47 Dinner Recipes Every Working Mom Needs to Know

Read Time: 22 mins

47 Dinner Recipes Every Working Mom Needs to Know1/47 Muffin-Tin Lasagnas 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Muffin-Tin Lasagnas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 2 mini lasagnas: 414 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 970mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.

3/47 Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta

2/47 Cheeseburger Pizza 14 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband’s favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pie with mayo and dill pickle juice. People who try this cheeseburger pizza always laugh in surprise because it’s so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 508 calories, 31g fat (10g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 1132mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. 3/47 Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta

Add extra fresh grated Parmesan for a Sunday touch

with Chicken 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On lazy summer weekends, we like chicken and yellow squash tossed with bow tie pasta. Add extra fresh grated Parmesan for a Sunday touch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 528 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein. 4/47 Deconstructed Pear Pork Chops 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll be tempted to eat this main dish right out of the pan but try to resist. These chops are sure to wow guests at the dinner table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 3/4 cup stuffing mixture: 603 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 1094mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 5g fiber), 38g protein. 5/47 15-Minute Meat Loaf 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved 15-Minute Microwave Meat Loaf Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to

And because it’s made in the microwave, the entree is ideal for busy nights

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I combined a few awesome-tasting meat loaf recipes to create this flavorful version, which my husband loves. And because it’s made in the microwave, the entree is ideal for busy nights. —Deb Thompson, Lincoln, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 386 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 954mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 6/47 Weeknight Pasta Squiggles Test Kitchen Approved Weeknight Pasta Squiggles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This zesty pasta dish is ideal for

busy weeknights

busy weeknights. It contains just a few ingredients, is easy to prep, and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes this healthy pasta recipe a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 278 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat. 7/47 Garlic Bread Pizza 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Between working full-time, going

These quick pizzas pack a huge amount of flavor

to school and raising three children, finding time-saving recipes that my family likes is one of my biggest challenges. These quick pizzas pack a huge amount of flavor. —Amy Grim, Chillicothe, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 281 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 610mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. 8/47 Weeknight Beef Skillet 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This mild but hearty family fare is chock-full of veggies, Italian seasoning and nutrition. It’s a quick-and-easy meal that just might become

one of your family’s favorites!

one of your family’s favorites! —Clara Coulston, Washington Court House, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups beef mixture with 3/4 cup noodles : 400 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 11g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable. 9/47 Honey-Lemon Chicken Enchiladas 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey-Lemon Chicken Enchiladas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Honey, lemon and chili flavors blend wonderfully in enchiladas. My family devours this dish, so I also use

the chicken filling for soft tacos with toppings

the chicken filling for soft tacos with toppings. —Kristi Moak, Gilbert, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 2 enchiladas (calculated without optional toppings) : 349 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch. 10/47 Zucchini Frittata 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mary Lagier for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When we travel by car, I make the frittata the night before, stuff it into pita bread in the morning and microwave for a minute

I wrap them in a towel so down the road we can enjoy a still-warm breakfast!

or two. I wrap them in a towel so down the road we can enjoy a still-warm breakfast! —Carol Blumenberg, Lehigh Acres, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 261 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 304mg cholesterol, 459mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 11/47 Lazy Lasagna 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Weeknight Lazy Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On hectic nights, no one has the time to stack several layers of lasagna. My version combines a few steps to cut down

Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner

on prep, but keeps all the cheesy, saucy goodness that makes lasagna an all-time favorite. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 332 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 901mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. 12/47 Meatball Pizza 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry

My husband, a high school football referee, gives my version a thumbs-up

Hall, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 320 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 754mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein. 13/47 Quick Tacos al Pastor 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We loved the pork and pineapple tacos from a food truck in Hawaii. My husband, a high school football referee, gives my version a thumbs-up. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 317 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 573mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (12g sugars,

5g fiber), 24g protein

5g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. 14/47 Smothered Burrito 37 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Smothered Burritos Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My brother-in-law teased that I only knew five ground beef recipes. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito: 624 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 1470mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein. 15/47 Asian Chicken Rice Bowl 9 Reviews

This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families

Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This super flavorful, nutrient-packed dish makes use of supermarket conveniences like coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families. —Christianna Gozzi, Asteria, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 429 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 16/47 Pork and Orzo 50 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mediterranean Pork and Orzo Recipe photo by Christine Ma

It’s quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table

for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It’s quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 372 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 17/47 Hamburger Mac and Cheese 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheeseburger Skillet

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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