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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    29 Easy Dinner Recipes That Will Save Your Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 20, 2025, updated February 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can make weeknights so much smoother. With 29 simple recipes, you can whip up satisfying meals without spending hours in the kitchen. These dishes are perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious but don’t have a lot of time to cook.

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese for a delicious meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

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    Vegetarian Ceasar Salad

    Vegetarian Ceasar salad.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This is a tasty vegetarian take on a classic lunch dish. It's perfect for a quick and easy dinner.

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    Curry Lentil Soup

    Curry Lentil Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegan curry lentil soup is quick to make and packed with pantry staples like curry spices, garbanzo beans, coconut milk, and red lentils. It's a comforting dish that your family will love, and they won't even realize it's full of healthy ingredients!

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    Vegan Chili with Black Beans

    Vegan Chili Recipe with Black Beans
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This vegan chili is quick to prepare in just 15 minutes and is packed with delicious flavors, featuring black beans and split red lentils. It's a great option for a simple and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Oven Fried Chicken Tenders

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

    These chicken tenders are quick to prepare with just 7 ingredients and can be ready in 30 minutes. Your family will enjoy the tasty combination of Cheez-Its and pretzels.

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    Creamy Mexican Taco Pasta

    Creamy Mexican Taco Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Clean Happy Life.

    One pot creamy Mexican Taco Pasta is a tasty and easy meal that brings together the flavors of tacos and pasta. With ground beef, veggies, and a zesty tomato sauce all cooked in one pot, topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro, this dish is sure to please taco fans.

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    Baked Mediterranean Salmon

    Baked Mediterranean salmon on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This 15-minute Baked Mediterranean Salmon is packed with Greek herbs, roasted chickpeas, and a zesty lemon yogurt sauce. It's a simple and delicious dinner option that comes together in no time.

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    15 Minute Creamy Tomato Pasta

    Pasta with creamy tomato sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A creamy sun-dried tomato sauce wraps around tender noodles and seasoned chickpeas, providing a satisfying meal. This dish is a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

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    3-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff

    Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo credit: Feast for a Fraction.

    This is a quick and easy dinner that won't break the bank. Ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and egg noodles combine for a creamy meal that's ready in just 15 minutes.

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    Mexican Beef Rice Skillet

    Mexican Beef Rice Skillet.
    Photo Credit: Grits & Pinecones.

    Mexican Beef Rice Skillet is a quick and easy dish that brings together all the flavors you love in one pan. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want a filling meal without a lot of work.

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    Creamy Gochujang Pasta

    Creamy Gochujang Pasta.
    Photo credit: Dished by Kate.

    Gochujang pasta is creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet, and it can be ready in just 15 minutes. This is a great option for a quick dinner that packs a lot of flavor.

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    One Pot Ground Beef Pasta

    One Pot Ground Beef Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This One Pot Ground Beef Pasta is a satisfying dinner that comes together easily. With just a few ingredients and little cleanup, it’s ideal for busy weeknights.

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    Cheesy Spiral Pasta

    Cheesy Spiral Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    This easy spiral pasta dish is packed with cheese, tomatoes, and beef, making it both filling and tasty. It's simple to prepare and yields two pans, so you can enjoy one for dinner and save the other for later.

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    Greek Pasta

    15 Minute Greek Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Greek Pasta combines perfectly cooked noodles with fresh Mediterranean vegetables, all mixed together in a light and creamy feta and herb sauce. It's a simple and satisfying dinner option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Pineapple Fried Rice

    Pineapple Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Pineapple rice combines sweet and savory flavors with veggies, crispy bacon, roasted cashews, and crushed pineapple. This is a quick and easy dinner that can be ready in under 20 minutes, and serving it in a fresh pineapple adds a fun touch.

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    Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

    Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Dinner.
    Photo Credit: Cooking Up Memories.

    Cabbage Roll Skillet Dinner brings all the cozy flavors of stuffed cabbage together in a quick and easy meal. It’s ready in just over 30 minutes and only uses one pan, making it a great choice for a filling dinner on a busy night.

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    Ground Beef Curry

    Ground Beef Curry.
    Photo Credit: My Therapist Cooks.

    This mild ground beef curry is easy to prepare and can be ready in just 45 minutes. It's a simple and tasty option for dinner that anyone can make.

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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. Packed with chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, it’s a satisfying low-carb dish that can stand alone or be served with noodles or rice.

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    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon

    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    These Lamb Meatballs are simple to prepare and packed with fresh lemon and cilantro flavor. They’re great alongside mashed potatoes, as an appetizer, or at a buffet, and they’ve been a favorite in my home for years.

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    Mini Calzones

    Mini Calzones
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Mini calzones are a quick and easy meal that everyone will enjoy. With just five ingredients and under 30 minutes to prepare, it's a fun way for the family to get involved in making their own personalized dinner.

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    Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

    Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna).
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    Pastitsio is a delicious twist on traditional lasagna. It features layers of pasta, hearty ground beef in a spiced sauce, and a creamy bechamel topping.

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    Juicy Slow Cooker Corned Beef

    Juicy Slow Cooker Corned Beef.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    This is an easy way to prepare a classic corned beef and cabbage dinner. Cooking it slowly makes the meat really tender and flavorful.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This easy meal uses only 8 ingredients and is perfect for dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

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    Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Broccoli cheddar soup in a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot broccoli cheddar soup is a creamy, comforting meal made with broccoli, cheddar cheese, broth, cream, and a blend of seasonings. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or lunch and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

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    Greek Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Greek Spaghetti with Meat Sauce-Makaronia me Kima.
    Photo Credit: The Greek Foodie.

    Greek spaghetti with meat sauce, or makaronia me kima, is a hearty and satisfying dish. It’s cooked slowly with red wine, plenty of spices, and fresh tomatoes, allowing all the flavors to come together beautifully.

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    Oven Baked Nachos

    Oven baked nachos with cheese and lime wedges.
    Photo Credit: Free Your Fork.

    These nachos are quick to prepare and only take 10 minutes in the oven. With just tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, and canned beans, this is a great option for a snack, appetizer, or a last-minute dinner.

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    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup

    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup.
    Photo Credit: Curry Trail.

    Creamy chicken tortellini soup is a comforting dish that's perfect for chilly evenings. Packed with vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and cheesy tortellini in a rich broth, it comes together in just 35 minutes.

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    Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Fries

    Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Fries.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Pizza fries are a fun and easy dish topped with gooey cheese and pepperoni, ready in just 30 minutes. They’re great for game day or a family gathering.

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    Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

    Baked Ziti with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Oven baked ziti is a cheesy dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a group. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      18 Cheesy Recipes That Will Have You Coming Back for More
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      21 Easy Crockpot Chicken Thigh Recipes You Can Make Tonight
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      21 Best Summer Salad Recipes to Try This Week

    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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