35 Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken is one of our favorite easy dinner recipes for picky eaters, and one of the most popular dinner recipes on the website! It’s sweet, savory, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Chicken tenderloins are baked in a honey mustard sauce with fresh rosemary for extra flavor without being overwhelming.

We love serving it over white rice with a side of steamed veggies, but it also pairs well with roasted potatoes or a crisp green salad. It’s a go-to in our house when I want something reliable, flavorful, and family-approved.

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This crunchy, flavor-packed chicken salad is a favorite for meal prep. Shredded cabbage is tossed with colorful veggies like matchstick carrots, bell peppers, and sugar snap peas, then drizzled with a bright sesame lime dressing. The dressing is made with lime juice, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger and adds the perfect balance of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet.

Enjoy it on its own for a light meal, or serve it with jasmine rice or quinoa on the side. You can even toss the grains right into the salad to make it more filling!

This easy Chicken Salad Wrap recipe comes together in no time and stays fresh in the fridge for 3 to 5 days—perfect for busy weeks.

Shredded chicken is mixed with black beans, corn, red bell pepper, cilantro, green onions, and a creamy, spicy dressing, then wrapped in a tortilla with greens and avocado slices.

We like to serve these with fresh fruit or tortilla chips for a simple, satisfying meal you can prep ahead.

This is one of my favorite recipes when I need something fast—it takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and works beautifully for lunch or dinner. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is light, tangy, and full of texture from crisp green apple, celery, buttery cashew halves, and fresh herbs.

Use whatever chicken you have on hand—leftover grilled or roasted chicken, store-bought rotisserie, or quickly poached chicken breasts all work well. We love serving it on buttery croissants, but it’s just as good on sourdough, wrapped in a tortilla, or spooned over leafy greens. It’s one of those easy family dinner recipes you can pull together in minutes and feel good about serving.

Bonus: It keeps well for several days. The apples and celery stay crisp, and the cashews become perfectly soft and creamy, making it an ideal meal prep recipe for busy weeks.

This easy one-skillet chicken recipe might sound fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple to prepare—perfect for a weeknight dinner that still feels special. Chicken breasts are seasoned with herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper, then seared until golden brown and baked in a garlicky white wine tomato sauce.

The result? Juicy, tender chicken with rich, savory flavor in every bite. We love serving it over fragrant white rice to soak up every bit of that delicious sauce. It’s bright and herbaceous enough for summer, yet cozy enough for year-round cooking.

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken is one of our go-to quick weeknight meals, especially in warmer months when grilling keeps things simple. The chicken tenderloins are marinated in a sweet and savory honey mustard sauce with fresh rosemary and lemon juice, then quickly cooked on a hot grill. So good and so easy!

On the side, we love pairing this with roasted broccoli. It’s quick, hands-off, and complements the flavors perfectly.

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This Coconut Chicken Curry Soup is fast, flavorful, and the perfect way to use up leftover rice. Made with chicken, bell peppers, creamy coconut milk, and a touch of curry and lime, it’s cozy and comforting without being heavy. You probably already have most of the ingredients on hand!

Want to make it even easier?

Cook and freeze your chicken ahead of time, and pre-chop the peppers so they’re ready to go. That little bit of prep makes weeknight dinners feel way more doable—especially when the alternative is staring at the fridge wondering what to make for dinner tonight for family.

We love this soup with basmati or jasmine rice stirred in just before serving. It’s warm, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

This warm and slightly spicy chicken tortilla soup is one of my favorite cozy meals for chilly nights. It’s loaded with black beans, corn, tender chicken, and plenty of flavor—and chances are, you already have most of the ingredients on hand!

You can use leftover or rotisserie chicken to make it even easier, and I’ve included instructions for the stovetop, slow cooker, and Instant Pot so you can choose what works best for your schedule. We love it topped with crispy corn tortilla strips for crunch and extra garnishes like avocado, cheese, or fresh cilantro to customize each bowl.

Make a batch for dinner and enjoy the leftovers for lunch—you’ll see why this one always disappears fast!

This one-skillet dinner is a lifesaver when you need a quick weeknight meal that still feels a little special. Tender chicken tenderloins are pan-seared, then simmered with zucchini and mushrooms in a garlicky, herb-infused tomato sauce that’s full of comforting Italian flavor.

Serve it with a side of your favorite pasta or warm garlic bread to round out the meal, or keep it light with a side salad or roasted veggies.

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This recipe combines two dinner favorites—chicken enchiladas and chili—for a comforting, flavor-packed mashup that’s perfect for busy nights. Tender chunks of chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn simmer in a creamy, cheesy, enchilada-spiced chili base.

It’s hearty, simple to make, and totally satisfying. Top your bowl with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, or shredded cheese for even more flavor.

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This sticky, sweet, and tangy Orange Marmalade Chicken is a quick and budget-friendly twist on the popular Chinese takeout favorite. Juicy chicken thighs are baked in a homemade orange sauce made with marmalade, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a few pantry staples—no frying required!

The sauce comes together in less than 5 minutes, and the whole recipe is simple enough for a busy weeknight. Serve over rice or quinoa with a green veggie on the side for one of those family-friendly dinner recipes that’s just the right amount of sweet and savory for everyone at the table.

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This Bruschetta Chicken is one of those fast, flavorful meals that feels a little special without adding any stress. I started with a simple favorite—chicken breasts cooked in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper—then topped it with a bright, fresh tomato-basil bruschetta mix for a tasty twist.

It’s a super versatile recipe: serve it with roasted broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or a crisp green salad. Add a loaf of sourdough bread on the side to soak up all those delicious juices, or pair it with garlic toast or roasted potatoes. Even picky eaters can enjoy this one—with the topping served on the side, it works for the whole family.

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For days when the plans are thrown by the wayside I like to have a few easy pantry meals, like this Easy Tomato Florentine Soup, up my sleeve.

It's loaded with diced tomatoes, spinach, and plenty of onion in garlic in a tasty broth with pasta (use whatever shape you like!). If meatless isn't your thing, add in some Italian Sausage for a heartier meal.

It’s a comforting thing to still be able to put a healthy, enjoyable easy meal on the table at dinner time even if other aspects of the day have been crazy.

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This one-skillet baked ziti is warm, cheesy, and always a hi, especially when you’re looking for easy dinner recipes for picky eaters. Everything cooks in one pan for minimal cleanup and maximum comfort food vibes.

You can adjust the ingredients based on what your family likes (or what’s in your fridge), and I’ve included variations for extra veggies or protein. Serve this with a simple green salad. We like Caesar Salad or this Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad are both great options you can prep while the ziti bakes.

Don’t have the exact ingredients? No problem! This baked ziti is easy to customize, and I’ve included ideas for different variations in the recipe.

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This One Pot Pasta is a weeknight dream—everything cooks in a single pot for fast prep and easy cleanup. It’s loaded with flavor thanks to sweet sundried tomatoes, fresh spinach, garlic, and herbs.

Serve it as-is for a light vegetarian meal, or add grilled chicken or Italian sausage for extra protein. Bonus: leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.

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This lightened-up version of Alfredo is rich, creamy, and loaded with veggies. Broccoli and mushrooms add texture and balance to the sauce, and it all comes together in under 30 minutes with pantry staples.

Want to add protein? Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or Italian sausage are all great options to round out the meal and make it even more filling. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for easy family dinner recipes that feel indulgent but come together fast.

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This creamy butternut squash pasta sauce is cozy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to pull together—especially if you roast and puree the squash ahead of time. Blended with parmesan and a touch of seasoning, it’s the kind of simple, comforting meal that’s just right for fall or winter nights.

Whether served as a main or paired with your favorite protein, it’s one of those easy family dinner recipes that feels homemade and nourishing without much effort.

Reader says:

“We have a high bar for food at our house. This recipe was fantastic and will be part of our regular rotation during fall/winter months! It was delicious! Creamy, easy, and healthy, it checks all of our boxes.” – Christina

This quick and spicy Arrabbiata Sauce is made with simple pantry ingredients but delivers bold, fiery flavor. It’s the perfect quick weeknight meal when you’re craving something satisfying but don’t have time for a long cook.

Serve it with your favorite pasta shape (penne is classic) and a side salad like Caesar Salad or this Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad. Katie's tip: prep the salad components ahead of time and toss just before serving for a super easy dinner.

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This easy vegetarian pasta is loaded with flavor and comes together fast with mostly pantry staples. Pasta is tossed with a tomato-based sauté, black beans, onions, bell peppers, and bold Southwestern spices for a simple, satisfying weeknight meal.

Want to add some protein? Stir in leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken. We like to top it with shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for an extra layer of flavor. This is one of our favorite meatless quick weeknight meals. Simple, filling, and packed with flavor!

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Pork is one of those versatile proteins that doesn’t get nearly enough love on busy weeknights. These easy pork recipes are flavorful, low-effort, and perfect when you want something a little different from the usual chicken rotation. From cozy slow cooker meals to one-pan dinners, there’s something here for every kind of evening.

These pork carnitas lettuce wraps are fresh, flavorful, and incredibly low-effort thanks to the slow cooker. The pork cooks until tender and shreddable, then gets piled into crisp lettuce leaves and topped with a bright mango salsa for a sweet and spicy finish.

To make it a heartier meal, serve with a side of rice or roasted poblano quinoa, and don’t forget a scoop of guacamole for extra richness and flavor. You can prep the salsa ahead and freeze leftover pork for easy future dinners.

These foil packet dinners are a modern (and much tastier) spin on a nostalgic classic. Boneless pork chops are paired with fresh summer vegetables tossed in pesto and balsamic, then wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill or in the oven for an easy, no-mess meal.

Use store-bought pesto to save time, or make a double batch of homemade pesto and freeze the extra in small portions for future dinners. Pesto freezes well in freezer-safe zip top bags or ice cube trays to use in future recipes. This saves tons of time and makes this easy dinner recipe much quicker to prepare!

This is one of those simple meals for busy weeknights that feels fresh and flavorful but requires almost no cleanup.

These tender, flavorful pork tacos are a great way to switch up your usual Taco Tuesday. The pork cooks low and slow (or fast in the pressure cooker) until perfectly shreddable, then gets piled into warm tortillas and topped with whatever you’ve got on hand.

We like to keep it simple with diced avocado and thinly sliced red onion, but you can add salsa, cheese, or any of your favorite taco toppings. Definitely one of those quick weeknight meals that earns repeat status. Bonus: the pork freezes well, so it’s easy to double the recipe and save some for another night.

This easy beef and broccoli recipe is a weeknight staple—savory, satisfying, and quick to make at home. Tender strips of beef are cooked with crisp broccoli in a garlicky soy-based sauce with a touch of ginger for depth.

Speed things up with pre-sliced stir-fry beef and trimmed broccoli florets. Serve over white or brown rice for a simple, flavorful dinner that everyone at the table will enjoy.

This hearty beef chili is a family favorite—simple, flavorful, and perfect for cold nights or game day dinners. It’s made with ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and plenty of warming spices, with just the right amount of kick.

Beefy Kidney Bean Chili is delicious in its simplicity and pairs perfectly with a side of Corn Bread Muffins. I think it is also the perfect chili flavor for a loaded up chili dog or loaded baked potato (you can even bake a potato fast!) should you be in the mood.

You can prepare this in the morning and let it simmer all day. It also stores incredibly well in the freezer, so make make a double batch and save yourself some work on a future meal!

This quick stir-fry-style dinner is full of flavor and comes together fast—perfect for busy weeknights. Skirt steak is cooked with snow peas, mushrooms, and red bell peppers in a savory ginger-garlic sauce that’s great over rice.

Don’t love those veggies? Feel free to swap in what your family prefers. For a time-saving shortcut, use pre-sliced mushrooms and peppers, or get the kids involved with the chopping if they’re confident with knife skills. This is a flavorful but doable quick weeknight meals that’s easy to tweak based on what vegetables your family likes.

This pressure cooker chuck roast is a family favorite—tender, flavorful, and weeknight-friendly thanks to the Instant Pot. The beef cooks until fork-tender in about 90 minutes (instead of hours in the oven or slow cooker), and the savory drippings get turned into a creamy mushroom gravy so nothing goes to waste.

It’s the kind of meal that feels like a weekend roast but works on a busy school night. Our kids love it with roasted broccoli or green beans and a big scoop of mashed potatoes—and if you’re in a rush, no one will complain if you use a store-bought deli side or even instant potatoes. It’s all about making dinner doable.

Hearty, warming, and accidentally vegetarian, this Spinach and Tortellini Soup feeds a crowd and is great for making planned leftovers! Enjoy as is, or serve with a side of crusty bread or a green salad.

It’s one of our go-to family-friendly dinner recipes—mild in flavor, easy to customize, and just right for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

Consider these Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers an updated take on the classic version so many of us grew up with—just a little lighter and packed with even more flavor. Quinoa replaces rice for a protein boost, black beans step in for the meat, and a mix of veggies adds color, texture, and extra nutrients.

The filling is hearty and satisfying, with a hint of heat from pepper jack cheese and roasted poblano. These make a fantastic all-in-one vegetarian meal, but you can easily add a side salad or garlic bread if you want to stretch it. They also freeze beautifully, so go ahead and make extras!

Definitely one of our favorite quick weeknight meals that also happens to be vegetarian.

These easy veggie fajitas are a great way to change up taco night. Portabella mushrooms take center stage, offering a meaty texture and rich, earthy flavor that holds up beautifully to high-heat cooking. Add in sautéed peppers and onions, and you’ve got a sizzling skillet of goodness ready in no time.

Serve with warm tortillas, guacamole, salsa, or your favorite fajita toppings for a fun, build-your-own dinner the whole table can dig into.

This veggie-loaded pizza is full of flavor, color, and all your favorite toppings—bell peppers, olives, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms. A combo of salty feta and melty mozzarella takes it over the top. Use store-bought pizza dough or flatbread to save time, and prep the veggies in advance (or let the kids help!).

It’s one of those family-friendly dinner recipes that turns pizza night into a fun, hands-on dinner everyone looks forward to. Plus, everyone can make their own individual pizza and customize with the toppings they like pest. Great if you have picky eaters!

These cold sesame noodles are a lifesaver on hectic nights. The recipe comes together quickly with spaghetti, crisp vegetables, and a tangy sesame-soy dressing that’s packed with flavor. I often prep it in the afternoon and chill it until dinner—perfect for when the after-school schedule gets wild.

You can make it even easier with pre-cut matchstick carrots and frozen shelled edamame. It’s light, flexible, and holds up well in the fridge for leftovers the next day.

This vibrant, flavor-packed taco salad is loaded with black beans, avocado, juicy tomatoes, crunchy tortilla chips, and a zesty cilantro lime vinaigrette. It’s fresh, filling, and flexible enough to work as a main dish, appetizer, or hearty side.

Feel free to mix and match toppings based on what you have on hand. It’s one of those easy family dinner recipes that’s as fun to build as it is to eat, and perfect for a no-fuss weeknight meal.

These cheesy quesadillas are stuffed with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, onions, and pepper jack cheese for a quick vegetarian dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor. They’re crisp on the outside, melty on the inside, and easy to customize based on what’s in your fridge.

Serve with guacamole, salsa, or sour cream for dipping—and maybe a side of beans or rice if you want to stretch the meal.

These lasagna rolls aren’t the quickest recipe on the list—but they’re absolutely worth the effort. Rolled up with a flavorful filling of spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheese, they bake up beautifully and are much easier to serve than traditional lasagna slices.

I like to make a double batch on a slower day and freeze one for later. Just thaw it in the fridge a day ahead and bake when you’re ready—a total gift on a busy night when you need something hearty, comforting, and already made.

Check out my tutorial on How to Freeze Lasagna!