Easy Weeknight Dinners… These recipes are your answer to that big question, “what’s for dinner tonight?”
Each and every single recipe here is extremely easy to whip up in no time. They’re perfect for when you come home from a hectic day.
No need to fret or scratch your head. These recipes will make your life so much easier and happier, spending more quality time with your family or whatever else you enjoy doing, rather than spending hours in the kitchen.
These Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas have delicious quick stir fries, 20 minute easy skillets with all the meats, and easy 10 minutes prep time dinners where the oven takes care of the rest.
From chicken to beef and even great seafood, your weeknight meals need not be boring and bland, but will turn up delicious and full of flavors, like you slaved all day.
Go through all these recipes and you are set for those busy, demanding weeknights. No more what’s for dinner dilemma for you…
Quick and Easy Chicken Dinners
If you’re looking for a winner, winner chicken dinner that the whole family will love, we’ve got you covered! Budget friendly and versatile, it’s one of our go-to proteins for busy weeknights.
Here are some of our favorite chicken recipes that don’t require a ton of work on your part:
Marry Me Chicken
Prepare to discover your new go-to chicken recipe: Marry Me Chicken!
This crowd-pleasing dish combines succulent, tender chicken breasts with an exquisite parmesan cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil.
The result? A delectable, flavorful main course that will delight and satisfy everyone’s palate. Get ready to fall in love with every bite!
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken
Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan dinners, the perfect answer to fuss free weeknight meals! This Sheet Pan Chicken with colorful veggies not only looks very inviting, but every single bite is bursting with flavor.
Here, chicken bites and veggies are seasoned well with a zesty, herby marinade and cook on a sheet pan in about 30 minutes.
Brilliant!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken
Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet
This creamy pesto chicken skillet is a great weeknight dinner recipe. It happens super fast, 3O minutes fast! Tender chicken and loads of veggies in a delicious creamy pesto sauce. YUM!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pesto Skillet
Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)
Are you looking for a really fast meal that’s really tasty? Not only is this Thai Basil Chicken (or Pad Krapow Gai) bursting with flavor, you can whip it up in 15 minutes or less.
This might be your easiest recipe yet!
Get the Recipe: Pad Krapow Gai
Creamy Lemon Chicken
Easy and delicious! This chicken can make for a relatively easy week night meal, but looks and tastes so good it will impress guests as well.
I love it with orzo, pearled couscous or bread! On it’s own, great for the keto crowd!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Chicken
Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Inspired by P.F. Chang, this quick and tasty dish is a sure crowd pleaser!
Start to finish in about 25 minutes, this tasty dinner is also great for the low carb crowd.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Pesto Bruschetta Chicken
This gorgeous dish highlights two summer favorites: fresh basil and vine ripe tomatoes!
It’s a great meal prep option, only 10 minutes of prep time and then your trusty old oven does the rest.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Bruschetta Chicken
Tomato Basil Chicken
This tomato basil chicken is a quick, light and tasty weekday meal.
The sweetness from the orange marmalade is a great complement to the freshness of the tomatoes and basil. So good!
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Chicken
Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken Souvlaki – Sometimes, all you need is a few simple ingredients to create some amazing flavors. These Greek skewers are one of those recipes.
Bite sized chunks of chicken are marinated with lemon juice, oregano and garlic and can be grilled, baked or cooked on the stovetop.
And, all you need is about 20 minutes of hands on time for these delicious Greek flavors!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Souvlaki
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
Sweet, Savory, Sticky, Saucy… Meet your new favorite meal prep option.
This baked honey mustard chicken only takes 10 minutes of your time, the oven does the rest!
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken
Easy Creamy Chicken Skillet
This creamy chicken skillet is your weekday best friend. It’s super easy, it’s super tasty and it’s a low carb bomb.
Start to finish in 30 minutes, this just may become a new staple in your rotation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Skillet
Beef Dishes for Weeknights
If beef is what’s for dinner, we’ve got plenty of great flavors to choose from.
Whether you crave Asian, Latin, Italian, or just some good old all-American comfort food, these easy weeknight dinners featuring beef are all sure-shot winners:
Bistec Encebollado
Bistec Encebollado, Puerto Rican steak and onions, is one of the most popular meals in Puerto Rico.
Simple in soul, it’s is packed with flavors. If you don’t know Bistec… well, it’s about time you learn this Latin flavor bomb!
Get the Recipe: Bistec Encebollado
Korean Ground Beef Bowl
We are starting this very helpful list with an easy and quick stir fry. This Korean Ground Beef Bowl has just the right combination of sweet, salty, umami and just a touch of spicy.
Try it when you crave some Asian flavors, or just need something super quick!
Get the Recipe: Korean Beef Bowls
Smash Burger Tacos
Have you heard about Smash Tacos? They are quirky, they are unexpectedly finger licking delicious, and they are the latest food sensation.
Don’t under estimate this hand held meal as just the latest media food-fad. One bite into it, and I bet you will do a little happy dance, munching a mouthful and savoring the familiar taste in new form.
Get the Recipe: Smash Burger Tacos
Loco Moco (Hawaiian Beef Patty with Gravy)
Loco Moco is a fun, yet delicious, Hawaiian dish where a heap of rice is topped with a beef patty, smothered with gravy, and finished with a sunny side up egg.
How cool!
Get the Recipe: Loco Moco
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Take your beef to a new level with these tasty pan seared garlic butter steak bites.
Perfectly cooked bite sized morsels of tender steak drenched in garlicky butter.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Jamaican Pepper Steak
Everyone’s favorite Pepper Steak, cooked little differently – Jamaican style!
Instead of flash cooking the meat, like a Chinese pepper steak, cook the meat low and slow until it melts in your mouth.
This Jamaican style pepper steak ends up with tender strips of beef in a tasty, savory sauce, with colorful bell peppers cooked to sweet perfection.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Pepper Steak
Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
These Mediterranean Zucchini Boats are stuffed with herb seasoned ground beef and garnished with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and feta.
They’re a light and fresh version of this low carb favorite.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
Flank Steak Fajitas
How about a skillet full of tender, seared to perfection strips of marinated steak? Of course they are incomplete without vibrant, colorful peppers, some lime, plenty of cilantro and a little avocado.
You would be pleasantly surprised that this beautiful platter can happen in less than half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Steak Fajitas
Steak Pizzaiola
Seasoned, Seared, Simmered and Smothered… That is Steak Pizzaiola!! Try your steak the old school Italian way. It’s absolutely delicious, and every bite you will make a nod or two to heavenly skies.
Trust Italians when it comes to good eating. This steak smothered in tomato, aka pizza, sauce is absolutely brilliant…
Get the Recipe: Steak Pizzaiola
Lazy Slow Cooker Weeknight Dinners
Don’t have the energy to cook after a long day of work? Then get out your trusty crock pot and let it make dinner while you’re away.
These slow cooker recipes are not only easy, but you’ll come home to some amazing aromas!
Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Another delicious dish that doesn’t require too much effort is this crockpot Tuscan chicken.
It uses an amazing parmesan sauce that’s creamy, dreamy, and garlicky, and it has spinach and sundried tomatoes. What’s not to love?
Recipe: Tuscan Chicken
Crockpot Barbacoa Pork
Sunday is perfect for taking it easy and lazy. If you want a super delicious dinner yet don’t want to work too hard, this Barbacoa Pork is your answer.
Super easy, Super tasty and Super versatile. Make a huge batch and you can serve a big crowd or have leftovers for days. Try in in tacos, bowl meals, or use your own creativity!
Get the Recipe: Barbacoa Pork
Cuban Mojo Pork
For all the Cuban food lovers, here is a very simple and delicious, yet very iconic Cuban dish, Mojo Pork!!
Rich and succulent tender shredded pork with amazing flavors created by citrus juice, plenty of garlic and some select herbs.
All you are doing is making a quick Mojo Marinade and cooking the pork slow and low for hours, smothered in citrusy Mojo.
Get the Recipe: Mojo Pork
Birria Tacos
Birria Tacos, AKA Quesabirria, are the ultimate taco experience. If there is a King or Queen of tacos, this is it.
All those amazing flavors coming from slow cooked beef mixed in with melty cheese and fried to crunchy perfection, taken to next level when dunked into Birria consommé…
Get the Recipe: Birria Tacos
Quick and Easy Weeknight Stir Frys
If you want a dinner that’s ready in a flash, stir fry is the way to go! Often taking mere minutes to cook, these dishes are also packed with flavors.
Skip the takeout this week, and try one of our favorite stir fry dishes:
Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken – it’s savory, it’s sweet, it’s tangy, and those dried chilis give it just a bit of kick!
Don’t be intimidated by the number of ingredients, you can whip this up in half-hour or less. Perfect week-night meal!
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken
Pork Stir Fry
Are you ready to get woking? This easy Pork Stir Fry will have dinner on the table in a flash! It’s loaded with fresh veggies and has a great homemade stir fry sauce.
This one is also customizable. You can use any cut of pork you have handy, plus any veggies you fancy that day.
Get the Recipe: Pork Stir Fry
Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir Fry)
If you’ve had a busy Sunday Funday out and about, try this super quick Lomo Saltado.
This Lomo Saltado recipe features a unique fusion of Asian stir fry with Latin ingredients. It’s a delicious dish out of Peru that you MUST try!
Get the Recipe: Lomo Saltado
Healthy Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Healthy ramen? Who would have thought! This stir fry is packed with veggie power and nice lean protein.
Take your pantry staple to a whole new level!
Get the Recipe: Ramen Stir Fry
Mongolian Beef
Mongolian Beef – Melt in your mouth tender strips of beef stir fried in a silky velvety sauce.
You can stir fry this in less time than a trip to the takeout place! Or for other options, try the crock pot or instant pot methods.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Beef
Hunan Shrimp
These fiery Hunan shrimp are super quick and super tasty. All you need is some cooked rice for a complete meal.
Don’t worry, you can always adjust the heat level if you’re not as spicy as me!
Get the Recipe: Hunan Shrimp
Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice
Add some island flair to your fried rice. This quick and easy one pot meal is loaded with flavors and whips up in 20 minutes or less!
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Fried Rice
Panda Express Beijing Beef
This Beijing Beef is based off of the hugely popular Panda Express dish. Crispy beef strips with onion and red bell pepper in a tangy and sweet sticky sauce with just a touch of heat.
This easy stir fry is even better than the original because it’s made fresh, not sitting in a warming tray. And it’s a quick and easy meal you can whip up any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Beijing Beef
Easy Weeknight Dinners with Pasta
Everyone loves pasta, am I right? I know everyone in my household does!
While we love our slow simmered Ragu, these easy pasta dishes are all ideal for busy weeknights:
Gigi Hadid Pasta
What is Gigi Hadid Pasta? Simple… Pasta made by Gigi Hadid, which broke the internet when it went viral on Instagram and TikTok.
If you look closely, it’s the same delicious creamy and cheesy pasta alla vodka, with a slight makeover – it gets pleasantly spiked with heat from red chili flakes.
Get the Recipe: Gigi Hadid Pasta
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Here’s everyone’s childhood favorite, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. It’s such a classic, easy and loved by everyone.
This recipe is super meaty and saucy at the same time. Everyone will have fun twirling those noodles when this comes to the table.
The next time someone asks “what’s for dinner?”, tell them “spaghetti” and wait for those smiles…
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Creamy Rasta Pasta
Rasta Pasta! Are you ready for a colorful meal bursting with flavor? Here it is!
This is a creamy jerk pasta loaded with red, green and yellow peppers. You can also top it off with shrimp or chicken. It’s generously seasoned with Jamaican jerk seasoning and finished off with freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
This easy Rasta Pasta recipe whips up in about half an hour, perfect weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Rasta Pasta
American Goulash
Now here’s a nostalgic dish from old time Americana… American Goulash! It’s a pantry staple comfort food that goes back over 100 years, and still tastes just as good today.
Tender macaroni, hearty ground beef, all tossed in a well seasoned tomato sauce along with plenty of cheese. Doesn’t that sound like the ultimate kid friendly dinner?
This easy pasta dish is a classic that just never gets old!
Get the Recipe: American Goulash
Pasta e Piselli
This Pasta e Piselli recipe is perfect for those last minute weeknight dinners, when you want something tasty and comforting, without a lot of hassle.
A simple Neapolitan dish of Pasta and Peas, it’s a light one pot meal that you can have on the table in about 25 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli
Creamy Sausage Pasta
This Creamy Sausage Pasta is a perfect example of creating an absolutely delicious dish out of simple, ordinary ingredients.
Using Italian sausage in pasta is real game changer. Try your favorite Italian sausage drenched in a garlic parmesan cream sauce with the pasta shape of your choice.
Nothing fancy… nothing complicated… ready in 20 minutes. Yet I promise, you will get hooked on these amazing flavors in one bite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sausage Pasta
Pastalaya
Pastalaya, or Jambalaya Pasta, is a super tasty dish featuring shrimp, chicken and sausage smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce full of Louisiana flavors.
It’s like everyone’s favorite jambalaya, but with pasta instead of rice. How cool!
Get the Recipe: Pastalaya
Can’t Miss Seafood Meals for Busy Weeknights
Who says seafood is just for the weekend? I mean, it is one of the quickest proteins you can cook!
From salmon to white fish to shrimp, these easy seafood dinners are sure to make your regular weeknight special:
Shrimp and Grits
Once you try just one bite of these Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, you are going to plan on making this meal again and again.
Succulent shrimp and smoky andouille sausage are smothered in a savory gravy that tastes out of this world delicious.
Then, all is piled on top of creamy, cheesy grits. Just perfect…
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits
Baked Salmon with Mango Salsa
Treat yourself to this delicious meal today… What if we tell you it’s healthy and easy (“under 30 minutes meal” easy), yet it would make you feel like you are on a date night or celebrating in some fancy restaurant.
This moist, tender salmon has so many different layers of flavors. Tangy, lemony, buttery salmon flakes with a slight kick from our spice mix rub, combined with vibrant refreshing mango salsa. Yumm…
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Salmon
Shrimp Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta)
This classic Greek dish has some incredible flavors with plump shrimp in a garlicky, savory tomato sauce and finished off with salty feta cheese!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Saganaki
Salmon Patties (AKA Salmon Cakes)
These salmon patties are tasty, nutritious and budget friendly. And just look at them. Who said pantry staple meals can’t be fancy?
Get the Recipe: Salmon Patties
Cajun Shrimp Scampi
This Cajun shrimp scampi is so quick and easy you can make it any weeknight. But it is so fancy and tasty you just might want to save it for special occasions!
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Baked Sockeye Salmon
This easy Baked Sockeye Salmon recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, or Sunday company meal!
It’s brushed with a honey mustard glaze that perfectly compliments the natural flavor of the fish, then baked in foil to keep the flesh moist, and for easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sockeye Salmon Recipe
Baja Shrimp Tacos
These Baja Shrimp Tacos are going to be your new food addiction!
Imagine plump, beer battered shrimp, crisp coleslaw, creamy avocado and a smoky and tangy chipotle mayo, all nestled in between warm corn tortillas. Just too good!
You don’t have to wait for Taco Tuesday, these restaurant quality handheld delights are great any day of the week…
Get the Recipe: Baja Shrimp Tacos
Mediterranean Fish with Tomato and Olive Tapenade
Give your fish a Mediterranean makeover with this tapenade topped beauty. So gourmet, yet so easy, this one can be on your table in about 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Fish Recipe
Firecracker Salmon
This Firecracker Salmon is a super easy and super delish meal that must become part of your rotation. It has an amazing Asian sauce and whips up in about 20 minutes.
If you’re looking for a new recipe to really jazz up your salmon, this is it! It’s salty, it’s sweet, and it’s a little bit spicy! Firecracker salmon just may become one of your new go-to recipes.
Get the Recipe: Firecracker Salmon
Family Friendly Weeknight Casseroles
We love casseroles. These hearty dishes are great not only for feeding a hungry crew, but the leftovers are perfect for school or work lunches.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Crustless Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Pot pie without the pie? Yes, if you are like me craving those comfy, cozy flavors without the extra work.
This one is for those lazy days.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Johnny Marzetti
Johnny Marzetti the quintessential classic vintage casserole of pasta with beefy tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Some call it American Goulash… some American Chop suey… some spice it up and add beans and call it chili mac. Whatever name you call it, I bet if you are American you have been fed this by your mom or grandma.
Get the Recipe: Johnny Marzetti
Easy Lancashire Hotpot
Lancashire Hot Pot!! English comfort food at its best!! Imagine the comforting aroma of slow-cooked lamb, mingling with caramelized onions and potatoes, wafting through your kitchen!
This time we’re taking a shortcut and using leftover lamb to make it weeknight friendly!
Get the Recipe: Lancashire Hotpot
Soup Recipes for Busy Weeknights
And let’s not forget soups! While some soups can take a lot to cook, others taste just as great with a fraction of the time and effort.
The next time you crave some cozy soup to warm up your weeknight, give one of the following great recipes a try:
Fasolada
Fasolada is the ultimate Greek comfort food. This white bean soup is notable for a very generous drizzling of olive oil.
It’s one of our go-to last minute weeknight dinners. Yum!
Get the Recipe: Fasolada
Sopa de Fideo
Everyones favorite Tomato Soup gets an upgrade with noodles. Tomato Noodle Soup? You got it right. Sopa de Fideo is Mexico’s version of everyone’s beloved tomato soup.
With its simple ingredients – thin noodles and a flavorful tomato broth – this dish is the epitome of comfort food. Sopa de Fideo is an easy and quick recipe, perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you need a soothing meal.
Get the Recipe: Sopa de Fideo
Egg Roll Soup
How do you roll when it comes to soups? This time I am going with Asian flavors in a bowl… with Egg Roll Soup!
This Egg Roll Soup is everything you dream about in your beloved egg roll, but in a cozy, delicious soupified way. When craving for that favorite Asian appetizer without wrapping and frying, here is a healthy sub for your egg roll fix.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll Soup
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Tuscan White Bean Soup is for all the bread lovers out there looking for a soul warming bowl of comfort.
This hearty rustic soup, known locally as Ribollita, that has been cooked in peasants’ kitchens for centuries, all over Tuscany.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan White Bean Soup
Conclusion
Aren’t they all wonderful? So, so delicious yet so, so easy and quick to whip up on any hectic busy days and nights. We hope these help make your life a little bit easier and full of flavors.
Pin or bookmark these great weeknight recipes to your every day folder and cook your way through all without thinking what’s for dinner. 🙂 Enjoy…
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Dinner Ideas for Tonight
Sunday Dinner Ideas
Ground Beef Recipes
Stir Fry Recipes
Crockpot Recipes
Breakfast Ideas
The 50+ BEST Easy Weeknight Dinners
This collection of Easy Weeknight Dinners is perfect for all those hectic days. From stir fry to crockpot, this list has it all!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1.5 pt cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 Tbsp orange marmalade
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup fresh basil
Instructions
- Melt 1 Tbsp butter with olive oil in skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, cook 5 minutes per side, until slightly browned. Remove to plate and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium-low, add remaining butter to pan. Once melted add half of cherry tomatoes, scrape browned bits from chicken and mix.
- Add 3-4 Tbsp water, vinegar, orange marmalade and remaining cherry tomatoes. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring continuously. Add salt and pepper to taste, along with basil.
- Serve tomato mixture over chicken.
Notes
- Be sure to let me know your favorites from this list, I love hearing from you!
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 321Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 117mgSodium 1307mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 1gSugar 9gProtein 38g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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