Cooking dinner can feel like a chore after a long day. These 29 easy recipes make it faster, simpler, and more enjoyable to get a meal on the table. The ingredients are simple, the steps are easy to follow, and the results are meals that taste great without taking hours to cook. With these recipes, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your evening.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Poached Orange Salmon
Salmon simmers in a bright orange broth that keeps it tender, juicy, and full of flavor while cooking in just minutes. The citrus gives the dish a fresh, light taste that pairs well with simple sides for a fast meal. This easy dinner recipe works when a meal that looks special is needed without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Creamy Pea Pasta
Frozen peas turn into a rich, creamy sauce that coats pasta for a filling and satisfying dinner that comes together quickly. The one-pan recipe makes cleanup simple and lets you serve a warm meal in minutes. Keep this easy dinner recipe on hand for nights when fast, comforting food is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken and tortellini cook in a flavorful broth that tastes hearty and satisfying without long preparation. The soup is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Use this fast dinner recipe when a comforting meal is needed without hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Leftover chicken tossed with buffalo sauce and fresh greens makes a salad that is bold, filling, and ready in just minutes. The spicy sauce pairs well with vegetables to give the dish flavor and substance. Choose this fast dinner recipe when a quick, hearty meal is wanted with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Pasta sheets filled with cheese and sauce make a lasagna-inspired meal that is hearty, saucy, and easier than traditional layered lasagna. The recipe cuts down prep time while keeping all the familiar flavors. Make this easy dinner recipe when a weeknight dish that feels special is needed.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Cashew Chicken
Chicken and cashews cook quickly in a sweet and savory sauce that tastes like takeout but comes together in one skillet. The dish leaves little cleanup behind, making it perfect for busy nights. Keep this fast dinner recipe ready when bold, flavorful food is wanted in just a few minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy cheese bake into a rich, satisfying meal that feels comforting without long preparation. The sauce and cheese make every bite cozy while the steps remain simple. Use this easy dinner recipe when cheesy comfort is needed on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Italian Meatball Soup
Meatballs, pasta, and broth simmer together for a soup that is hearty, filling, and ready in under 30 minutes. The flavor feels like it was cooked all day, even though the prep is fast. Use this fast dinner recipe when a comforting meal is wanted without spending hours cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Quinoa, beans, and spices cook together in one skillet for a colorful, flavorful dinner that is ready quickly. This meat-free meal is hearty enough to satisfy the whole table. Choose this one-pan dinner recipe when fast, simple, and wholesome food is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Canned chicken mixes with pantry staples to make a creamy salad that is ready in minutes. It works in wraps, sandwiches, or bowls while still feeling like a complete meal. Keep this simple dinner recipe handy when cooking seems like too much, but a quick, filling meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie chicken cuts down prep time while cheese, sauce, and tortillas come together in minutes. The enchiladas taste rich and homemade without long effort. Make this fast dinner recipe when a cheesy, satisfying meal is wanted without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough bake into a golden, crispy meal that everyone can enjoy. The flaky crust pairs with the juicy inside to make a dish that is fun and filling. Make this easy dinner recipe when something fast and crowd-pleasing is needed.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Ground chicken, cabbage, and sauce cook together in one skillet for a flavorful, fast meal that tastes like takeout. It comes together in half the time and leaves minimal cleanup behind. Use this easy dinner recipe when bold flavor and a quick meal are needed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Beef, rice, and cheese bake into a warm, hearty casserole that fills the kitchen with a comforting aroma. The recipe is simple to put together and uses ingredients that are easy to find. Make this quick dinner recipe when a one-dish, filling meal is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Kefta Kebabs
Ground meat shaped with spices cooks quickly into juicy, tender kebabs that are full of flavor. There is no long prep or marinating needed to get a great taste. Use this fast dinner recipe when a simple, satisfying meal is wanted without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken coated in a sticky honey glaze cooks entirely in one pan for a sweet and savory dinner. The meal comes together quickly while still feeling special and full of flavor. Choose this easy dinner recipe when a fast, tasty meal is needed without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Caprese Panini
Mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil pressed between bread create a warm, golden panini that cooks in minutes on a stove or panini press. The sandwich is light but satisfying enough to serve as a meal. Try this easy dinner recipe when a hot, fresh dish is wanted without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Cacio e Pepe
Pasta, cheese, and pepper come together in one pan for a rich, simple dinner that cooks fast. Cleanup is minimal, and the flavor feels special despite the easy recipe. Keep this easy dinner recipe for nights when a fast, satisfying meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lentils, vegetables, and spices cook quickly in the Instant Pot for a thick, hearty soup that fills the stomach. The dish is comforting and requires very little attention. Use this healthy dinner recipe when a warm, satisfying meal is needed without long prep.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Pesto Salmon
Salmon coated with pesto cooks fast on the stove or in the oven while keeping the flavors fresh and herby. The dish is rich in taste but simple to prepare. Add this easy dinner recipe to weeknight meals when a quick, healthy, satisfying dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot
Chicken cooks in a creamy sauce in the slow cooker while staying tender and flavorful with minimal effort. The sauce becomes rich and comforting while the meat turns melt-in-your-mouth soft. Use this hands-off dinner recipe when a simple but special meal is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot
Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Chicken and waffles bake together into a sweet, savory casserole that uses just a few ingredients. The top is golden and crispy while the inside stays tender and filling. Use this easy dinner recipe when a breakfast-for-dinner twist is wanted fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Chicken cooks crispy and golden in the air fryer using less oil than traditional frying. The meat stays juicy while the outside turns perfectly crunchy. Use this quick dinner recipe when classic comfort food is needed without long prep.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Crispy chicken in the air fryer is coated with sweet and tangy sauce and paired with peppers and sesame seeds. The dish delivers all the flavors of takeout without the extra work. Choose this fast dinner recipe when a healthier version of a favorite meal is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Rasta Pasta
Creamy pasta with Jamaican-inspired spices comes together in under 30 minutes and can be made vegetarian or gluten-free. The sauce is flavorful and filling while remaining easy to prepare. Keep this easy dinner recipe for a fast, tasty weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Rasta Pasta
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Pork chops coated in seasoned crumbs bake until crispy outside and juicy inside without frying. The recipe skips long prep and cleanup while still tasting great. Use this easy dinner recipe when a simple, satisfying meal is wanted quickly.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Alfredo Steak Pasta
Steak mixed with creamy Alfredo sauce makes a rich, filling pasta meal that cooks in no time. The dish is perfect for nights when everyone is hungry and time is short. Make this hearty dinner recipe when a fast, satisfying meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Alfredo Steak Pasta
Basil Fried Rice
Basil, tomatoes, and rice cook together to make a fragrant, colorful, and filling meal. The dish is easy to prepare and comes together quickly. Use this simple dinner recipe when a fast, tasty vegetarian option is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Basil Fried Rice
Kung Pao Beef
Beef cooks quickly in a savory, spicy sauce that gives the meal bold and satisfying flavor from start to finish. The dish comes together in 30 minutes or less, so it works well for busy weeknights when time is short. Try this fast dinner recipe when a hearty, flavorful meal is needed without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Beef