Some nights feel longer than others, and dinner is the last thing you want to think about after a busy day. When time is short and everyone’s hungry, having a few easy recipes you can count on makes a big difference. These 17 dinner ideas are quick, filling, and don’t ask for much. They help moms get through the week without the stress or mess.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Egg Roll Bowl
Skip the wrappers and grab a skillet for a dinner that tastes just like your favorite takeout. This easy-to-make dinner recipe is packed with seasoned meat, crisp veggies, and bold flavor without the extra work. It’s the kind of meal that makes dinner simple but still really good.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll Bowl
Poached Orange Salmon
A little orange juice goes a long way to make this salmon tender and full of flavor. It comes together fast and doesn’t need a lot of extras to feel like a full dinner. Use this go-to dinner recipe when you want something easy that still feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Honey Habanero Tacos
These tacos bring the sweet heat with a simple pan and just a few ingredients. The honey balances the spice, making every bite bold without going overboard. This easy dinner recipe works great when time is short, but flavor still matters.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Canned tuna and pantry basics turn into rolls that come together fast without any fancy tools. The spicy sauce gives it a kick, but it’s still a dinner that feels simple and fun. Keep this on hand for easy dinner recipes that make the most of what’s already in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This soup uses what’s in the pantry to make a bold and filling dinner that doesn’t take all night. You can add toppings or leave it simple, and it still works either way. Use this fast dinner recipe when you want something warm and satisfying without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Creamy Pea Pasta
A few things from the fridge and one pot turn into a creamy pasta that feels like more than the sum of its parts. The peas give it a pop of sweetness that makes each bite better than the last. Try this quick dinner recipe when you want comfort food without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Semi-Homemade Enchiladas
These cheesy enchiladas use shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and store-bought sauce to save time without giving up flavor. Everything bakes together hot and gooey in just a few steps. This is one of those dinner recipes that helps get food on the table fast and still feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Enchiladas
Lemon Butter Pasta
Melted butter and lemon make a smooth, bright sauce that makes pasta taste like more than just noodles. It’s fast, simple, and doesn’t ask for anything you don’t already have. Keep this dinner recipe close for nights when you want something good and easy.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Tomato Basil Bisque
This creamy soup uses canned tomatoes and fresh basil to make a fast dinner that still tastes rich. It feels like something you’d get at a restaurant, but it only takes a little time on the stove. Try this easy recipe when you need something warm that doesn’t take effort.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
A tortilla gets crispy in the air fryer and makes the perfect base for quick and easy pizza. It cooks fast, needs hardly any cleanup, and still feels like pizza night. Use this dinner recipe when time is tight and you want something fun that still hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Canned Chicken Salad
Canned chicken, a few extras, and one bowl turn into something that works for wraps, sandwiches, or on its own. It’s fast, filling, and doesn’t take much thought to throw together. Make this dinner when you need something simple that still gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Soy Ginger Salmon
A quick glaze of soy sauce and ginger gives this salmon a deep flavor without much work. It bakes fast and doesn’t need a long list of ingredients. Try this easy dinner recipe when you want something healthy that comes together without a fuss.
Get the Recipe: Soy Ginger Salmon
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Quinoa, beans, and veggies cook up with bold spices in just one pan. It’s meatless but still feels like a real meal that fills you up. Use this fast and easy dinner recipe when you want something full of flavor that doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
This salad mixes crisp veggies with sweet-spicy chicken for a dinner that’s fresh but still filling. It comes together in minutes and doesn’t feel like a side dish. Keep this easy dinner recipe around when you want something light but satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Honey Glazed Chicken
A sticky glaze of honey and simple seasoning makes this chicken golden and full of flavor. You only need one pan and a few ingredients to make it happen. Use this go-to dinner recipe when you want something that tastes good without taking over your whole evening.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Pesto Salmon
A little pesto goes a long way in making this salmon full of flavor with almost no effort. It bakes fast and makes cleanup easy, so dinner stays low-stress. Try this simple recipe when you want something easy that still feels a little special.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Kefta Kebabs
These kebabs use warm spices and cook up fast in a skillet or grill. You don’t need much to make them juicy and full of flavor from the first bite. Try this easy dinner recipe when you want something different but still fast and doable.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs