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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Easy Dinner Recipes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 21, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, but they don’t have to be. With these 23 easy recipes, you can whip up delicious meals in no time, making your evenings more enjoyable and stress-free. From quick stir-fries to comforting casseroles, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.

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    A classic noodle favorite that's very easy to make at home.

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    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes, including prep time. It's packed with chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, making it a hearty and satisfying dish. This low-carb option is great on its own, but you can also add noodles or rice if you're feeding a crowd. You can use either homemade or store-bought Teriyaki sauce, and frozen veggies work perfectly too.

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    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thin chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer offer a quick and easy dinner option that's full of flavor. In just 6 minutes, you can have a delicious meal seasoned with garlic and basil. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon is seasoned and pan-fried in no time, creating a tasty dish that pairs perfectly with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa. This combination results in healthy Salmon Tacos that are quick to prepare and full of flavor. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Chickpea Gyros

    Chickpea Gyros.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chickpea gyros are a simple vegetarian dinner that you can whip up in just 10 minutes on the stovetop, with only a few minutes needed for prep. This means you can come home and be enjoying your meal in about 15 minutes. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This easy dinner is full of great flavor and comes together quickly. With perfectly cooked pasta and Italian sausage, all mixed in a creamy tomato sauce, it’s a satisfying meal that everyone in the family will enjoy, even the picky eaters. It's a simple one-pot dish that makes weeknight cooking a breeze.

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    Tuna Wraps

    Easy Tuna Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    This tuna wrap is simple to put together and uses tuna along with a few other easy ingredients. It's a quick meal that can fit right into your weeknight routine. Perfect for busy evenings, this wrap is satisfying and doesn't require much effort to prepare.

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    Smoked Salmon Flatbread

    Flatbread topped with smoked salmom and capers.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This smoked salmon flatbread is super quick to put together. After baking the flatbread for about five minutes, all you need to do is assemble the toppings. It’s a simple and tasty option for dinner.

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    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Vegetarian Tacos are packed with refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, then topped with a generous amount of fresh pico de gallo. It's a simple and quick recipe that will definitely become a favorite in your weeknight meals. Perfect for busy evenings, these tacos are satisfying and full of flavor.

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    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot spaghetti is a simple dish that uses only 9 ingredients and cooks in one pot. In less than 30 minutes, you can have this classic meal ready to serve, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It's a family favorite that brings everyone together around the dinner table.

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    Air Fryer Frozen Steak

    A sliced rib eye steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cooking steak from frozen is quick and easy, taking just 10-15 minutes in the air fryer. This method delivers juicy and tender results that rival fresh steak. It's a simple way to enjoy a great meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    One Pot Carbonara

    Carbonara.
    Photo credit: Num's the Word.

    This dish is perfect for pasta lovers and is super easy to clean up afterward. It's a simple meal that fits right into a busy weeknight routine. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that everyone will appreciate.

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    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tender chicken covered in a sweet and savory ginger sauce is always a hit. Pair it with rice and steamed broccoli for a meal that fits perfectly into your weeknight routine. This dish is simple to prepare and is sure to become a favorite at the dinner table.

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    Cheese Ravioli with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

    Sun-dried tomato ravioli with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A simple sun-dried tomato ravioli sauce can really enhance the flavor of store-bought cheese ravioli. With just a handful of ingredients, you can prepare a satisfying meal in about 15 minutes. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights or whenever you're in the mood for something comforting and delicious.

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    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it a quick option for dinner. It's a simple recipe that skips the flour but is rich and creamy. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is sure to warm you up on any weeknight.

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    Oven Fried Chicken Tenders

    Oven fried chicken tenders with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These chicken tenders are simple to make with just 7 ingredients and can be ready in 30 minutes. The combination of Cheez-Its and pretzels gives them a fun and familiar flavor that everyone in the family will enjoy. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is incredibly simple, using just three ingredients. It's a quick and easy option that can really brighten up your weeknight meals. Perfect for busy evenings, this recipe delivers great flavor without requiring much effort.

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    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Frozen wontons and pre-chopped veggies make this Wonton Soup quick and simple to prepare. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something warm and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. This soup is comforting and flavorful, perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A spicy twist on the classic Alfredo sauce. We only use powdered seasonings you probably already have at home, which makes this a great cheap option when money is low!

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    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    This lasagna is super simple to make. With layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two kinds of cheese, it comes together quickly in just one pot. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is simple to prepare and uses rotisserie chicken for convenience. It's filled with fresh lemon and rosemary flavors that brighten up the dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal comes together quickly and is satisfying for the whole family.

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    Shrimp Curry

    Shrimp curry in a skillet.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Spicy and flavorful curries are always a hit, and this easy Shrimp Curry is no exception. With fragrant Thai red curry paste and creamy coconut milk, it’s a quick dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Tuna Patties

    AIR FRYER TUNA PATTIES.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin Mamas.

    Air Fryer Tuna Patties are a quick and easy dinner option that can be ready in about 20 minutes. Simply mix canned tuna with some chopped onion, red bell pepper, and garlic, then add panko crumbs and eggs. After that, just air fry them for 8 minutes and you have a tasty meal.

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    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.

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    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!

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