Weeknights can feel rushed, and finding a dinner everyone will actually eat can be a challenge. These 37 easy meals are simple to make and full of flavor, making them worth cooking again and again. From quick pasta dishes to simple chicken dinners and one-pan meals, the recipes are reliable, tasty, and ready in less time than you think.
Caprese Panini. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Pesto Salmon
Bring a fresh twist to dinner by coating salmon in herby pesto that cooks in just minutes. The flavor is bright and satisfying, and the fish stays tender whether it’s baked or cooked on the stove. This easy weeknight meal is fast, flavorful, and worth repeating when you want a dinner that feels special without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Turn ordinary pasta into a comforting meal by filling jumbo shells with creamy cheese and baking them in rich sauce. The prep is simple, and the oven does most of the work, leaving a hearty and satisfying dinner. This easy weeknight meal is filling, comforting, and a perfect choice when you want something everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Shake up dinner with a chicken egg roll in a bowl that brings the flavors of takeout straight to your kitchen. Everything cooks in one skillet, saving time and cleanup while keeping the meal packed with flavor. This simple weeknight dinner is quick, bold, and satisfying enough to make a repeat appearance on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Creamy Pea Pasta
Make a fast and comforting pasta dinner by turning peas into a creamy sauce that clings to every noodle. The dish is rich and filling, but comes together in just one pan and a few minutes. This easy weeknight meal is simple, satisfying, and perfect for nights when you want something comforting without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Caprese Panini
Give dinner a fresh twist with a caprese panini stacked with mozzarella, tomato, and basil that presses hot and crisp in minutes. The flavors come together perfectly, making a simple sandwich feel hearty enough for a full meal. This quick weeknight dinner is tasty, easy to make, and a go-to option for nights when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Make dinner effortless with an Instant Pot filled with lentils, vegetables, and spices for a thick, hearty soup. It cooks quickly but tastes like it simmered for hours, giving a rich and satisfying meal. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, filling, and a smart choice for nights when you need something warm and wholesome.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Give dinner a kick with buffalo chicken salad that combines spicy chicken with crisp, fresh greens. The sauce clings to every bite, creating a meal that feels exciting without extra effort. This quick weeknight dinner is bold, filling, and a repeatable choice for nights when you want flavor without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Make dinner fun with crescent roll bagel dogs that bake golden and flaky with a juicy filling inside. The buttery crust and warm filling create a meal that everyone loves without much prep. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, tasty, and perfect for nights when a quick, satisfying meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Bring comfort to the table with a cheesy beef and rice casserole that bakes into a warm, hearty meal. The ingredients are simple and easy to keep on hand, making it a low-effort dish with big flavor. This easy weeknight dinner is filling, satisfying, and a reliable choice when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Cashew Chicken
Add crunch and flavor to dinner with cashew chicken cooked in a sweet and savory sauce that coats every bite. The one-pan method keeps cleanup simple and lets the meal come together quickly. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, flavorful, and perfect for nights when takeout feels tempting but time is short.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Cacio e Pepe
Make dinner classic and simple with cacio e pepe, where pasta, cheese, and pepper come together in one skillet. The flavors are bold and satisfying, yet the dish comes together in just a few minutes. This easy weeknight meal is quick, flavorful, and proves that simple ingredients can make a dinner worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Turn traditional lasagna into a fast weeknight dinner by rolling pasta sheets with sauce and cheese for a simple bake. The dish is rich, cheesy, and far easier than layering a full lasagna. This easy weeknight meal is comforting, satisfying, and perfect for nights when you want a filling dinner without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Italian Meatball Soup
Make a hearty dinner with Italian meatball soup that combines tender meatballs, pasta, and broth in one pot. The flavors blend quickly, giving a homemade taste in under 30 minutes. This easy weeknight meal is fast, filling, and proves that soup can feel like a full dinner without long hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Roll tortillas with chicken, cheese, and sauce for enchiladas that taste rich but come together quickly with a shortcut like rotisserie chicken. The cheese melts perfectly, giving a comforting and satisfying meal. This easy weeknight dinner is quick, filling, and a great choice when you want a meal that feels homemade with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Honey Glazed Chicken
Make dinner sweet and savory with honey glazed chicken that cooks in one pan and creates sticky, flavorful bites. The glaze adds shine and richness to the chicken while keeping the recipe simple. This easy weeknight meal is comforting, quick, and perfect for nights when a little extra flavor is needed without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Turn quinoa into a full, satisfying meal by cooking it with beans, vegetables, and spices all in one skillet. The flavors are rich, and the dish is filling without using meat. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, hearty, and a smart choice when you need a wholesome meal with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Warm up dinner with chicken tortellini soup that comes together quickly but tastes rich and satisfying. The pasta is tender, and the broth is flavorful, giving a meal that feels like it took longer than it did. This easy weeknight dinner is comforting, filling, and a great option when time is limited.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Kefta Kebabs
Fire up a skillet or grill for kefta kebabs that are juicy, tender, and full of spices for a bold dinner. The prep is quick, and the cooking time is short, giving a fast meal with big flavor. These easy weeknight dinners are satisfying, flavorful, and perfect when a simple yet exciting dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Whip up a chicken salad that is creamy, hearty, and ready in minutes for a fast dinner. It works in sandwiches, wraps, or over greens, keeping meals fresh and varied. This easy weeknight dinner is simple, satisfying, and a great way to make busy nights less stressful without cutting flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Poached Orange Salmon
Brighten dinner with salmon poached in orange broth that stays tender and juicy while cooking quickly. The flavor is fresh and light, pairing well with simple sides for a balanced meal. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, flavorful, and perfect when you want a special dinner without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps
Crisp up chicken in the air fryer and wrap it with fresh vegetables and sauce for a fast dinner packed with flavor. The air fryer keeps the chicken juicy while giving a satisfying crunch that feels like street food at home. This easy weeknight meal is quick, exciting, and a repeatable option when you want dinner to feel special without slowing down.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps
Baked Lemon Butter Fish
Make dinner fresh and simple by coating fish fillets in lemon butter and letting the oven do the work. The fish stays tender and flavorful while the cleanup stays minimal. This easy weeknight meal is bright, fast, and a smart choice when you want something light yet satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Butter Fish
Ramen Chicken Noodles
Stir chicken, broth, and noodles together for a ramen-style dinner that is quick, hearty, and full of flavor. It comes together faster than takeout but still feels rich and filling. This simple weeknight meal is fast, satisfying, and perfect for nights when you need a comforting dinner without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Chicken Noodles
Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken
Make a bold dinner with loaded blackened skillet chicken that is packed with flavor and comes together quickly. The seasoning is rich, and the pan keeps the chicken juicy for a filling meal. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, impressive, and perfect when you want a flavorful dinner without extra prep.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Cook pork chops in the air fryer for a golden, crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior in just minutes. The seasoning is simple but flavorful, making a meal the whole family will enjoy. This easy weeknight dinner is quick, satisfying, and a reliable choice for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Alfredo Steak Pasta
Pair tender steak with creamy Alfredo sauce for a pasta dinner that is hearty and rich. The dish comes together quickly, giving a restaurant-quality meal without long prep. This easy weeknight dinner is filling, flavorful, and a go-to when comfort and speed are both needed.
Get the Recipe: Alfredo Steak Pasta
Chicken Fried Steak
Coat steak in a crisp batter and top it with creamy gravy for a classic comfort meal that is simple to make at home. The layers of flavor are rich and filling without being complicated. This easy weeknight dinner is satisfying, hearty, and perfect for nights when comfort food is a must.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Make fried chicken without the extra oil by cooking it in the air fryer for a crunchy exterior and juicy interior. The process is faster than traditional frying, and cleanup is easy. This quick weeknight meal is flavorful, satisfying, and perfect when you want classic comfort without the work.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot
Let chicken simmer in a creamy sauce in the slow cooker for a hands-off dinner that is tender and full of flavor. The method keeps things simple while still producing a rich and satisfying meal. This easy weeknight dinner is comforting, effortless, and ideal when time is tight but flavor matters.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Toss crispy chicken with a tangy, sweet, and sour sauce and peppers for a dinner that tastes like takeout in minutes. The air fryer keeps everything crunchy while reducing prep and cleanup. This quick weeknight meal is flavorful, fast, and perfect when you want a fun dinner without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Basil Fried Rice
Fry rice with basil, tomatoes, and simple seasonings for a colorful and flavorful dinner that comes together quickly. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand, and the dish feels filling without a lot of effort. This easy weeknight meal is fast, satisfying, and proves that even basic pantry items can create a dinner worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Basil Fried Rice
Rasta Pasta
Mix pasta with a creamy sauce and bold spices for a dish that is rich, colorful, and packed with flavor. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and can be adjusted to fit any diet. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, tasty, and a perfect choice when you want a meal that feels exciting without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Rasta Pasta
Chicken Piccata
Make a dinner that tastes like restaurant quality by cooking chicken with a lemony, buttery sauce in under an hour. The flavors are bright, rich, and perfectly balanced for a satisfying meal. This easy weeknight dinner is quick, flavorful, and a repeatable option when you want something impressive without spending all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata
Kung Pao Beef
Cook kung pao beef in a savory, spicy sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes for a bold dinner. The beef stays tender and the sauce coats every bite with flavor, making the meal satisfying and filling. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, flavorful, and perfect for nights when you want something exciting without takeout.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Beef
Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Bake chicken and waffles together for a dish that is crispy on top, tender inside, and packed with sweet and savory flavor. The recipe is simple to follow and comes together in one pan for easy cleanup. This easy weeknight meal is fun, filling, and a creative way to turn a breakfast favorite into dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Coat pork chops in seasoned crumbs and bake until the outside is crispy and golden while the inside stays juicy. The prep is minimal, and the result is a flavorful meal that comes together quickly. This easy weeknight dinner is fast, satisfying, and a reliable choice for busy nights when comfort food is needed.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Garlic Steak & Mushrooms
Sear steak with garlic and mushrooms for a dinner that is full of flavor and comes together in minutes. The mushrooms add richness while the steak stays tender and juicy for a filling meal. This easy weeknight dinner is quick, flavorful, and perfect when you want a simple but satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Steak & Mushrooms