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Weeknights can get hectic, and figuring out dinner every night can feel like another full-time job. These easy weeknight dinners are all about simple prep, quick cooking, and flavors your family will actually love.
All of these recipes have been tested in my own kitchen and are made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand. You’ll want to make these simple family meals again and again!
What Makes a Dinner Recipe EASY?
I’ve put a lot of thought into this curated list of simple and easy weeknight dinners. Family meals in our home generally need to meet certain criteria because we just don’t have time for fancy. There are a few exceptions to the rule, but generally the dinners I cook for my family on busy weeknights have 3 things in common.
They are:
- Easy – Recipes have less than 10 ingredients, not including common things like butter or oil, salt and pepper.
- Fast – Time is not always on my side so my meals need to be quick; 30 minutes or less, unless it’s a slow cooker recipe.
- Simple – My meals use common ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. Or things you can easily find at your local grocery store.
A great example of this is my Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup. It’s only got 8 ingredients that are super simple to find, takes only 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook.
Chicken Dinners
Chicken is flavorful and easy to make. Plus if you can find it on sale you can stock up and portion it out in the freezer. If you want to always have some chicken on hand for easy weeknight family dinners, make our shredded chicken in the slow cooker or the Instant Pot. Perfect for adding to soups, pasta, sandwiches or salads.
Cajun Chicken Pasta is my personal favorite. Here are some more of our favorite chicken recipes that are perfect for your weeknight family dinner. I’ve also got a comprehensive round-up of hundreds of tested and true chicken recipes.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
These BBQ Chicken Pizzas are sweet, smoky, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser on pizza night.
Baked Chicken Breasts
Learn how to cook tender, juicy baked chicken breasts with this easy 3-step method. Just 5 minutes of prep time and 18 minutes in the oven.
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings have a crispy texture without messy frying! Customizable flavors and simple prep for crowd-pleasing baked wings!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Crockpot BBQ Chicken (aka pulled chicken) is made with just a few ingredients and right in your slow cooker. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, pizza and more!
Baked Lemon Chicken
Juicy, flavorful and ready in 30 minutes, this easy Baked Lemon Chicken is sure to be a hit! You just need chicken, lemons and seasoning!
Greek Chicken Salad Recipe
A simple and delicious Greek chicken salad that is loaded with juicy grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, and all your favorite toppings.
Honey Lemon Chicken and Green Beans
This Chicken and Green Beans Stir Fry has a ton of flavor and can is ready in under an hour.
Italian Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables recipe is simple, healthy and flavorful. Made with tender chicken breasts, veggies and Italian seasoning.
Buffalo Baked Chicken
Baked Buffalo Chicken Breasts are tender and juicy, smothered in spicy buffalo sauce and melted cheese. A simple, 3-ingredient dinner recipe.
Chicken Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch Dressing
Chicken taco salad is packed with juicy chicken, crunchy tortilla strips, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for a quick & easy lunch or dinner.
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Marsala is loaded with mushrooms in a flavorful Marsala wine sauce. Tender and juicy chicken thighs in the instant pot every time!
Chicken Club Lettuce Wraps
Tangy, crunchy, savory and light – these crunchy Chicken Club Lettuce Wraps are a perfect light lunch or even appetizer and they’re good for you too!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are tender and juicy and practically hands off in your slow cooker. Crisp under the broiler for the finishing touch.
Baked Chicken Fajitas
Healthy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are an easy 30-minute dinner with chicken, peppers, onions and Mexican spices tossed together, baked then stuffed in tortillas.
Pasta and Skillet Meals
Pasta night is a guaranteed win around here. Whether it’s creamy, cheesy, or loaded with veggies, these dishes are all quick enough for a weeknight but cozy enough to feel special.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta has tender bites of pasta and chicken in a creamy cajun sauce. Perfect for weeknights, it's ready in 30 minutes!
One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice has chicken, rice and vegetables cooked in a flavorful broth for a no-fuss meal. Ready in 30 minutes!
Baked Chicken and Broccoli Skillet
This Lemon Chicken & Broccoli Skillet is a quick and easy meal, that can be prepared all in the same skillet in less than 30 minutes.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta features tender chicken and penne pasta smothered in a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's the perfect easy weeknight dinner.
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta has pasta and chicken coated in a creamy, cheesy pesto sauce. It's an easy, delicious meal that's ready in 30 minutes!
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Million Dollar Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta with layers of spaghetti, rich cream cheese filling, seasoned meat sauce, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for feeding a crowd or making ahead for busy weeknights.
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner full of fresh ingredients like tomatoes and basil that's ready in under 30 minutes!
Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta
Chicken Taco Pasta is like mac and cheese blended with a flavorful chicken taco! All cooked in one pot for a simple weeknight dinner.
One Pan Ham & Cheese Tortellini
One Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini is creamy and flavorful, and cooked all in one pan for a quick weeknight dinner with easy clean up.
One Pan Cheesy Beef & Tomato Pasta
This Cheesy Beef & Tomato Pasta Skillet is sure to become your new favorite meal. All cooked in one pan, this easy weeknight dinner comes together in less than 30 minutes!
One Pan Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta takes all the flavors of that classic sandwich with beef, peppers, onions and cheese, and combines them with pasta for a delicious, hearty one pan dinner! Everything cooks in one pan and is ready in under 30 minutes.
One Pot Beef Stroganoff
One Pot Beef Stroganoff is a creamy, comforting dinner made with ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich mushroom sauce. Everything cooks together in one pot for a satisfying meal that's ready in about 30 minutes.
One Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Creamy Chicken Tomato Pasta has tender pasta and a made-from-scratch sauce featuring San Marzano tomatoes. It's cooked in one pot in 30 minutes.
Pasta da Vinci
A pasta masterpiece! Tender chunks of chicken and penne pasta are tossed in a creamy and slightly tangy wine sauce with mushrooms and shallots. A quick and easy pasta dish you can whip up for the family or dinner guests.
Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach
This Sausage Tortellini Soup has Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and spinach in a rich tomato broth. Hearty, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Garlic Shrimp & Tomato Pasta
Shrimp and Tomato Pasta has a delicious sauce made with fresh tomatoes and fresh garlic. It's quick and easy, ready in about 20 minutes.
Meatless Monday Meals
I like to keep a few meatless dinners in the rotation – they’re lighter, usually faster, and budget-friendly too. You don’t have to be vegetarian to appreciate a good veggie-packed meal that still feels hearty and satisfying.
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese is a family favorite, easily customized with different cheeses and ready in 30 minutes.
Pumpkin Alfredo
Pumpkin Alfredo is creamy and delicious, with less calories and fat than a regular Alfredo. Paired with fettuccine it's a must make for fall!
Pasta Puttanesca
Pasta Puttanesca is a light meal of fresh pasta with lemon juice, tomatoes, spinach and arugula and a robust saltiness from capers and olives.
Stuffed Manicotti
This Stuffed Manicotti is an easy and comforting meal that the whole family will love AND it’s ready in only 45 minutes.
Ravioli Lasagna
Ravioli lasagna is an easy shortcut recipe that uses only 4 ingredients and is super fast to prep using frozen ravioli for a time-saving hack.
Egg Fried Rice
Easy Egg Fried Rice is made with just a few ingredients – this better than takeout dinner is easy to customize and ready in less 20 minutes!
Spinach Baked Ziti
Spinach Baked Ziti has all the flavors of lasagna, but is ready in half the time. It's cheesy and comforting for a perfect baked pasta dinner!
Tortellini Alfredo
Tortellini Alfredo comes together in just 15 minutes – It's great meatless option when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry.
Pasta and Peas
Pasta and Peas is a light and filling 15-minute meal made in one pot, with pasta tossed in a creamy Parmesan sauce with peas and fresh lemon.
Sopa de Fideo
Sopa de Fideo is a tomato broth-based soup loaded with noodles and a squeeze of lime. This Mexican Noodle Soup is the ultimate comfort food!
Cheese Spaghetti Recipe
Cheese Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food. Velvety smooth and undeniably rich, this cheesy spaghetti recipe is ready in under 20 minutes!
Meaty Family Dinners
These are the kinds of dinners that make everyone happy — hearty, flavorful, and filling. Whether you’re craving beef or pork, each one is designed to deliver big taste without a ton of prep.
Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers
Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers are tender bell peppers stuffed with seasoned ground turkey taco meat, black beans and cheese for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
Italian Sub Sandwiches
These Italian Sub Sandwiches are the ultimate game day meal! Full of salami and capicola hot ham, melted provolone cheese and banana peppers, they’re as satisfying as they are delicious!
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Pie
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole has tons of veggies, ground beef and that famous Sloppy Joe Sauce, all mixed together and topped with crispy tater tots for the ultimate dinnertime casserole meal.
Easy Meatball Sliders
Easy Meatball Sliders are simple and take just 20 minutes to make! Serve these bite-sized sandwiches as a main course, appetizer or snack!
Bacon & Pineapple Fried Rice
Bacon Pineapple Fried Rice is bursting with a tropical flair, ready in 15 minutes, and makes a delicious side dish or entree any night.
Slow Cooker Chili
This Crockpot Chili is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights or game day. It’s loaded with beef, beans, and spices,
White Bean, Kale & Sausage Soup
This White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup is creamy, spicy and all around delicious. It's perfect for warming up during those cold winter months.
Egg Roll in a Bowl (aka Crack Slaw)
This Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe (aka Crack Slaw) is so simple and delicious. It’s got all the flavor of your favorite Chinese restaurant take-our Egg Rolls made easy and in just one pan for easy clean up.
Albondigas Soup
Albondigas Soup is a traditional Mexican Meatball Soup made with beef & rice meatballs, potatoes and zucchini in a rich tomato broth.
Stovetop Burgers
Juicy, flavorful, and ready in about 20 minutes, these Stovetop Burgers are the perfect solution when you’re craving a homemade burger without firing up the grill.
Copycat Meximelts
Ditch the drive thru and learn how to make the Meximelt from Taco Bell at home! This easy copycat recipe is ready in about 15 minutes.
Steak Bites
Simple steak bites will be ready in just minutes so they're perfect as an appetizer or a main course with sides. Perfectly seasoned with just salt, pepper, garlic, and butter, they disappear in minutes!
One Pot Smothered Pork Chops
Smothered Pork Chops are juicy, golden-brown chops cooked in a rich, creamy onion gravy making this Southern-style comfort food a perfect weeknight dinner!
Lemon Herb Pork Tenderloin
This Lemon Herb Pork Tenderloin is tender, juicy, and packed with fresh herbs and citrus flavor. With a quick marinade and under 30 minutes of cook time, it’s an impressive yet easy dinner that feels special enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight meal.
More Easy Dinner Ideas
- Find all of my easy weeknight dinners in one convenient spot.
- We also have tons of delicious side dishes to add to your weeknight dinners.
- Here are some meals that are ready in 30 minutes or less.
