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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Effortless Meals That Make Weeknight Cooking a Breeze

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 13, 2024, updated October 1, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Looking for quick and easy meal ideas to simplify your weeknights? Check out these 28 effortless recipes that will help you breeze through dinner prep without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. From simple one-pan dishes to tasty 30-minute meals, these recipes are perfect for busy evenings when you need a delicious meal in a hurry.

    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a quick and delicious salmon dinner with only salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning. Ideal for busy weeknights when you need an easy meal option.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco casserole is a simple and tasty dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. Made with ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese, it's a crowd-pleaser for any dinner or gathering.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon creme fraiche pasta in a pan.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta with chives is a delicious and simple dish that's great for any weeknight. It's easy to prepare and tastes amazing!

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    Make a quick and delicious Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl that's full of flavor and can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up some delicious Salmon Tacos for an easy weeknight dinner. Pan-fry seasoned salmon and top with a flavorful Ginger Avocado Salsa for a healthy and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    Make a simple pesto pasta dish with homemade or store-bought basil pesto for a tasty meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Shrimp

    A bowl of air fryer shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a super quick meal with Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp - ready in just 3-5 minutes! Seasoned with garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley for a tasty and simple dish.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a simple and delicious meal that will please everyone - whip up these effortless chicken enchiladas with green sauce! Prep takes just 10 minutes, resulting in tasty garlic chicken rolled in tortillas, smothered in melted cheese and flavorful green chile sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Pasta

    Lemon Pepper Pasta.
    Photo credit: Pretty Delicious Life.

    If you're a pasta fan, you'll love this easy Lemon Pepper Pasta with parmesan. It's a quick, delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. Just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to whip up this creamy dish.

    Get the recipe

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a delicious and easy sweetheart cabbage salad in no time. Packed with spinach, chickpeas, and Parmesan cheese, it's a healthy choice for a simple weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a tasty Mushroom Truffle Risotto in less than 40 minutes for a simple yet impressive meal. This dish is quick and easy to prepare but gives off the flavors of a much labor-intensive recipe.

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    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    Making this tahini sauce is a breeze with simple ingredients, and tahini is the star ingredient.

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Whip up this easy Pesto Salmon dish in just 15 minutes. The salmon gets a delicious coating of Greek yogurt and pesto sauce, ideal for a simple weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    Cook up a delicious Marry Me Chicken Pasta that's perfect for any weeknight. This creamy dish is packed with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and paprika, using basic ingredients for a flavorful meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Make a delicious mushroom and sweet corn pasta in just 30 minutes. It has mushrooms, charred corn, and a light cream sauce, making it a great choice for any weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a delicious meal in no time with this Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta recipe. It's a simple dish that's ready in just 15 minutes, featuring juicy shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Lemon Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a simple and delicious Lemon Chicken Marinade using everyday ingredients like olive oil, lemon, and basil. This marinade adds juicy and flavorful twists to your chicken, whether you're grilling, frying, or baking it.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a speedy and delicious version of the traditional Italian Carbonara with this Shrimp Carbonara recipe ready in just 10 minutes! Experience the rich creaminess of Carbonara paired with juicy shrimp using a simple no-cream technique.

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    One Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is great for busy weeknights when you need a fast and delicious meal. The lemon butter caper sauce really brings out the flavors of the fish and broccoli, all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

    Cook up a quick and tasty salmon dish with just 3 simple ingredients. Perfect for any weeknight dinner!

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Sweet Potato & Feta Cheese Salad

    A plate of sweet potato salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a simple and delicious sweet potato salad that's great for busy weeknights and makes for easy leftovers. Enjoy it hot or cold!

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Whip up this speedy pasta dish for a simple and delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. It's a straightforward recipe that you'll enjoy making over and over.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes & Halloumi

    A bowl of zucchini noddles, halloumi and cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    In need of an easy meal idea for busy weeknights? Check out this simple dish featuring halloumi and cherry tomatoes.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cooking a quick pasta dish doesn't get easier than this simple recipe.

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    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a quick and delicious stir-fry with plenty of veggies and a zesty citrus flavor. Perfect for a stress-free weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make a simple Thai chicken salad with a tasty crunch from peanuts.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make your weeknights easier with this effortless caprese recipe. Quick to prepare and perfect for a simple dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chili

    A bowl with chili topped with lime and cheese.
    Photo Credit: Fresh off The Grid.

    This Instant Pot Chili is a great meal that's easy to make and perfect for busy days. You can prepare it in advance and just reheat whenever you're hungry.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
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      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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