Even though I’m a registered dietitian, the question “What’s for dinner?” always weighs heavily on my mind.
Getting a decent dinner on the table quickly can be a challenge, particularly when I factor in late work meetings and my two kids’ after-school activities.
No matter how busy I get, though, I always try to prepare a balanced, nutritious dinner with a high-quality protein and at least one vegetable for my family.
Here are seven products I get at Costco to prep flavorful weeknight dinners I feel good about serving my kids.
Amylu chicken meatballs are a versatile option for a weeknight meal, packing about 3 ½ grams of protein per meatball.
I can prepare them on their own or pair them with sides like brown rice and veggies. I’ve also served them over pasta, zoodles, or crusty bread for a filling weeknight dinner.
These meatballs reheat well and don’t require any time-intensive chopping or prep. They’re also great for nights when my kids need something quick and satiating before rushing out the door.
I keep at least one pack in the freezer for backup dinners. They’re reliable, kid-friendly, and take all the pressure off when I need something quick.
A good jar of marinara sauce can actually taste homemade, and Rao’s version is proof. I can’t beat its quality for the price, so I stock up on it whenever I see it at Costco.
I like that it has no added sugar (unlike many jarred marinara sauces). The flavor is also rich enough that I can use it without adding any spices or seasonings.
I often pair this marinara with the Amylu chicken meatballs and spaghetti, but I can also use it in my baked chicken recipe or as a quick pizza sauce.
It’s one of the few items in my pantry that consistently saves me time while still tasting fresh and flavorful.
Costco offers a wide range of heat-and-serve protein options. Kevin’s Natural Foods’ roasted-garlic chicken is always a staple in our fridge, serving up 21 grams of protein per 5-ounce serving.
I find that each package lasts a long time, so I always keep one on hand for a quick weeknight meal. It’s easy to pair with my veggies and other sides of choice.
My husband loves beef, but I sometimes have trouble preparing it just the way he likes.
Thankfully, Cuisine Solutions’ sliced grass-fed beef sirloin comes fully cooked and feels impossible to mess up.
It has 19 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving, and is versatile enough to add to dishes like tacos, salads, or soups.
To get a quick meal on the table, I throw a protein over a Taylor Farms salad kit, which comes with everything I need to make a tasty salad in less than five minutes.
The Costco near me carries a wide variety of kits in the produce section, so I get different ones each week to mix up the flavors and ingredients.
My kids prefer their vegetables raw rather than cooked, so a cucumber and tomato salad is a staple side dish on weeknights. Every time I put a batch on the table, my family finishes it.
A three-pack of cucumbers from Costco lasts me the whole week, and I feel good about serving them to my family since they’re a source of fiber and vitamin K, which supports bone health.
The store also tends to sell a wide variety of tomatoes, which I use to add a dose of immunity-boosting vitamin C to the salad.
My tomato and cucumber salad is so easy to throw together. Just chop some cucumbers and halve the tomatoes. Then, mix them with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and vinegar.
If the week is especially busy, everyone is ravenous, and I have to get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes, I have premade soups, like the Kirkland Signature chicken-tortilla soup, on standby.
Admittedly, some soups have more sodium than I prefer, but at least the Kirkland Signature chicken-tortilla soup also contains tomatoes, corn, and peppers — and 12 grams of protein per cup.
It’s a nourishing, cozy meal that keeps everyone’s bellies full.
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