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

    23 Easy Dinner Recipes That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated November 21, 2025 · Published August 1, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, but with these 23 easy recipes, you can bring some excitement back to your routine. From quick sandwiches to comforting casseroles, these dishes are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. Say hello to stress-free cooking and enjoy more time around the table with family and friends.

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow cooker.

    Steak bites, potatoes, and corn come together in the slow cooker with a tasty garlic butter sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Everything cooks at the same time, making it easy to enjoy a hearty meal 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

    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This casserole combines shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup, all topped with a buttery layer of Ritz crackers. It's a simple dish that brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal is easy to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple and quick with just a few ingredients and one pot. In only 12 minutes, you can whip up a satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight. This recipe is all about making your evening routine easier without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This dish is simple to prepare and cooks on its own, making it perfect for a busy evening. It features tender chicken thighs paired with sweet potatoes, creamy coconut milk, and a blend of Indian spices. This flavorful meal is both gluten-free and dairy-free, offering a delicious option for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce combines crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano for a rich flavor that everyone will love. With just a few common ingredients and minimal prep, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sausage rigatoni pasta is a quick and satisfying meal that you can whip up in about 20 minutes using just a few basic ingredients. It's a filling dish that everyone in the family will love, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry

    A bowl of Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry.
    Photo Credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    Chickpea Coconut Curry is a flavorful dish that brings a taste of tikka masala to your table. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying. Using dried chickpeas, this recipe is simple to prepare and offers a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Lobster and scallop pasta is a fantastic choice for a special dinner at home. It's packed with delicious lobster and scallops, all tossed in a zesty lemon garlic wine sauce. This dish is simple enough for anyone to make, even if you've never cooked lobster before.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Salmon Pasta

    A serving of creamy salmon pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Roasted salmon is flaky and tender, making it a great match for cooked linguini and a light herb lemon cream sauce. This dish is simple yet satisfying, perfect for a weeknight dinner. It brings together fresh flavors that are easy to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    3-Ingredient Chili

    Chili.
    Photo credit: Manila Spoon.

    This chili is simple to prepare and can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. It's packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is a great way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Beef & Quinoa Bowls

    Beef & Quinoa Bowls.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    The Indonesian Beef and Quinoa Bowl is a comforting dish that brings warmth to your dinner table. The beef is cooked in coconut milk with a blend of curry and cinnamon, giving it a rich and flavorful taste. You can add your favorite toppings to create a nutritious protein bowl that's great for meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are a quick and tasty option for dinner, taking only 6-8 minutes to cook. With fresh salmon and simple powdered seasonings, there's no need for chopping or complicated prep. This dish is full of flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

    Teroyaki chicken and broccoli.
    Photo credit: Fit As A Mama Bear.

    This chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a simple, gluten-free teriyaki sauce. It's a quick and easy dinner option that fits well into a busy weeknight routine. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Steak Fajita Pasta

    Steak Fajita Pasta.
    Photo credit: Out Grilling.

    Steak Fajita Pasta is a hit with families, featuring marinated and grilled steak served on a bed of creamy pasta seasoned with fajita spices and mixed with grilled veggies. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that can easily feed a group using just a couple of steaks. This meal brings together the flavors of fajitas and pasta for a delicious weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick and tasty option for a weeknight dinner, ready in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce combines the rich flavors of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of dried herbs, making it a satisfying meal. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes and is a great option for busy evenings. Topped with a mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, this baked salmon is simple yet packed with flavor. With only a few ingredients, you'll end up with salmon filets that are hard to resist.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal is simple to prepare and satisfying for all.

    Get the recipe

    Red Curry Tofu Stir Fry

    Red curry tofu stir-fry in a pan.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This flavorful curry is a great alternative to takeout. It's simple to prepare and brings a delicious taste to your dinner table. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is satisfying and easy to whip up.

    Get the recipe

    Italian Meatballs

    Italian Meatballs served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked Italian meatballs are quick and easy to prepare, taking only 30 minutes from start to finish. They are full of great flavors thanks to the herbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich
    Photo Credit: The Freign Fork.

    This sandwich is the perfect simple recipe any time of the day. The Croque Madame takes a normal ham and cheese sandwich up a notch by including bechamel sauce and an over easy egg to top it all off.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Butternut squash soup is a warm and comforting dish, perfect for chilly days. The combination of apples and a hint of garam masala adds a unique flavor that sets it apart. It's easy to prepare and can be frozen for later use. This soup is a great starter for your Thanksgiving meal.

    Get the recipe

    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole is a timeless dish that everyone loves. The chicken and rice are well-seasoned, and the rice turns out just right. This is a simple dinner option that fits perfectly into any weeknight routine.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Soup with Thai Noodles

    Coconut lime soup on a black deep dish.
    Photo Credit: Beet of the Wild.

    This soup is packed with flavor and has a creamy texture thanks to the coconut milk. The fresh lime adds a nice tang that really brightens it up. It's a great choice for cozy nights at home or whenever you're in the mood for something comforting yet a bit different.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Mustard chicken.
      29 No-Fuss Chicken Meals That Satisfy Every Time
    • Mexican bubble up casserole.
      25 Cheap Crockpot Dinners Perfect for Busy Weeknights
    • Lemon ricotta pasta.
      22 Spring Pasta Recipes You Can Make Lightning-Fast
    • Carne guisada.
      23 Easy Beef Recipes You Just Throw Together

    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 →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • a spoonful of mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan
      Dump-and-Bake Mac and Cheese without Flour
    • a pan full of chicken teriyaki stir fry.
      Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Bake Dinner Casseroles That Get the Job Done

    Popular Weeknight Dinners

    • Salmon piccata in a skillet.
      Salmon Piccata
    • buffalo cauliflower tacos on a blue plate.
      Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
    • feta cheese stuffed chicken on a blue plate
      Feta Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Basil
    • side view of a healthy salmon fish taco with ginger avocado salsa, and a lime wedge
      Easy Healthy Salmon Tacos with Ginger Avocado Salsa (15 minute dish)

    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 © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB