Weeknights can feel busy, but dinner can still be simple and full of flavor. These 35 easy Mexican recipes include main dishes, appetizers, sides, and desserts that can be made quickly without extra stress. From tacos and enchiladas to soups and sweet treats, there are plenty of dishes that bring the family together around the table.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Dessert Nachos
Cinnamon sugar tortillas are topped with berries, chocolate, and whipped cream for a playful twist on dessert. The combination of textures and flavors makes it fun and easy to serve right from the plate. Try this sweet Mexican treat when you want a quick dessert that feels special without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Chocolate brownies get a subtle kick from cinnamon and chili powder for a dessert with bold flavor. They bake quickly and are simple to cut into bars for sharing after dinner. Add these brownies to a weeknight meal for a quick and impressive Mexican-style dessert.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Carnitas
Tender pulled pork-style carnitas deliver rich flavor while staying simple to prepare for tacos or burritos. The recipe skips dairy but keeps the authentic Mexican taste intact. Make this easy carnitas on a busy night when a filling and flavorful dinner is needed fast.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Chunky Guacamole
Ripe avocados mix with lime, tomatoes, and seasonings to create a chunky dip in minutes. It pairs well with tacos, quesadillas, or just on its own. Serve this fresh and easy Mexican side to bring vibrant flavor to weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Homemade Nacho Cheese
Creamy nacho cheese melts together quickly, blending mild spice with rich flavor. It works as a topping for tacos, burritos, or even roasted vegetables. Add this cheesy Mexican favorite to dinner when a fast, flavorful boost is needed.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Ground beef, rice, and cheese cook together in one pot for a hearty, comforting meal. The flavors are rich, and cleanup stays simple, making weeknight prep stress-free. Try this casserole when a filling Mexican dinner that pleases everyone is the goal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken, beans, and corn cook together in a broth that is flavorful and hearty. The soup is filling enough to be a complete meal without extra dishes. Serve this Mexican-inspired soup when you want a quick and satisfying dinner on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Refried Beans
Creamy refried beans add richness and depth to tacos, enchiladas, or any main dish. It uses a few pantry staples and comes together quickly, making it easy to serve. Include this classic Mexican side to make dinners feel complete with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Roasted tomatillos give this salsa a tangy, zesty flavor that brightens tacos, grilled meats, or enchiladas. The charred notes add depth while keeping the taste fresh and bold. Use this easy Mexican salsa to add fast flavor to any weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Spanish Rice
Fluffy Spanish rice cooks quickly and pairs perfectly with tacos, enchiladas, or burritos. The recipe is simple but has more flavor than plain rice from a restaurant. Make this classic Mexican side to round out weeknight dinners in no time.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Seven layers of beans, cheese, and toppings stack into a dip that is full of flavor in every bite. It comes together in minutes and works as a snack, side, or party dish. Try this easy Mexican dip when you want a simple and tasty addition to any meal or gathering.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Quinoa, beans, corn, and salsa cook together in one skillet to make a filling, protein-packed meal. It requires minimal prep and delivers bold flavor without extra effort. Use this easy Mexican skillet dish to get a fast, healthy dinner on the table any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Red Enchilada Sauce
A rich red sauce made from simple pantry ingredients adds bold flavor to tacos, enchiladas, or casseroles. It cooks quickly while giving meals a homemade taste that feels satisfying. Keep this sauce on hand to bring fast, authentic Mexican flavor to family dinners with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Red Enchilada Sauce
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie chicken and cheese rolled into soft tortillas and baked with sauce for a warm, comforting dinner. The flavors meld quickly, keeping prep and cleanup simple for busy nights. Serve this delicious dish when a hearty Mexican meal is needed fast and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Tamale Pot Pies
Tender chicken, corn, and spices come together inside a soft masa crust that bakes quickly and tastes warm and comforting. The flavors of classic tamales shine through without adding extra work in the kitchen. Serve these Mexican pot pies when a fast, satisfying dinner for the whole family is needed.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Flaky pastry surrounds tender chicken, making these empanadas simple to prepare using shortcuts. Baking takes just a few minutes, yet the dish feels homemade and satisfying. Try these Mexican empanadas when a handheld dinner that comes together quickly is needed.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Puff pastry holds seasoned beef for a meal that is fast to cook and packed with flavor. They work well as a snack, side, or main dish without complicated prep. Serve these Mexican-style empanadas when you want an easy dinner that tastes impressive.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Honey Habanero Tacos
Sweet honey and spicy habanero coat ground beef for tacos that cook quickly and taste bold. The combination gives a fresh, lively flavor without extra effort. Make these Mexican tacos on a busy night when you want something simple but different.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Beef Quesadillas
Melted cheese and seasoned beef cook inside tortillas for a meal that is fast, filling, and flavorful. They slice easily for sharing and make dinner ready in minutes. Use quesadillas as a dependable Mexican dinner when weeknights are busy and flavor matters.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas
Chicken Tinga
Smoky, tender chicken simmers in a sauce with bold spices for tacos, burritos, or nachos. The Instant Pot speeds cooking while keeping the meat juicy and rich. Serve this Mexican chicken dish when you need bold flavor on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice cook together in the Instant Pot for a hearty meal that takes just minutes. The spices and salsa blend to give rich, comforting flavor with minimal effort. Serve this easy Mexican dish when you want a family-friendly dinner ready without standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Layers of chicken, cheese, and sauce bake into a warm, comforting dish that fills the table with flavor. It is easy to assemble and tastes even better the next day, making leftovers just as satisfying. Try this Mexican casserole when a simple and filling family dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Easy Creamy Taco Soup
Creamy taco soup combines chicken, vegetables, and Mexican spices for a hearty and quick meal. It cooks on the stove in minutes while staying naturally gluten-free and satisfying. Make this soup when a comforting and easy Mexican dinner for the whole family is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Taco Soup
Enchilada Meatballs
Seasoned meatballs bake in enchilada sauce for a meal that is bold in flavor and easy to make. The dish comes together quickly while giving the table a comforting, family-style dinner. Use these Mexican meatballs when you want a simple and hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Enchilada Meatballs
Birria Pizza
Tender, spicy meat spreads over cheese on a pizza crust for a Mexican-inspired twist on a favorite dish. The pizza cooks quickly and keeps prep easy for a weeknight dinner. Serve this dish when a family-friendly meal with bold flavors is needed fast.
Get the Recipe: Birria Pizza
Blackened Cod Tacos
Flaky cod cooks quickly with smoky spices and pairs with cabbage, lime, and pico de gallo for a fresh meal. The tacos are light yet satisfying and come together without much effort. Make these Mexican fish tacos when a quick dinner for the family is needed.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod Tacos
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Steak and shrimp cook together in one pan with peppers and onions for a fast, flavorful dinner. Seasoning is simple but gives the meal bold Mexican flavors with very little cleanup. Serve these fajitas when you want a family dinner that is easy to make and full of taste.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Mexican Steak Pizza
Leftover steak gets a second life on pizza with sauce, cheese, and bold toppings that come together quickly. The flavors are satisfying while keeping prep simple for a family dinner. Make this Mexican pizza when you want a creative and easy way to feed everyone.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Steak Pizza
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Shredded chicken, refried beans, and cheese roll into crisp taquitos cooked in the air fryer for a fast meal. They pair perfectly with salsa or guacamole and require very little prep. Serve these Mexican taquitos when a fun and easy family dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Roasted poblanos are stuffed with chicken, black beans, and melted cheese for a hearty, low-effort dinner. The flavors are rich while keeping the cooking process straightforward. Make these stuffed peppers when a simple Mexican dish for the family is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Garden Fresh Salsa
Fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice come together in a salsa that is ready in minutes. It adds brightness and flavor to tacos, burritos, or grilled dishes without extra work. Serve this Mexican salsa when you want a quick way to bring freshness to a family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garden Fresh Salsa
Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta
Taco-seasoned beef mixes with pasta and melted cheese for a comforting and hearty meal. It makes clever use of leftovers while giving familiar flavors a fresh twist. Serve this dish when a simple, family-friendly Mexican dinner is needed in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta
Blackened Fish Tacos
Mahi Mahi is seasoned and blackened to create tender fish tucked into soft tortillas. A creamy cilantro lime sauce adds flavor and freshness with minimal prep. These tacos are perfect for a quick Mexican dinner that keeps the whole family satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Fish Tacos
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Charred corn, creamy chili lime dressing, and cotija cheese mix with pasta for a fresh and flavorful side. The dish comes together fast while giving bold Mexican flavors to complement any main course. Serve this pasta salad when you want an easy side that brings the family together around the table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes
Corn cakes bake quickly in the air fryer, with melted cheese inside that makes each bite crispy on the outside and tender in the center. They work well as a side dish or a light main course without adding extra work to dinner. Serve these corn cakes when you want an easy Mexican recipe that brings the family together around the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes