WW Moms' - quick dinners?

I am finding dinner time hardest. DH isn't home until 7, I don't really know how to cook at all, and my DC are the world's pickiest eaters. I just don't know what to do. For me to cook dinner, I need to plan way in advance and what takes some people 10 minutes, it will take me 20. DH isn't there so I can cook and he can entertain the kids who are in the witching hour, and like I said it takes me FOREVER to do the simplest thing in the kitchen bc Im a spaz. Im just finding it really frustrating and I don't know how Im going to do this.

What do you do for quick and easy WW dinners?

Re: WW Moms' - quick dinners?

Some easy realistic options are:
-English muffin pizzas (I add some broc or veggie on top)
-I make a whole chicken and have it over a salad
(Just put salt/pepper/garlic and throw it in oven)
-ckn fajitas with frozen veggies (peppers)
-turkey meatloaf (onion soup mix/ketchup/egg/breadcrumbs)
-multigrain talapia from bjs (6pts per piece)
-chicken breasts topped with spinach/diced Tom/mozz cheese

WW Moms' - quick dinners?

I'm also a spaz in the kitchen. I'm a teacher and during the year don't get home until around 6ish. In addition to that me and DH both can be picky eaters.

whole wheat pasta with lots of veggies..you can use either grilled chicken or shrimp

paninis (I have a panini maker). cibatta bread is pretty low in points too, depending on what kind you get.

Trader Joe's has a lot of easy, good stuff to make. I like the frozen organic brown rice- just put it in the microwave for 3 mins. I make that with chicken fajitas or grilled chicken.

spaghetti squash with lean ground turkey (or chicken) and marinara sauce.

Re: WW Moms' - quick dinners?

penne rosa with shrimp

Baked Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Re: WW Moms' - quick dinners?

i often use those single serve minute rice cups and either chop up asparagus, cook it in a skillet throw in the brown rice and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top OR other random veggies broccoli etc. and drizzle soy sauce or an asian flavored sauce on top. not gourmet but fast.

i also will chop up a small head of romaine really small, heat up rice, corn, black beans, dash of cumin, juice of a lime, greem onion and cilantro (if i have) and toss it all together in a bowl for a rice bowl kind of dinner (like from chipotle) toss a little low fat shredded cheddar on-really good!

panzanella salad -lots of fresh tomatoes, cannellini beans, a little fresh mozzerella, basil, a small chunk of good bread torn up and toasted in the oven -drizzle olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper-really good too

Re: WW Moms' - quick dinners?

I work a lot of evenings for real estate and my husband typically doesn't get in until 7:30 or so every night, and I have a 4 year old. So while I like to cook, it's hard to cook every night.

The slow cooker is a great tool for me -- I can set up dinner early in the day, and it's ready later (plus, there's no clean up at 8 pm). The slow cooker also makes big batches, and leftovers are key for us! And it doesn't heat up the kitchen in the summer.

In the summer, I try to do things that my husband can throw on the grill (e.g., marinated chicken or a London broil -- I marinate the night before). Sometimes I poach chicken breasts (on the stove or in slow cooker) and then use shredded cooked chicken for wraps, salads, to toss into pasta sauce, etc.

I always have easy sides on hand - bags of steam fresh veggies, fixings for a salad, even potatoes/sweet potatoes that I can toss in the microwave.

I also sometimes make things ahead of time (when I have time, say when DS is in school or on a weekend) that I can eat throughout the week. The other week I made SkinnyTaste Mediterranean Quinoa salad and ate it for a dinner, lunches, etc.

I often make a baked frittata/omelet that uses up what's in the fridge (veggies, cheese, etc). Then I freeze individual pieces that I can take out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Very economical and healthy!

Tacos are easy and can be very healthy. We just had those last night and didn't start cooking dinner until 7:30. But it takes no time to brown some ground meat (we use ground chicken breast a lot) and I use a 2 pt whole wheat wrap instead of flour tortillas, plus you can top with lots of veggies.

Honestly, some nights in the summer I will just have cold cuts. A turkey sandwich and a piece of fruit or a sliced tomato salad can be an easy, healthy dinner on a rushed night. Also, I try not to rely on frozen meals, but sometimes I will default to a healthy choice steamer meal and just toss it with extra veggies (liked bagged spinach) to bulk it up.

Bottom line is - I like to cook and sometimes will make more elaborate meals, but I need to be realistic about what I can do during the week. My DS usually will eat earlier, and something like mac and cheese or chicken nuggets, so I just cook for me and DH. And if DH gets home really late and/or doesn't want to have what I am having, he can just make a sandwich or have cereal or pick up a couple of slices of pizza. I don't sweat it!

But I think planning is key, and you don't have to plan 7 dinners a week if you use leftovers, or plan to just have some "refrigerator potluck" meals.

Re: WW Moms' - quick dinners?

Thanks everyone, great suggestions, I appreciate the help!

Re: WW Moms' - quick dinners?