There’s no need to spend hours in the kitchen to cook something that feels like a win. These 21 easy and speedy weeknight dinners come together fast but still feel like you put in extra effort. With simple steps and big flavor, each one helps you get dinner done without the stress. When things get busy, these are the recipes that make you look like a pro.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Skip the wrapper and make things easier with this one-pan dinner. Ground chicken, crunchy veggies, and savory flavor all cook together fast with hardly any cleanup. It’s one of those easy and speedy weeknight dinners that makes you look like a pro without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken Tenders
Go with a classic that never disappoints and doesn’t take all night. These crispy chicken tenders cook fast and taste like comfort food, making them great when time is short. They’re an easy and satisfying choice for quick weeknight meals that still feel homemade.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Asian Glazed Salmon
Let this sticky, sweet, and savory salmon steal the spotlight on busy nights. The glaze adds big flavor while the fish stays tender, and the whole thing is done in less time than delivery. It’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner that feels special without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Mix up dinner with this creamy, cheesy bowl that also brings the greens. Spinach and quinoa cook fast and come together with just enough flavor to feel like more than a side. It’s an easy and speedy weeknight meal that keeps things simple but still satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Caprese Panini
Press together fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil for a sandwich that tastes like it took more effort than it did. It comes together quickly and makes for a warm, comforting dinner when time is short. This is the kind of easy and speedy meal that works any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Roll up something fast that hits with just the right amount of heat. These spicy tuna rolls come together quickly and feel fresh while still being filling. They’re a great option for a weeknight dinner that’s easy to make but still packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Pesto Salmon
Spread pesto over salmon for a dinner that’s quick, healthy, and full of flavor. The fish stays tender while the pesto gives it a rich finish with hardly any work. This is the kind of easy and speedy weeknight meal that feels like you planned ahead, even if you didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Creamy Pea Pasta
Stir up a bowl of creamy pasta that only needs a few simple ingredients to shine. The peas add a fresh pop while the sauce keeps things smooth and cozy. It’s a quick dinner that makes you look like a pro, even when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Cook up something light but filling with this mix of juicy chicken and tender orzo. The bright flavors come together fast and make dinner feel complete without a lot of effort. It’s a quick and tasty meal that’s perfect when you want something that feels a little more put together.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Poached Orange Salmon
Keep it light with this citrusy salmon that tastes fresh and cooks fast. The orange adds just the right flavor while the fish stays tender and easy to prep. It’s a great pick for a quick weeknight dinner that’s healthy but still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Kefta Kebabs
Fire up the flavor with these seasoned kebabs that cook in almost no time. They’re packed with bold spices and don’t need a lot of prep to come out just right. This is an easy and fast dinner that works great when you want something different but simple.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Try a twist on burgers with these fast and flavorful turkey patties. The bold seasonings make them feel special, but they come together without much work. It’s a solid choice for a quick dinner that doesn’t cut corners on taste.
Get the Recipe: Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Honey Glazed Chicken
Coat chicken in a sticky-sweet glaze that brings flavor without needing a lot of steps. It cooks fast, stays juicy, and works with whatever sides you already have. This is one of those easy and speedy weeknight dinners that make life a little easier.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Canned Chicken Salad
Skip the stove and grab a can for this quick, no-cook meal that still feels fresh. It’s simple, tasty, and ready in minutes, which makes it perfect when you need dinner on the fly. Keep this one in your back pocket for busy nights when cooking just isn’t happening.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Ground Turkey Pancakes
Change things up with these savory pancakes that are packed with protein and full of flavor. They cook quickly and don’t ask for much cleanup, making them great for weeknights. It’s a creative, filling meal that comes together fast and keeps everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Pancakes
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Make enchiladas without the long prep by using rotisserie chicken and a few smart shortcuts. They bake up hot and cheesy and taste like they took more time than they did. This is the kind of dinner that feels complete but still fits into a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Honey Habanero Tacos
Add some heat to your night with these quick tacos that mix sweet and spicy in one bite. They’re easy to build, fun to eat, and cook in almost no time. This is a bold weeknight dinner that keeps things fast and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Put a fresh spin on pizza night with this simple flatbread topped with creamy goat cheese and crisp asparagus. It bakes up quickly and feels a little fancy without being hard. It’s a fast, light dinner that makes you look like you know what you’re doing.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Cacio e Pepe
Keep it classic with this quick pasta dish that only needs cheese, pepper, and a little time. It’s creamy, rich, and ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish. This is an easy win for a weeknight meal that tastes like more than it is.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Cashew Chicken
Toss tender chicken with crunchy cashews in a sauce that’s full of flavor and cooks fast. The whole thing comes together quickly in one pan, which keeps dinner simple and makes cleanup easier. It’s a go-to weeknight recipe when you want something better than takeout in less time.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Get everything you need in one pan with this bold and filling quinoa skillet. It’s packed with spices, veggies, and beans and doesn’t take much time at all. This is an easy and speedy weeknight dinner that covers all the bases in one go.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa