I don't have a three year old, but I'm in the same boat as far as being busy.

My wife doesn't get home till 7-8, so it's on me to cook every day. I enjoy it and I'm a lot better at it than I used to be as a result. The past few years I've been cutting out processed foods as much as possible, and have been preparing meals that are healthier, fresh, and supplemented with our garden when possible. Our microwave broke a few years ago and I insisted we not replace it.

At any rate, cooking this way takes longer. I'm sure if I were more skilled in the kitchen I could get the time down but as it is it usually takes me about the same amount of time as you to cook for two. I do have a couple go-to recipes that are shorter though, and lately I've been employing my rice cooker with a steam basket...rice on bottom raw veggies on top basket, close lid and push button. My wife is such a freak about rice that she insists she could eat this every night. I do get bored with that though.

I have simplified the cooking this summer though. I've been grilling like a demon, but in a simple way. Hurl meat and olive oil brushed veggies at grill. It never gets old. Everything fresh. No messing with cutting the food into even sizes, -just move things around the grill to the hot and cold spots as needed. Swap the meat/veggies out for variety, but really we've just been doing this and saffron rice left and right. We often dine outside on the deck with some music. Simple and good.

What adds the time for me is making a meal balanced. If I make sure to have meat plus veggies plus a starch plus some bread and a salad...doesn't matter the portion size, it's just going to take long.