Easy, Affordable Weeknight Recipes

This easy skillet pasta bake is a surefire family hit. Pasta and meat sauce topped with mozzarella cheese will make everyone at the table happy, and the all-in-one-pot technique will have the cook smiling pretty. Get the kids involved in this family-friendly meal. Kids can help measure wet and dry ingredients as well as sprinkle cheese on the finished product. Use prep time with older kids to reinforce counting, conversions, and measuring by weight.

Cost for 4: $10.54
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Easy, Affordable Family Recipes

Inspired by Let’s Move!, we developed the following recipes for cooks of al...

Inspired by Let’s Move!, we developed the following recipes for cooks of all skill levels and ages in an effort to make cooking at home more practical for busy families. Each recipe requires minimal equipment, costs less than $12 to prepare for four people, and takes less than 30 minutes—cheaper than fast food and much healthier, too. And we promise all of the ingredients can be found at your local supermarket.

4. Enjoy Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

Recipe Finder

How to Make Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

This is the perfect way to cook chicken breasts. If you crave juicy, flavor...

This is the perfect way to cook chicken breasts. If you crave juicy, flavorful chicken breasts, then follow this simple recipe. You'll end up with a golden brown platter of delicious chicken ready for the tasting. Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

Tomato-Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

This fast weeknight meal boasts three times the protein compared to common store-bought varieties.

Cost for 4: $11.55
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

The Cheeseburger Salad

Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Cost for 4: $11.55
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Fish Nuggets with Crisp Asparagus “Fries”

Serve this kid classic with simply steamed carrots, if you like.

Cost for 4: $7.48
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

About

Introducing Let's Cook: Why Family Dinner Matters

Harvesting carrots in the White House kitchen garden with elementary school students in 2009

Ten Questions with Michelle Obama

Editor Hunter Lewis sat down with the first lady recently in Washington, D....

Editor Hunter Lewis sat down with the first lady recently in Washington, D.C., to discuss food, family, her program Let’s Move!, and why our future depends on what kindergartners eat today. Here is the edited interview.

The First Lady of Food: Michelle Obama

Recipes

Let's Cook! Curriculum

If you can’t find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

Cost for 6: $8.15
Total Time: 25 minutes

1. Heat
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon; cook 4 minutes or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan.

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

How to Make One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'N' Cheese

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the...

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the cheesy flavor, and it sneaks in another serving of vegetables

How to Make Beef Chorizo Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Learn how to make delicious, family-friendly tacos in 8 simple steps.

How to Make Everyday Frittata

Packed with veggies and quick to prepare, this frittata is a weeknight life...

Packed with veggies and quick to prepare, this frittata is a weeknight lifesaver.

We use whole-wheat tortillas as quick pizza crusts–a trick inspired by our friends at Serious Eats.

Cost for 4: $7.35
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

How to Make Crunchy Whole-Wheat Veggie Pizzas

A serious kid-pleaser that doesn't skimp on nutrients or flavor

The fall family favorite goes lighter with barely sweetened apples. And instead of the typical pork chops, we go for lean, inexpensive pork tenderloin. Complete the meal with a side of Broccolini or broccoli.

Cost for 4: $7.10
Total Time: 19 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

How to Make Pork with Chunky Applesauce

Wow your family with this low-cost, high-flavor meal.

How to Cook One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

How to Make One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

Master a classic with this easy-as-pie one-pot pasta. You’ll love how simpl...

Master a classic with this easy-as-pie one-pot pasta. You’ll love how simple the cleanup is, but love even more how satisfying each bite of this delicious dish is. View Recipe: One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

How to Make Saucy Shrimp Sauté on Toast

Topping garlicky toast with fresh, flavorful shrimp is a quick and healthy ...

Topping garlicky toast with fresh, flavorful shrimp is a quick and healthy solution to weeknight dinner.

Videos

How to Cook Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

Ready in just 30 minutes, these golden-brown sweet potato wedges make a ver...

Ready in just 30 minutes, these golden-brown sweet potato wedges make a versatile side dish or snack. Learn our two-step process of speeding up this delicious dish without sacrificing any flavor at all. View Recipe: Roasted Sweet PotatoesSee More: Step-by-Step Guide to Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

How to Make One-Pan Mac 'N' Cheese

We upped the veg in this creamy dish giving you more nutrients and less cal...

We upped the veg in this creamy dish giving you more nutrients and less calories. You'll love just how easy it is to make this one-pan masterpiece. View Recipe: One-Pan Mac 'N' CheeseSee more: One-Pot Meals

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing says comfort like a bowl of warming, homey chicken noodle soup, and...

Nothing says comfort like a bowl of warming, homey chicken noodle soup, and once you've made your own, you'll never go back to the supersalty store-bought version again. Whether you're suffering from the sniffles or simply a bad day, this soup will warm your body and soul. View Recipe: Homemade Chicken Noodle SoupSee more: 25 Comforting Chicken Soup Recipes

Let's Cook

Easy, Affordable Family Recipes

How to Make Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

Tomato-Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

The Cheeseburger Salad

Fish Nuggets with Crisp Asparagus “Fries”

About

Introducing Let's Cook: Why Family Dinner Matters

Ten Questions with Michelle Obama

The First Lady of Food: Michelle Obama

Recipes

Let's Cook! Curriculum

How to Make One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'N' Cheese

How to Make Beef Chorizo Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

How to Make Everyday Frittata

How to Make Crunchy Whole-Wheat Veggie Pizzas

How to Make Pork with Chunky Applesauce

How to Make One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

How to Make Saucy Shrimp Sauté on Toast

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Let's Move!

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Videos

How to Cook Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

How to Make One-Pan Mac 'N' Cheese

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

About

Recipes

Learn More About MyPlate and Let's Move

Videos

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