Back to School – 7 Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes

As the school year kicks off, the hustle and bustle of weeknights can become overwhelming. Between homework, activities, and ongoing to-do lists, finding time to prepare a healthy, delicious dinner can be difficult. At Gartner’s, we’re here to help with a few of our favorite quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes that will make the whole family happy!

1. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

A classic takeout favorite made healthier and quicker at home. With some of our sirloin steaks, this dish comes together in just 20 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Gartner’s sirloin steaks – sliced into strips
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ginger powder

Instructions:

1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat
2. Add the steak strips and cook until browned (150° – 155° F for medium-well)
3. Add broccoli, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until broccoli is tender-crisp
4. Serve over rice or noodles

2. Chicken Fajita Wraps

These chicken fajita wraps are quick, easy and packed with flavor. Use Gartner’s marinated chicken breast for added convenience.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Gartner’s marinated chicken breasts
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• Tortillas
• Fajita seasoning

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken in a skillet until fully cooked (165° F internal temp)
2. Add bell peppers and onion, and sprinkle fajita seasoning. Cook until vegetables are tender
3. Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings

3. Italian Sausage and Peppers

This hearty dish is a family favorite. Gartner’s Italian sausage links are the main ingredient, providing rich flavors that blend perfectly with sweet bell peppers.

Ingredients:

• 4 Gartner’s Italian sausages
• 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Brown sausage links in a large skillet over medium heat
2. Add peppers, onion, and garlic – cook until vegetables are soft
3. Add diced tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes
4. Serve with pasta or on hoagie rolls

4. Garlic Butter Steak Bites

These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are juicy, flavorful, and ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a fast, satisfying dinner, they pair wonderfully with a simple side salad or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Gartner’s steak (sirloin or ribeye), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Season steak bites with salt and pepper
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat
3. Add steak bites in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness
4. Reduce heat to medium, add butter and garlic to the skillet – cook until the butter is melted and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute
5. Toss the steak bites in the garlic butter sauce
6. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately

5. Turkey Taco Salad

For a lighter option, try this turkey taco salad. Season our lean ground turkey to perfection and serve over a bed of crisp lettuce with all your favorite taco toppings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Gartner’s ground turkey
• Taco seasoning
• Lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Shredded cheese
• Avocado, diced
• Tortilla chips

Instructions:

1. Cook ground turkey with taco seasoning in a skillet
2. Arrange lettuce on plates and top with cooked turkey, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado
3. Serve with a side of tortilla chips

6. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

This creamy chicken alfredo pasta is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 lb. chicken breast – sliced into strips
• 16 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook sliced chicken breasts until internal temp reaches 165° F and set aside
2. Cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions – drain and set aside
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant
4. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened
5. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth
6. Add the cooked chicken breast strips to the skillet and heat through
7. Toss the cooked pasta with the alfredo sauce and chicken until well combined
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste
9. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately

7. Ham and Cheese Quesadillas

A fun twist on a classic sandwich, these ham and cheese quesadillas are a hit with kids. Our freshly sliced deli ham and melty cheese make for a delicious combination.

Ingredients:

• Sliced Gartner’s deli ham
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• Tortillas

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet, add ham and cheese, and top with another tortilla
3. Cook until cheese is melted and tortilla is golden brown
4. Cut into wedges and serve

These quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes will make your back-to-school evenings a breeze. With premium meats from Gartner’s Meat Market, you can be assured of the best quality and taste. Visit us today to stock up on all your dinner essentials!