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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    30 Best Easy Dinners That Simplify Mealtime

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 6, 2025, updated August 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding easy dinner ideas can make weeknight cooking a breeze. With just a few simple ingredients and quick prep times, these 30 recipes will help you put a satisfying meal on the table without the stress. From one-pan dishes to quick stir-fries, these options are perfect for busy evenings.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a simple dinner option that you can set and forget. Ground beef and vegetables cook together in the slow cooker, creating a flavorful meal with minimal effort. This dish is great for lunch or dinner, especially on busy days.

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    Instant Pot Taco Soup

    Taco soup.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Taco soup offers all the great flavors of tacos without the mess, making it a perfect choice for a quick meal. This dish combines V8 juice and broth to create a thicker, heartier soup packed with hidden vegetables. It's a satisfying option for busy nights when you want something comforting yet easy to prepare.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos feature tender, shredded chicken cooked in a flavorful sauce. Just before serving, you can put them under the broiler with some cheese to melt and get bubbly. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying.

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    Creamy Garlic Parmesan Instant Pot Pasta with Broccoli

    Creamy Garlic Parmesan Instant Pot Pasta with Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Creamy garlic pasta is quick to prepare and packed with rich Parmesan flavor, complemented by tender-crisp broccoli. It's a simple dish that brings comfort to the table without taking much time. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is satisfying and easy to whip up.

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    One Pot Ravioli Soup

    One Pot Ravioli Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This homemade ravioli soup is perfect for a cozy meal. It’s quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes, and is filled with soft, cheesy ravioli and flavorful Italian sausage in a hearty broth. This one-pot dish is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is all about comfort and flavor, with tender chicken cooked in a savory paprika sauce along with garlic and onion. It's a simple and satisfying option for dinner that doesn't require much effort. This classic recipe is definitely worth making.

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    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Shredded crockpot buffalo chicken is a great alternative to wings. Serve it on hamburger buns for a simple dinner or a fun game-day meal. It's ideal for gatherings, tailgating, or whenever you're in the mood for something flavorful and saucy.

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    Creamy Mushroom Pasta in 10 Minutes

    Creamy Mushroom Pasta in 10 Minutes.
    Photo Credit: Belly Rules the Mind.

    Creamy mushroom pasta can be ready in just 10 minutes with this simple Instant Pot recipe. This comforting dish combines earthy mushrooms with a smooth white wine sauce, creating a rich flavor that feels special. It's perfect for a cozy dinner at home or even for impressing guests at a dinner party, all without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Soup

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Soup is a go-to dish that’s easy to prepare. It combines chicken, potatoes, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and a good amount of buffalo sauce for a flavorful meal. This soup is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Air fryer salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon cooked this way turns out just right, bursting with lemon flavor. It’s a simple dish that’s just as delicious as fresh salmon. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Greek Veggie Feta Bowls

    Sheet Pan Greek Veggie Feta Bowls.
    Photo Credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    Sheet Pan Greek Veggie Feta Bowls are full of flavor and easy to prepare. With baked feta, roasted veggies, crispy chickpeas, and creamy tzatziki, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious. The zesty pepperocini sauce adds a nice kick, making it a great choice for dinner. It's a hearty meal that doesn't require much work.

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    Zucchini Leek Soup

    Zucchini Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    This zucchini leek soup is comforting and full of healthy greens, potatoes, and herbs. It's a tasty dairy-free option that's great for a light lunch or dinner. Plus, it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare, making it a quick and easy meal.

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    3-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff

    Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo credit: Feast for a Fraction.

    This quick and easy dinner is both tasty and budget-friendly. With ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and egg noodles, you can whip up a creamy meal in just 15 minutes. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish, with only 15 minutes of actual cooking time. It's loaded with vegetables and flavor, making it a satisfying meal. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, and it tastes great whether served hot or cold.

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    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple and quick to prepare, using everyday ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. It's a great option for a weeknight meal when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few steps, you can have a delicious dinner ready in no time.

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    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 schedule. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thai Curry Fried Rice is a quick and simple meal that you can whip up at home in just 15 minutes, including prep time. It features genuine Thai flavors from ingredients like fish sauce, Thai curry paste, cashew nuts, lime, and cilantro. If you like a bit of heat, you can easily add some Sriracha sauce to spice things up.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great option for a quick meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying dish on its own. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata cheese on top takes it to the next level.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping at the beginning, it’s mostly hands-off and comes together easily. You’ll have delicious chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked in one pan.

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    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner option for busy weeknights. It features tender chicken and baby potatoes cooked in a light, zesty lemon sauce, all made easy in your slow cooker. The addition of briny kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese adds great flavor without requiring much work.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone

    Slow cooker minestrone soup in a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Sidewalk Shoes.

    Slow Cooker Minestrone is a tasty and satisfying meal. Packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, this one-pot dish is perfect for a cozy dinner. It's a classic Italian soup that's both hearty and filling, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

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    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Slow cooker white chicken chili is a simple and satisfying meal that requires only a few ingredients and no pre-cooking. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without putting in a lot of work. You can find tips in the recipe notes for thickening the chili, whether you prefer it with or without dairy, along with plenty of topping ideas to customize your dish.

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    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Pulled pork cooked in cherry cola and BBQ sauce is packed with flavor and is incredibly tender. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work. The combination of sweet and savory makes it a hit at the dinner table.

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    Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken Bacon Potato Soup

    Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken Bacon Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken Bacon Potato Soup is a filling dish that can easily stand on its own as a meal. With its creamy texture and rich flavors, it combines chicken, bacon, and potatoes for a comforting experience. Perfect for busy nights, this soup requires minimal effort and delivers a satisfying dinner.

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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This meal is great for busy weeknights when you need something quick and easy. With familiar flavors that everyone in the family enjoys, it’s bound to be a regular part of your dinner rotation.

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    Massaman Chicken Curry

    A bowl of massaman chicken curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This authentic Massaman Chicken Curry (Gaeng Massaman Gai) is made in one pot in just 45 minutes, using store-bought curry paste. With coconut milk, chicken, potatoes and peanuts it's super creamy, subtly sweet and not so spicy.

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is packed with vegetables, making it a healthier option that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple and satisfying meal that brings together fresh ingredients in a delicious way. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to prepare and full of flavor.

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    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 quick dinner. It brings together fresh flavors that everyone will enjoy.

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    Boursin Cheese Pasta

    Boursin Cheese Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Boursin Cheese Pasta is a simple and tasty dish that brings together creamy, herby cheese with roasted tomatoes and pasta cooked just right. It's a lovely meal that's quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

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

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are quick and simple to prepare, taking only 6-8 minutes to cook. Made with fresh salmon and flavored with powdered seasonings, they are full of taste without the need for any chopping. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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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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