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    Home » Uncategorized

    31 Weeknight Dinners That Are a Breeze to Prepare

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 31, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinners for busy weeknights can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. With 31 simple recipes at your fingertips, you can whip up satisfying meals in no time. These dishes are designed to be straightforward and delicious, making your evenings a little less hectic.

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    Just toss everything into the Crock-Pot and in about 5 hours, you'll have a hearty and flavorful beef stew waiting for you. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Blackened Chicken Tenders

    Blackened chicken.
    Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Blackened chicken tenders are simple to prepare right in your kitchen. You can either mix your own spices or grab a bottle of blackening spice from the store for a faster option.

    Get the recipe

    Purple Sweet Potato Soup

    Purple Sweet Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Little Nomads Recipes.

    Purple Sweet Potato Soup is a rich and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. With its bright color from beets, red onions, garlic, cream cheese, and a hint of dill, it's a standout meal topped with feta and croutons.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

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

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce are quick to prepare and are great for a cozy dinner any night. This dish combines tender chicken wrapped in tortillas, smothered in cheese and zesty green chile sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for busy weeknights that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Juicy T-bone steaks come out perfectly in the air fryer, making dinner a breeze. Pair them with homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    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 option for busy weeknight dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Falafel

    Air fryer falafel.
    Image credit: Katie Trant

    This air fryer falafel is a tasty and healthy option compared to traditional deep-fried versions. With soaked chickpeas, you can have these vegan falafels ready in just 15 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

    One-Pan Italian Turkey Meatballs with Marinara
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    These meatballs are packed with flavor from a mix of dried herbs, panko breadcrumbs, and finely chopped onions, which keep them nice and tender. After shaping the meatballs, the whole dish comes together quickly.

    Get the recipe

    Mahi Mahi

    Mahi mahi.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This air-fried mahi mahi is a quick and tasty option for dinner. Pair it with your favorite sides for a meal that's sure to impress.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Club Sandwich

    Chicken BLT.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This Chicken Club Sandwich is loaded with chicken, ham, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes. It's a great option for a quick meal or a light snack.

    Get the recipe

    Shepherd's Pie Loaded French Fries

    Shepherd's pie fries.
    Photo credit: Cupcakes & Kale Chips.

    Shepherd's Pie gets a fun makeover with these loaded fries. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a hearty meal that's great for a laid-back dinner with friends or a cozy night at home.

    Get the recipe

    Asian Glazed Salmon

    A plate of Asian glazed salmon.
    Photo Credit: Delightful Plate.

    This salmon is quick and simple to prepare with just a few ingredients. The pan-seared salmon is topped with a tasty honey fish sauce glaze, making it a great main dish for any weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup is quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it cook while you relax, then top it off with your favorite taco fixings.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp

    Shrimp cooked in garlic butter sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Garlic butter shrimp comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a simple choice for dinner. Serve it with veggies and pasta for a filling meal, or enjoy it with some bread as a tasty appetizer.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Kielbasa & Potatoes

    Kielbasa cooked in an air fryer.
    Photo Credit: Savory Sweet Spoon.

    This meal with kielbasa, potatoes, and peppers is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and only requires 4 ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Southwest Salad with Honey Chipotle Chicken

    Southwest Salad with Honey Chipotle Chicken.
    Photo credit: Big Delicious Life.

    This Southwest Salad is packed with black beans, corn, avocado, and spicy honey chipotle chicken, all topped with a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It's a filling salad that's fresh, flavorful, and simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Egg Roll in a Bowl

    Egg roll in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun with my Three Sons.

    Egg Roll in a Bowl features tender ground beef, fresh greens, and a savory kick from soy sauce, making it a simple and tasty dish to enjoy on busy weeknights. This one-pan meal combines healthy ingredients with zesty spices for a satisfying low-carb option.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Chicken Marinade

    Air fryer chicken legs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Mexican Chicken Marinade is a quick and flavorful way to spice up your dinner. With its bright spices and tangy citrus, it turns regular chicken into a tender and delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, making it a hit with the whole family. Plus, it's easy to freeze, so you can enjoy it later without much work.

    Get the Recipe

    Veggie Loaded Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

    Pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad with Italian dressing is quick to prepare and packed with fresh vegetables. It's perfect as a filling side dish or for simple meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: It's Not Complicated Recipes.

    This soup is sure to be a hit with the family. It features tender shredded chicken and chewy pearl barley, packed with a variety of vegetables in a creamy broth.

    Get the Recipe

    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!

    Get the recipe

    Simple Oven Baked Salmon

    Oven baked salmon.
    Photo credit: Low Carb Africa.

    Oven baked salmon is quick and easy, using store-bought fish seasoning to keep things simple. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want a healthy meal without much work.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetable Pasta Salad

    Vegetable Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    This vegetable pasta salad is great for a quick vegan or vegetarian dinner, and it also works well as a side dish with grilled meats. It's a simple and tasty option that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Slow cooker pulled pork is made with well-seasoned pork shoulder that cooks slowly for great flavor. This juicy dish is perfect for feeding a group without much work.

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    Potato Soup

    A bowl of potato soup.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot potato soup takes about 10 minutes to prep, is loaded with tons of flavor, and the best part is the slow cooker does most of the work for you! Whether you need an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or something cozy for Sunday night dinner, this potato soup is sure to be a family favorite!

    Get the recipe

    Skillet Ground Beef and Potatoes

    Skillet Ground Beef and Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

    "Meat and Potatoes" is a simple and budget-friendly meal that you can make all in one skillet. There's no need to worry about extra side dishes with this satisfying dish.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup.
    Photo Credit: Maple + Mango.

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is packed with flavor and super simple to prepare. It's a light and healthy option that's perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Lamb Curry

    Slow Cooker Lamb Curry.
    Photo Credit: Veena Azmanov.

    This Indian lamb curry is easy to prepare; just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do its thing. The lamb cooks with flavorful curry powder and creamy coconut milk until it's tender and ready to enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

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      31 Satisfying Meals You Can Prepare in Just 30 Minutes

    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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