Hi everyone,
Hope you’re doing well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer! Doug and I planned an end-of-summer trip to Sicily, and we’re actually here right now having such a wonderful time. We went to Puglia in July and loved it so much that we couldn’t resist taking another trip to Italy. The food is incredible, of course, and we both love the laid-back culture. Neither of us had been to Sicily before, but it’s been high on our list for a while. We can’t wait to share all of our recommendations when we’re back.
Before we left, I started noticing the schools in our neighborhood getting busy again and kids walking around in their uniforms. Even though I don’t have kids, I can definitely feel the energy of a new school year. Growing up, I always loved back-to-school shopping and picking out new notebooks, paper, and pens. There’s something so energizing and exciting about this time of year.
But I know it can also be hectic as we transition into fall, especially if you’re juggling a full-time job and trying to get dinner on the table for your family after a long day. So today, I’m sharing five easy recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights. Most are kid-friendly and come together in 40 minutes or less.
First, here’s a recipe for a healthy zucchini soup I recently made. It tastes surprisingly creamy, even though there’s no cream! Made with zucchini, onion, garlic, and plenty of fresh basil, it’s especially delicious in the summer when zucchini is in season. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and serve with olive oil-fried bread. I hope you give it a try!
As always, my cookbook Maxi’s Kitchen is now available for purchase at your local bookstore or online:
Thank you so much for your support 🤍
What I Cooked Last Week! ↓
Buttered noodles like a Michelin star chef
The key to the best buttered noodles is to finish cooking the pasta in a pan with cold butter and pasta water, which emulsifies into a glossy, silky sauce.
You can download the PDF recipe above and watch the video here :)
Breakfast Panini (No Panini Press Needed!)
How to make a panini without a panini press! Use a heavy skillet and a piece of parchment paper to press down on the sandwich. Crispy, melty perfection—it is so good!
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce
These baked chicken tenders turn out crispy on the outside and juicy and well-seasoned on the inside. They’re coated in a Parmesan-infused breading and served with a creamy lemon Parmesan aioli.
Healthy Zucchini Basil Soup
This healthy soup is inspired by an old Epicurious recipe my mom discovered years ago. It’s incredibly delicious and shockingly creamy (but without any cream)!
5 Easy Dinners for Busy Weeknights 🍽️
✨ Creamy Chicken Enchilada Skillet ✨
This recipe comes together in one skillet, so cleanup is super quick and easy. It has both chicken and beans for protein and feels hearty without being heavy. The creamy sauce is made with whole milk, green chiles, and enchilada sauce. Sliced corn tortillas get folded into the sauce and soften in the oven, then everything is topped with a delicious layer of melted cheese. I loved this one when I first made it and can’t wait to make it again. Just writing about it is making my mouth water! The best part is that any leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
You can find the recipe here.
✨ Broccoli Mac and Cheese ✨
This is one of my favorite ways to eat mac and cheese because it feels so balanced. There’s an entire pound of broccoli mixed in with the pasta and sauce. I keep the sauce simple with just cheddar, but add garlic powder, mustard powder, and paprika for a little more depth and complexity. I love how saucy it is while the noodles still stay al dente, which, as you know, is a must for me.
You can find the recipe here.
✨ Benihana Hibachi Bowl ✨
This is one of those recipes to turn to when you feel like you have absolutely no energy to cook. It comes together in just 25 minutes with minimal effort but still packs in so much flavor.
Growing up, we celebrated all my birthdays at Benihana, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. This recipe captures the flavors of their signature hibachi chicken, and the sautéed zucchini and onion with garlic and butter are very similar to the vegetables they serve. Don’t skip the rice because it soaks up all that delicious buttery soy sauce.
You can find the recipe here.
✨ Mom’s Meatloaf ✨
My mom had been begging me to share this recipe, and I finally did a few months ago. It’s something we ate all the time when I was growing up, and it’s healthy and incredibly easy to make. We always use half ground beef and half ground turkey or chicken, though my mom recommends chicken.
The two unexpected ingredients are rolled oats and V8 Juice. We also add a generous amount of finely diced onion, which gives the meatloaf a nice texture pop. If you prefer softer onions, you can sauté them until caramelized first. And of course, we coat the whole thing in ketchup. I highly recommend serving each slice with even more ketchup on the side for dipping.
You can find the recipe here.
✨ Egg Roll Bowl with Wonton Crisps ✨
This one-bowl recipe is perfect for when you truly don’t have time to cook because it takes just 15 minutes! I use a bag of coleslaw mix to minimize the chopping, then add ground chicken or turkey (though you could use pork if you prefer), ginger, garlic, and water chestnuts. You’ll also make your own wonton crisps, which are so simple but make the whole bowl feel extra special.
You can find the recipe here.
I hope these recipes make your back-to-school weeknights a little easier and more delicious.
Wishing you a relaxing weekend!
Love,
Maxine