Dinner doesn’t have to be a puzzle after a long day. These 27 easy and tasty recipes keep things simple while still giving you meals that feel good to eat. Each one comes together fast, uses everyday ingredients, and won’t leave a mess behind. If you’re tired, out of ideas, or just want something that works, this list has you covered.
Italian Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Add some fun to dinner with these rolls that pack in just the right amount of heat. They come together with simple steps and need no fancy tools, so they’re easy to pull off at home. This is one of those easy and tasty recipes that make dinner feel different without the usual effort.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Pesto Salmon
Spoon pesto over salmon and bake it for a meal that tastes bright and fresh without much work. The salmon stays tender and juicy while the pesto gives each bite a rich herby kick. It’s an easy dinner recipe that proves fast food at home can still taste special.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Honey Glazed Chicken
Let the oven handle most of the work while the chicken bakes under a sticky honey glaze. The glaze gets golden and crisp around the edges while the meat stays juicy and full of flavor. This is one of those easy and tasty recipes that make dinner feel put together with hardly any effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Skip the takeout and toss everything you love about egg rolls into one pan. The chicken stays seasoned and the veggies keep their crunch, all tied together by a simple sauce. This is a fast dinner idea that brings bold flavor without a lot of cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Italian Meatball Soup
Drop meatballs into a pot with pasta and broth and get a soup that’s hearty and full of flavor. It tastes like it took all afternoon, but it’s actually quick enough to make on a weeknight. This easy dinner recipe is one to keep around when you want something warm and filling.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Chicken Taco Wraps
Fill soft tortillas with seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and anything else sitting in the fridge. They cook fast and hold together well, making them easy to eat without any fuss. This is one of those delicious dinner recipes that works no matter what kind of day you’ve had.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Thai Chicken Chili
Add some spice and warmth with a bowl of chili that brings together tender chicken and rich, flavorful broth. The ingredients are simple, but they simmer into something that tastes like more. This is a smart pick when you want a dinner that feels big but stays easy.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Use store-bought dough to wrap up seasoned chicken and pop them in the oven until golden. They look like something that took time, but they come together fast and taste like a treat. This is an easy dinner recipe that shakes up the usual without making things harder.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Creamy Pea Pasta
Stir peas into a warm cream sauce and pour it over pasta for something simple that still feels rich. The whole thing cooks quickly, and the sauce clings to every bite for a satisfying finish. This is a go-to dinner idea when you want something cozy that doesn’t wear you out.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Mix cooked beef, rice, and cheese into one dish and bake it until it bubbles on top. It feeds a group, fills you up, and makes dinner feel done without needing much else. This is a great dinner recipe when you want comfort and ease all in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Combine shredded chicken, crispy tortilla strips, and a seasoned broth to get a soup that feels rich without being heavy. It comes together fast, but still tastes like something that took more time. This is an easy dinner recipe that fills the bowl and makes things simple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Crockpot Carnitas
Let the slow cooker handle the heavy lifting while pork simmers into something juicy and packed with flavor. Once it’s done, you can pile it into tacos, bowls, or sandwiches with barely any effort. This is a delicious dinner recipe that works well when the day’s been too long to cook.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas
Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers mix sweetness and spice into a juicy patty that tastes better than your usual burger night. They’re quick to make and feel fresh without needing fancy toppings or sauces. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that changes things up without making more work.
Get the Recipe: Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Crisp veggies and cooked chicken get tossed in a spicy-sweet dressing that brings all the flavors together fast. It’s light but filling, and you don’t even need the stove to make it work. This is a smart dinner option for when you want bold flavor with barely any mess.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mix cooked chicken with mayo, seasoning, and a few extras from the fridge to get a creamy salad that works anywhere. It’s easy to eat in a wrap, a sandwich, or even straight from the bowl. This easy dinner recipe is a lifesaver when you want something quick that still feels like food.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Use the Instant Pot to cook chicken until it’s soft and full of smoky barbecue flavor without touching the stove. You can toss it in buns, wraps, or bowls depending on what you’ve got. This is a no-fuss dinner idea that’s fast, flavorful, and ready when you need it.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Toss noodles with canned tuna and tomato sauce for a pasta dish that feels simple but still satisfying. It all cooks in one pan and comes out tasting way better than you’d expect from pantry staples. This is an easy and tasty recipe that saves dinner when the fridge is looking empty.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Tomato Basil Bisque
Blend tomatoes with fresh basil and cream to get a smooth soup that feels like something from a sit-down café. It’s fast to make but still brings a lot of flavor to the table. This is a warm and easy dinner recipe that feels right when you want something light but still good.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss spicy cooked chicken over a bowl of greens and drizzle on a creamy dressing to tie it all together. It feels cool, crisp, and bold all at once without asking for much work. This is a quick dinner that keeps things easy but still feels like a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Let the Instant Pot simmer lentils, broth, and seasonings into a soup that’s thick, hearty, and warming. It needs just a few ingredients, but still tastes like something that’s been cooking all day. This is an easy dinner recipe that keeps you full and saves you time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Poached Orange Salmon
Simmer salmon in a mix of citrus and broth to keep it soft, flaky, and full of light flavor. The orange gives each bite a fresh feel without overpowering the fish. This is a simple dinner recipe that feels a little special without making things harder.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Kefta Kebabs
Shape ground meat with spices and cook it in a pan or on the grill for something fast and full of flavor. The outside gets golden while the inside stays juicy, and it pairs with almost anything. This is an easy and tasty recipe that makes dinner feel like more than just getting it done.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rolled tortillas filled with chicken and covered in sauce and cheese bake into something warm and bubbling. A few smart shortcuts mean you still get the comfort of enchiladas without all the prep. This is a no-stress dinner recipe that feels complete even on the busiest nights.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Skip the layering and roll everything you love about lasagna into pieces that cook faster and serve easier. Each roll holds together well, and the melted cheese and sauce bring all the flavor you want. This is a comforting dinner idea that works without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Honey Habanero Tacos
Glaze chicken or pork with a mix of sweet honey and spicy habanero, then tuck it into warm tortillas. The heat hits fast but balances well, and the whole thing feels like more effort than it takes. This is a bold and easy dinner that shakes up the usual taco night.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Pulled Pork
Let the Instant Pot turn pork into something juicy and packed with smoky flavor in less time than you’d think. It works in sandwiches, tacos, or bowls and still tastes like it took hours. This is a delicious dinner recipe that keeps things simple while still feeling like a win.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Caprese Panini
Stack sliced tomato, melty mozzarella, and basil between pieces of bread, then press until golden and crisp. It cooks fast and feels warm and fresh without asking for much. This is an easy dinner recipe that makes a sandwich feel like more than just a quick fix.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini