Weeknight Dinner Planner: Get Supper on the Table in 45 Minutes or Less

Who has time to cook a long, elaborate dinner every night? Not you, which is why this week we're giving you five weeknight recipes that come together in less than an hour, start to finish. Plus, you can save some yummy leftovers for lunch the next day!
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Monday: Chorizo Fried Rice

chorizo fried rice

Try our Chorizo Fried Rice

Tuesday: Cauliflower Steaks with Bacon, Tomato & Beer Cheese

Cauliflower Steaks with Bacon, Tomato & Beer Cheese

Try our Cauliflower Steaks with Bacon, Tomato & Beer Cheese

Wednesday: Brussels & Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Brussels and Three Cheese Pasta Bake Smitten Kitchen

Try our Brussels & Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Thursday: Chile-Lime Chicken Thighs with Herbed Rice

Chile-Lime Chicken Thighs with Herbed Rice

Try our Chile-Lime Chicken Thighs with Herbed Rice

Friday: Curry Cauliflower Couscous with Lentils & Arugula

Curry Cauliflower Couscous with Lentils & Arugula

Try Rachael Ray's Curry Cauliflower Couscous with Lentils & Arugula

Shopping List:

For the chorizo fried rice:

  • Vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 large poblano chile
  • Ground cumin
  • Medium-grain yellow rice
  • Canned black beans
  • Cured chorizo
  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro

For the cauliflower steaks:

  • 1 large cauliflower
  • Bacon (for an entrée)
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Pilsner beer
  • Grainy Dijon mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • abasco hot sauce
  • 1 bag (12 oz.) shredded sharp yellow cheddar
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • Salt and pepper
  • Beef steak tomato (for an entrée)
  • Fresh chives

For the pasta bake:

  • 1/2 lb. (or 225 grams) twisty pasta (such as cavatappi)
  • Unsalted butter
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic 
  • 10 oz. Brussels sprouts
  • 1/2 lemon
  • Flour
  • Vegetable stock
  • Finely grated Parmesan
  • Coarsely grated Gruyère
  • Coarsely grated Fontina

For the chicken thighs with herbed rice:

  • Long-grain rice
  • Ground turmeric
  • Vegetable oil
  • 4 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 lime
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Vegetable stock
  • Mixed fresh flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, and scallions

For the couscous:

  • Yellow lentils or brown lentils
  • Fresh bay leaf
  • Salt
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • EVOO
  • Mild- to medium-heat curry powder
  • 1 onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 yellow beet
  • Ginger
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • Aleppo pepper or crushed red pepper
  • Vegetable stock
  • Baby arugula
  • 1 lime
  • Fresh mint