices. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and everything is well combined.
Warm up your tortillas briefly in a separate pan. Top the warmed tortillas with the chicken and pepper mixture, a couple of avocado slices, and sour cream. You can also add salsa and cheese on top. The next day, cut up some romaine and make quick and easy fajita salads.
