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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    29 Effortless Dinner Ideas That Are Perfect for Any Night of the Week

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 28, 2025, updated February 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding dinner ideas that are quick and easy can make weeknight meals a breeze. Here are 29 simple recipes that require minimal effort but still deliver on flavor. Whether you're in the mood for something comforting or light, these options are perfect for any night of the week.

    Cheesy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Chicken & Bacon

    Loaded baked potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Peas and Crayons.

    Loaded baked potatoes topped with chicken, bacon, and a delicious cheddar cheese sauce create a satisfying meal. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something hearty without a lot of work.

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    Pizza Bagel Bites

    Pizza bagel bites.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade pizza bagel bites are great for a fun lunch, a quick snack after school, or a tasty appetizer for game day. With just four easy ingredients, you can make them just the way your family likes.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi wraps are a hit with everyone, from kids to food lovers. Filled with halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, these wraps are full of flavor, quick to prepare, and ready in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chopped Cheese Sandwich

    Chopped Cheese Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    A chopped cheese sandwich is a quick and delicious dinner that brings the flavors of a New York City bodega right to your kitchen. It's easy to make, and everyone in the family will enjoy these cheesy sandwiches.

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    Sweet Chili Salmon

    Sweet Chili Salmon.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This salmon dish is quick and easy, taking less than 20 minutes to prepare. The fillets are coated with a blend of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice, then baked until they are perfectly flaky.

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    Vegan Red Lentil Soup

    Vegan Red Lentil Soup.
    Photo Credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    This vegan soup is packed with protein from red lentils and loaded with fresh veggies like carrots, potatoes, and greens. The fire-roasted tomatoes give it a rich flavor, making it a great choice for a cozy meal.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak comes out tender and juicy in just 8-10 minutes. The marinade adds great flavor and helps soften the meat, making it a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas

    Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas.
    Photo Credit: NeighborFood.

    Ground Beef Quesadillas are a hit with kids and perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with seasoned beef, sautéed peppers, onions, and cheese, they can be ready in 30 minutes or less.

    Get the Recipe

    Tuna Croquettes

    Tuna Cakes.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Tuna croquettes are crispy on the outside and full of flavor inside. This is a great option for a quick and easy dinner.

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    Pasta Shells with Ground Beef

    Pasta Shells with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Creamy Pasta Shells with Ground Beef is a simple dinner that everyone loves. This filling dish features pasta shells in a creamy tomato sauce with ground beef and some sneaky veggies mixed in.

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    Hamburger Stew with Rice

    Hamburger Stew with Rice.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    Hamburger Stew with Rice is a straightforward and budget-friendly dinner choice that uses basic ingredients. It's a hearty meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked chicken thighs on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Oven-baked chicken thighs are easy to prepare and only take 40 minutes to cook. This is a great option for a quick weeknight dinner or for prepping meals over the weekend.

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    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This quick potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's healthy, easy to prepare, and all cooked in one pan with a hint of lemon for extra flavor.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters are ready in just 15 minutes, offering a great mix of crispy skin and juicy meat. The marinade with lime juice adds extra flavor and helps keep the chicken tender.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Stew

    Beef Stew Recipe.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This beef stew is packed with great flavors from simple ingredients. It can be prepared in the oven or a slow cooker, giving you options for how to make it.

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    Yaki Udon

    Yaki Udon (Stir Fried Udon Noodles) on a white bowl.
    Photo Credit: Savory Sweet Spoon.

    Yaki udon with ground chicken and veggies is a quick and tasty dinner that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. This stir-fried noodle dish features soft udon noodles mixed with savory chicken, baby bok choy, mushrooms, and carrots, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

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    Campbell's Tater Tot Casserole

    Campbell’s Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Mimi Loves Cooking.

    This is a new family favorite for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. Pair it with a side salad for a complete meal!

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    Bolognese Pasta Bake

    Bolognese Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    This hearty Bolognese pasta bake is great for busy weeknights or when you have a lot of people to feed. It’s easy to prepare in large quantities and can be frozen for later.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Soup

    A bowl of chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Soup is ready in just over an hour and is perfect for a cozy dinner. It's creamy with a hint of spice, making it a comforting meal for any night.

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    Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

    Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Love and Other Spices.

    Shrimp and chicken fried rice is a tasty and filling dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's a perfect way to use leftover rice and create a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This is a comforting dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor!

    Get the recipe

    Rigatoni Bolognese

    Rigatoni Bolognese.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    Rigatoni Bolognese is a tasty one-pot dinner that's simple to make. This classic Italian meat sauce is great for weeknight meals or special occasions, especially when served over rigatoni pasta.

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    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a delicious twist on carbonara that packs in even more flavor than the traditional version. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables, ground beef or lamb, and plenty of cheese on top. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Make these super juicy Cast Iron Pork Chops in just 25 minutes for a delicious, flavor-packed dinner. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and then simmered in red wine for the juiciest chops you've ever had.

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    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy risotto is packed with shrimp and asparagus, along with the fresh flavors of lemon, basil, and parmesan. It's a quick and easy dinner that can be ready in 40 minutes, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a nice meal at home.

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    Kimchi Udon Noodle Stir Fry

    Kimchi Udon Noodle Stir Fry with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    This stir fry is packed with flavor and has a nice mix of textures that satisfy your craving for Asian cuisine. The chewy udon noodles pair perfectly with the crunchy bell peppers and kimchi, all brought together by a tasty salty and sour sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Texas Pasta

    Texas Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

    This Texas Pasta is a simple and tasty dinner option that the whole family will enjoy. It's packed with lean ground beef, flavorful tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese.

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    Pistachio Pesto Pasta

    A plate of pistachio pesto pasta.
    Photo Credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This dish features soft pasta tossed with a flavorful homemade pistachio pesto, sweet tomatoes, tender artichoke hearts, and fresh greens. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

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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 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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