I. dread. dinnertime. Being a working mommy, making dinner for three little ones right when I get home is the last thing I want to do, but we need to eat! I’ve been successful using a rotation of a few quick and easy dinners; however, I’m ready to mix it up with the warmer weather.
This weekend, we finally took the cover off the grill, which means Mommy is off the hook for the main meal most nights. My husband is a self-proclaimed grill master. He makes the most amazing burgers and BBQ chicken, with no complaints from me (except for all the dirty dishes left behind). So, I’m left in charge of whipping up a few side dishes.
To keep things as quick and easy as possible, here are a few of my go-to super simple side dishes that I’ve mastered to accompany any meal.
Corn & Bean Salad
What you will need:
1 bag of frozen corn or about four cobs of corn
1 can of black beans
1 can of pink beans
Italian dressing
Cilantro
3 quick steps:
1. Mix the cooked corn, black beans, and pink beans in a bowl. Don’t forget to drain the beans!
2. Add a few squirts of Italian dressing for added flavor (the recipe works fine without).
3. Chop a handful of fresh cilantro to sprinkle on top.
You can substitute with any beans or add additional veggies like peppers or onions. It’s fun to experiment with different combinations. My three-year-old can’t eat this fast enough, so he often tosses his fork aside and stuffs his mouth with huge handfuls. I love to serve it with grilled chicken, and we’ve even used it as a topping for turkey tacos!
Caprese Salad
What you will need:
Cherry tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese (fresh is best!)
Basil
Oil
Balsamic vinegar
3 quick steps:
1. Cut the mozzarella cheese into small cubes.
2. Add the washed cherry tomatoes and chopped basil.
3. Toss with oil and balsamic vinegar, and add salt and pepper to taste.
This side is super fresh and takes less than five minutes to make. I like to add yellow tomatoes for some extra color. Again, this can be served with anything, or it can even be a meal. I like to make a huge bowl, knowing there will be leftovers for lunch the next day.
Pesto Pasta
What you will need:
Any pasta (I like to use bowtie or tricolor pasta)
1 jar of premade pesto
Cherry tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese
3 quick steps:
1. Cook the pasta.
2. Mix the cooked pasta, pesto, and halved cherry tomatoes.
3. Let cool, then add cubed mozzarella cheese (I’ve even used shredded cheese too).
This side dish can be served warm, but I prefer it cold and a nice juicy burger. I always cook the pasta for an additional minute when I plan on serving it cold so that the pasta stays soft.
I like to alternate between these sides depending on the main meal. And whenever I’m really in a rush, I always toss up a Dole Salad Kit. I love that they now have packaged chopped salad kits. My favorite is the BBQ Ranch!
