Some nights, I stare at the fridge and still have no clue what to make. When that happens, I pull up this list and know dinner will be just fine. These 31 easy recipes are the ones I trust when I’m tired, hungry, and fresh out of ideas. They’re simple, quick, and always hit the spot without making a mess.
Chicken Stew with Biscuits. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Shredded chicken, beans, and corn cook together in a broth that’s full of flavor and just the right amount of heat. It’s the kind of soup that tastes like you spent hours on it, even though it comes together fast. When dinner needs to be easy, filling, and still feel homemade, this one always gets picked.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cacio e Pepe
Pasta, butter, cheese, and black pepper come together in one pan to make something creamy and comforting. It may be simple, but the flavor hits every time. Keep this one around for nights when you want a fast dinner that still feels like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
This pork cooks all day with garlic and spices until it’s so tender it falls apart on the plate. It feeds a crowd, makes great leftovers, and doesn’t need much hands-on time. When the day feels long and cooking feels hard, this one makes things easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Tamale Pot Pies
These pot pies are packed with spiced chicken and corn, then topped with a soft, golden crust that bakes up quickly. Every bite gives you meat, veggies, and just the right amount of crunch in one easy dish. It’s a smart pick for nights when you want something warm, filling, and simple to clean up.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Ground beef, rice, and cheese bake together into something hearty and satisfying with barely any work. It’s the kind of meal that smells good coming out of the oven and gets scooped up fast. When you’re feeding a hungry group and want dinner done without a mess, this one’s a solid pick.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Pulled Pork
Pork cooks low and slow until it’s tender enough to shred and packed with flavor in every bite. You can throw it in sandwiches, bowls, or eat it plain with a fork. When you need something that tastes even better the next day, this one always delivers.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Carnitas
Pork gets cooked until it’s juicy inside and crisp on the edges, with bold seasoning that keeps it interesting. It’s easy to toss into tacos, bowls, or plates and still feels like a treat. When you want something low-effort but big on flavor, this one never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Spicy Tuna Rolls
A can of tuna, a little mayo, and some spices come together fast and get rolled into a fun, easy bite. They feel different without needing anything fancy. When dinner needs to be fast and not boring, this one gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Juicy chicken and vegetables simmer in a rich broth before soft biscuits go on top and soak it all up. It’s the kind of meal that fills you up and warms you up, too. For a dinner that’s simple but still feels special, this one’s worth making again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
A slow cooker does the heavy lifting while herbs, garlic, and roast come together in one pot. The meat turns out fork-tender and full of flavor, and the cleanup is easy. If dinner needs to handle itself while you get other things done, this one always comes through.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
Honey Glazed Chicken
A sticky mix of honey and spices coats each piece of chicken until the outside is golden and the inside stays juicy. It cooks up quickly in a pan and tastes like something that took a lot more time and effort. When dinner needs to be fast, sweet, and a little savory, this recipe is a solid go-to worth making again.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
These kebabs soak in a lemony marinade that keeps the chicken fresh, juicy, and full of sharp flavor. They cook fast on the grill or in the oven and come out tender every time. If you’re looking for an easy meal that goes with anything and still feels like a win, this is the one to pick.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Chicken gets cooked until it’s tender enough to shred, then tossed with barbecue sauce that sticks to every bite. It works great in sandwiches, bowls, or on its own with something simple on the side. When the day feels long and dinner needs to be easy but packed with flavor, this recipe always comes to the rescue.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
All the flavors of lasagna roll up into neat little bundles with pasta, cheese, and sauce in every bite. It’s less messy, cooks faster, and still feels like a full meal with barely any fuss. When you want something familiar but don’t have time for the full version, this one always comes through.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Chicken Tortellini Soup
A warm broth filled with cheesy tortellini, tender chicken, and soft vegetables comes together in one pot with almost no effort. The flavors mix fast, and every bite feels rich without being too heavy. If you’re short on time but still want something that feels like a real dinner, this soup always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken and Dumplings
Soft dumplings float in savory broth with tender chicken, all simmered together until the flavor builds deep. It’s rich, cozy, and comes together with just a few steps using simple ingredients. When you want a meal that feels like comfort and doesn’t take all day, this one’s the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Taco Wraps
These wraps come together with soft tortillas, seasoned chicken, and anything else you like, all without needing the stove. Each person can build their own plate, which makes dinner feel easy and fun without any stress. When the fridge is running low and you need a fast fix, this is one recipe that always works.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Spinach Soufflé
A few ingredients turn into a light and fluffy bake that’s full of warm spinach flavor and a soft, smooth texture. It looks like it took effort, but it only takes a few minutes to prep and pop in the oven. For a dinner that feels a little different without being complicated, this one is always a good idea.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Soufflé
Tomato Lime Chicken
Juicy chicken cooks in a tangy sauce made from tomato and lime that brings a sharp, bold flavor to every bite. It’s quick to make and doesn’t need much on the side to feel like a full meal. When you’re tired of the same old thing but don’t want anything too fancy, this recipe is a good one to keep around.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Marinated chicken grills up with a smoky char and gets dipped in a peanut sauce that’s smooth, rich, and just a little sweet. It feels fun to eat, but doesn’t take much more than a few pantry staples and a hot pan. When dinner needs to be fast, flavorful, and something a little different, this one always delivers.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
This salad mixes juicy chicken with crunchy veggies and a bold sauce that brings everything together in one bowl. It’s easy to throw together and fills you up without needing anything heavy or complicated. When dinner needs to be quick but still feels fresh and full of flavor, this one is always a smart choice.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Miso Glazed Salmon
Salmon gets brushed with a thick miso glaze that soaks in while it bakes, giving each bite a deep, savory taste. It cooks fast, stays tender, and only takes a few ingredients to make. For a dinner that feels like a treat without taking much time, this recipe keeps showing up for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
All the flavor of a takeout egg roll comes together in one pan with juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and just the right mix of spices. There’s no wrapping or frying needed, which makes it fast and easy to clean up. When you’re craving something bold but simple, this one is always worth a spot in the weeknight lineup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Toss chicken, veggies, and a little cheese into foil packets that lock in flavor while everything cooks through. There’s no cleanup, barely any prep, and the result is a full meal that comes out steaming and ready to eat. When you want a dinner that feels fresh but doesn’t ask much, this is the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Soak chicken in lime juice and spices to keep it juicy, sharp, and packed with flavor that stays through the grill. It comes together fast and pairs with just about anything on the plate. For a dinner that tastes like more than it is, this one makes things easy.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Chicken Tenders
These tenders are coated in crushed cornflakes and baked until crispy outside and juicy inside, with hardly any oil. They only need a few steps and work for dinner, snacks, or anything in between. When you want something, the whole table will eat without complaints; this recipe always does the trick.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Quinoa, beans, veggies, and spices come together in one pan to make a dinner that’s filling, colorful, and easy to clean up. It tastes bold, feels fresh, and doesn’t take long to make. When the fridge looks empty but you need something that works, this one pulls through every time.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Honey Habanero Tacos
Sweet honey and spicy habanero team up in a sauce that covers every bite of beef with flavor that’s strong but balanced. The filling cooks fast and turns even basic tortillas into something worth eating. When you’re in the mood for something different that still comes together fast, this recipe delivers.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
A pressure cooker turns simple ingredients into a classic chicken noodle soup that’s warm, soft, and full of flavor in way less time. The chicken stays tender, the broth tastes rich, and the noodles come out just right. When you want something reliable, fast, and comforting, this soup always shows up at the right time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Pea Pasta
Pasta gets coated in a smooth cream sauce with sweet green peas that add a little pop of flavor in every bite. It’s fast to cook, easy to clean up, and doesn’t need much to taste complete. For a dinner that’s simple, filling, and doesn’t feel heavy, this one is a quiet favorite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Wrap hot dogs in soft crescent dough and bake until the outside is golden and the inside stays warm and juicy. They take just minutes to prep and always seem to disappear faster than expected. When you need a dinner that’s fun, easy, and filling without much work, this one always comes through.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs