Weeknight dinners don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. These 33 meals start with simple ingredients and easy steps, but end with everyone asking for seconds. They’re quick to make, satisfying to eat, and designed to turn busy evenings into dinners the whole family will enjoy. With options everyone will enjoy, these dinners make weeknights easier and more fun at the same time.

Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

A crisp tortilla cooks fast into a golden crust that makes the perfect base for a quick pizza dinner. Toppings can be added any way you like, so everyone gets the flavors they want without fuss. This is a kid-friendly dinner recipe that turns into fun mini pizzas that always leave people asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Shredded BBQ Chicken

Tender chicken coated in sweet and smoky BBQ sauce makes a meal that is both easy and filling. It can be piled onto sandwiches, stuffed in tacos, or spooned over rice for a dinner that works any night of the week. This delicious dinner recipe is one of those simple meals that disappears fast and always has people wanting it again.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Tomato Lime Chicken

Bright tomato and zesty lime cook with juicy chicken to bring big flavor with very little work. The dish is easy to serve with rice, tucked into tacos, or plated with a simple side. This recipe makes weeknight dinners both bold and simple, and it often ends with requests to make it again.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups

Lasagna noodles are rolled with cheese and baked into individual portions that make serving simple. The cheesy rolls cook quickly, making them perfect for busy nights when time is tight. This is a family favorite dinner recipe that turns a classic meal into bite-sized pieces that kids can’t wait to eat again.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Chicken Fried Rice

Fluffy rice, tender chicken, and mixed vegetables come together for a fast and filling dinner. The pan cooks quickly and the flavors are familiar, making it easy for kids and adults to enjoy. This easy weeknight meal is one of those go-to recipes that works again and again without fail.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Kefta Kebabs

Spiced ground meat is shaped onto skewers and cooked until juicy, creating a dinner that feels both fun and flavorful. The sticks make serving simple and give kids a reason to dig in with their hands. This delicious dinner recipe makes weeknights exciting and is one of those meals people ask for again.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas

Flaky pastry wraps around a savory chicken filling to create hand-held pockets that are easy to eat. They bake quickly and are great for nights when you need dinner ready without a lot of effort. This kid-friendly recipe makes dinner fun, and it always ends with empty plates and happy faces.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Meatballs and Sauce

Juicy meatballs simmer in tomato sauce until tender and flavorful, perfect for spooning over pasta, rice, or bread. The recipe is easy to make and fills the table with a hearty meal that satisfies. This delicious dinner recipe is a comfort food classic that keeps kids asking for another helping.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs

Juicy chicken soaks in lemon marinade before being grilled or baked on skewers for quick and tasty results. The bright flavor pairs with simple sides, making it a fast choice for busy weeknights. This is a fun and flavorful dinner recipe that kids enjoy and families want made again.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Chicken Stew with Biscuits

Tender chicken and vegetables simmer in a creamy sauce topped with golden, fluffy biscuits that soak up every drop. The dish comes together without much work and feels like a complete meal in one pot. This comforting dinner recipe is one that families love and often ask for on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Shortcut Chicken Salad

Creamy chicken salad comes together in minutes with only a few simple steps, making it a light but filling meal. It can be scooped onto bread, crackers, or lettuce for quick and easy dinners. This kid-friendly recipe is one of those weeknight meals that feels effortless and ends with every bite gone.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs

Hot dogs wrapped in buttery crescent dough bake into soft, golden rolls that make dinner fun. They are quick to prepare and simple enough to serve as either a meal or a hearty snack. This easy dinner recipe is always a hit with kids, and it often turns into a request to make them again soon.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Italian Meatball Soup

A warm broth filled with tender meatballs makes this soup both hearty and easy to enjoy on busy nights. It takes little time to prepare but fills bowls with comfort and flavor. This is a delicious dinner recipe that kids love, and it often ends with second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken, noodles, and savory broth come together in minutes using the Instant Pot, making this classic dinner fast and simple. The flavors are warm, familiar, and perfect for when everyone needs a filling meal. This recipe is a weeknight favorite that never lasts long because it always gets eaten up fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Pasta shells are filled with creamy cheese, baked to golden perfection, and served hot for a comforting dinner. The dish comes together easily, which makes it perfect for weeknights when time is short. This is a delicious dinner recipe that feels special but simple, and kids often ask for it again.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Pizza Rolls

Gooey cheese, chicken, and spinach are wrapped into bite-sized rolls that bake in minutes for a fast meal. They are easy to grab, making them great for kids who like fun, finger-friendly dinners. This kid-approved dinner recipe is one that always disappears and leaves everyone wanting another batch.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Seasoned beef, fluffy rice, and plenty of melted cheese come together in one pan for a hearty meal. It’s simple to bake and makes enough to feed everyone with little effort. This is a weeknight dinner recipe that fills plates fast and usually ends with someone asking for it again tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Chicken Taco Wraps

Rotisserie chicken, fresh vegetables, and tortillas create a wrap that is both quick and customizable. Each person can build their own, making dinnertime easy and fun for the whole table. This is a simple and delicious dinner recipe that kids love, and it’s one that often shows up again on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs

Ground turkey mixed with sweet potato makes meatballs that are soft, flavorful, and packed with goodness. They are simple to bake and pair well with rice, pasta, or vegetables for a complete meal. This dinner recipe is both healthy and fun, making it one that kids enjoy and families return to.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
Southwest Tortilla Pie

Layers of tortillas, beans, chicken, and melted cheese bake together into a colorful and tasty pie. The dish comes together quickly and slices neatly for easy serving at the table. This delicious dinner recipe is full of flavor and is often requested again because it makes mealtime exciting.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta

Juicy grape tomatoes and creamy ricotta turn a bowl of pasta into a fresh and simple meal. It takes little effort to make and comes together in about half an hour. This is a weeknight dinner recipe that feels satisfying and usually ends with kids asking for another serving.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Potato Gnocchi

Soft and pillowy gnocchi cook in minutes and taste delicious with any easy sauce you have on hand. The chewy bites are fun to eat and make a filling meal without much work. This is a kid-friendly dinner recipe that disappears fast and always gets requested again.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Quinoa, beans, and salsa all cook together in one pan, making cleanup fast and dinner even faster. The mix is hearty, flavorful, and simple enough to make any weeknight. This delicious dinner recipe is one that kids enjoy and parents love because it works every time.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Honey Glazed Chicken

Sweet and savory honey glaze coats tender chicken, creating bites that are sticky, flavorful, and easy to love. The recipe takes little effort and makes dinner feel special without being complicated. This kid-approved meal is a favorite for busy nights and one that often shows up on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken Tortellini Soup

Cheesy tortellini and tender chicken simmer in a warm broth that feels hearty and filling. The recipe is quick to prepare and makes a full meal in one pot. This is a weeknight dinner recipe that disappears quickly and always has people asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers

Ground turkey is seasoned with light spices and topped with crunchy vegetables for a fresh twist on burgers. They cook quickly on the stove and make dinner both easy and satisfying. This simple recipe is a fun weeknight meal that kids enjoy and often want again.
Get the Recipe: Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Lemon Butter Pasta

Creamy butter sauce with a touch of lemon makes this pasta light, flavorful, and comforting at the same time. It comes together fast, making it perfect for nights when dinner needs to be quick. This delicious dinner recipe is one that always gets finished and often makes its way back onto the menu.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Chicken and Dumplings

Soft dumplings and tender chicken simmer in a rich broth, making this a filling and cozy meal. The recipe is easy to prepare and makes enough to feed a hungry table. This is a kid-friendly dinner recipe that tastes familiar and keeps everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Cacio e Pepe

A few simple ingredients like pasta, cheese, and pepper turn into a dish that feels both comforting and satisfying. It cooks in minutes and is easy to serve on even the busiest nights. This weeknight dinner recipe is quick, flavorful, and one that often ends with clean plates.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Carnitas

Slow-cooked pork turns tender and juicy, making it perfect for tacos, sandwiches, or bowls. The recipe is simple, but the flavor is bold enough to stand out on any table. This delicious dinner recipe is one that both kids and adults enjoy, and it often gets asked for again.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Calzones

Golden dough stuffed with melted cheese and favorite toppings makes a meal that feels both fun and filling. They cook quickly and slice easily, making them perfect for a weeknight dinner. This is a kid-approved recipe that feels special but simple, and it’s one families often want again.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Ground chicken and fresh vegetables cook together in one pan for a meal that has all the flavor of egg rolls without the extra work. It is quick to prepare and fills the plate with something hearty and simple. This easy dinner recipe is one that kids enjoy and usually ask for again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon

Salmon cooks in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan, creating big flavor in little time. The dish is ready in under 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for weeknights. This is a delicious dinner recipe that turns salmon into a favorite kids are surprised they enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon