Are you spending way too much time and mental energy thinking about “what should I cook for dinner tonight?” I feel you. It can be such a time and energy drain! But I’ve got some simple solutions for you. I’ve compiled this list of Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner ideas, so you can crush your goals, eat better, save money, feel like a superhero, and still have a little time to put your feet up at the end of the day. 😊
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The Best Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas
The criteria for making this list include:
- Short ingredient list
- Fast (about 30 minutes give or take)
- Easy recipes suitable for beginners
- Comprised of mostly pantry staples, so you can whip them up on the fly
And by “pantry staples” I mean items that are shelf-stable so you can keep them on hand without worrying they’ll spoil. This can be dry goods (actual pantry), refrigerator items that have a long shelf life, or items that can be stashed in the freezer for a rainy day. Check out my list of pantry staples so you can get a good idea of what to stock up on for fast weeknight dinners.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with your browser’s bookmark feature, you’re going to want to keep these quick and easy weeknight dinners handy!!
Speedy Pasta Dinners
Pasta is always one of my first choices when I need dinner on the table fast. It cooks quickly, works with all kinds of pantry staples, is easy to pack out with veggies, and always delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort!
1. Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
$4.48 recipe / $0.74 serving
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A handful of ingredients, the easiest steps, and 25 minutes? That’s music to my ears when I have no time to make dinner. This spaghetti carbonara is one of my longest-running, most-affordable dinner ideas, and it’s never failed me! Total Time: 25 min
2. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
$4.80 recipe / $1.20 serving
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Super simple and satisfying, this creamy tomato and spinach pasta hits all the marks for a weeknight dinner. If you want to punch it up a bit, you can always add some rotisserie chicken or Italian sausage! Total Time: 25 min
3. Tuscan Orzo
Tuscan Orzo
Tuscan orzo is a one-pot meal made in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. It’s creamy, cozy comfort food at its best.
$7.46 recipe / $1.86 serving
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Our Tuscan orzo is the kind of creamy, cozy dinner that’s easy to keep on repeat. Everything cooks in one pot with roasted tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan, and cream, and I love that it gives you a lot of flavor without leaving a sink full of dishes. Total Time: 30 min
4. Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles
An easy, at-home take on Dan Dan Noodles made with spaghetti, ground pork, peanut butter, and chili crisp for big flavor with simple ingredients.
$8.86 Recipe / $2.22 Serving
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These Dan Dan noodles are loaded with bold, nutty, spicy flavor and come together with a smart mix of pantry staples and just a few fresh ingredients. I love this one for nights when plain pasta sounds too boring. This recipe is also one of my favorite noodle recipes on the site! Total Time: 30 min
5. One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
Cheeseburger Pasta is a fast and easy homemade version of hamburger helper that cooks all in one pot for easy cleanup!
$5.03 recipe / $1.26 serving
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My super easy skillet cheeseburger pasta will bring all the comfort food vibes back from your childhood. It’s like a homemade version of Hamburger Helper, made totally from scratch, but somehow just as easy as the boxed version. WIN. Total Time: 30 min
Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes
I always have chicken on my grocery list because it’s such a dependable dinner starter. It cooks pretty quickly, especially if you filet it or cut it into smaller pieces, and it works with just about any sauce or seasoning you have on hand.
6. Southwest Chicken Skillet
Southwest Chicken Skillet
If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, this Southwest Chicken Skillet is it! Precooked chicken makes this dinner possible in about 30 minutes.
$6.76 recipe / $1.69 serving
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This Southwest chicken skillet is a great “rotisserie chicken helper” type meal. It comes together quickly, is full of flavor, uses just a handful of ingredients, and is as satisfying as that burrito bowl you were going to order from Chipot… er… that restaurant. Total Time: 25 min
7. Chicken Pasta Primavera
Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
This Chicken Pasta Primavera recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and is packed with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and a delicious cream sauce.
$13.66 recipe / $3.42 serving
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This chicken pasta primavera is a great way to get dinner on the table fast while still working in plenty of colorful vegetables. The creamy sauce pulls everything together, and it’s an easy one to adapt with whatever produce you need to use up. Total Time: 30 min
8. Firecracker Chicken
Firecracker Chicken
$6.25 recipe / $1.56 serving
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Sweet, spicy, sticky, and faster than takeout, this firecracker chicken is the kind of dinner that wakes up my whole routine! The chicken gets pan-fried until crispy, then tossed in a bold sauce made with buffalo sauce, brown sugar, and a little vinegar for that addictive sweet-heat combo. Total Time: 35 min
9. Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Creamy, cozy, and weeknight-easy, these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs simmer in a tomato Parmesan sauce with spinach. Perfect over pasta or mashed potatoes!
$10.81 recipe / $2.70 serving
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These Marry Me chicken meatballs simmer in a creamy Parmesan-tomato sauce with spinach, so they bring a lot of comfort to the table in one skillet. This recipe is a little quicker than my homemade meatballs and a great pick when I want something hearty enough to serve over pasta or mashed potatoes. Total Time: 45 min
10. Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
This mouthwatering Creamy Garlic Chicken will leave you speechless! It’s made with a luscious, garlic-infused sauce and it’s perfect for an easy weeknight meal. This is one of our very favorite chicken recipes.
$9.21 recipe / $2.30 serving
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No matter how short on time you might be, this creamy garlic chicken is proof that a nice dinner is still achievable! The creamy, garlicky sauce is delectable, and everything comes together with simple steps in a little over half an hour. Total Time: 40 min
More Quick Skillets
A good skillet dinner is hard to beat on a busy night. Everything cooks in one pan, and dinner gets on the table without a ton of extra steps. If you love the sound of this, check out our other stir fry recipes for more skillet dinners.
11. Curried Chickpeas with Spinach
Curried Chickpeas with Spinach
These super fast Curried Chickpeas with spinach are packed with flavor and nutrients, vegan, gluten-free, and filling! Plus they freeze great!
$5.81 recipe / $1.45 serving
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You won’t believe the flavor in these curried chickpeas, despite the incredibly short ingredient list! It’s kind of amazing how just a little curry powder and tomato sauce can turn into something so fantastic. No time to make rice to go along with it? Serve this with pita or naan bread to make things even easier. Total Time: 25 min
12. Marry Me White Beans Skillet
Marry Me White Bean Skillet
This easy Marry Me White Bean Skillet recipe is a simple vegetarian dinner made with pantry staples and sun-dried tomatoes, all cooked together in one skillet for maximum comfort!
$5.61 recipe / $1.40 serving
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For anyone who wants that rich, cozy Marry Me flavor without adding yet another chicken dinner to the rotation, this Marry Me white bean skillet is such a great alternative. It’s a one-skillet vegetarian dinner made with pantry staples, and the beans make it filling enough to really count as dinner. Total Time: 25 min
13. Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
This fast and easy Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is a filling, low-carb dinner with big flavor and endless possibilities for customization.
$7.14 recipe / $1.79 serving
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Stir fries are the epitome of fast weeknight dinners! This beef and cabbage stir fry has gone viral because of its incredible flavor and easy prep. To make things even easier, I sometimes grab a bag of coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) so I can just toss it in the skillet and skip all the chopping! Total Time: 30 min
14. Egg Roll in a Bowl
Egg Roll In A Bowl
This Egg Roll in a Bowl is a deconstructed version of a traditional egg roll, featuring all the classic flavors without the wrapper or deep-frying. It’s a quick, weeknight-friendly meal, prepared in one skillet.
$10.31 Recipe/ $2.58 Serving
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I LOVE how this egg roll in a bowl gives me all those savory takeout-style flavors without the wrapper, the rolling, or the frying. I’m also a fan of any shortcut meal that starts with a bag of coleslaw mix, and here it makes this one-skillet dinner extra fast and easy. Total Time: 30 min
15. Creamy Pork Chops
Creamy Pork Chops
$7.77 recipe / $1.94 serving
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Creamy pork chops are proof that a comforting, saucy dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. With mushrooms, spinach, and a rich pan sauce, this one feels like a solid homemade meal but still comes together quickly enough for a weeknight. Total Time: 35 min
Easy and Inexpensive Seafood
Seafood might sound like a splurge, but these recipes keep things budget-friendly and easy enough for any night of the week. And if canned tuna is your go-to for quick, affordable meals, don’t miss our tuna recipes roundup for even more easy dinner ideas.
16. Salmon Patties
Salmon Patties
$8.16 recipe / $1.36 serving
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These salmon patties are one of my favorite pantry-friendly seafood dinners because canned salmon does most of the heavy lifting for you. They cook up golden and crisp on the outside, tender and flaky in the middle, and dinner is basically done in 25 minutes. Total Time: 25 min
17. Tuna Patties
Tuna Patties
Tuna Patties are a quick, easy, and inexpensive meal option for hot summer days. Delicious, filling, and endlessly versatile!
$3.18 recipe / $0.80 serving
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My tuna patty recipe is a great back-pocket dinner for nights when the fridge is looking a little bare. A can of tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, and a few simple add-ins turn into crispy little patties that are just as good over greens as they are tucked into a pita. Total Time: 25 min
18. Tuna Melt
Classic Tuna Melt
A nostalgic diner-style tuna melt with buttery, crisp toast, savory tuna salad, and warm, gooey melted cheddar. Pure comfort food that’s like a next-level grilled cheese.
$6.46 recipe / $1.62 serving
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This tuna melt is pure weeknight comfort food, with creamy tuna salad, sharp cheddar, and buttery toasted sourdough all coming together in one hot, crispy sandwich. It’s the perfect option when I need dinner fast and don’t want to overthink it. Total Time: 29 min
19. Easy Garlic Butter Cod
Garlic Butter Baked Cod
This rich Garlic Butter Baked Cod is a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes, using basic pantry staples.
$8.08 recipe / $2.02 serving
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This garlic butter baked cod is one of the easiest ways to get fish on the table during the week. The buttery garlic topping and lemon do all the flavor work, and the oven handles the rest while you get everything else ready. Total Time: 30 min
20. Sheet Pan Salmon Dinner
One Pan Salmon Dinner
This One Pan Salmon Dinner is a family-approved weeknight meal with flaky salmon, crispy potatoes, and glazed green beans all baked on a single sheet pan.
$9.82 recipe / $2.45 serving
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A full dinner on one sheet pan is always a win in my book, and this one pan salmon dinner really delivers. You get flaky salmon, potatoes, and green beans all in one go! Total Time: 40 min
Quick Soups & Stews
Soup and stews might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of quick dinners, but these recipes come together surprisingly fast. They’re filling and perfect for nights when you want something extra cozy! And for even more cozy dinner ideas, check out all of our stew recipes for those nights when you have a little more time to let something simmer.
21. Easy Dumpling Soup
Easy Dumpling Soup
$4.36 RECIPE / $2.18 SERVING
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If you have 10 minutes, you can throw together this flavorful dumpling soup in a rush. I love keeping frozen dumplings on hand for meal ideas like this. I just add broth, seasonings, and whatever toppings I can cobble together from my fridge or pantry. So easy! Total Time: 15 min
22. Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen
This incredibly simple Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen is a rich and flavorful 15 minute meal that only requires a handful of ingredients!
$2.75 per serving
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This vegan creamy mushroom ramen recipe is the ultimate instant ramen hack. It’s so fast, so simple, and so incredibly creamy and delicious! Plus, it’s flexible and allows you to use up odds and ends of other ingredients in your fridge. Total Time: 15 min
23. Rosemary Garlic White Bean Soup
Easy Rosemary Garlic White Bean Soup
This incredibly easy Rosemary Garlic White Bean Soup takes only eight simple ingredients to deliver a bowl full of rich, bold flavor.
$3.80 recipe / $0.95 serving
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When the chilly weather hits, there’s nothing like a hearty bowl of warm rosemary garlic white bean soup for dinner. Add some crusty bread, and you have a super easy and filling meal. Plus, the leftovers are great! Total Time: 30 min
24. Black Bean Chili
Black Bean Chili
This easy and comforting black bean chili is rich, full of warm chili spices, and fast enough to pull together on a busy weeknight.
$8.93 recipe / $1.48 serving
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Chili is such a classic and total family pleaser, but this black bean chili comes together SO much faster and easier! You can keep almost all of these ingredients on hand, ready to go, and make use of anything you might have leftover in the fridge for toppings, like sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, or tortilla chips. Total Time: 30 min
25. Posole
Easy 30 minute Posole
$8.50 recipe / $1.42 serving
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If you’ve got leftover pork in the fridge, this posole is an easy way to turn it into something warm and FILLING. I love this one for busy nights because the shortcut of using cooked pork makes it come together so much faster. Total Time: 30 min
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