Sometimes we need dinner to be quick, easy and stress free. When life is its busiest, it is important to have a collection of recipes that you can rely on. Whether you are looking for light and healthy or rich and hearty, this post is chocked full of favorites that are perfect for the busiest nights. With this collection of 20 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes, you are sure to find a dish that fits into your busy schedule.
We’ve all been there, dinnertime is creeping up, and you just don’t see how you will have enough time, or energy to get it prepared. If you are anything like me, even on the busiest days, when I have little energy, I still want to make my family a nutritious homemade meal. Having recipes like the ones in this collection on hand are a life saver. With help from several of my fellow bloggers I have compiled a list of everything from instant pot recipes to simple one-pot meals, and everything in between, to get you, and me, through the busiest days.
While some of these recipes take little effort, being just 30-minute meals, I still try to make my life easier by meal planning and trying to take in account what each day is going to look like. Doing this is extremely helpful and really makes a difference in how I am able to cook for my family on a daily basis.
I often try to help my future self by prepping in advance if I know that I will have a busy day. This can be something as simple as cutting the veggies in advance for a dish and popping them in the fridge until dinnertime. Trust me, little things like that can really make a difference when it is time to prepare a meal.
So, without further ado, lets dive into these “Quick and Easy” dinner recipes.
20 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes
Smothered Chicken
This Smothered Chicken is about to become your new favorite chicken recipe, it is that good! Flavorful, juicy chicken, pan seared and smothered in a delicious homemade pan sauce. You’ll never want to serve chicken without a sauce ever again. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, coming together in under 1 hour, and makes absolutely delicious leftovers!
Easy Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
These baked teriyaki chicken thighs are a terrific quick and easy weekday dinner. It only needs simple ingredients (readily available) but is delicious! Tender chicken thighs are coated in a sweet and salty sauce that is so good with just a simple bowl of plain white rice! (Works with bone in AND boneless meat.)
Air Fryer Salmon
Looking for the best air fryer recipe in the game? Stop right here! In under 20 minutes, you can get your hands on this tender, flaky, and flavorful Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon! Made in the air fryer, this simple weeknight salmon is deliciously healthy and super easy to throw together!
Quick Beef and Broccoli
Quick, easy and full of flavor from savory beef, tender broccoli and a delicious sauce. This Quick Beef and Broccoli takes your favorite take-out and turns it into an easy weeknight meal.
Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger
This skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is one of the most requested meals in our family and the reasons are obvious. It’s hearty, cheesy, and savory and has all flavors of a cheeseburger. Once you try this cheeseburger casserole, you’ll be hooked! This easy casserole takes less than 30 minutes to make and is the same delicious as my similar family favorite Old Fashioned Hamburger Casserole baked in the oven.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
A pressure cooker makes it super easy to make one of your favorite sandwiches in no time. The same flavors just a whole lot easier. Note: Cook time does not include the time required for the IP to come to pressure.
Make sure to save room for dessert! Check out some of my family’s favorite desserts. This Chocolate Crinkle Cookie recipe has been one of my go-to recipes for years now. Or give this delicious Carrot Cake a try, you will not be disappointed.
Chicken Stir Fried Udon Noodles
Chicken stir fried udon noodles is not only tasty, but also the color combination of vegetables, meat and noodles make this dish very attractive.
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
Welcome to Easy Street my friends! This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is a perfect combination of taco seasoning, ground beef, corn, tomatoes and black beans. Add in the cheddar cheese for an incredible cheesy dinner that makes life easier and flavorful!
Busy Day Soup
Busy Day Soup is fuss-free comfort food, easily made on hectic weeknights. Made entirely in one pot, this flavorful soup doesn’t require any chopping, sautéing, or browning – and it’s ready to serve in about 30 minutes!
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Quick, easy and perfect for busy weeknights. This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta dish uses just a handful of kitchen staples and is ready in just 45 minutes!
Easy Marry me Chicken (30-Minute Recipe)
This marry me chicken is the perfect chicken dinner that is herby, creamy, tender, juicy, and goes perfectly with pasta or rice! This chicken dish is so delish that if you make it for your partner, you may get a marriage proposal!
Sirloin Tip Roast in the Instant Pot
A complete dinner sirloin tip roast with carrots and potatoes topped with a gravy all made right in the Instant Pot!
Pancetta Pasta
This easy pancetta pasta recipe is an Italian classic. The quick-cooking 20-minute recipe is salty, rich, & comforting. Angel hair pasta with crispy pancetta, garlic, & a simple olive oil sauce is a traditional family-favorite meal with just a few ingredients. Feed a lot of people at a budget-friendly price.
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is loaded with flavor and creaminess from broth and half and half, to carrots, spinach and gnocchi dumplings. Comfort food heaven!
Quick Tacos Al Pastor
Sweet and savory Quick Tacos Al Pastor that are made in just 30 minutes. No marinating or long cook time. Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping.
Easy 30-Minute Chicken Noodle Casserole – Without Soup in a Can
Inspired by the classic soup, this Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is full of chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles with a creamy sauce that ties all the flavors together. This budget-friendly meal uses pantry staples, and you can easily customize it based on what you already have on hand!
Kielbasa and Potatoes
This quick and easy Kielbasa and Potatoes Recipe is the perfect one-dish weeknight dinner. The whole family will love this flavorful combination, made with simple ingredients, including red potatoes, onion, garlic, and flavorful kielbasa sausage.
Ground Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry
Full of flavor, nutritious and delicious, this ground chicken and vegetable stir fry is quick to make. Tender ground chicken, mixed with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, carrots and edamame, all tossed in a delicious soy-based sauce.
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
I am loving this twist to the traditional tater tot casserole. This Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is like making loaded tater tots into a casserole dish. Chili, shredded cheese and tater tots make up this delicious casserole that is quick and easy to put together. Using leftover Chili makes this dish a quick and easy dinner that is ready in just 1 hour.
Honey Chicken
This Honey Chicken is tender chicken tossed in a skillet with butter, honey, garlic, fresh lemon juice, spices, and soy sauce. This Honey Lemon Chicken is a quick and easy 15-minute chicken dish.
