When dinner time rolls around, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 17 quick and easy dinner recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast, but still want it to taste good. Whether you’re looking for a one-pan dish or something that cooks in under 30 minutes, these meals have you covered.
Buffalo Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Whip up all the flavors of an egg roll without the deep-frying or the extra mess. This one-pan meal is packed with juicy chicken, crunchy veggies, and a savory sauce that cooks up fast. It’s a perfect choice when you need a delicious and easy weeknight meal that doesn’t take all night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Stir together this hearty chicken tortellini soup when you need something cozy without the long cooking time. With tender chicken, soft tortellini, and a flavorful broth, it comes together quickly and fills you up. It’s just right for busy nights when you want a comforting and easy dinner that’s ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Roll up cheesy lasagna goodness without the stress of layering and baking forever. These lasagna roll-ups are packed with creamy cheese and rich sauce and bake in less time than traditional lasagna. They’re a great go-to for when you need a comforting and quick weeknight meal that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Toss together this creamy shortcut chicken salad when you want a filling meal without turning on the oven. It uses simple, ready-to-go ingredients that make it come together fast without sacrificing flavor. Keep this recipe handy for nights when you need a quick and satisfying dinner that takes almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Cashew Chicken
Cook up tender cashew chicken in one pan for a sweet and savory dish that’s ready in a flash. The juicy chicken, crunchy nuts, and rich sauce come together quickly without a lot of cleanup. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade and easy dinner that’s packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Layer cheesy, saucy goodness fast with these semi-homemade chicken enchiladas. Starting with store-bought chicken helps you skip the slow steps but still get a hearty, flavorful meal. These enchiladas are great for when you want a satisfying and easy dinner that’s ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Bake up cozy stuffed shells full of creamy cheese without spending all evening in the kitchen. With just a few steps, the pasta and sauce come together into something warm, bubbly, and delicious. This is a perfect recipe when you want a comforting, easy, and quick weeknight meal without all the work.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Creamy Pea Pasta
Stir up a pot of creamy pea pasta that’s rich, filling, and doesn’t take much time to cook. With just a handful of ingredients, this meal feels cozy and satisfying without being complicated. It’s the kind of dinner that’s perfect when you want a quick and easy recipe to whip up on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss together spicy buffalo chicken with fresh greens for a meal that’s quick and full of bold flavor. The creamy dressing balances out the heat and makes this salad feel hearty enough to count as a full dinner. This is a great pick when you need a fast, fresh, and easy weeknight dinner idea.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Caprese Panini
Layer fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil between slices of bread for a warm and golden caprese panini. It toasts up quickly and gives you a light but satisfying meal that tastes like it took more work than it did. Make this when you want something easy, cozy, and fast without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Stir together beef, rice, and melty cheese into one easy dish that’s ready without much fuss. This casserole is hearty, filling, and perfect for nights when you don’t have time for complicated meals. It’s the kind of quick and easy dinner that makes busy weeknights a lot less stressful.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Cacio e Pepe
Make this creamy and peppery cacio e pepe when you want something simple but still full of rich flavor. With just butter, cheese, and pepper, it all comes together in one pan with hardly any cleanup. It’s a fast and easy recipe that’s perfect for busy nights when you want a real meal without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Honey Glazed Chicken
Whip up sweet and sticky honey-glazed chicken in one pan without spending a lot of time or effort. The glaze clings to the chicken perfectly, giving you a meal that feels special without being complicated. This is a go-to when you need something quick, easy, and delicious for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Toss lentils, vegetables, and broth into the Instant Pot for a thick and hearty soup that’s ready fast. The flavors cook together beautifully without needing hours of simmering on the stove. This recipe is a lifesaver for busy nights when you want a warm, filling, and easy dinner in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cook up a skillet full of fluffy quinoa, beans, and spices for a colorful, quick meal. Everything comes together in one pan with hardly any mess, making cleanup simple. This is a perfect option when you need a quick and easy dinner that’s hearty and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Pesto Salmon
Bake or pan-fry salmon coated in fresh pesto for a light and flavorful meal that doesn’t take much time. The fresh herbs and cheese in the pesto bring big flavor without a lot of work or fancy ingredients. It’s a fast and easy recipe that’s perfect for weeknights when you want something healthy and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Kefta Kebabs
Shape and cook flavorful kefta kebabs quickly either on the grill or a stovetop pan without a lot of prep. The bold seasoning makes every bite juicy and satisfying without a long marinating time. These kebabs are a fast and easy dinner idea when you want something a little different but still quick to make.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs