Looking for dinner ideas that actually work on busy nights? These 31 tried-and-true recipes have been tested by readers and loved for their simple steps and big flavor. They’re easy to follow and make meals that are satisfying, comforting, and worth repeating. With options for every night of the week, it’s easy to find something that fits your schedule and cravings.
Slow Cooker Pork Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Make dinner simple with a chicken salad that comes together in minutes. The mix of chicken, vegetables, and a light dressing creates a filling meal that tastes fresh and satisfying. This easy recipe is one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes readers love most because it works for busy nights without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Meatballs and Sauce
Enjoy a comforting dinner with meatballs cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce that takes little time to prepare. The sauce clings to each meatball, creating a hearty meal that feels homemade. Readers love this recipe for its simple steps and for being one of the delicious dinner recipes that always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Turn leftover chicken into a quick and tasty meal with this egg roll-inspired bowl. The mix of vegetables and chicken brings the flavors of takeout home without the long prep. This recipe is a reader favorite because it’s easy to make and delivers a satisfying dinner that everyone enjoys.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Make a fast and filling dinner with pasta that combines flaky tuna and juicy tomatoes. The simple ingredients come together to create a meal that’s both flavorful and easy to cook. This is one of the easy-to-make dinner recipes readers love because it works on even the busiest nights.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Prepare tender chicken with bright lemon and savory garlic in the Instant Pot for a fast weeknight dinner. The method locks in flavor and makes the chicken juicy without extra effort. Readers return to this recipe again and again because it’s simple, satisfying, and one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes they love most.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Add a tasty twist to mac and cheese by mixing in tomatoes and bacon for a rich and creamy dinner. The combination is hearty and comforting while still being easy to make. This is a favorite reader-approved recipe because it’s one of the delicious dinner recipes that always delivers big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells with ricotta and spinach make a filling and easy dinner that everyone can enjoy. The creamy filling and baked cheese create a satisfying meal that feels special without a lot of effort. Readers love this recipe because it is simple to make and one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes they return to often.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Let the slow cooker do the work while pork chili simmers until tender and flavorful. The spices and sauce build a rich taste that makes this dish hearty and comforting. This recipe is a favorite among readers because it’s easy to make and one of the delicious dinner recipes loved for its convenience and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Tamale Pot Pies
Combine the flavors of tamales with the comfort of pot pies for a warm and satisfying dinner. The simple preparation creates a hearty meal that tastes special without extra work. Readers love this recipe because it’s easy to make and one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that delivers flavor every time.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Orange Chicken
Make dinner exciting with orange chicken that cooks quickly but tastes just like takeout. The sweet and tangy sauce coats the tender chicken for a flavorful meal everyone enjoys. This reader-approved recipe is one of the easy-to-make dinner recipes loved for its great taste and simple preparation.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Make a quick and hearty dinner with chicken tortilla soup that uses leftover chicken. The combination of tender chicken, spices, and crunchy toppings creates a flavorful and satisfying meal. This recipe is one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes readers love for its easy preparation and comforting taste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Honey Glazed Chicken
Prepare sweet and sticky honey-glazed chicken that comes together quickly on busy nights. The glaze adds a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavor that makes the chicken irresistible. Readers keep returning to this recipe because it is an easy-to-make dinner that delivers great taste every time.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
Make shredded BBQ chicken in the Instant Pot for a fast and flavorful meal. The smoky sauce blends perfectly with tender chicken for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls that everyone will enjoy. This recipe is one of the delicious dinner recipes readers love most because it’s simple to prepare and versatile.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot Carnitas
Prepare tender and flavorful carnitas in the Instant Pot with minimal effort. The meat comes out juicy and perfect for tacos, bowls, or wraps that satisfy big appetites. This recipe is a favorite reader-approved dinner because it’s easy to make and delivers restaurant-style flavor at home.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carnitas
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Make a hearty dinner with cheesy beef and rice casserole that comes together in one dish. The combination of beef, rice, and melted cheese creates a filling meal everyone will enjoy. Readers love this recipe because it is easy to make and one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that works for family meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Pesto Salmon
Prepare a healthy and flavorful dinner with pesto salmon that cooks quickly and easily. The fresh pesto adds vibrant taste without extra steps, making it a satisfying meal. This recipe is a favorite among readers because it’s an easy-to-make dinner that feels special and tastes delicious.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Pizza Dough
Make homemade pizza dough for a fun and versatile dinner option that works with any toppings. The dough is easy to prepare and turns pizza night into a simple and enjoyable meal. Readers love this recipe because it’s one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that guarantees a delicious result every time.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Dough
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Use leftover chicken to create a quick and comforting chicken tortellini soup. The tender chicken and rich tortellini make a filling meal that’s easy to cook on busy nights. This recipe is one of the delicious dinner recipes readers love for its simplicity and satisfying flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Italian Meatball Soup
Make a warm and hearty Italian meatball soup that’s simple to prepare. The tender meatballs simmer in flavorful broth, creating a comforting dinner everyone enjoys. This recipe is a reader favorite because it is easy to make and one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that delivers great taste.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Lemon Roasted Chicken
Roast chicken with lemon for a bright and flavorful dinner that comes together easily. The citrus adds a fresh taste while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. Readers love this recipe because it is an easy-to-make dinner that consistently delivers a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken
Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Make a simple and satisfying dinner with chicken and orzo tossed with herbs and feta. The mix of ingredients creates a flavorful and balanced meal that comes together quickly. Readers love this recipe because it’s one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that is easy to make and always satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Tomato Lime Chicken
Prepare a zesty tomato lime chicken that cooks quickly and tastes fresh. The tangy flavors blend perfectly with tender chicken for a simple yet flavorful meal. This recipe is a reader favorite because it’s an easy-to-make dinner that delivers great taste without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Cacio e Pepe
Make a quick and comforting pasta dinner with cacio e pepe that’s ready in just 15 minutes. The creamy cheese and peppery kick create a simple yet satisfying meal. Readers love this recipe because it is one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that works on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Turn a classic snack into a fun and easy dinner with crescent roll bagel dogs. The combination of soft rolls and hot dogs makes a quick and filling meal that everyone enjoys. This recipe is a reader favorite because it is an easy-to-make dinner that brings flavor and fun to the table.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Make tender garlic roast pork in a slow cooker for a hands-off and flavorful dinner. The garlic infuses the meat while it cooks slowly, creating a rich and savory meal. Readers love this recipe because it’s one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that is simple to make and always satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Bacon Egg Salad
Prepare a creamy egg salad with crispy bacon for a quick and tasty dinner option. It works well on bread or served alone for a lighter meal that fills you up. This recipe is a reader favorite because it’s an easy-to-make dinner that reliably delivers flavor and satisfaction.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Caprese Panini
Make a warm Caprese panini with melted cheese, juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil for a simple but satisfying dinner. The crisp bread adds a great texture that makes the sandwich feel special. Readers love this recipe because it’s one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that combines ease with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Turn rotisserie chicken into a quick and flavorful enchilada dinner. The blend of cheese, sauce, and chicken creates a satisfying meal without extra effort. This recipe is a reader favorite because it’s an easy-to-make dinner that works for both weeknights and casual gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Creamy Pea Pasta
Make a fresh and creamy pea pasta dinner that is ready in a short time. The combination of peas and sauce creates a light but filling meal that everyone enjoys. Readers love this recipe because it’s one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that is simple and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Prepare tender pulled pork in the Instant Pot for a fast and flavorful dinner. The spices and slow-cooked taste come together quickly for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls. This recipe is a reader favorite because it is an easy-to-make dinner that delivers big flavor with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Beer Cheese Soup
Make a creamy beer cheese soup that is simple to prepare and full of flavor. The combination of cheese and beer creates a rich, comforting meal that warms the whole table. Readers love this recipe because it’s one of the tried-and-true dinner recipes that is easy to make and satisfying every time.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup