• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Simple Recipes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 31, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, but with a few simple recipes, you can make them exciting and enjoyable. These 22 easy dishes are perfect for busy evenings, offering a variety of flavors and ingredients that will keep everyone happy. From quick pastas to comforting casseroles, these meals will help you transform your routine and make cooking fun again.

    Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Sundried tomato chicken sauce with penne pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta is a creamy and satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. This dish is packed with flavor and can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, making it a great choice when you're short on time. It's an easy way to bring something special to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Salmon

    Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Salmon.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan come together in a creamy sauce with perfectly seared salmon. This dish is a great option for a family dinner that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and brings a nice mix of flavors to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes

    Fish cakes.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy salmon fish cakes are a simple and quick dinner option that can be ready in about 20 minutes. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip these up easily. A quick fry gives them a nice crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken casserole brings together the familiar taste of ranch seasoning with a creamy mac and cheese sauce, tender noodles, shredded rotisserie chicken, and crispy bacon. Everything is baked together to create a comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy. It's a simple and satisfying option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Mayo Salmon

    Baked Mayo Salmon.
    Photo credit: Wholesome Yum.

    Baked salmon with mayo is a simple and quick dish that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With only four ingredients, this recipe offers a delicious dinner option that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight routine. The salmon turns out flaky and buttery, making it a satisfying meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    These enchiladas are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. They feature layers of fresh vegetables, beans, and cheese, all brought together with a tasty homemade enchilada sauce. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken drumsticks can be ready in just 20 minutes after soaking in a mix of olive oil, lime juice, and spices. They turn out juicy and well-cooked, with a nice crispy skin. This is a great way to enjoy drumsticks that you'll want to make again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Curry Fried Rice is a quick and simple meal that you can whip up at home in just 15 minutes, including prep time. It features genuine Thai flavors from ingredients like fish sauce, curry paste, cashew nuts, lime, and cilantro. If you like a bit of heat, you can easily add some Sriracha sauce to spice things up.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Tantanmen Ramen

    A bowl of Vegan Tantanmen Ramen.
    Photo Credit: Oh My Veg!

    A warm bowl of ramen with a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy broth is just what you need for a cozy meal. This vegan tantanmen ramen is perfect for anyone looking for something hearty and filling. The addition of vegan mince gives it a great texture that makes each bite enjoyable.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Ginger Coconut Soup

    20-Minute Almost Vegan Thai Ginger Coconut Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Ginger Coconut Soup is a simple and quick dish that’s great for springtime. It’s inspired by the classic Tom Kha soup but uses ginger instead of galangal, making it just as comforting. Each spoonful is warm and soothing, with flavors that blend nicely with the sweetness of coconut milk. This is a perfect option for a cozy dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Lentil Tortilla Soup

    A lentil tortilla soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup is a simple and delicious dish that can be prepared in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove. It's a hearty soup that everyone will enjoy, making it a great option for dinner. With its rich flavors and easy preparation, this soup is perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Vegetable Soup

    A bowl of miso vegetable soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This comforting spring soup is packed with healthy ingredients, flavorful broth, and tender vegetables in every bite. It comes together quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Plus, you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Greek Salmon with Feta & Peppers

    A plate of rice, salmon and veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    A tasty salmon dinner loaded with flavors, and all made in one pot - including the rice!

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    As the weather warms up, this pasta salad is a perfect option for lunch or dinner. It's delicious and simple enough to impress your guests. This dish is light and refreshing, making it a great addition to your meals during the warmer months.

    Get the recipe

    Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

    Grilled chicken with pineapple slices.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    Tender chicken is a great choice for dinner, and this easy grilled chicken recipe with just eight ingredients is a winner. The combination of chicken and pineapple brings a taste of the tropics right to your table, mixing sweet, tangy, and savory flavors for a delicious meal. It's a simple dish that can brighten up your weeknight routine.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Rib Eye

    Grilled Rib Eye
    Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    A grilled rib eye steak is a great way to satisfy your protein cravings. With the addition of smoked salt and charred vegetables, this dish is sure to impress meat lovers, regardless of their diet. It's a simple yet flavorful option that can easily elevate your weeknight meals.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a simple and tasty pasta bake that brings together all the flavors of the classic dish. It features pasta mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, along with ham and chicken, all topped off with a crispy breadcrumb layer. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner and is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Salsa Chicken

    CHEESY SALSA CHICKEN.
    Photo credit: A Taste of Madness.

    This weeknight dinner is quick and simple, using just a handful of ingredients. It comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy evenings. With minimal effort, you can have a satisfying meal on the table that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is packed with fresh vegetables, making it a healthier option that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into your weeknight routine. With its colorful ingredients, this dish not only looks great but also brings a variety of flavors to the table.

    Get the recipe

    Quick Alfredo Pasta

    Quick Alfredo Pasta Recipe
    Photo Credit: Longbourn Farm.

    This creamy alfredo pasta is a favorite for weeknight dinners. With just one pan, you can whip up a delicious meal in only 20 minutes. It's a simple and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Steak & Potatoes

    Sheet pan steak and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan version of a classic meal combines tender roasted potatoes with perfectly cooked steak, all in one go. Everything cooks together under the broiler, giving it a nice golden brown finish. It’s a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and leaves you with hardly any cleanup afterward.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Tamale Casserole

    Beef Tamale Casserole.
    Photo credit: Jam Jar Kitchen.

    Tamale Pie is a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a boxed cornbread mix, ground beef, and a few items you probably already have in your pantry, you can whip up a filling meal quickly. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • A broccoli casserole.
      23 Dump-And-Go Casseroles You’ll Want to Try This Week
    • Brussel sprouts.
      18 Best Veggie Dishes to Bring to a Potluck
    • Chocolate hazelnut tart.
      25 Easy Labor Day Desserts Everyone Will Love
    • White chicken chili.
      Crockpot Convenience: 21 One-Dish Meals That Save You Time and Effort

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Greek salmon with rice and peppers.
      22 Simple Recipes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      21 Casseroles That Are Perfect for Cozy Nights In
    • Strawberry peach cobbler.
      23 Labor Day Desserts That Are Easy to Make, but Hard to Resist
    • Slow cooker goulash.
      23 Slow Cooker Potluck Dishes We Crave Right Now

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB