10+ Dinner Recipes Easy for Busy Weeknights

Dinner time often feels rushed, especially on busy weeknights. Easy dinner recipes can save you time and stress while still putting a delicious meal on the table.

These recipes are simple and quick. You can enjoy dinner with your family or friends without much hassle.

With a variety of options, you can find something for everyone’s taste. Whether you like pasta, tacos, or casseroles, there are plenty of easy dinner ideas to fit your schedule.

1) One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a simple and delicious dinner you can make in just one pan. You cook the pasta right in a creamy garlic sauce, so cleanup is easy.

Start by melting butter in a pot and adding minced garlic. Stir in chicken broth and bring it to a boil.

Add your pasta and cook until tender. Once the pasta is ready, mix in milk and grated Parmesan cheese.

Stir until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 8 oz fettuccine
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add fettuccine; cook until pasta is tender.
5. Stir in milk and grated Parmesan.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

2) Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken is a quick and tasty dinner. It combines juicy chicken with savory vegetables.

You bake everything on one sheet pan, making cleanup simple. The honey mustard sauce adds delicious flavor.

Just toss your ingredients together and let the oven do the work.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and honey mustard sauce.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

3) Classic Chicken Pot Pie

Classic chicken pot pie is a comforting and hearty dish. It features tender chicken with vegetables in a creamy sauce, all wrapped in a flaky pie crust.

You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. Frozen mixed veggies work well, too.

The buttery crust makes every bite delightful.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix chicken, vegetables, milk, and cream of chicken soup.
3. Pour the mixture into a pie crust in a baking dish.
4. Cover with another pie crust, sealing the edges.
5. Cut slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
7. Let it cool before serving.

4) Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans

This dish combines broccoli and cheddar cheese with creamy white beans. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare.

You need only five main ingredients. The flavors are satisfying and nourishing.

You can use fresh or frozen broccoli. This recipe adds protein to your meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender.
3. Stir in white beans and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Reduce heat and add cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

5) 20-Minute Zucchini Pasta with Goat Cheese

This quick zucchini pasta is perfect for a busy night. The creamy goat cheese and fresh flavors make it special.

It comes together in just 20 minutes. Start by spiralizing your zucchini into noodles.

Heat olive oil in a pan. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté until tender.

Mix in goat cheese and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese melts and coats the noodles.

Season with salt and pepper. Finish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil

Cooking Instructions

1. Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
3. Sauté zucchini noodles for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add goat cheese and lemon juice; stir until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

6) Sticky BBQ Chicken Meatballs

Sticky BBQ chicken meatballs are a fun and tasty dinner. They’re easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.

Pair them with a fresh side, like broccoli slaw, for a complete meal. Combine ground chicken with BBQ sauce and form into small balls.

Bake until juicy and golden. You can have them ready in about 30 minutes.

Serve with rice or in a wrap.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) ground chicken
• 1 cup (240ml) BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix ground chicken, BBQ sauce, breadcrumbs, and spices.
3. Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. Enjoy!

7) Easy Beef and Broccoli Noodles

Beef and broccoli noodles make a fantastic easy dinner. This dish combines tender beef, fresh broccoli, and noodles in a savory sauce.

You can make it in about 30 minutes. You need ground beef, broccoli, and your choice of noodles.

Add soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for flavor. This recipe is great for a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 2 cups (150g) broccoli florets
• 8 ounces (225g) noodles
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the noodles according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
3. Add broccoli and cook until tender.
4. Stir in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
5. Combine with noodles and serve hot.

8) Rattlesnake Pasta

Rattlesnake Pasta is a creamy dish with pasta, tender chicken, and a zesty sauce. The bold flavors make it a favorite.

Use penne or fettuccine pasta. Add bell peppers for crunch and color.

A sprinkle of Italian seasoning brings everything together. This meal is quick to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cubed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 lb penne or fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and chicken; cook until chicken is done.
4. Stir in seasoning and cream; simmer.
5. Mix in cooked pasta and cheese. Serve hot.

9) Chilaquiles Verdes

Chilaquiles Verdes is a delicious Mexican dish for dinner. You can whip it up quickly for a comforting meal.

This dish features crispy tortillas topped with a bright green sauce made from tomatillos. Add eggs, cheese, or your favorite toppings.

It’s a great way to use up leftover tortillas.

Ingredients

• 16 corn tortillas
• 2 cups salsa verde
• 1 cup cheese (like queso fresco or cheddar)
• 4 eggs (optional)
• Cooking oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the tortillas into wedges and fry them in hot oil until crispy.
2. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
3. In the same pan, add salsa verde and bring it to a simmer.
4. Add the crispy tortillas to the sauce and stir gently.
5. Top with cheese and cooked eggs, if using.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

10) Simple Shakshuka

Simple shakshuka is a tasty dish you can enjoy any time. It’s made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and spices.

The gently poached eggs sit right in the sauce. You can serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a nourishing meal. It’s perfect with crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add chopped onion and bell pepper.
3. Cook until soft.
4. Stir in garlic and paprika.
5. Cook for another minute.
6. Add diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
7. Simmer for 10 minutes.
8. Make wells in the sauce.
9. Crack an egg into each well.
10. Cover and cook until eggs are set, about 5-7 minutes.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.