When your day feels like it’s never going to end, the last thing you want to do is think about dinner. That’s where these 21 quick weeknight meals come in. They’re simple, no-fuss, and way easier than whatever your day just threw at you. Whether you’re tired, busy, or just don’t feel like cooking, these recipes have your back.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Pesto Salmon
This one comes together fast with salmon and a spoonful of pesto, so dinner feels simple even when the day has been long. The pesto gives it a big flavor without a lot of work or ingredients to mess with. It’s the kind of easy meal that makes the whole evening feel calmer.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Soft tortellini, tender chicken, and warm broth make this soup feel like comfort without taking all night. Everything goes in one pot and cooks fast, which means less cleanup and more time to relax. It’s a dinner that fits right into the busiest kind of evening.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Creamy Pea Pasta
This pasta cooks up fast and gets covered in a rich, creamy sauce that feels like something special. The peas add a little sweetness and color, so the whole thing feels balanced without extra steps. It’s a great option for when you’re hungry and short on time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Shortcut Chicken Salad
It only takes a few minutes to mix up this chicken salad, which is great when you’re low on time or energy. The dressing is creamy and the chicken is filling, so it hits the spot without needing to cook anything. It’s perfect for nights when dinner just needs to be simple.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Cacio e Pepe
With just pasta, butter, cheese, and pepper, this dish comes together in one pan and still feels like real food. It’s fast to cook, fast to clean, and somehow super satisfying after a long day. It’s an easy win when you’re too tired to deal with much.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
You get all the flavor of an egg roll without the deep fryer or extra steps, which makes this a go-to for busy nights. Everything cooks in one pan and tastes bold and savory without much effort. It’s a meal that works when time is short and hunger hits fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
These come together with just a few ingredients and a quick bake, which makes dinner feel fun and easy. They’re warm, filling, and great when you just want something that doesn’t take much thought. This one’s for when your brain’s clocked out but dinner still needs to happen.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Using store-bought chicken cuts the prep way down, so these enchiladas are ready for the oven in minutes. They’re cheesy, and saucy, and taste like they took way more effort than they really did. It’s a solid go-to for when your day has already taken it out of you.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Kefta Kebabs
These kebabs cook up fast and pack in a ton of flavor with just a few spices and ingredients. You don’t need much prep, and they still come out juicy and satisfying every time. It’s a great dinner choice when you want something homemade but hassle-free.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Italian Meatball Soup
The meatballs are tender, the broth is full of flavor, and the whole thing comes together faster than you’d expect. It tastes like something that simmered all day but only takes a little effort. This one’s easy to keep in rotation when dinner needs to just work.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Poached Orange Salmon
The salmon cooks quickly in a light orange broth that adds flavor without needing much seasoning. It’s healthy and simple but still feels like a full meal with just a few ingredients. This one works when you want something fresh but don’t feel like cooking.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Buffalo Chicken Salad
The spicy chicken mixes with cool greens and creamy dressing to make a salad that doesn’t feel boring at all. It’s quick to throw together and filling enough to count as dinner with no cooking required. It’s a no-fuss option for nights when time and energy are low.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Cashew Chicken
This dish brings tender chicken and crunchy cashews together in a sweet and salty sauce that comes together fast. Everything cooks in one pan and works great over rice or noodles. It’s a flavorful fix when your evening’s already packed.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
These roll-ups give you all the flavor of lasagna without needing to layer or bake for hours. You just spread, roll, and bake, and they’re ready in way less time than the full version. Perfect when you’re craving something cheesy but need it on the table quickly.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
This soup is packed with lentils, veggies, and spices, and it cooks up quickly in the Instant Pot. You toss everything in, hit start, and walk away while it does all the work. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal that still feels hearty.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Honey Glazed Chicken
The chicken cooks fast in a sticky, sweet glaze that only needs a few ingredients and one pan. It tastes like something you’d get from a restaurant but is easy enough to make after a long day. This is the kind of dinner you turn to when you’re short on steam.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
This dish uses just one pan and is packed with quinoa, beans, spices, and whatever extras you’ve got. It cooks fast and leaves barely any mess, which is a huge win when you’re already tired. Great for nights when dinner needs to get done with zero drama.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
These shells get filled with cheese, covered in sauce, and baked up bubbly without much work at all. You don’t need a bunch of ingredients or time to pull off something that still feels cozy. It’s a comfort dish that fits into even the busiest schedule.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This casserole comes together with beef, rice, and melted cheese in one pan that goes straight from stove to oven. It’s hearty and filling without needing a bunch of steps or cleanup. Perfect for nights when dinner needs to be solid but simple.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Caprese Panini
This sandwich toasts up fast with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil layered on bread until melty and golden. It’s warm, gooey, and ready in minutes with hardly any cleanup. Great for when you want something that tastes fresh but takes barely any time.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps
The air fryer cooks the chicken fast with a big flavor, so you don’t need to marinate or grill for hours. Just wrap it up with veggies and sauce and you’re done in under 30 minutes. It’s bold, easy, and perfect for when you need dinner to be a no-stress.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps