Bobby Flay’s Go-To Weeknight Dinners Are “Very Simple”

There can never be enough food-focused podcasts in our eyes, and one of EatingWell’s favorite celebs, Katie Lee Biegel, just added something to our listening rotation. The cook and co-host of The Kitchen just launched her new podcast, All on the Table with Katie Lee Biegel, and her first guest was a star that she states “needs no introduction.” 

Biegel sat alongside her friend, chef and Food Network host Bobby Flay, and asked him questions revolving around his love for food and travel. The restaurateur and Beat Bobby Flay personality dished on his favorite foods, including the dinners that loves cooking for himself after a day of cooking on set.

“Cooking has transformed my life 1000%, it’s everything to me,” Flay shares. “The way that I show my adoration to my friends and family is I cook for them.”

When asked what go-to dinner he cooks for himself, the chef had a clear answer.

“Very simple: it’s usually a piece or fish or a piece of chicken, and it’s usually a pan sauce with capers and lemon,” he says. 

Focusing on a protein like chicken or fish is a simple way to ensure a satisfying plate. Protein is an essential part of your diet as it supports muscle growth, bone health and will keep you full. Pairing it with a citrusy pan sauce will guarantee deliciousness, and capers are an easy pantry item to quickly add a more complex, briny flavor to a savory dish. We think Flay would love our highly-rated Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner or our Lemon-Garlic Grilled Tilapia with a  simple spinach salad for a complete meal.

Another quick dinner Flay loves? Easy and cheesy pasta.

“One of the great things to eat is pasta with tomato sauce, Parmigiano cheese and some fresh basil, done,” he states. “I mean, it’s delicious, it’s always satisfying.” There’s nothing wrong with a fresh bowl of pasta, and pre-made tomato sauce makes it all the more effortless. As for Biegel, she opts for lentil pasta for a quick source of protein and fiber in each bite.

Flay also shares that he loves an elevated pasta dish as his favorite pantry dinner, like cacio e pepe or carbonara. Our Cacio e Pepe Pasta with Peas and our Butternut Squash Carbonara with Broccoli are our versions of the chef’s favorites that include fibrous veggies in each serving.

We’re all about these quick meals and the comforting, cozy dinner inspiration as we dream of cooler months. And we think including a side salad or mixing in veggies in each dish is a great way to incorporate more fiber and nutrients into Flay’s favorites for a fulfilling and delicious meal.