Some nights leave you too tired to think about what to make for dinner, but skipping a good meal isn’t an option. That’s where these 29 simple dinner recipes come in, giving you easy meals that taste great without asking for much time or effort. These recipes keep dinner stress off the table and flavor right where it belongs.
Shredded BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Warm up dinner with chicken, noodles, and broth that cook quickly in the Instant Pot for a meal that feels homemade. The flavors blend while the pressure cooker does the work, giving you comfort without standing over the stove. This is a simple dinner recipe that busy people can always count on for a fast and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Potato Corn Chowder
Bring creamy potatoes, sweet corn, and smoky bacon together in a chowder that fills the bowl and the stomach. The slow cooker or stovetop handles the cooking while you keep moving through the day. This is a hearty dinner recipe that makes busy nights feel a lot easier.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Orange Chicken
Skip takeout and coat crispy chicken in a sweet, tangy orange glaze that comes together in minutes. Prep is simple and the dish cooks quickly, so you get big flavor without waiting. This is one of those delicious dinner recipes busy people reach for when time is short but taste still matters.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken
Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Let pork and chili spices simmer low and slow until the flavors come together in a bold, hearty dish. Prep takes only a few minutes, and then the slow cooker takes care of the rest. This is an easy dinner recipe for busy nights when you want a filling meal without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Make tender shredded chicken covered in tangy barbecue sauce that works in sandwiches, salads, or baked potatoes. The Instant Pot keeps prep low while giving you bold flavor in little time. This is a versatile dinner recipe that busy people keep on repeat for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Stir together tuna, creamy pesto, and tangy sundried tomatoes for a dinner that’s quick, fresh, and full of flavor. It works over bread, tossed on greens, or right from the bowl when time is tight. This is an easy dinner recipe that helps busy people stay full without slowing down.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Honey Glazed Chicken
Coat chicken in a sticky honey and garlic glaze that cooks quickly and brings sweet, savory flavor to the table. With only a few minutes of prep, the pan takes care of the rest while dinner comes together fast. This is a delicious dinner recipe for busy people who want a meal that feels like it took more work than it did.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Thai Chicken Chili
Mix chicken and spices in the Instant Pot for a chili that’s bold, filling, and effortless. The pot develops the flavor while you take care of other things. This is an easy dinner recipe that busy people can trust to bring heat and heart to the table without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili
Perfect Pot Roast
Cook beef until it’s fork-tender while vegetables soak in a rich broth that makes every bite satisfying. It takes very little prep before the pot takes over and turns simple ingredients into comfort. This is an easy dinner recipe that makes life simpler for busy people who want something hearty.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Pot Roast
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Make salmon rich and bold by cooking it in a sauce of cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. It requires minimal work while flavors come together into a dish that feels special. This is a fast and delicious dinner recipe that busy people can keep in rotation for stress-free nights.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mix canned chicken with a creamy dressing for a no-cook dinner that is light, fresh, and filling. The whole meal comes together in just minutes but still feels complete and satisfying. Keep this quick and easy recipe on hand for busy nights when there isn’t time to cook.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
Let the beef cook with herbs and vegetables in the slow cooker until it’s tender and full of flavor. Prep is quick, and the pot does the rest, giving you a dinner that’s hearty with little effort. This is one of those simple dinner recipes that come through every time life feels too busy.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
Chicken Curry
Cook chicken in a spiced coconut milk sauce that turns creamy, bold, and comforting. Prep is quick, and the pot does the heavy lifting while flavors build. This is a dinner recipe busy people turn to when they want something rich without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Place pork and garlic in the slow cooker and let it cook until tender and full of flavor. Minimal prep means the pot handles the hard part while you focus on your day. This is an easy dinner recipe that makes busy nights feel less stressful.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Beer Cheese Soup
Melt sharp cheese into a smooth, rich broth to make a soup that is hearty, creamy, and satisfying. The Instant Pot speeds up cooking and makes prep simple, so dinner comes together with minimal effort. Rely on this fast and easy recipe for busy nights when comfort in a bowl is exactly what’s needed.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Cook chicken in a tangy lemon and garlic sauce that tastes fresh and bold without taking hours. The Instant Pot builds flavor while you handle other things. This is an effortless dinner recipe for busy nights when you need something tasty with little work.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Creamy Pea Pasta
Toss pasta in a creamy sauce with sweet peas for a meal that feels cozy and filling. It comes together in minutes with ingredients you may already have. This is one of those simple dinner recipes busy people love because it saves time without cutting flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Carnitas
Let pork cook in the Instant Pot with Mexican spices until it’s tender and easy to shred. It works for tacos, burritos, or bowls with almost no effort. This is a delicious dinner recipe busy people count on when they want flavor and flexibility.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Mix rotisserie chicken, cheesy tortellini, and broth for a soup that’s rich, hearty, and satisfying. Minimal prep lets it come together fast while still tasting like it simmered for hours. Busy people can rely on this simple dinner recipe when they need a quick and comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Lemon Butter Pasta
Coat pasta in a butter and lemon sauce that feels both rich and light in every bite. It comes together quickly, making it perfect for nights when time is short. This is one of those fast dinner recipes busy people can always count on for flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Chicken Paprikash
Cook chicken in a creamy paprika sauce that tastes rich while the Instant Pot does most of the work. It takes little effort yet delivers big comfort at the table. This is an easy dinner recipe that helps busy people enjoy something special with less stress.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Mix ground turkey with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for juicy burgers that are full of flavor. They cook quickly on the stovetop and need very little prep, making dinner fast and easy. Rely on this simple dinner recipe when busy nights call for something easy and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Combine juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and savory sauce in one pan for a dinner that’s hearty and simple. The flavors build fast and keep the meal filling without fuss. This is a delicious dinner recipe busy people turn to for quick comfort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cacio e Pepe
Toss pasta with cheese and black pepper for a creamy, satisfying dish that feels timeless. The sauce comes together in minutes with no extra steps, making the whole meal fast and simple. Rely on this quick dinner recipe when busy nights call for a tasty, effortless meal that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Pulled Pork
Let pork cook in the slow cooker until tender and packed with flavor for sandwiches, tacos, or sliders. It takes only a few minutes of prep before the pot takes over. This is a versatile dinner recipe that makes busy nights easier and tastier.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Bacon Egg Salad
Mix crispy bacon with creamy egg salad for a quick dinner that works in wraps, sandwiches, or straight from the bowl. It comes together fast but still feels filling. This is an easy dinner recipe that busy people keep handy when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Cook tender beef in the slow cooker and serve it in crisp masa cups for a dinner packed with flavor. The prep is simple, while the crockpot slowly builds rich, savory taste without extra effort. Try this tasty and easy dinner recipe when busy nights call for something satisfying and quick.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Pesto Salmon
Top salmon with pesto and let it cook into a rich, flavorful dinner that feels fresh. It only takes minutes of prep, making it perfect for rushed nights. This is a delicious dinner recipe busy people can count on when they want something quick but satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Honey Habanero Tacos
Cook ground beef with spices, honey, and habanero for a taco filling that’s smoky, sweet, and spicy. It comes together quickly with very little prep, letting you get dinner on the table fast. Use this easy dinner recipe to make busy weeknights bold, exciting, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos