As you make the transition from summer to fall, it’s not uncommon for your food to make a transition as well. As the weather gets cooler, more people crave comfort foods like soups, pasta dishes and warm desserts. However, there is this interesting gap of time between summer and fall where the air is still humid and hot. This is the perfect time to keep things simple in the kitchen. If you’re unsure of how to get started, consider the following dinner options.
Sloppy Joe Sandwich
Sloppy Joe sandwiches are easy classics to make. After seasoning and sautéing your choice of meat, throw it into a crock-pot along with tomato paste, sugar and other seasonings. You can also put other ingredients like onions, Worcestershire sauce and mustard in the mix. Once it’s fully cooked, place the mix on kaiser rolls for each person. Some like to add a slice of cheese as well. With a side salad, a Sloppy Joe sandwich can be a simple yet filling dinner option.
Pasta Salad
After boiling a large pot of rotini pasta, let it sit in the refrigerator to chill. Once it’s cold, add spinach and onions to the mix. Tomatoes, avocados and olives are pasta salad essentials as well. Add a bit of balsamic vinaigrette or red wine vinegar to mix everything around. If you’d like to take it up a notch, add tomato pesto and hard-boiled eggs. Stir everything around in a large bowl. Serve the chilled pasta salad with garlic bread or garlic sticks.
Summer Corn Chowder
For many people, corn chowder is synonymous with the summertime. It’s an easy option to prepare in advance in a slow cooker as well. After adding corn, chicken (or vegetable) broth and baby potatoes into a pot to boil, add in some ingredients to make it heartier. Options like bacon, heavy cream and cheddar cheese will take this soup over the edge. Serve it hot or cold for a delightful summer dinner.
Tacos
If you’re plugged into pop culture, you’ll know that Taco Tuesday is a celebrated weekly holiday. Allow everyone to build their own tacos with their fair share of toppings and ingredients. You can prepare a buffet-style option for everyone to enjoy.
As long as the options are delicious, most children don’t care what you put in front of them. However, if all else fails, keep a bag of frozen chicken nuggets and a bag of potatoes on standby. Whether you choose to make a loaded baked potato with a side of chicken nuggets or chicken nuggets, french fries and ketchup, your family will have full bellies.
