Getting dinner on the table during a busy night can feel like a challenge, but the right recipes make it easier. These 29 easy Mexican recipes bring flavor without adding extra work, giving you simple meals that fit into any schedule. From hearty mains to tasty sides and desserts, they’re all perfect for family dinners that everyone will enjoy.
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Carnitas
Tender and juicy carnitas bring flavor without the hassle, making them perfect for tacos, burritos, or salads. The recipe skips dairy but still delivers a rich and authentic taste that feels straight from a restaurant. This easy Mexican recipe is a smart pick for busy nights when you want a filling dinner with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Homemade Nacho Cheese
A creamy homemade nacho cheese adds comfort to any meal and comes together faster than you think. The blend of cheese with a hint of spice makes it perfect for chips, tacos, or even drizzling over vegetables. This simple Mexican recipe is an easy way to make weeknights fun without extra stress.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Honey Habanero Tacos
Sweet honey and spicy habanero make these tacos stand out with bold flavor in every bite. Ground beef cooks quickly, and the glaze gives a fresh twist without adding more work. This delicious Mexican recipe is perfect for weeknights when you want something different but still simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Tamale Pot Pies
These tamale pot pies mix the flavors of tender chicken, corn, and spices inside a soft masa crust. Each pie has the cozy taste of tamales, but in a form that is quick to prepare and easy to serve. This simple Mexican recipe is a hearty choice for weeknights when you want comfort food without hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Roasted tomatillo salsa adds a zesty, tangy kick to tacos, chips, or grilled meats in just a few minutes. The charred flavor makes it taste rich while staying light and fresh at the same time. This easy Mexican recipe is a quick way to boost dinner without much work.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Using rotisserie chicken keeps these enchiladas fast to assemble while still tasting homemade. Cheese and sauce bake together to create a warm, hearty meal with little cleanup. This simple Mexican recipe is perfect for weeknights when you want comfort food ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
A one-pot meal of quinoa, beans, corn, and salsa makes this dish packed with protein and flavor. It’s naturally gluten-free and simple to put together with pantry staples. This easy Mexican recipe is a healthy option for nights when you need something fast and filling.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Flaky pastry wrapped around seasoned beef gives these empanadas a quick shortcut with great taste. They bake up golden and work well as a snack, dinner, or party dish. This easy Mexican recipe is perfect when you need a handheld meal that comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Ground beef, rice, and cheese combine in a one-pot meal that feels hearty without taking hours. The flavors are rich and comforting while the cleanup stays simple. This delicious Mexican recipe is an easy choice for busy nights when you want everyone fed and happy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Dessert Nachos
Crispy cinnamon sugar tortillas get topped with berries, chocolate, and whipped cream for a playful twist on nachos. The mix of textures makes it fun while still being easy to put together. This simple Mexican recipe is a quick way to make dessert feel special during a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Seven layers of beans, cheese, and toppings stack up for a dip that is full of flavor in every scoop. It takes just minutes to prepare and works well with chips or as a side. This easy Mexican recipe is a reliable choice when you want a snack or party food without extra stress.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Refried Beans
Creamy refried beans bring richness and depth to tacos, enchiladas, or any main dish you make. They are fast to cook and use only a few ingredients you likely have on hand. This simple Mexican recipe is the kind of side that makes every dinner feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
A hint of cinnamon and chili gives these brownies a warm kick that pairs well with chocolate. They bake quickly and cut easily into bars for sharing after dinner. This easy Mexican recipe is the perfect dessert for weeknights when you want bold flavor with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Chunky Guacamole
Ripe avocados mix with lime, tomato, and seasonings to create a chunky dip ready in minutes. It works with chips or as a topping to almost any main dish. This easy Mexican recipe is the fastest way to add freshness and flavor to dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Chicken Tortilla Soup
A warm bowl of chicken tortilla soup delivers beans, corn, and tender chicken in a broth full of flavor. It cooks quickly but still feels filling enough to be a full meal. This simple Mexican recipe is perfect for weeknights when you want something hearty without a long wait.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Red Enchilada Sauce
A homemade red enchilada sauce comes together with pantry ingredients for a bold and smooth topping. It works with enchiladas, tacos, or even casseroles to add depth to the meal. This easy Mexican recipe is worth making at home because it takes little effort for big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Red Enchilada Sauce
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
These empanadas have a golden crust and tender chicken filling made simple with easy shortcuts. They are quick to prepare but still feel satisfying at the table. This delicious Mexican recipe is a smart way to enjoy a classic dish without spending too much time.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Spanish Rice
A side of Spanish rice adds color and flavor to tacos, enchiladas, or burritos in just one pot. It tastes better than restaurant rice while staying easy to make at home. This simple Mexican recipe is a go-to choice for weeknights when you want the whole meal to feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Charred corn, creamy chili lime dressing, and cotija cheese mix with pasta for a fresh and hearty salad. The flavors are bold, but the steps are quick and simple. This easy Mexican recipe is perfect when you want a side that feels fun but doesn’t take much time.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Blackened Cod Tacos
Flaky fish cooks fast with smoky seasoning and pairs with cabbage and lime for a bright meal. Wrapped in tortillas, these tacos are light but still satisfying for dinner. This simple Mexican recipe is a great way to bring variety to busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod Tacos
Blackened Fish Tacos
Seasoned mahi mahi turns tender and flavorful when blackened and tucked into soft tortillas. A creamy cilantro lime sauce ties it all together for a quick meal. This easy Mexican recipe shows how fast seafood tacos can come together on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Fish Tacos
Chicken Tinga
Chicken tinga is packed with smoky flavor and works well in tacos, burritos, or nachos. The Instant Pot makes the process fast while keeping the meat juicy and tender. This delicious Mexican recipe is perfect when you want bold flavor in little time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga
Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes
Corn cakes cook up golden and crisp in the air fryer while the cheesy center stays warm, rich, and comforting. They are easy to prepare and work well as a side dish, a snack, or even a light meal when you want something different. This delicious Mexican recipe is a quick and fun way to change up weeknight dinners without adding extra work.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Corn Cakes
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice cook together in the Instant Pot for a meal that feels hearty and filling but still simple to make. The flavors come together quickly with tender chicken, warm spices, and fluffy rice that tastes like it took much longer. This delicious Mexican recipe is a reliable choice for busy families who want dinner ready fast without giving up comfort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Garden Fresh Salsa
Fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime, and peppers mix into a salsa that takes just minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for chips or as a topping on tacos and burritos. This easy Mexican recipe is a fast way to bring freshness to the table.
Get the Recipe: Garden Fresh Salsa
Beef Quesadillas
Melted cheese and seasoned beef tucked inside a warm tortilla make a meal that feels comforting and satisfying without much effort. The quesadillas cook in just a few minutes, and once sliced, they are easy to serve as a main dish or even a quick snack for sharing. This delicious Mexican recipe is a go-to choice for busy nights when you want something filling, flavorful, and simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas
Mexican Steak Pizza
Leftover steak gets a second life on pizza with cheese, sauce, and bold toppings. The mix of flavors makes it different but still simple enough for weeknight cooking. This easy Mexican recipe is a creative way to stretch leftovers without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Steak Pizza
Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Layers of chicken, cheese, and sauce bake together into a dish that feels warm and satisfying. It’s easy to put together and tastes even better the next day. This delicious Mexican recipe is a comforting dinner that works perfectly on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta
Taco-seasoned meat combines with pasta and cheese for a dish that feels both familiar and fun. It cooks fast in one pot and makes great use of leftovers. This easy Mexican recipe is a clever way to bring Taco Tuesday flavors into a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta