Here are some notes and ideas for taking a little work out of March meal-planning... Below are entrees that are all on our March Monthly Menu - we'll have them in Grab & Go all month, and they can also be made to your taste in an In-Kitchen Session or for ToGo pickup or delivery. 

We've paired the entrees with Dinner Done side dishes and/or suggestions for fresh vegetables and salads that can be easily added at home for a delicious, nutritious meal any night of the week!

Sheet Pan Dinners 

Sheet Pan Dinners

Many Dinner Done dishes can be turned into full sheet pan dinners with the addition of a few fresh veggies! In fact, when we photograph our dishes each month, we almost always place our freezer-to-oven entrees on a parchment paper lined sheet pan because the hot oven air can circulate around the dish more freely. The parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze.

Here are our suggestions for Dinner Done entrees that make great sheet pan dinners when paired with simple fresh veggie side dishes!

Tuscana Chicken | Dinner Done Roasted Red Pepper Mashed Potatoes | Zucchini Slices with Parmesan Cheese*

Freezer to Oven: Cook Tuscana Chicken and Dinner Done Roasted Red Pepper Mashed Potatoes (in original pan)  at same time. The last 15-20 minutes, add sheet pan with zucchini slices seasoned with salt, pepper and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on an upper rack.

Miso Glazed Cod | Honey Butter Carrots* | Roasted Potatoes*

Freezer to Oven: Cook Miso Glazed Cod. The last 45 minutes, add sheet pan of baby carrots drizzled with butter and honey, and quartered baby potatoes tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper.

Portabella Piccata Pork Chops | Dinner Done Twice Baked Mashed | Balsamic Brussel Sprouts*

Freezer to Oven: Begin cooking Twice Baked Mashed in original pan (also can be microwaved - see label!). After 30 minutes, put frozen pork chops in oven.  Quarter brussel sprouts and toss in salt and balsamic vinegar. Add to oven last 30 minutes of baking. Saute Portabella Piccata Sauce in small saucepan just before serving. 

Honey Garlic Chicken | Sweet Potato Slices* | Broccoli Florets*

Freezer to Oven: Cook Honey Garlic Chicken. The last 30 minutes, add sheet pan of simply seasoned sliced sweet potato rounds and broccoli florets. 

 

Freezer-to-Table in 30 Minutes or Less

QuickThaw/Saute is one of my favorite at-home cooking methods because these dishes generally go freezer-to-table in under 30 minutes - perfect for those busy days when I get home and realize I forgot to plan dinner! 

Here are our suggestions for Dinner Done entrees that go freezer-to-table in under 30 minutes, and sides that pair perfectly! 

Turkey Minestrone & Garlic Bread | Crisp Iceberg Salad*

QuickThaw/Saute Turkey Minestrone & Garlic Bread. While the minestrone simmers, prepare a simple salad with crisp, chopped iceberg lettuce, julienne carrots and cherry tomatoes. Blue cheese or ranch dressing provide a creamy balance to our veggie-laden soup!

Sizzling Steak Fajitas | Guacamole &  Chipotle Sour Cream* | Yellow Rice & Refried Beans*

While the steak and veggies QuickThaw, get the rice started. Don't forget to set a timer so you know when the rice is done! Heat a can of refried beans and top it with a handful of cheddar cheese. Why not dress up the fajitas with simple, homemade guacamole and chipotle sour cream. You only need a few ingredients... For the guac, use a fork to coarsely mash ripe avocado and then add in a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a dash of salt. For the Chipotle Sour Cream, mince canned chipotle peppers and stir in to sour cream wtih a dash of salt and pepper - chipotles are spicy, so do this a little at a time! Now, the steak and veggies should be ready for the skillet! 

Southern Style Shrimp & Grits | Sauteed Greens*

QuickThaw/Saute the Southern Style Shrimp & Grits.  Chop collard greens, kale or spinach and saute until tender. Add a splash of red wine vinegar to the greens just before serving. 

Samui Chicken | Dinner Done Thai Pesto Pasta | Asparagus*

Start the Thai Pesto Pasta while you are QuickThawing the Samui Chicken. Saute the Samui Chicken. When the chicken is almost done, throw in chopped asparagus and saute alongside the chicken cutlets. 

 

Sunday Dinner – Family Feasts Family Dinners

Sundays are such great days to slow down just a little bit and build memories around the family table. Try these dinner-time conversation starters - they aren't just for kids!

Here are our suggestions for hearty, family-friendly Sunday dinners featuring a Dinner Done entree with our side dish suggestions!

Peruvian Roast Chicken | Dinner Done Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes | Roasted Veggie Medley* | Biscuits*

Dinner Done Mashed Potatoes and a sheet pan medley of carrots, red onion chunks, and red bell pepper slices – these can cook all together with the Peruvian Roast Chicken! If you've got enough room in your oven, add the biscuits at the end as well! Have any fresh herbs or jarred pesto around? Mix it into softened butter to make herb butter for the biscuits! 

Bacon Cheddar Spinach Stuffed Pork Loin | Dinner Done Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes | Green Beans & Almonds*

Thaw the Dinner Done Twice Baked Mashed at the same time you are thawing the pork loin and then bake them both together! Brown sliced almonds in a little olive oil (watch carefully – these can burn quickly) and sprinkle them over sautéed green beans.

Ropa Vieja | Black Beans & Rice* | Sweet Plantains* | Dinner Done Corn Souffle

The Ropa Vieja is a crock pot dish, so can cook most of the day until the beef is super-tender! Dress up canned black beans easily - cook diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, and then add beans and simmer. If you’ve got fresh cilantro on-hand, chop and stir in to taste just before serving. Sweet plantains make a fun addition and are easily available (and microwavable!) in the ethnic freezer section at the grocery.

Chicken Florentine Lasagna Roulades | Italian Salad* | Parmesan-Garlic Bread*

Prepare a delicious Italian-style salad with romaine, chopped heart of palm and artichoke hearts, diced mozzarella cheese and olives. Toss in a simple vinaigrette made by mixing 1 Tbls Dijon mustard, 3 Tbls balsamic vinegar, and a little salt and pepper, and then whisking in 1/2 cup olive, avocado or grapeseed oil. For the Parmesan-Garlic Bread, slice a baguette in half and top with melted butter, minced garlic and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Bake just until the top begins to brown. Serve immediately.

 

Keto/Low-Carb Options

Here are our lowest-carb dishes of the month. Pair these with salads and veggies for a delicious dinner any night of the week. You'll find other delicious low-carb and keto-friendly options in Grab & Go - in addition to entrees on the monthly menu, our prep team is always making batches of other popular entrees for Grab & Go so the assortment constantly changes! We also take requests, so if there's a dish you've had before and would like to see again, just let us know! 

  • Tuscana Chicken (5g carb)
  • Peruvian Roast Chicken (6g carb)
  • Dijon Herb Pork Tenderloin (2g carb)
  • Ropa Vieja (7g carb)
  • Bistro Chicken (4g carb, omitting potatoes)
  • Samui Chicken (7g carb)
  • Bacon Cheddar Spinach Stuffed Pork Loin (6g carb)
  • Beef Filets with Rosemary Gorgonzola Butter (1g carb)

 

Happy Eating!

~ Audra

 

* These are suggested side dishes to complete the meal!