Roasted chicken with roasted root vegetables and a salad, perhaps. I make mine with garlic and lemon, following an Ina Garten or Marcella Hazan recipe depending on the mood. For the veggies, I just roast a bunch of beets, carrots, and potatoes with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.

Poached salmon with asparagus and a salad with steamed new potatoes, if it's getting to be spring time in your area.

stuffed cannelloni with ricotta and spinach in a tomato sauce, gratineed is a nice treat at my house, though making the crepes takes forever since people tend to swipe them from me ;-)

Lastly, for something a bit different, I made oyakodon, a Japanese chicken and egg dish, last week. That was a huge success, and super simple. If you ever want to be entertained while watching Japanese cooking videos I cannot recommend Cooking with dog videos, enough. It's this lovely Japanese woman, with an American man doing the voice over and there used to be an adorable poodle.

Here is the recipe I followed, from the YT series:

Pot roast with roasted carrots and potatoes.

Roast chicken. I love mine served over rice with chicken gravy.

Chili

Not healthy, but I make fried chicken sandwiches or chicken on a stick a couple times a month. My chicken on a stick has the chicken, bell pepper, onion and new potatoes, battered and stuck on a skewer and fried.

Cottage pie

still brainstorming.......

What do they like?

This is more comfort food than healthy. I haven't tried it yet, but I trust the person who posted it. I will make it vegetarian, with refried beans instead of the ground beef.

I browned 1.5 lbs burger with 1 chopped onion, 1 package of baby bellas chopped, and taco seasoning to taste - it was a bulk container. Maybe 3-4 Tbs? Stirred in 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 12oz bag frozen corn, 1 red bell pepper chopped, 1 jar salsa and 1 can of fire-roasted tomatoes. Spread that in a 9x13 pan, sprinkled on a layer of Mexican blend shredded cheese, then topped with a layer of tater tots. Baked according to the time/temp on the bag of tots (it used about 2/3 of the bag).

The Italian kid eats a lot of peas with tuna, canned beans and pasta. The French kid likes almost everything except seafood unless it's in sushi????, or salmon which I have in the freezer for them to make when I work. He doesn't like mushrooms or squash.

I did think about fried chicken and mashed potaoes even though it's not very healthy.

Tacos!

It's a hit here when I make tacos. It's easy. I brown ground beef 1 1/2lbs along with 1/4 to 1/2 onion fined diced, 4 cloves garlic chopped, pour out any grease if there is any, add a little salt to taste and a TBS chili powder. Stir and simmer on low with enough water to make it moist (not much) for about 10-15mins. I fry corn tortillas to make taco shells, but pre-made works too. I place it all on the table and everyone can make their own tacos. I put bowls of shredded cheddar cheese and more fresh chopped onion on the table so they can dress as they like. Some hot sauce if you have it/like it.

I also, when I can find it, bake beer batter fish and chop up some cilantro, cucumber, onions, cabbage, salt and pepper, mix in some mayo to make a cole slaw type of thing and put all that on the table for fish tacos. That's a hit too. It's easier than it sounds :)

Good luck. All those young tummies to feed.

Cabbage rolls, Homemade mac and cheese, Grilled cheese and tomato soup, chicken and rice, Stir fry with meat of choice.

Tacos made with shredded pork mixed with Korean BBQ sauce, kimchi (especially radish kimchi), and avocados.

Tuna melt sandies. Ruben or Grilled cheese sandwiches, dipped in tomato soup. Roast beef au jus sandies(if you make a roast, make these w/ leftover beef or tacitos)

Pizza or calzones.

Smothered nachos. Tostados. Bowl of red chili w/cheese & sour cream on top. Chili dogs. Chili rellenos or chili rellanos casserole. Tamales or tamale casserole.

Shepherds pie. Potatoes w/ sliced ham & white sauce casserole. Tuna casserole. Chili mac. Bacon-cheddar-potato casserole. Spaghetti carbonara.

TikTok pasta. Add some shredded cooked chicken, some spinach. Or countless other variations.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/how-to-tiktok-baked-feta-pasta-recipe-developer-tips

Kath, I'm not sure this easy sheet pan chicken would work for them, but it got thumbs up from my crew at our house recently. I did use the thighs, but you can use whatever chicken pieces you like. Just adjust the cooking time for something like boneless breasts since they won't take as long, especially cut into smaller pieces. I set my oven at 425 instead of 450. My total roasting time was about 35 minutes. Leftovers are pretty darn tasty, too. Nice served with rice or potatoes and a salad.

Sheet Pan Vinegar Chicken

1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup sherry vinegar (red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used)

2 cups mixed-color cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives (or olives of choice)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees

Toss the onions with 1/2 tablespoon of the oil on a large rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the chicken thighs on top and sprinkle them all over with the smoked paprika and salt and pepper. Drizzle the vinegar onto the baking sheet, then roast in the oven about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, toss the cherry tomatoes, olives, rosemary and garlic with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, a big pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Add the mixture to the baking sheet with the roasted chicken and continue to roast until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Sprinkle with the parsley and serve the chicken with the vegetables and juices from the baking sheet.

Zalco, my mom used to make something similar to the egg and chicken dish, only she made it with carrots and chicken thighs and the eggs were completely cooked. It was never a favorite of mine so never made it but my brothers loved it.

Nicole, my daughter made hashrown casserole once and one of them asked for it so I'll make it.

At work tonight but will keep checking. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Omelets of various styles. Curries including those that are dry to saucy ones. I do not remember where your students are from but they might have suggestions of types. The omelets if they do not know how to cook could be a teaching moment. Soups and stews either with or without meat served with bread or crackers. Pancakes and waffles with various toppings from healthy to not so healthy. A salad board with a couple types of lettuce and other veggies and fruit so each can select what they want within a range that you select.

Warm Pesto Salad

Multiple ingredients as you wish

One package Knorr pesto sauce

Romaine lettuce

Cherry tomatoes

Black olives

Cooked pasta, I like medium shells

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Either grilled or fried chicken cutlets, cut in cubes or strips

Prepare the salad

Make the dressing. It’s cooked on the stove, so it’s warm.

Pour amount that you desire over the salad.

Mix in the chicken

I usually have every ready ahead of time, so in the evening all I have to do is

make the dressing.

I usually only use 1/2 pound pasta. We never use all the dressing.

I have an easy unstuffed ground turkey and pepper casserole if you are interested.

I forgot, did make some curry too but when I suggested it again neither seemed too interested. Our exchange students usually really like it.

Sure Eld, would like it!

pizza?

calico beans

What are calico beans?

ground beef, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, pork and beans ... and two-three other types of beans ... black, kidney, pinto ... brown the beef, and add the rest [crock pot]

calico beans

Flank steak is lean and yummy. I marinate it overnight in a homemade teriyaki marinade, then broil it or cook on the grill, slice thinly across the grain. I serve with roasted yams or sweet potato fries and some kind of green veggie for a healthful meal. My marinade is similar to this but I use a little bit of wine vinegar instead of wine:

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/38046/teriyaki-flank-steak/

Fajitas.

Fish tacos.

Thanks everyone, will try a lot of these suggestions over the next month or so.

I’m just curious as to how you have exchange students in the middle of a pandemic? My Italian sil hasn’t seen his family for nearly a year. We can’t go to France or Italy at the moment and they can’t come here. And yet they’ve gone to the USA? How does that work?

Pot roast

Beef stew

Pork chops with cabbage and apples

Roasted turkey breast with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes on the side

Stuffed acorn squash

Chili

Kielbasa and sauerkraut

And health can go out the window for a night when it's pierogis and sour cream!

Floral, no idea. I thought they would cancel it but they didn't. The 2 that were supposed to come last Fall were postponed by their parents. Both Asian families as apposed to European ones, maybe that is the difference?

chicken piccata with pasta. Not that hard t make,

Here it is Kathsgrdn 375 oven

Unstuffed Bell Pepper Bake

1 lb ground turkey

1 1/2 cup cooked rice

2 bell pepper, or three

1 medium yellow onion

15 oz can of tomato sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1 tsp garlic

1 TBS Italian seasoning

1 TBS balsamic vinegar

1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

2 scallions, chopped

1/4 tsp black pepper.

Use a 9x13 glass baking dish

In a skillet, cook turkey until crumbled. Sauté the vegetables separately. Drain the turkey if needed combine the vegetables and turkey. Add garlic powder pepper Italian seasoning balsamic vinegar Westchester sauce combine. Next add your cook rice and tomato sauce stir and transfer into the dish. Sprinkle with cheese and scallions. Bake for about 22 minutes.

Notes: I just mix in the cheese rather than sprinkle on top.

This recipe is easy to double if desired. It’s a healthier version than the beef one.

I know you are busy. I cut the vegetables and shred the cheese ahead of time. I also make the rice ahead of time.

I also sometimes use unsalted tomato sauce. Up to you!

Enjoy!

I was going to suggest the tiktok pasta recipe also. I have made it a few times and we really enjoyed it. I add a few extras like Sliced black olives, torn baby spinach, green onions and a tablespoon of sour cream for creaminess. It is fast and easy and makes a lot.

I made Italian roast chicken a few nights ago using an entire organic whole chicken, cut up. You just make up the mixture of spices, roll each piece in the mixture. I used the ‘Roast’ setting for my convection oven and cooked about 20 minutes then flipped and continued to roast until the proper temp was reached. I had to take out the wings and legs earlier than the thighs and breasts. It was so juicy and tender. I put it on parchment on a rimmed baking sheet so hardly any big mess to clean. Served it with mashed potatoes and lemony green beans.

Another fave of ours for a big crowd meal is baked ziti. I use half ground chuck and half Italian sausage and a mixture of cheeses. Happy to send along the recipe as I have changed it it interested.

Outside, while we wait fir Kath, I would like your ziti recipe!

I also have a pasta recipe I just thought if. Penne pasta, spinach, tomatoes, feta and scallions.

Outsideplaying, I would be interested but do you use the spicy Italian sausage? I tried to find one that wasn't spicy hot today for one of the recipes above and couldn't so I got a different type of sausage.

Just a suggestion if you trust your young men not to mark on them if you have several cookbooks bring them out one evening and have them go through to find things they would like to try. You have final veto if what they pick is too expensive, time consuming, messy, very unhealthy etc.

Sometimes when I need inspiration I look for paleo recipes on Pinterest because those cut out cheese and flour products . If it gets too 'weird' for me, I just substitute the back to the regular item for instance I use soy sauce instead of coconut aminos or jarred pasta sauce instead of throwing something else together.

I found this tortellini recipe I like a while back. https://www.homemademastery.com/creamy-tomato-basil-tortellini/ It's pretty forgiving as far as substitutions. I used can tomato sauce instead of tomatoes and mushrooms instead of zucchini.

Chicken Biryani--I just had this at a restaurant & liked it very much.

I always get hot Italian sausage & usually add extra fennel & sometimes extra chili flakes. I don't find it very spicy, least ways non of the typical supermarket offerings are very spicy.

Thanks everyone. Ci_lantro, I have a recipe from Hello Fresh for chicken biryani. it was very good. I may pull it out. I've only made it once with my own store bought ingredients but it came out pretty good.