Dinner shouldn’t take hours to pull off, especially after a long day. These 21 weeknight meals come together fast and don’t ask for much—just a few simple steps and you’re set. They taste great, don’t take a ton of cleanup, and leave you with more time to relax, hang out, or catch up on the stuff you actually care about.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Italian Meatball Soup
This hearty meatball soup is the perfect option for when dinner needs to be comforting and quick. The tender meatballs and rich broth come together in no time, making it a great choice for busy weeknights. It’s an easy, filling meal that doesn’t require a lot of prep but still tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
These lasagna roll-ups bring all the cheesy, saucy goodness of lasagna without the long prep time. With quick assembly and even faster baking, they’re ideal for when you’re in need of a homemade dinner in no time. They’re perfect for busy nights when dinner needs to be stress-free but still satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Honey Glazed Chicken
The sweet and sticky glaze on this chicken makes it feel like a special meal without taking much time to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s ready in minutes and great for nights when you’re short on time but need something flavorful. This dish is a quick, hassle-free way to get a delicious meal on the table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This chicken tortellini soup is the ultimate comfort food when time is tight. It comes together quickly with tender chicken, hearty tortellini, and savory broth, making it the perfect solution for a filling dinner on a busy night. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that doesn’t require a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
A one-pan dish that combines ground beef, rice, and melted cheese, this casserole is as simple to make as it is filling. With minimal prep and quick cooking, it’s the perfect choice for nights when you need a hearty meal fast. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make dinner that comes together with very little work.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Cacio e Pepe
This classic pasta dish is creamy, and rich, and comes together in just minutes. Made with butter, cheese, and pepper, it’s perfect when you want something quick but still satisfying. It’s a great option for busy nights when dinner needs to be simple but still delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Using an Instant Pot, this lentil soup cooks quickly and is packed with vegetables, lentils, and spices for a hearty meal. It’s the ideal choice for when you need a filling, nutritious dinner without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. This stress-free meal makes it easy to get a healthy, satisfying dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Creamy Pea Pasta
This creamy pea pasta is a comforting dish that’s simple to make and ready in no time. The rich, creamy sauce and tender pasta come together quickly, making it a great choice for busy nights. It’s an easy, satisfying dinner that doesn’t require much prep or cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Poached Orange Salmon
Poached orange salmon cooks quickly and delivers a light yet flavorful meal. With minimal effort and just a few ingredients, this dish comes together in no time. It’s perfect for when you want something healthy, fresh, and tasty, but don’t have a lot of time to cook.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Cashew Chicken
This cashew chicken combines tender chicken and crunchy cashews in a savory sauce that’s ready in a flash. It’s quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy nights when a flavorful meal is needed fast. This dish offers a satisfying, easy-to-make dinner when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Shortcut Chicken Salad
This chicken salad comes together in minutes with minimal prep, making it the perfect choice for busy nights. With tender chicken and a creamy dressing, it’s filling and satisfying without taking much time. It’s an easy, light dinner that doesn’t require a lot of work to make.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
These crescent roll bagel dogs are quick to make and fun to eat. With minimal prep and a fast bake, they’re the perfect choice for nights when dinner needs to be quick and filling. This simple meal is great for when you want something satisfying without spending much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
This dish brings all the flavors of a classic egg roll into a quick and easy bowl. With seasoned chicken, cabbage, and savory sauce, it’s packed with flavor and comes together in no time. It’s the perfect choice for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Kefta Kebabs
These kefta kebabs are juicy, flavorful, and cook up quickly, making them a great option for busy nights. With just a few ingredients, they’re ready in no time and make for a filling dinner. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that doesn’t take a lot of effort but delivers great taste.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Caprese Panini
A Caprese panini with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil comes together quickly for a light yet satisfying meal. The ingredients toast up into a warm, melty sandwich that’s ready in minutes. It’s a great go-to when you need a fast and flavorful dinner without much work.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
These semi-homemade chicken enchiladas come together in a flash with rotisserie chicken, making prep a breeze. They’re filled with flavor and ready for the oven in minutes, making them ideal for busy nights. This easy-to-make dish will satisfy hunger without keeping you in the kitchen long.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Pesto Salmon
This pesto salmon recipe takes little time to prepare and cooks up quickly for a light, flavorful meal. The fresh salmon is topped with vibrant pesto, which adds a burst of flavor without much effort. It’s a perfect quick dinner when you’re craving something healthy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
This one-pan Mexican skillet quinoa is packed with bold flavors and cooks up fast. With quinoa, beans, and spices, it’s filling and satisfying without taking much time to prepare. It’s a great choice when you need a quick, flavorful dinner that doesn’t require much effort.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
These cheesy stuffed shells come together quickly, with minimal prep and a fast bake. The combination of cheese, pasta, and sauce makes for a hearty, satisfying meal in no time. It’s a perfect option for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending a lot of time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot
This crockpot chicken simmers in a creamy, flavorful sauce, creating a rich, comforting meal with hardly any effort. Just set it and forget it, and you’ll have a hearty dinner ready when you are. It’s a great stress-free option for busy nights when you want something delicious but easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
These shake and bake pork chops come together with little prep and cook up crispy and golden. They’re perfect for nights when a quick homemade dinner is needed, but time is tight. This simple recipe offers a big flavor with minimal effort, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops