If you’re trying to spice up your Wednesday night dinner (or any weeknight, for that matter), it’s helpful to have a go-to guide.
Consider this post a plethora of resources for spicing up your weeknight meals – or Wednesday night meals – for consistency.
We’ll start with some fun tips and then share some easy recipes and recipe ideas! I don’t know what it is about the middle of the week, but sometimes, Wednesday night dinner ideas seem to be lacking.
Why Wednesday Night Meals?
Usually, your simple meal prep from Sunday has expired or run low, and you don’t quite have the energy to prep extravagant meals for the rest of the week. Hump day seems to just put a hump in the road.
You’re probably tired from the first half of the workweek and/or school week being over, and you’re looking forward to the weekend. Buttt, you still have a few more weeknight meals before you can get there.
Believe me, I’ve been there.
What to Eat on Wednesday Night for Dinner
So, here are some of the ideas we’ve used to mix up weeknight meals and an answer to your what to eat on Wednesday query.
Add A Different Fruit or Vegetable
Try adding a seasonal produce item. This is also a great way to get your kids to try new fruits or vegetables, and they can model you eating it too.
Or, maybe it even looks like preparing something you like in a different way. For example, there are so many uses for sweet potatoes! You could make a sweet potato pizza crust and top with something fun, or make their favorite burger but make it a mashed sweet potato turkey burger.
Or, make a fun spin on sweet potato fries with parsnip french fries.
Or, you could try something fun with kiwi or a fun, seasonal item. The possibilities are endless. This article in Very Well has some good ideas for exposing kids to vegetables.
Let Your Kids Choose Dinner
And if you have older kids, maybe they can try their hand at making dinner? Even if they’re young, chances are, they can “help decorate” a pizza, or safely cut some ingredients up. We love these kid friendly knives for that purpose.
If your young ones need some inspiration, these 20+ ideas for sweet potato recipes for toddlers can be a big help. You can show them some recipes and let them pick some Wednesday food ideas.
And if they choose something like pizza (again) or mac ‘n cheese, don’t stress. Although do try this sweet potato macaroni and cheese.
The whole point is to not stress about these Wednesday dinner ideas.
Try Meal Delivery
Meal delivery can be great for mixing things up each week. We order them occasionally just for that purpose – to have some new meals and meal inspiration. It works out really well.
I basically cut my grocery bill in half on those weeks, so I really don’t think I’m spending any more money. I reviewed several of the ones we tried in this post on athlete meal delivery services.
I happen to really love Freshly and Sun Basket for easy, family friendly options.
Throw it on a Sheet Pan
Sheet pan meals are the epitome of easy wednesday dinner recipes – just add a veggie, protein and carbohydrate.
Here are some favorites:
- Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Sheet Pan
- Pork Chops and Sweet Potatoes
- Breaded Honey Mustard Salmon
- Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Meal
- Sheet Pan Halibut
The best part is, you can easily switch out the protein or any of the sides in these meals. Add a new dressing or marinade each time!
Enroll the Help of Kiddos in the Kitchen
When time allows, letting children help in the kitchen can change the experience. Ideally, it’s a quick, simple recipe when time is limited, but it can make them feel more involved and invested about eating the meal.
Pizza beans usually go over really well in our house!
Have a Snack Dinner
Charcuterie boards and snack boards are happy for a reason – they make things exciting and offer the opportunity to have several different flavors and textures at once.
Thrive Market is my go to for fun snacks (cheese whisps, sweet popcorn, nuts and seeds).
We’ll also add a fun dip, like hummus or cinnamon peanut butter.
Breakfast for Dinner
Last resort is always breakfast for dinner, and this is always a fan favorite. Some of my favorite memories as a child were eating ego waffles or pancakes for dinner, or my mom making her famous omelets.
You can still add veggies! Consider this asparagus quiche, sweet potato egg breakfast casserole, or even this vegan kale hash for dinner.
If you are craving something sweet, we also love combining sweet potatoes and blueberries in this sweet potato oatmeal.
Breakfast usually comes together fairly quickly so this is a quick prep and quick clean up meal.
Eat Al Fresco
The environment we eat in can make a big difference. Do you have a front or back porch or deck you can eat on? Or dine with neighbors?
With spring and summer weather, it’s very enjoyable to eat outside in the fresh air, hear the birds chirping and maybe some soft music playing.
If not outside, maybe you can make things fun and create a “fort” to eat in or eat on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic.
Get Takeout From a Local Favorite
Wednesday can be a great night to grab takeout from a local restaurant. Save yourself the time and energy of preparing a meal, and support a local business, or try somewhere new.
Takeout, when eaten at home, can feel a little more special, and you can eat it in sweatpants in the comfort of your own home.
