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Sometimes you just need a go-to easy dinner recipe — one that's perfect for busy nights where you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, but still want something more substantial than, say, a PB&J.
So we rounded up some of our favorite easy dinner ideas, from customizable personal pizzas to a no-fuss stir-fry. Dinner will be ready in no time!
1. Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast
2. One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta
3. Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon
4. Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken
5. The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast
6. Veggie Garlic Noodles
7.
8. Taco Soup
9. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
10.
11. Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas
12. Easy Butter Chicken
13. Upgraded Ramen
14. Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne
15.
17. Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli
Chopping the beef into small pieces first means everything cooks through in about five minutes.
18. Instant Pot Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese
The Instant Pot does all the hard work here — and you'll also get a healthy dose of fresh greens!
19. Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
Line the sheet pan with parchment or foil for the quickest cleanup — then serve over rice, stuffed into a pita, or on its own.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
This vegan-friendly version swaps eggs for protein-packed chickpeas, and makes enough for four.
Recipe: Vegan Chickpea Shakshuka
21. Pesto Chicken Bake
Doesn't get much easier than this, TBH.
Recipe: Pesto Chicken Bake
These are super customizable — depending on your time or budget. Either stick to the inexpensive base: tortilla chips, black beans, canned tomatoes, and cheese, or upgrade with the works: jalapeños, pickled onions, sour cream, and anything else you might want.
Recipe: Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos
23. 10-Minute Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus
Not an asparagus fan? The simple lemon and garlic sauce would work with whatever greens are in your fridge — like spinach, broccoli florets, or zucchini.
24. Protein-Packed Veggie Bowl
tasty.co
This may look involved, but after a bit of prep — crisping chickpeas, roasting sweet potatoes — it's mostly just assembly.
Recipe: Protein-Packed Veggie Bowl
25. Tuna & Avocado Wrap
Canned tuna gets a quick upgrade with hot sauce, Dijon, and green onions — piled into whole wheat tortillas. (You could also swap in bread, pita pockets, or just eat them as lettuce wraps.)
Recipe: Tuna & Avocado Wrap
Perfect for meal preppers.
Recipe: BBQ Meatloaf & Veggie Dinner
27. Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Foil Packs
You can make these in the oven or on the grill in just about 20 minutes — and thanks to the foil, cleanup is a total breeze.
The trinity of weeknight dinners: fast, cheap, and easy.
Recipe: Bowties & Broccoli
29. Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats
These go from prep to plate in about 20 minutes. Keep the peppers whole, or slice them into bites (or "boats") to turn them into kid-friendly finger food.
Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats
30. Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos
This budget-friendly version takes pantry staples — like black beans and canned corn — and roasts everything on a sheet pan.
Heads up that this one does have to cook for a few hours, so you'll need to plan accordingly. But it's a true drop-and-go dinner — and basically makes itself.
Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Better than takeout — and better for you, too. For extra protein and fiber, swap in soba noodles.
Recipe: 15-Minute Lo Mein
33. Instant Pot Cashew Chicken
The easy sauce — which includes soy sauce, garlic, and ginger — comes together quickly and packs a ton of flavor.
Recipe: Instant Pot Cashew Chicken