10+ Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Nights

Finding time to cook during a busy week can be tough. Quick and easy dinner recipes can help you prepare delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. These meals not only save time but also make dinner enjoyable for the whole family.

With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, you can whip up tasty dishes that everyone will love. Whether you’re looking for healthy options or comfort food, these recipes will fit perfectly into your hectic schedule.

1) Lemony Sardine Pasta

Lemony sardine pasta is a quick and tasty meal. It combines sardines, lemon, and pasta for a refreshing dish. You can make it in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights.

Start cooking your pasta according to the package instructions.

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, then toss in sardines.

Once the pasta is ready, drain it and mix it with the sardine mixture. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and add some zest for extra flavor.

Serve with a sprinkle of olives or capers for an added twist. This dish is not only easy but also healthy and filling.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta
• 1 can sardines
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: olives or capers

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add sardines and heat through.
5. Drain the pasta and combine with the sardine mix.
6. Squeeze lemon juice and add zest.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve with olives or capers if desired.

2) Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers are a quick and tasty dinner option. They are easy to make and perfect for summer grilling. The sweet and smoky flavors will surely please everyone’s taste buds.

To prepare, start by marinating chicken in a mix of honey, chipotle sauce, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to soak up all the flavors.

Once marinated, thread the chicken onto skewers. Grill them until the chicken is cooked through, which usually takes about 15 minutes at medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).

Serve these skewers with rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken breast, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Skewers

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix honey, chipotle sauce, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce.
2. Add chicken pieces and marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
4. Grill skewers over medium-high heat (375°F or 190°C) for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.

3) 5-Ingredient Garlic Ginger Ground Beef

This quick dinner recipe is perfect for busy evenings. You can make a delicious meal in under 10 minutes with just five ingredients. It’s packed with flavor and pairs well with rice.

To prepare this dish, you’ll need ground beef, garlic, ginger, oil, and soy sauce. The garlic and ginger give it a nice kick, while the soy sauce adds depth.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like avocado or vegetable)
• 2 tablespoons grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons grated garlic
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add the ground beef, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in ginger and garlic, cooking for another minute.
4. Add soy sauce and mix well. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

4) Instant Ramen with Veggies

Instant ramen is a quick and easy meal that you can customize with your favorite vegetables. You can make it in just a few minutes.

Start by boiling water and adding your ramen noodles.

To make it more nutritious, add fresh or frozen vegetables. Options like carrots, bell peppers, and spinach work well. You can also include tofu for added protein.

Feel free to spice it up with sauces like soy sauce or chili sauce. A sprinkle of sesame oil adds great flavor, too!

Ingredients

• 1 package of instant ramen noodles
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
• 1 block of tofu (optional)
• Soy sauce or chili sauce to taste
• Sesame oil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 2 cups of water (approx. 100°C).
2. Add the ramen noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Mix in the vegetables and tofu.
4. Add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

5) Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a simple and delicious dish that’s perfect for busy nights. It combines pasta, sauce, and cheese, all baked together for a comforting meal.

To make it, you will need ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and ground beef or sausage if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound ground beef or sausage (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the ziti according to the package directions.
3. In a large bowl, mix the drained ziti with marinara sauce and ricotta cheese.
4. If using, brown the ground beef or sausage and mix it in.
5. Layer the mixture in a baking dish, adding mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

6) Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros is a simple and tasty meal you can enjoy for dinner. It features corn tortillas topped with eggs, beans, salsa, and cheese.

To make this dish, you start by heating up refried beans. Then, fry or poach your eggs to your liking. Meanwhile, warm up the corn tortillas in a separate pan.

Layer the tortillas with beans, eggs, and your choice of salsa. Adding fresh cilantro or avocado can enhance the flavor.

This meal is filling and packed with nutrition.

Ingredients

• 4 corn tortillas
• 1 cup refried beans
• 2–4 eggs
• Salsa (your choice)
• Cheese (optional)
• Fresh cilantro (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat refried beans in a pan.
2. Cook eggs in your preferred style.
3. Warm corn tortillas in another pan.
4. Assemble by layering tortillas, beans, eggs, and salsa.
5. Top with cheese and cilantro if desired.

7) Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Spaghetti with garlic bread is a simple and tasty meal. You can have it ready in about 20 minutes. The garlic bread adds flavor and crunch to this classic dish.

To prepare, cook spaghetti in boiling water until it’s tender. While the pasta cooks, make the garlic bread. You can use store-bought bread or make your own by spreading garlic butter on slices.

Once the spaghetti is done, mix it with olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of chili for some heat. Serve it hot with toasted garlic bread on the side.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• 1 loaf of garlic bread or slices of bread with garlic butter
• Parmesan cheese for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil a pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) if making garlic bread.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
4. Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it to the skillet. Toss with chili flakes.
5. Bake garlic bread in the oven for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve the spaghetti hot, topped with Parmesan, alongside the garlic bread.

8) Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Air fryer chicken breast is an excellent choice for a quick and tasty dinner. It cooks fast and stays juicy while developing a nice crispy exterior. You can have this dish ready in about 15 minutes!

To start, season your chicken breasts with your favorite spices. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, or even a bit of brown sugar for sweetness.

Next, place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-8 minutes until fully cooked.

You’ll enjoy a delicious and healthy meal with minimal effort!

Ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Optional: 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Preheat air fryer to 370°F (190°C).
3. Place chicken in the air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 10 minutes.
5. Flip and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes until done.

9) Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a delightful dish that features poached eggs in a savory tomato sauce. It’s a simple and nourishing meal perfect for any time of day.

Start with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Cook these slowly to bring out their natural sweetness.

You can spice it up with cumin and paprika for extra flavor. After the sauce is ready, gently crack the eggs into the mixture and let them poach.

Serve your shakshuka with crusty bread for dipping. It’s filling and satisfying!

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Sauté onions and bell peppers until soft.
3. Add garlic, cumin, and paprika; cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Make small wells in the sauce and crack eggs into each.
7. Cover and cook until eggs are set, about 5-7 minutes.

10) Mandu Guk (Korean Dumpling Soup)

Mandu Guk is a warm and comforting Korean dumpling soup. It’s quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights. You can use store-bought frozen dumplings to save time.

Start by preparing a simple broth with water and your choice of seasonings. Bring it to a boil, then add the frozen dumplings. Let them cook until they are heated through.

You can add green onions and garlic for extra flavor. Serve the soup hot, and enjoy a taste of Korea right at home.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (960 mL) of water
• 1 package frozen dumplings (about 1 pound, 450 grams)
• 2 chopped green onions
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, bring the water to a boil.
2. Add the frozen dumplings and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
3. After that, stir in chopped green onions and minced garlic.
4. Then, season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!