Brought to you in partnership with Mushrooms Canada

Making dinner on a weeknight is always a challenge, whether you have to work late, are juggling the kids' after school activities, or you're just too tired to want to spend a lot of time and energy on cooking.  But you still want fast, easy and nutritious food.  And if a dish helps extend your food budget (especially with growing kids!) then that's a bonus!

Enter the Blend & Extend concept!

What is Blend & Extend exactly?

It's so simple.  You simply substitute a portion of your recipe's protein source by adding mushrooms!  For example, finely chopped mushrooms blend seamlessly with ground beef for a similar texture and no loss in flavour and the benefits are many:

• an extra serving of veggies in every portion - especially great if you have picky eaters
• fewer calories and less saturated fat and cholesterol
• it helps extend your meat budget by using less while keeping everyone satified
• it easily works in so many family favourites that can be whipped up quickly like Sloppy Joes, pasta dishes, burritos, meatballs and meatloaf
• it packs a nutritional power punch with important nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, potassium, B vitamins and the antioxidants selenium and ergothioneine

To show you how easy it is and how tasty it can be, here are 5 quick week night dinners that will have the whole family asking you to make them again and again!

5 Easy Week Night Dinners That Blend & Extend

By Food Bloggers of Canada

• Mushroom Meatball Subs

  By Food Bloggers of Canada

  **[Mushroom Meatball Subs](http://www.blendandextend.ca/portfolio/blended-mushroom-meatball-subs/)** Bump up the nutrition level on this kid favourite with mushroom and beef meatballs

• Cheeseburger Quesadillas

  By Food Bloggers of Canada

  **[Cheeseburger Quesadillas](http://www.blendandextend.ca/portfolio/cheeseburger-quesadillas/) all your favourite cheeseburger toppings in quesadilla form!**

• Sloppy Joes

  By Food Bloggers of Canada

  **[Sloppy Joes](http://www.blendandextend.ca/portfolio/sloppy-joes/) you'll be sneaking so many veggies into this messy crowd pleaser and nobody will even notice!**

• Spaghetti Bolognese

  By Food Bloggers of Canada

  **[Spaghetti Bolognese](http://www.blendandextend.ca/portfolio/spaghetti-bolognese/) lighten up your bolognese sauce by blending mushrooms in with your ground beef for a hearty fall comfort dish.**

• Cheesy Beef Skillet

  By Food Bloggers of Canada

  **[Cheesy Beef Skillet](http://www.blendandextend.ca/portfolio/cheesy-beef-skillet/) easy cleanup awaits with this one pot dinner that's ready in less than 30 minutes!**

RELATED:  Mediterranean Mushroom Caps with Pine Nuts & Goat Cheese

More Reading

• Blend and Extend Chili Loaded Baked Potatoes
• Blend and Extend Chipotle Turkey Mushroom Zucchini Boats
• Mediterranean Mushroom Caps with Pine Nuts and Goat Cheese
• 6 Ways To Get Creative on the Grill With Mushrooms
• Easy Vegan White Mushroom Pizzas on the Grill