Is the nightly question of “What’s for dinner?” the bane of your existence? Do frozen pizzas and sad salads feel like the only options after a hectic day?
You’re not alone! But dinner doesn’t have to be a battle.
We’re here to rescue your weeknights with 15 incredibly easy recipes that will become your new go-tos. Plus, we’ve included 5 secret weapon recipes that will elevate your dinner game to legendary status.
1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Forget multiple pots and pans! Toss chicken strips, bell peppers, and onions with fajita seasoning on a single sheet pan.
Roast for 20 minutes while you put your feet up. Dinner’s ready faster than delivery would arrive!
2. 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Speedy seafood satisfaction! Sauté shrimp in garlicky butter while your pasta boils. The entire meal comes together in the time it takes to cook spaghetti.
A squeeze of lemon and handful of parsley at the end brightens everything up. Restaurant-quality dinner without the wait or price tag.
3. Breakfast-For-Dinner Frittata
Crack eggs into a bowl, toss in whatever veggies, cheese, and leftover meat you have lurking in your fridge. Pour into a hot skillet, let it cook, then finish under the broiler.
Boom! A protein-packed meal in minutes that’s endlessly customizable.
4. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Morning prep, evening feast! Drop a pork shoulder into your slow cooker with barbecue sauce, onions, and spices.
Set it, forget it, then come home to heavenly smells. Shred the fall-apart meat and pile onto buns. Add coleslaw for crunch.
5. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
No cooking required! Open a can of chickpeas, chop cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion.
Toss with feta, olives, and a quick lemon-olive oil dressing. This protein-packed meal satisfies without turning on a single appliance.
6. Instant Pot Beef Stew
Craving comfort food without the wait? Your pressure cooker transforms tough beef and raw vegetables into tender, savory stew in just 35 minutes flat.
The rich broth tastes like it simmered all day. Ladle over mashed potatoes or serve with crusty bread for the ultimate cozy meal.
7. Thai-Inspired Peanut Noodles
Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime, and a splash of sriracha while your noodles cook. Toss everything together, adding shredded rotisserie chicken if you’re feeling fancy.
The creamy, spicy sauce clings to every strand. Restaurant-worthy noodles in minutes!
8. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Microwave sweet potatoes until tender, then split and fluff. The fun part? Choose your own adventure with toppings!
Go Tex-Mex with black beans, cheese, and salsa. Try Mediterranean with chickpeas and tzatziki.
9. Salmon Foil Packets
Place salmon fillets on foil, top with lemon slices, dill, and butter. Fold into packets and bake.
The fish steams perfectly in its own little envelope! Zero cleanup since everything cooks in the foil.
10. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Grocery store shortcut magic! Shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken and warm some tortillas. Set out salsa, avocado, cheese, and cilantro for a build-your-own taco bar.
Everyone gets exactly what they want. The only cooking? Warming tortillas for 30 seconds.
11. 5-Ingredient Chili
Brown some ground beef, dump in a can each of tomatoes, beans, and corn, plus a packet of chili seasoning. Let it simmer while you change into comfy clothes.
Return to a pot of hearty goodness! One-pot wonder that tastes like you spent hours cooking.
12. Pesto Tortellini With Veggies
Grab refrigerated tortellini and cook according to package directions. While it boils, sauté zucchini and cherry tomatoes in olive oil for just 3 minutes.
Drain pasta, toss with store-bought pesto and veggies. Sprinkle with parmesan. From fridge to table in under 15 minutes flat!
13. Quesadilla Bar
Set out tortillas, shredded cheese, and an array of fillings: canned beans, leftover chicken, sliced peppers, or whatever’s in your fridge. Everyone builds their own creation!
Cook each quesadilla in a skillet until golden and melty. Serve with salsa and sour cream.
14. Egg Roll In A Bowl
Craving takeout flavor without the wait? Brown ground pork or turkey, then toss in a bag of coleslaw mix, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Cook until just wilted.
All the delicious filling without the wrapper! Low-carb, one-pan miracle ready in 15 minutes.
15. Hummus-Crusted Chicken
Slather chicken breasts with your favorite hummus, sprinkle with paprika, and bake. The hummus creates a flavorful crust while keeping the chicken incredibly moist.
Roast some vegetables on the same pan for a complete meal. Different hummus flavors create endless variations—roasted red pepper, garlic, or spicy for adventurous eaters!
16. Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad Wraps
Swap mayo for protein-packed Greek yogurt in your tuna salad. Mix with canned tuna, diced apple, celery, and a squirt of lemon juice.
Roll in a tortilla or stuff into a pita pocket. No cooking required—just mix, wrap, and munch! Perfect for hot summer nights.
17. Microwave Risotto
Forget standing at the stove stirring endlessly! Combine arborio rice, broth, wine, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in intervals, stirring between.
In just 20 minutes, you’ve got creamy risotto without the arm workout. Stir in parmesan and peas at the end!
18. Flatbread Pizzas
Grab store-bought naan or pita bread for instant pizza crusts! Spread with sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and add whatever toppings are hanging out in your fridge.
Bake until bubbly, about 10 minutes. Pizza night without the fuss or wait!
19. Black Bean & Corn Enchilada Casserole
Layer torn corn tortillas, canned black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and cheese in a baking dish. No rolling required! Pop in the oven until bubbly and golden.
All the flavor of enchiladas with half the work. Top with avocado and cilantro before serving.
20. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta
Magic happens when pasta cooks directly in its sauce! Combine uncooked pasta, broth, lemon juice, garlic, and a splash of cream in one pot. Simmer until pasta is tender.
The starch from the pasta creates a silky sauce automatically. One-pot wonder with minimal cleanup!