Simple Weeknight Dinner Ideas for Single Mothers
I never thought I’d be writing about food on this divorce blog, but I genuinely feel like dinner is one of those never-ending puzzles that mothers have to deal with.
The Emotional Labor Of Making Dinner
You might have noticed that I try to keep things as simple for myself as possible- I only have so much energy. This is one area that I’ve tried struggled with because it seems easy enough to just make food, but there are so many pieces involved to cooking a meal. From figuring out what your kids will actually eat, going to the store to get all the ingredients, making sure it’s nutritious, budget-friendly and doesn’t require 20 different steps and 3 hours to get on the table. Then there’s the issue of cleaning up afterward.
Sure, cooking isn’t fundamentally different for single parents, but when you’re already juggling a million things—work, school pickups, and trying to squeeze in a moment for yourself—it’s usually dinner that feels like it requires magic to make happen.
When I was married, my ex used to insist on elaborate meals with multiple items on the plate. An all-in-one casserole didn’t cut it. So, after the divorce, that became one of the first things I happily stopped doing. These days, I’m all about simplicity and practicality. Dinner is still important, but it doesn’t need to be perfect. Here are some ideas and strategies that have worked for me over the years.
Letting Go of Perfection
First things first: I’ve let go of the idea that dinner has to be a huge production. Honestly, some nights I’d be perfectly happy eating a bowl of cereal or toast with avocado if I were just cooking for myself. It’s not that I don’t enjoy cooking—it’s the endless prep and cleanup that makes it hard to enjoy when you’re already running on fumes.
Of course, it’s different when you’re feeding kids. For breakfast and lunch, we have a rhythm. But dinner? It’s often the wildcard meal of the day. My kids’ preferences are wildly inconsistent, and trying to please everyone is exhausting.
Batch Cooking for the Family…if you can
I love the idea of meal prepping for the week. Some people are amazing at it, making several meals for big families in one afternoon. I’ve tried, but I’ve learned my limits. At most, I’ll make two dishes over the weekend. It’s a win if at least one of them appeals to my kids.
The downside is that my kids can be unpredictable about what they’re willing to eat. I’ve made meals in bulk before only to have them sit untouched because “it’s not what they’re in the mood for.” That said, when batch cooking works, it’s great. Soups, curries, and even baked pasta are great options because they freeze and reheat well.
I’ve learned not to overwhelm myself with a big shop. Only to do it when I know I have the time and energy to get this done.
Pro: You can save money by making your own and know exactly what is going into your food.
Con: Requires that you have the time and energy to cook, some weekends I need the extra rest and I will not make myself do this.
A Takeout Strategy
Takeout has become one of my favorite ways to get dinner on the table with minimal effort, but I try to make it work for us. I’ll pick up a few dishes from local spots. like Thai curry or Indian butter chicken, and pair them with simple sides at home. Rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad can make it feel more balanced without much extra effort. For me, the comfort of having the main dish made for me is worth the premium of ordering.
One trick I’ve learned: as soon as I get home, I portion everything into reusable containers. That way, I’m not constantly opening and closing messy takeout boxes. It also makes it easier for my son to grab a portion whenever he gets home.
This approach is especially nice because I’m supporting small, family-owned restaurants in the process. And let’s be real- some dishes, like a good curry, have so many ingredients and spices that I’d never make them from scratch.
Pro: You get to enjoy someone else’s cooking and patronize small businesses.
Con: This can be costlier than making something simpler at home.
"Girl Dinner" and Low-Effort Plates
One of my go-to options when I’m tired is what social media lovingly calls “girl dinner.” Basically, it’s just a cheese plate or a mix of snacks that happen to make up a meal. My daughter loves this because she’s all about fresh fruits and veggies, so I’ll throw in some cheese, crackers, and maybe a boiled egg for protein.
It’s also a great way to use up random bits in the fridge. Leftover olives? A few carrot sticks? Half a baguette? It’s dinner. And on nights when I’m feeling under the weather or just don’t want to cook, this is the perfect no-stress option.
Pro: It’s very low effort and kinda fun to assemble a cute looking plate
Con: Too many nights in a row of this and your kids will probably be asking for something that resembles a real meal.
Why Is Dinner Always So Hard?
I don’t know why dinner feels like the most overwhelming meal of the day, but it does. Maybe it’s the fact that it comes at the end of a long day, when energy is low. Maybe it’s the pressure to make sure everyone eats something healthy. Whatever the reason, I’ve learned to let go of the expectation that it has to be perfect every night.
Some nights it’s a proper meal. Some nights it’s takeout or leftovers. And yes, some nights it’s cereal. And you know what? That’s fine. The important thing is that everyone is fed, even if it’s not picture-perfect.
Share Your Ideas!
If you’ve found ways to make weeknight dinners easier, I’d love to hear them. Whether it’s a clever takeout hack, a go-to recipe, or a trick for getting picky eaters on board, let’s swap tips. Dinner doesn’t have to be fancy to work, it just has to work for you.