Easy Weeknight Dinners are basically the unsung heroes of our chaotic, never-a-minute-to-breathe lives. Whether you’re juggling homework, reheating your coffee for the third time, or just trying to avoid cereal for dinner (again), these recipes have your back.
Also Read: 40+ Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas To Try This Week
If you ever find yourself staring into your fridge at 6:30 p.m., wondering how you’re going to pull off dinner while simultaneously helping with math homework, folding laundry, and mentally prepping for the next workday, girl, same. Life is a lot. That’s why I put together this massive roundup of 45+ stress-free, easy weeknight dinners that are here to save your sanity and your stomach.
Also Read: Quick & Easy Summer Dinner Recipes For Busy Nights
Whether you’re cooking for two, feeding a family of five, keeping it low-carb, or just trying to avoid another takeout night, these easy weeknight dinners are packed with flavor, short on prep time, and always satisfying. And yes, they’re all linked from fab recipe creators around the internet, so you can click, cook, and carry on.
Let’s make your weeknights feel a little more manageable (and delicious).
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Table of Contents
Easy Weeknight Dinners:
Easy Weeknight Dinners For 2
Because not every night calls for a family-sized feast. These cozy, quick meals are perfect when you’re cooking for yourself or just you and your boo.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
This simple sheet pan chicken fajita recipe is ideal for hectic weeknights. Loaded with juicy chicken, zesty spices, and vibrant peppers and onions, it’s a crowd-pleasing dinner the whole family will love.
Grilled Cheese Burger
These grilled cheese burgers combine two comfort food classics to create a delicious weeknight dinner. This recipe makes for the perfect dinner idea for 2.
Sausage Tortellini Skillet
This Easy One Pan Sausage Tortellini Skillet is a quick and delicious dinner option that’s ready in less than 20 minutes. The best part? Only one pan to clean up! It’s a simple and flavorful meal for busy nights.
Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meal (For Two)
Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken for Two is a deliciously simple dinner featuring juicy chicken, roasted vegetables, and crispy potatoes flavor-packed and perfectly portioned for a complete meal in one pan!
Salmon Taco Bowl
Flavor-packed salmon taco bowls made with homemade taco-seasoned salmon and served over savory sofrito rice. Top with avocado, salsa, green onion, cilantro, or your favorite fixings for a delicious meal prep dinner for two!
Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
Sweet sun-dried tomatoes, tangy goat cheese, hearty lentils, peppery arugula, and juicy fresh tomatoes come together in this vibrant summer salad, finished with a golden Turmeric Ginger Dressing. Whether you’re hosting a sunny get-together or craving a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner, this easy arugula lentil salad delivers bold, fresh flavor in every bite. It’s a true summer standout!
Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a vibrant and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring lean protein, crisp vegetables, and a sweet-savory sauce, all wrapped in refreshing lettuce leaves. Topped with your favorite garnishes, they’re perfect as an appetizer, side, or light main course.
Also Read: 30 Best Summer Salads You Need To Try This Season
Nourishing Ginger Bone Broth Noodle Bowl
A cozy and nourishing Ginger Bone Broth Noodle Bowl for two, made with wholesome, gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients, perfect for an easy, healthy soup!
Easy Weeknight Dinners For Families
Between soccer practice, math homework, and feeding the dog, dinner needs to be one less thing on your list. These family-friendly recipes are crowd-pleasers and time-savers.
Also Read: 30 Quick High Protein Meals For Busy Weekdays
Easy Skillet Nachos
Either as loaded appetizer or a main dish, these Easy Skillet Nachos are crowd-pleasing every time and totally customizable.
One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
This easy One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni brings together two classic comfort foods, cheeseburgers and mac & cheese, in one delicious dish. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in just 30 minutes! Creamy melted cheese wraps around tender macaroni and seasoned ground beef for a meal the whole family will devour.
Skillet Sausage & Potatoes
This Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe comes together in just 30 minutes. A perfectly seasoned hearty dish that is packed full of flavors. We love how the texture and savory taste of the sausage pairs with the creamy fried potatoes. Making this one pot delicious dish a balanced and satisfying plate of comfort food!!
Chicken Curry
This quick and easy chicken curry recipe is creamy, flavorful, and made with coconut milk, curry powder or garam masala, ready in under 45 minutes!
Oven-Baked Pork Chops
These Oven-Baked Pork Chops are the juiciest, most flavorful pork chops you’ll ever make! Made with simple pantry ingredients for a perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Arroz Con Pollo
This Arroz con Pollo is a simple one-pot dish packed with bold Latin flavor. Tender chicken, fluffy yellow rice, and hearty vegetables come together for a satisfying, all-in-one meal. Infused with savory spices like cumin and paprika, and a touch of smoky bacon, every bite is full of rich, comforting taste. Ideal for busy weeknights!
Big Mac Quesadilla
This Big Mac Quesadilla has all the flavors of the iconic burger, cheesy, crispy, and easy to make with a nostalgic twist. This recipe can be made in under 35 mins making them perfect for weeknights.
Easy Creamy Chicken Skillet
If you’re searching for a simple chicken recipe, this is it! Ready in under 30 minutes using just one skillet and everyday ingredients, it’s quick, easy, and incredibly tasty ideal for busy weeknights.
Orange Marmalade Chicken
This 4-ingredient orange marmalade chicken recipe couldn’t be any easier, and it’s ready in minutes.
Chicken Florentine
Chicken Florentine features tender, golden-browned chicken breasts paired with sautéed shallots, garlic, and spinach, all simmered in a rich, creamy white wine sauce and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’s a dish that’s impressive enough for guests but simple enough for a cozy weeknight meal.
Easy Weeknight Low Carb Dinners
Low carb doesn’t have to mean low flavor. These easy weeknight dinners are all about flavor without the overload of carbs.
Zucchini Noodle Alfredo with Chicken
This delicious low-carb meal features zucchini, garlic, parsley, and chicken all tossed in a creamy Parmesan sauce for a mouthwatering flavor blend. Perfectly creamy yet light, this dish is a guilt-free treat your whole family will love, and it’s sure to become a new favorite!
Crispy Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus
This Garlic Butter Salmon and Asparagus features tender salmon fillets coated in rich garlic butter, topped with fresh lemon slices, and baked together on a single sheet pan for effortless prep and easy cleanup. The salmon comes out juicy and flaky, while the asparagus is perfectly tender-crisp, bursting with delicious garlic butter flavor.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Enjoy this healthy 15-minute cauliflower fried rice made with cauliflower, carrots, onions, garlic, eggs or tofu, and sesame oil! To keep your meal low-carb and packed with protein, try pairing it with options like grilled chicken, shrimp, seared salmon, turkey meatballs, or crispy bacon.
Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
Enjoy all the creamy, cheesy, and bacon-packed flavor of classic Pasta Carbonara, only lighter! By swapping traditional spaghetti for spaghetti squash, you save around 190 calories per cup. This easy, satisfying dish is low-carb, gluten-free, grain-free, and totally healthy. (Yep, that’s a whole lot of deliciousness!)
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Enjoy all the bold, savory flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout egg roll without the deep-frying! This “egg roll in a bowl” is a lighter, one-skillet meal that comes together in just 20 minutes for a quick and healthy dinner.
Low Carb Taco Skillet
This low-carb, keto-friendly Taco Skillet features seasoned taco meat, sautéed bell peppers, and diced tomatoes. Finish it off with melted cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a scoop of guacamole for the perfect easy dinner.
Keto Creamy Chicken Skillet
Tired of the same old dinners? This creamy chicken skillet is your new go-to weeknight meal, ready in under 30 minutes! Pair it with buttery garlic green beans, roasted baby potatoes, or a crisp side salad for a delicious and well-rounded dinner.
Weeknight Crockpot Dinners
Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting. These weeknight crockpot dinners are perfect for tossing together in the morning and coming home to at night.
Also Read: 30+ Easy Summer Crockpot Recipes For Families
Creamy Coconut Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala, a cozy, flavorful bowl of Indian-inspired comfort food. This creamy dish is made with bold spices and rich coconut milk, delivering big flavor with minimal effort. Just set it and forget it, perfect for busy moms and effortless weeknight dinners everyone will love.
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Stroganoff, made with tender steak or stew meat, tangy sour cream, and absolutely no canned soup! This lighter (but still rich and flavorful) twist on the classic is a savory, comforting crockpot favorite. A true dump-and-go dinner perfect for busy family weeknights.
Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
Instant Pot Stuffed Bell Peppers are the ultimate comfort food made easy. Packed with ground beef, rice, onions, and savory spices, these hearty peppers cook up fast and come topped with a delicious sauce that brings it all together. Dinner just got simpler, and tastier!
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Need a quick, tasty meal with barely any prep? These crock pot BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches are the answer! With the help of your slow cooker, you can have a wholesome homemade dinner ready to go—even on your busiest days. Bonus: it features a homemade low-sugar BBQ sauce!
Honey Garlic Crockpot Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is coated in a sweet, sticky sauce that delivers all the crave-worthy flavor of your favorite takeout—but with wholesome, natural ingredients. This simple recipe uses just eight ingredients (or nine if you count the rice) and chances are, if you cook Asian-inspired dishes often (and have soy sauce on hand), you already have everything you need in your pantry.
Fire Roasted Tomato Shrimp Taco
These Crock Pot Fire-Roasted Tomato Shrimp Tacos are bursting with Mexican-inspired flavor and couldn’t be easier to make. Serve them in gluten-free tortillas for a wholesome, low-effort weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy perfect for busy nights!
Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe
This Instant Pot Jambalaya is a bold and hearty Louisiana-inspired dish loaded with andouille sausage, shrimp, rice, and veggies, quick to make and packed with flavor!
Crockpot Sausage Peppers and Onions with Sauce
Try this slow cooker sausage, peppers, and onions recipe, it’s a simple and delicious way to get dinner on the table with barely any effort. Juicy sausage and tender veggies cook low and slow, making it perfect for serving on hoagie rolls, over pasta, or with rice, all topped with a sprinkle of mozzarella. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and comes together with just minutes of prep.
Weeknight Healthy Dinners
For when you want to feel good without making a salad for the third night in a row. These healthy easy weeknight dinners are big on nutrition and flavor.
Teriyaki Chickpeas Bowl
Teriyaki Chickpeas is a quick and easy recipe that can be made in 10 minutes! A healthy vegan version of teriyaki chicken with all the same salty, sweet, tangy, and umami flavors of your favorite takeout! This one-pan meal is also gluten-free, allergy-free, and completely plant-based! It’s great for a weeknight dinner or meal prep for lunch!
Tuscan Marry Me Chickpeas
This Tuscan Marry Me Chickpeas, a vegan twist on the classic “Marry Me Chicken.” This creamy, tomato-based dish is packed with protein-rich chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs, all simmered to perfection in a luscious dairy-free sauce.
Zucchini Feta Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers are so juicy, packed with flavor, and made in under 30 minutes! Fresh zucchini and feta are mixed with ground turkey and grilled for the perfect summer burger. These gluten free burgers can be made dairy free by using a vegan feta.
Pan Seared Halibut
Light, flaky, and buttery, this pan seared halibut recipe is both delicious and healthy. In less than 20 minutes, you can make the perfect weeknight dinner that’s sure to impress!
Spicy Shrimp Bowl
This easy Spicy Shrimp Bowl Recipe With Rice And Peach Avocado Salad is delicious and nutritious.
With just a few key ingredients and simple cooking steps in just under 30 minutes, this dish offers fantastic flavors, a pop of color, and an easy lunch or dinner option that will become a favorite in your rotation.
Chicken Caprese
Chicken Caprese is a simple, fresh, and delicious meal made in under 30 minutes!
Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish of Pan-seared chicken breast topped with melty mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil is an easy and irresistible dinner that everyone will love.
Cheap Weeknight Dinners
Ballin’ on a budget? Same. These cheap weeknight dinners are simple, satisfying, and super affordable.
42. Gnocchi With Tomato Cream Sauce
This 8 ingredient weeknight dinner uses store-bought potato gnocchi that is tossed in a creamy sauce. This simple gnocchi with sauce recipe helps keep you on a budget without sacrificing any flavor and only requires one pan, which means minimal clean up. It is an excellent item to add to the weeknight dinner menu that the whole family will enjoy.
Chickpea Curry with Rice
This easy Chickpea Curry is ready in 20 minutes or less! Creamy, full of bold flavor, and packed with plant-based protein, it’s the perfect quick dinner for busy nights. Chickpeas make a budget-friendly, healthy meat alternative that’s both satisfying and nutritious, a little goes a long way!
Authentic Egg Fried Rice
Egg Fried Rice is quick, easy, and incredibly tasty, made with just a few simple ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes! It’s a takeout favorite for a reason, and I’m sharing all the essential tips to help you make perfect fried rice right in your own kitchen.
Ramen Stir Fry with Vegetables
This ramen stir fry transforms simple packaged noodles into a vibrant, veggie-packed meal with a quick stir fry sauce made from everyday pantry ingredients. It’s easy to customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand and comes together in just 20 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner. For a heartier twist, try adding pan-fried tofu, tempeh, soy curls, or your favorite vegan chicken or beef alternative.
Chicken Spaghetti
This creamy Chicken Spaghetti is a comfort food favorite! Juicy chicken breast and spaghetti are tossed in a rich, velvety cream sauce, then baked with a cheesy topping until golden and bubbly. Best of all, it’s made with simple pantry and fridge staples.
Italian Meatballs
This Italian meatball recipe is quick, easy, and ready in under 30 minutes! If you’re a fan of juicy, tender meatballs smothered in tangy tomato sauce, this one’s for you. Both the meatballs and sauce freeze well for up to 2 months and taste amazing with spaghetti, Caesar salad, or mashed potatoes.
Easy Weeknight Dinners
So there you have it, over 45+ easy weeknight dinners that work with your life, not against it. Whether you’re after quick prep, budget bites, or just something the whole crew will eat without complaints, there’s something here for every mood and every Monday.
Go ahead, bookmark this post, share it with your fellow stressed-but-still-trying friends, and let dinner time feel a little more doable. You got this.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future‘” (Jeremiah 29:11).
