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Plated easy dinner recipes for a quick weeknight meal.

Easy Dinner Recipes Collection

Quick, delicious, and stress-free meals for busy weeknights. From one-pan wonders and healthy skillet dinners to comforting chili and Mexican-inspired dishes, these recipes will keep dinner exciting without keeping you in the kitchen all night.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Global Fusion, Mexican-Inspired

Equipment

  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Sheet Pan
  • Cooking pot
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Ingredients
  

Pantry Staples

  • olive oil for cooking
  • garlic minced
  • onion chopped
  • vegetables fresh or frozen, any variety
  • chicken or ground beef can substitute with beans or tofu for vegetarian meals
  • canned beans black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas
  • canned tomatoes for chili or sauces
  • rice, pasta, or tortillas choose based on the meal

Flavor Boosters

  • chili powder or taco seasoning
  • lime or lemon juice for freshness
  • parsley or cilantro chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • For quick skillet dinners: Sauté garlic, onion, and veggies in olive oil. Add cooked chicken, beef, or beans, season with spices, and serve over rice or pasta.
  • For one-pan sheet meals: Spread chicken, sausage, or shrimp with veggies on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, season, and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.
  • For chili: Combine ground meat (or beans), canned tomatoes, chili powder, and beans in a pot. Simmer 15–20 minutes, then serve with cheese and tortilla chips.
  • For Mexican-inspired meals: Assemble quesadillas with cheese, beans, and chicken; cook in skillet until golden. Or build burrito bowls with rice, beans, veggies, salsa, and protein.

Notes

Rotate seasonings and sides to keep meals fresh. Many dishes can be prepped ahead by chopping vegetables or measuring spices in advance. Leftovers often taste better the next day and can be frozen for quick lunches.
Keyword Chili, easy, one-pan, Quick Meals, weeknight
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