Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
These easy dinner recipes are quick, budget-friendly, and full of comfort—perfect for nights when you're short on time but still want a meal that brings the family together. Simple ingredients, minimal cleanup, and big flavor make these recipes true weeknight heroes.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Sheet Pan
- Pot
- Wok
Ingredients
Pantry Staples
- pasta spaghetti or penne
- rice white or brown
- can beans drained and rinsed
- tomato sauce
Proteins
- rotisserie chicken shredded
- ground beef or turkey
- eggs scrambled for rice or used whole
- can tuna for pasta or salad
Flavor Boosters
- garlic and onions minced or chopped
- herbs basil, oregano, parsley
- cheese Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella
- olive oil and butter
Instructions
- One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken: Cook chicken breasts in olive oil and butter. Add zucchini, carrots, and potatoes. Finish with garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Quick Beef Tacos: Brown ground beef with onions and garlic. Stir in taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Serve in warm tortillas with cheese and salsa.
- Creamy Tomato Pasta: Boil pasta. Sauté garlic in oil, add tomato sauce and cream. Mix in pasta and Parmesan. Garnish with basil.
- Veggie Fried Rice: Sauté carrots, peas, and onions in sesame oil. Stir in rice, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs. Top with green onions.
- Sheet Pan Salmon: Place salmon and potatoes on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bake until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
All recipes can be customized based on what you have on hand. Most cook in under 30 minutes and use fewer than 10 ingredients. Try doubling portions for lunch prep or freezing leftovers for later.
Nutrition
Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 25gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2200IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 3mg
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