Weeknight dinners can feel stressful when time is short and everyone is hungry. These 23 easy meals are simple to make and come together quickly so you can get dinner on the table without hassle. The recipes use common ingredients and straightforward steps, giving you satisfying meals you’ll want to make again and again.
Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spice up dinner in minutes by tossing leftover chicken with buffalo sauce and fresh greens for a bold, filling meal. The sauce adds flavor while keeping the salad simple and ready fast. Try this easy weeknight meal when a quick, satisfying dish is needed without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Make dinner cozy and satisfying with jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy cheese that bake into a rich meal. The sauce and cheese give every bite warmth and comfort while keeping prep simple. Use this easy weeknight recipe when cheesy comfort is wanted without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Cacio e Pepe
Turn simple ingredients into a rich pasta dinner by mixing cheese, pepper, and pasta in one pan. The recipe comes together quickly, and cleanup is easy, giving you more time to eat. Keep this quick weeknight meal ready when a fast and satisfying dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Serve a hearty, comforting dinner by combining chicken and tortellini in a flavorful broth that cooks quickly. The soup is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights. Use this fast weeknight meal when a filling dish is wanted without hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Make dinner fun and quick by wrapping hot dogs in crescent roll dough for a golden, crispy meal. The flaky crust pairs perfectly with the juicy inside for a filling dish everyone will enjoy. Try this easy weeknight recipe when a fast, crowd-pleasing meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Poached Orange Salmon
Cook salmon in a bright orange broth to keep it tender, juicy, and full of flavor in minutes. The citrus adds a fresh, light taste that pairs well with simple sides for a fast meal. Use this easy weeknight recipe when a meal that looks special is needed without long prep.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Pesto Salmon
Bring fresh flavor to dinner by coating salmon with pesto and cooking it quickly on the stove or in the oven. The herbs and cheese create a rich taste while keeping preparation simple. Add this easy weeknight recipe to make a fast, healthy, and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Honey Glazed Chicken
Give dinner a sweet and savory touch by cooking chicken in a sticky honey glaze entirely in one pan. The meal comes together quickly while still feeling special and full of flavor. Choose this fast weeknight recipe when a tasty, simple dish is needed.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Caprese Panini
Press mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil between slices of bread for a warm, golden panini that cooks in minutes. The sandwich is light but filling enough to serve as a meal. Try this easy weeknight recipe when a hot, fresh dish is wanted without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Cashew Chicken
Stir chicken and cashews in a sweet and savory sauce for a meal that tastes like takeout but cooks fast. The one-pan recipe keeps cleanup easy while delivering bold flavor. Keep this quick weeknight meal ready when a fast, satisfying dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Bake beef, rice, and cheese together for a warm, hearty casserole that fills the kitchen with a comforting aroma. The ingredients are simple and easy to find, making preparation stress-free. Make this fast weeknight recipe when a filling one-dish meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Kefta Kebabs
Shape ground meat with spices and cook it quickly to make juicy, tender kebabs that are full of bold, satisfying flavor. The recipe does not need long prep or marinating, which keeps dinner simple and stress-free. Use this fast weeknight meal when a quick, flavorful, and easy dish is wanted without spending much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Italian Meatball Soup
Simmer meatballs, pasta, and broth together for a soup that tastes hearty and filling in under 30 minutes. The flavor feels rich and comforting, even though prep is quick. Try this easy weeknight meal when a warm, satisfying dish is needed fast.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mix canned chicken with pantry staples for a creamy salad that is ready almost instantly. It works in wraps, sandwiches, or bowls and still feels like a complete meal. Keep this quick weeknight recipe handy when a fast, filling dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cook quinoa, beans, and spices together in one skillet for a colorful, hearty meal that is ready quickly. This meat-free dish is filling enough to satisfy everyone at the table. Choose this fast weeknight recipe when simple, wholesome food is needed.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Roll pasta sheets with cheese and sauce for a lasagna-inspired meal that is easier than traditional layered lasagna. The recipe saves time while keeping familiar flavors rich and satisfying. Make this easy weeknight meal when a special dish is wanted without long prep.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Stir ground chicken, cabbage, and sauce in one skillet for a fast, flavorful meal that tastes like takeout. The recipe comes together quickly with minimal cleanup. Use this easy weeknight meal when a bold, satisfying dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Combine lentils, vegetables, and spices in the Instant Pot to make a thick, hearty soup that comes together quickly without constant attention. The dish is filling and comforting while staying simple to prepare, giving you a warm meal in less time. Use this healthy weeknight recipe when a fast, satisfying dinner is needed and easy cleanup is a priority.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Creamy Pea Pasta
Cook frozen peas into a rich, creamy sauce that coats pasta for a filling meal that comes together fast. The one-pan recipe keeps cleanup simple while delivering a warm, satisfying dinner. Keep this easy weeknight recipe ready when fast, comforting food is needed.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Use rotisserie chicken with cheese, sauce, and tortillas to make enchiladas that taste rich without long prep. The dish comes together in minutes while staying satisfying and filling. Make this fast weeknight recipe when a cheesy, quick dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps
Crisp chicken in the air fryer and wrap it with your favorite veggies and sauce for a fast, flavorful meal. The recipe delivers bold flavor without long cooking or marinating. Try this quick weeknight meal when a tasty, hands-on dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps
Ramen Chicken Noodles
Stir chicken, avocado, shirataki noodles, and rich broth together for a hearty, low-carb ramen meal. The recipe comes together faster than takeout while still being filling and full of texture. Use this fast weeknight meal when comfort food is wanted in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Chicken Noodles
Basil Fried Rice
Cook basil, tomatoes, and rice together for a fragrant, colorful, and filling vegetarian dinner. The recipe comes together quickly and uses simple ingredients. Keep this easy weeknight meal ready when a fast, satisfying option is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Basil Fried Rice