(Family Features) Creating family meals with nutrition in mind adds another consideration to a daily task that is often stressful enough. However, making health-conscious decisions each evening at the dinner table doesn’t have to mean turning away from your loved ones’ favorite dishes.

Simple swaps to more nutritious ingredients paired with healthier preparation methods, such as baking chicken rather than frying it, can help you make more nutrition-based choices. This Baked Chicken Parmesan offers the best of both worlds, providing a 30-minute meal that allows you to spend less time in the kitchen without forgoing healthy habits.

Made with Parmesan cheese, this recipe provides an excellent source of calcium. Dairy foods, such as cheese, are an irreplaceable part of a balanced diet that offers a valuable source of essential nutrients. Plus, because it’s made using just a handful of ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly option that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t call for seldom-used spices or seasonings you may never use again.

Find more family meal inspiration at milkmeansmore.org.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Recipe by Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

• 2/3       cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
• 1          teaspoon Italian seasoning medley with garlic
• 3/4       cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 5          tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2    pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3          cups prepared tomato and basil sauce, warmed, divided
• 1          pound thick spaghetti, prepared according to package directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line rimmed half sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In shallow dish or pie plate, combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring with fork until blended. Pour melted butter in separate shallow dish or pie plate.
3. Working with one chicken thigh at a time, dip each side in melted butter to coat. Press butter-soaked chicken into breadcrumbs, turning to coat well on both sides. Place breaded chicken on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs.
4. Drizzle remaining melted butter over breaded chicken. Bake 8 minutes. Turn chicken over and bake 7 minutes to crisp other side.
5. Briefly remove chicken from oven. Spoon two tablespoons pasta sauce over each chicken thigh. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over chicken. Return chicken to oven and continue baking 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
6. Serve Baked Parmesan Chicken over cooked spaghetti topped with additional pasta sauce.

Source:  Milk Means More

(Family Features) Between the time it takes to plan healthy meals and the actual minutes spent in the kitchen, it can be easy for some families to let nutrition fall by the wayside. However, all it takes is a little twist on your loved ones’ favorite meals to free up those valuable moments while taking health into account.

These Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas, for example, offer a meatless version of an ethnic meal many families love. Gather fresh onions and bell peppers to mix with earthy, wholesome mushrooms as the heart of this plant-forward dish. Slice, season with taco seasoning, toss with vegetable oil and bake for less than half an hour for a family dinner that’s as simple as it is flavorful. Plus, you can garnish the fajitas with any combination of avocado and lime to salsa or hot sauce for a perfectly customizable taste.

Find more ways to add mushrooms to the menu at mushroomcouncil.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas

Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 fajitas

• 2          large portobello mushroom caps, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 2          medium yellow onions, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 2          large red bell peppers, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 2          tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 1/4    teaspoons taco seasoning
• 6          flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
• 1/4       cup roughly chopped cilantro
• avocado (optional)
• salsa (optional)
• hot sauce (optional)
• lime (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line large 18-by-13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In large bowl, toss mushrooms, onions and peppers with oil and taco seasoning. Distribute on baking sheet. Roast 25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until veggies are fork tender and edges are slightly browned.
3. Serve with warmed tortillas and garnish with cilantro. Top with avocado, salsa, hot sauce or lime, if desired.

Source:  Mushroom Council