Weeknights can be stressful when everyone is hungry and time is short. These 25 easy and delicious dinner ideas make mealtime simple and enjoyable for the whole family. Each recipe is quick to make, full of flavor, and something you’ll immediately want on your plate. With familiar ingredients and simple steps, these meals take the guesswork out of dinner.
Shredded BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers are seasoned with mild spices and topped with crunchy vegetables for a fresh twist on a classic meal. They cook quickly and can be served right off the stove for an easy weeknight dinner. The burger shape and bold flavors make it fun to eat, and plates disappear faster than you expect.
Get the Recipe: Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Flaky dough surrounds a savory chicken filling, creating a hand-held meal that is easy to enjoy. The recipe comes together fast and works perfectly for nights when time is short. Each crispy pocket is fun to hold and bite into, making it a dinner that disappears at the table.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Cacio e Pepe
Creamy pasta tossed with cheese and a hint of pepper makes for a comforting meal that takes just a few ingredients. It comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when dinner needs to be fast. The cheesy noodles are easy to twirl and scoop, turning dinner into a playful and tasty experience.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Potato Gnocchi
Soft potato gnocchi have a pillowy texture that pairs well with simple sauces for a quick and filling meal. They cook fast and can be paired with many easy toppings to suit every taste. The soft, chewy bites are fun to pick up and pop into mouths, making every plate vanish quickly.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Tender shredded chicken is mixed with smoky, flavorful BBQ sauce, making it great for sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls. The recipe is simple to prepare and works well for feeding the family with little effort. Sweet, sticky bites pile high on sandwiches or tacos, creating a meal that’s impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Carnitas
This tender pulled pork is packed with flavor, making it great for tacos, sandwiches, or bowls. It’s easy to prepare and versatile for any dinner plan. The juicy, flavorful bites fit perfectly in little hands, making mealtime lively and fast-moving.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Shortcut Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is light but filling, making it perfect for sandwiches or a simple plate on its own. It is easy to make with minimal effort and comes together in minutes for a quick dinner. Scoop it onto bread or crackers and watch it disappear as hands reach for every creamy bite.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Calzones
Cheesy calzones stuffed with favorite toppings are easy to make and fun to eat for dinner. They bake quickly and are simple to serve straight from the oven. Unwrap each hot pocket and enjoy pulling the gooey cheese apart before it even hits the plate.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Chicken Taco Wraps
Rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, and soft tortillas come together for a quick and customizable wrap. The recipe is simple and perfect for weeknight dinners when time is short. Let everyone build their own wrap and watch the plates empty faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Pizza Rolls
Bite-sized pizza rolls filled with gooey cheese, chicken, and spinach cook in minutes for a hands-on meal. They are quick to prepare and perfect for little hands to grab. Pick up a roll and enjoy discovering the tasty surprise inside every single bite.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
This chicken noodle soup is made fast in the Instant Pot with tender chicken, savory broth, and comforting noodles. It’s a simple recipe for busy nights when everyone is hungry. Ladle a warm bowl and see how quickly it disappears at the table.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Tomato Lime Chicken
Tender chicken cooked with tangy tomato and lime delivers bold, zesty flavor in a simple and satisfying meal. It’s versatile enough to use in tacos, bowls, sandwiches, or served on its own for a quick dinner that everyone enjoys. Pile it onto tortillas, rice, or a plate and watch how quickly the juicy, flavorful bites disappear with every forkful.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Kefta Kebabs
Juicy meat kebabs seasoned with mild spices cook quickly and come together with minimal effort, making them perfect for a fast weeknight dinner. The skewers turn mealtime into a fun, hands-on experience where everyone can grab their own and enjoy at their pace. Hand out the sticks and see the flavorful bites vanish from the plate as laughter and smiles fill the table.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Bigoli pasta tossed with grape tomatoes and creamy ricotta comes together in about 30 minutes for a simple meal. It uses minimal ingredients but delivers maximum flavor. Twist a forkful of noodles and watch the creamy bites vanish before your eyes.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
This stew is packed with tender chicken and soft vegetables, topped with fluffy biscuits that soak up the sauce. It’s simple to prepare and satisfying for the whole family. Tear a biscuit and dip it into the warm stew for bites that disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken and vegetables cook together in a one-pan egg roll-inspired dish that is simple, flavorful, and full of familiar tastes. It comes together quickly on busy weeknights, making it easy to serve without a lot of prep or cleanup. Scoop a generous plate and enjoy the mix of savory chicken and crisp vegetables that disappears fast at the table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Seasoned beef, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese come together in a hearty one-dish meal that satisfies hungry appetites. It’s simple to make, comes together quickly, and feeds the whole family with minimal effort. Grab a spoon and enjoy every cheesy, meaty bite as it disappears from the serving dish in no time.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Southwest Tortilla Pie
Layers of crispy tortillas, tender chicken, beans, and melted cheese bake into a colorful and flavorful pie that’s satisfying for everyone at the table. The recipe comes together quickly and is simple to assemble, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Slice into the layers and enjoy the cheesy, savory bites that disappear fast as everyone reaches for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie
Meatballs and Sauce
Juicy meatballs simmer in rich tomato sauce, making a hearty meal for pasta, rice, or bread. The recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Spoon up a meatball and sauce and watch it disappear from the plate in a few bites.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Pasta shells are filled with creamy cheese and baked to golden perfection for a satisfying meal. The recipe is simple and perfect for weeknight dinners. Pull a shell apart and savor the gooey cheese that disappears almost instantly.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Salmon cooks in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic and Parmesan for bold flavor in under 30 minutes. It’s quick, easy, and satisfying for dinner any night of the week. Spoon a piece with sauce onto the plate and watch it vanish faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Cheese-filled roll-ups bake into individual portions that are simple, delicious, and ready quickly. The recipe comes together fast for busy weeknights. Pick up a cheesy roll and enjoy the bite-sized goodness that disappears from plates fast.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Hot dogs wrapped in buttery crescent dough cook quickly into a soft, golden meal that is simple to prepare. They come together in just a few minutes, making them a perfect option for lunch, dinner, or a quick snack. Bite into a warm, flaky roll and enjoy the savory flavor as it disappears from the plate faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Crisp tortillas cook in just a few minutes to create a quick pizza base that’s ready for all your favorite toppings. It’s simple to customize, allowing everyone at the table to build their own version exactly how they like it. Pile on the cheese, sauce, and toppings, then watch the hot, gooey mini pizzas vanish before anyone can take a second bite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cheesy tortellini and tender chicken swim in a savory broth for a meal that is both filling and simple to prepare. It cooks quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy school nights when dinner needs to be ready fast. Ladle a generous bowl and savor every cheesy, hearty bite as it disappears before anyone can grab seconds.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup