Looking for dinners that are quick, tasty, and easy to make any night of the week? These 35 easy and irresistible Mexican recipes include main dishes, sides, and desserts that the whole family will enjoy. The recipes are simple enough for busy nights while still full of flavor that makes dinner feel special without extra work.
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Tamale Pot Pies
Tender chicken, corn, and spices are wrapped in a soft masa crust that cooks quickly and tastes comforting. The filling has all the flavors of traditional tamales without extra work. This easy Mexican recipe is perfect for busy nights when a hearty meal is needed without long prep.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken, beans, and corn come together in a broth that is full of flavor and cooks fast. The soup is filling enough to be a complete meal on its own. This simple Mexican recipe works well for weeknights when dinner needs to be warm, quick, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Refried Beans
Creamy refried beans add richness to tacos, enchiladas, or any main dish while staying simple to make. The recipe uses a few common ingredients and comes together quickly. This easy Mexican recipe is a reliable side that makes dinner feel complete without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Honey Habanero Tacos
Sweet honey and spicy habanero coat quick-cooking ground beef for tacos that taste bold and fresh. The flavors work together without adding extra steps to dinner. This delicious Mexican recipe is a great choice when busy nights call for something simple but different.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Layers of beans, cheese, and toppings create a flavorful dip that can be served with chips or as a side. It takes only minutes to prepare and always tastes impressive. This easy Mexican recipe is perfect when a quick snack or party dish is needed.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Roasted tomatillos give salsa a tangy and zesty flavor that lifts tacos, chips, or grilled dishes in minutes. The charred taste adds depth while keeping it fresh and bright. This easy Mexican recipe is a quick way to add bold flavor to dinner without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Carnitas
Tender pulled pork-style carnitas have a rich flavor while staying simple to cook for tacos, burritos, or salads. The recipe skips dairy but keeps an authentic Mexican taste. This easy Mexican recipe is a smart pick for busy nights when a filling meal is needed fast.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Ground beef, rice, and melted cheese cook together in one pot for a meal that is hearty without long prep. The flavors are comforting while the cleanup stays simple. This delicious Mexican recipe is ideal for weeknights when dinner should be fast, filling, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Dessert Nachos
Cinnamon sugar tortillas are topped with berries, chocolate, and whipped cream for a sweet twist on nachos. The combination of textures makes the dessert fun and easy to assemble. This simple Mexican recipe is perfect when you want a quick dessert that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Chunky Guacamole
Ripe avocados mix with lime, tomatoes, and seasonings to create a chunky dip ready in minutes. It pairs well with chips or adds flavor to tacos and other main dishes. This easy Mexican recipe brings freshness and taste to the table with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Red Enchilada Sauce
A smooth red sauce made with pantry staples brings bold flavor to tacos, enchiladas, or casseroles. It simmers quickly while building a rich, authentic taste that feels homemade. Adding this sauce to a meal turns simple dishes into satisfying Mexican dinners without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Red Enchilada Sauce
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Flaky puff pastry holds seasoned beef for a handheld meal that cooks fast and tastes impressive. They are perfect for a snack, side, or easy dinner when time is tight. These empanadas make Mexican flavors approachable and convenient for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Homemade Nacho Cheese
Creamy nacho cheese melts together in minutes, blending mild spice with rich flavor. It works as a dip for chips or a topping for tacos, burritos, and vegetables. Making cheese at home adds a quick, satisfying layer to any weeknight Mexican dinner.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Quinoa, beans, corn, and salsa combine in one skillet to create a filling, protein-packed meal. The dish comes together in one pot with minimal prep and maximum flavor. It’s a healthy, easy option for nights when dinner needs to be fast but still hearty.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Golden, flaky pastry wraps a tender chicken filling that is simple to prepare using shortcuts. Baking them takes just a few minutes, yet the result feels like a homemade dish. These empanadas are a smart choice for busy nights when a handheld Mexican meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Chocolate brownies get a subtle kick from cinnamon and chili powder for a unique dessert twist. They bake quickly and are easy to cut into bars for sharing after dinner. Adding this dessert to a weeknight meal brings bold flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Spanish Rice
Fluffy, flavorful rice cooks quickly and pairs well with tacos, enchiladas, or burritos. The recipe is simple but has more depth than standard restaurant rice. Spanish rice makes dinner feel complete and adds a classic Mexican side without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie chicken and cheese combine in soft tortillas with sauce for a comforting meal that comes together fast. Baking the enchiladas melds flavors quickly and keeps cleanup easy. These enchiladas are a practical way to enjoy cheesy, homemade-style Mexican food on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Birria Pizza
Spicy, tender meat spreads over melted cheese on a pizza crust for a bold twist on a familiar dish. The flavors are rich, but cooking stays simple enough for a busy night. Birria pizza turns leftovers or simple ingredients into a fun and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Birria Pizza
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Charred corn, creamy chili lime dressing, and cotija cheese mix with pasta for a flavorful, hearty side. The salad comes together quickly but delivers fresh, bold flavors that complement any main dish. It is an easy way to add a lively, Mexican-inspired side to weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Garden Fresh Salsa
Fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice come together in a salsa that’s ready in minutes. It works perfectly with chips or as a topping on tacos, burritos, and grilled meats. This simple mix adds brightness and flavor to weeknight dinners without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Garden Fresh Salsa
Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes
Corn cakes cook quickly in the air fryer with melted cheese inside for a crispy and tender bite. They can be served as a side or a light main dish with little prep. These corn cakes bring rich, cheesy Mexican flavors to the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Shredded chicken, refried beans, cheddar cheese, and green chile salsa roll into crisp taquitos cooked in the air fryer. They are fast to prepare and pair well with sour cream, guacamole, or fresh salsa. These taquitos make a fun and satisfying meal for nights when dinner needs to be quick.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Chicken Tinga
Smoky, tender chicken simmers with flavorful spices and sauce for tacos, burritos, or loaded nachos. The Instant Pot speeds up the process while keeping the meat juicy and rich. Chicken tinga is a simple way to get bold Mexican flavors on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga
Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Layers of chicken, cheese, and sauce bake together into a warm, comforting dish. It is easy to assemble and tastes even better the next day, making leftovers just as satisfying. This casserole is a practical solution for weeknights when a filling dinner is needed without extra stress.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Beef Quesadillas
Melted cheese and seasoned beef inside tortillas cook quickly for a filling and flavorful meal. They are easy to slice for sharing and make a satisfying dinner in minutes. Quesadillas are a dependable choice for weeknights when time is tight but flavor is important.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas
Mexican Steak Pizza
Leftover steak gets a new life on pizza with sauce, cheese, and bold toppings that blend perfectly. It cooks quickly and keeps prep simple while still feeling like a special dinner. This pizza is a creative way to enjoy Mexican flavors without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Steak Pizza
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Roasted poblanos are stuffed with chicken, black beans, and melted cheese for a hearty, low-carb dinner. The flavors are rich and satisfying while keeping the prep straightforward. These stuffed peppers are a great way to enjoy Mexican comfort food on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Easy Creamy Taco Soup
Creamy taco soup combines Mexican spices, chicken, and vegetables in a quick, hearty meal. It is naturally gluten-free and cooks on the stove without extra fuss. This soup brings the comfort of a taco into a fast weeknight dinner everyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Taco Soup
Enchilada Meatballs
Seasoned meatballs bake in enchilada sauce for a dish that is bold in flavor yet simple to make. They are perfect for dinners where you want something comforting and filling. Enchilada meatballs turn standard ingredients into a satisfying Mexican-inspired meal quickly.
Get the Recipe: Enchilada Meatballs
Blackened Fish Tacos
Mahi Mahi is seasoned and blackened to create tender, flavorful fish tucked into soft tortillas. A creamy cilantro lime sauce adds brightness without extra work. These tacos are a quick and satisfying way to enjoy seafood with bold Mexican flavors on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Fish Tacos
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Steak and shrimp cook together in a single pan with peppers and onions for a fast and flavorful dinner. The seasoning is simple but creates a dish packed with bold Mexican flavor. Sheet pan fajitas are an easy way to get surf and turf on the table without extra dishes or long prep.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice cook together in the Instant Pot for a complete meal in minutes. Spices and salsa combine to create a hearty, filling dinner without standing over the stove. This one-pot dish is a reliable choice for nights when time is short but flavor is needed.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta
Taco-seasoned beef mixes with pasta and melted cheese for a comforting meal that is ready quickly. It makes clever use of leftovers while giving familiar flavors a fresh twist. This dish is a fast way to bring taco-inspired Mexican flavor to a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta
Blackened Cod Tacos
Flaky cod cooks quickly with smoky spices and pairs with cabbage, lime, and pico de gallo. The tacos are light but still filling and come together fast. These fish tacos are a simple and flavorful way to switch up weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod Tacos