Weeknight dinners can feel stressful when time’s short and everyone is hungry. These 17 quick and simple recipes are ones I turn to when I don’t have much time, making it easy to get dinner on the table fast. The recipes use common ingredients and simple steps, giving meals that are satisfying, filling, and ready in minutes.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Italian Meatball Soup
Simmer meatballs, pasta, and broth together for a soup that is hearty and filling while cooking in under 30 minutes. The flavors blend into a rich and comforting dinner that feels like it took much longer to make. This easy weeknight recipe works well when a warm, satisfying meal is needed quickly.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mix canned chicken with pantry staples to create a creamy salad that comes together almost instantly. It can be enjoyed in wraps, sandwiches, or bowls while still feeling like a complete dinner. This fast weeknight recipe is perfect when a simple and filling meal is wanted without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Fill jumbo pasta shells with creamy cheese for a rich, satisfying meal that bakes quickly in the oven. The combination of sauce and cheese creates a comforting dinner while keeping the steps simple. These stuffed shells make a weeknight meal feel indulgent without taking much time to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Caprese Panini
Press mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil between slices of bread to create a warm panini that cooks in minutes. The sandwich is light but filling enough to serve as a complete dinner for anyone at the table. This easy weeknight recipe delivers a hot, fresh meal while saving time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Combine chicken and tortellini in a flavorful broth to make a hearty, comforting soup that cooks quickly. The meal is ready in under 30 minutes and tastes satisfying without long prep. This fast weeknight recipe is ideal when a warm and filling dinner is wanted without effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cacio e Pepe
Toss pasta, cheese, and pepper together in one pan for a simple yet rich dinner that cooks quickly. The recipe requires minimal cleanup while still producing a satisfying and flavorful meal. This quick weeknight recipe proves that fast cooking can deliver a special and hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cook quinoa, beans, and spices together in one skillet to make a colorful, filling, and flavorful dinner. The dish is meat-free but hearty enough to satisfy anyone at the table. This fast weeknight recipe is perfect when simple, wholesome food is needed in minimal time.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Combine lentils, vegetables, and spices in the Instant Pot to create a thick, hearty soup that cooks quickly. The flavors are comforting, and the dish requires very little effort. This healthy weeknight recipe works well when a warm and satisfying dinner is wanted fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Layer rotisserie chicken, cheese, sauce, and tortillas to make enchiladas that taste rich and homemade without long prep. The dish comes together in minutes while remaining hearty and satisfying. This fast weeknight recipe is ideal when a cheesy, filling dinner is needed quickly.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss leftover chicken with buffalo sauce and fresh greens to make a bold, filling dinner in just a few minutes. The spicy sauce adds flavor and substance while keeping the dish light and simple. This easy weeknight recipe works well when a fast, satisfying meal is wanted without effort.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Poached Orange Salmon
Simmer salmon in a bright orange broth to keep it tender, juicy, and flavorful in minutes. The citrus adds a fresh taste that pairs perfectly with simple sides for a complete meal. This easy weeknight recipe makes a special dinner possible without long preparation.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Kefta Kebabs
Shape ground meat with spices and cook quickly to make juicy, tender kebabs full of bold flavor. The recipe skips long prep and marinating while still producing a satisfying meal. These fast weeknight kebabs work perfectly when a simple, filling dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Roll pasta sheets with cheese and sauce to create a lasagna-inspired meal that is easier than traditional layered lasagna. The dish retains all the rich, familiar flavors while saving time in the kitchen. This easy weeknight recipe is great when a special, hearty dinner is wanted without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Cashew Chicken
Stir chicken and cashews in a sweet and savory sauce to make a meal that tastes like takeout but cooks in minutes. The one-pan recipe keeps cleanup simple while still delivering bold, satisfying flavors. This fast weeknight recipe works well when a quick, filling dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Bake beef, rice, and cheese together to make a warm, hearty casserole that fills the kitchen with comforting aromas. The ingredients are easy to find, and preparation is straightforward and stress-free. This fast weeknight recipe is perfect when a filling, one-dish dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Stir ground chicken, cabbage, and sauce in one skillet for a fast, flavorful dinner that tastes like takeout. The recipe comes together quickly and requires minimal cleanup. This easy weeknight recipe is ideal when a bold, satisfying meal is wanted with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Creamy Pea Pasta
Cook frozen peas into a creamy sauce that coats pasta for a rich, filling dinner in just a few minutes. The one-pan recipe keeps cleanup simple while delivering comfort and flavor. This easy weeknight recipe works well when fast, satisfying food is needed without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta