Whether you’re cooking dinner for 2 or for the whole family, here’s a list of my favorite easy dinner ideas so there’s no stress over what to make for dinner!
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Feeling a little lazy? Or did you get home late from work? Or are you just plain hangry? No problem; I got you! From seafood to chicken to pork to beef, and of course pastas, soups and salads, this comprehensive list includes all of my top Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes that will get you through the week with plenty of leftovers for lunch too.
Most of these recipes require 30 minutes or less and never compromising on FLAVAH! Let’s get into it!
Quick Dinner Recipes When You Have No Clue What to Make
Here are 32 of my best, easy dinner recipe ideas that your whole crew will love!
Seafood
1. Honey Glazed Salmon
Make tender, baked honey glazed salmon smothered in a sticky sweet, tangy and garlicky sauce in just 20 minutes!
2. Blackened Salmon
When you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that doesn’t compromise on flavor, blackened salmon is the go-to recipe. It’s easy enough to make in 25 minutes and baked in the oven to avoid pan frying splatter and messy cleanup!
3. Salmon Salad
Fresh salmon salad with lemon, dill and crunchy veggies packs on the flavor without mayo or fillers. It’s a great make-ahead dinner that you and your taste buds will feel good about eating!
4. Baked Cod
Baked cod topped with panko crumbs, lemon, parsley, and garlic is an easy way to turn your cod into a delicious dinner in just a few steps!
5. Scallops Recipe
Perfectly tender scallops with a golden crust every time, this scallops recipe is sure to impress, complete with a stunningly beautiful, restaurant-quality basil and sweet pea purée!
Pork, Chicken & Beef
6. Lettuce Wraps
Make restaurant-quality Asian ground pork or chicken lettuce wraps with this quick and easy recipe! As an appetizer or weeknight meal in a flash, these lettuce wraps will be your new go-to.
7. Air Fryer Pork Chops
I’m sold: air fryer pork chops are juicy on the inside with a caramelized crust on the outside. Don’t miss the wicked good marinade that’s included in this recipe!
8. Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin, grilled until crispy and charred on the outside yet still juicy and tender on the inside, is the ultimate grilled meat. It’s flavorful, inexpensive, and customizable (you can marinate it however you’d like!).
9. Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and cheese might be a classic, but these sliders are so much more than those lunchbox sandwiches. These sliders are made on toasty, delicately sweet Hawaiian rolls, brushed with everything bagel seasoned butter. They’re warm, meaty and cheesy, with a layer of honey mustard that cuts through the richness.
10. Lemon Pepper Chicken
Ditch the store-bought lemon pepper seasoning and make your own in 5 minutes to spread on the juiciest baked chicken thighs ever, with a quick lemon pepper pan sauce. This lemon pepper chicken couldn’t be more delicious!
11. Honey Mustard Chicken
Juicy chicken thighs, slathered with homemade honey mustard sauce, this honey mustard chicken is a one-pan, 30-minute meal that’s the ultimate weekday dinner.
12. Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Growing up right outside of Buffalo, my husband approves of these buffalo chicken wraps, made with all the traditional accoutrements like buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato, blue cheese or ranch dressing, and of course, juicy shredded chicken!
13. Chicken Tacos
Chicken tacos aren’t just for Taco Tuesday! You can’t beat juicy pulled chicken marinaded in smoky, slightly spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Topped with a creamy yet crunchy avocado, onion and lime topping, you’ll want these tacos every day of the week!
14. Chicken Quesadilla
What’s not to love about a cheesy chicken quesadilla recipe that’s perfect for weeknight dinner and game day alike? Seasoned chicken, melty cheese, and crispy tortilla in every bite, these quesadillas are sure to become a staple in your house like mine!
15. Chicken Taquitos
These chicken taquitos are baked (not fried), with a crispy corn tortilla shell and a flavor-packed, shredded chicken filling. They’re easy to whip up for an appetizer or dinner any day of the week!
16. Chicken Adobo
Chicken adobo is a Filipino dish made from braised chicken in a scrumptious vinegar-soy reduction. This one-pan chicken adobo recipe is SO easy, requiring less than 15 minutes of prep, oven-roasting for less mess and cleanup!
17. Orange Chicken
Orange chicken is usually pretty naughty, but this recipe is healthier (and easier) with sautéed chicken instead of fried, tossed into a mouthwatering orange sauce, so you can enjoy this takeout favorite as often as you’d like!
18. Pan Seared Steak
Get ready for a steakhouse dinner in the comfort of your own home! Making a perfectly seared steak with a juicy and tender inside and a crusty exterior is easier than you’d expect, starting on the stove and finishing in the oven. See for yourself!
Pastas & Noodles
19. Fettuccine Alfredo
Ditch the bottled sauce and make this super easy, creamy, dreamy fettuccine Alfredo in just 20 minutes!
20. Cacio e Pepe
With just 4 ingredients and 30 minutes, I have the secret trick to making the creamiest cacio e pepe – one of the four classic Roman pastas you shouldn’t miss!
21. Lemon Pasta
This lemon pasta is incredibly simple yet packs a flavor punch with lemon-scented cream sauce that’s silky, peppery, and bursting with cheesy parmesan goodness that coats each piece of pasta. It’s a true Italian masterpiece. Not to mention it’s such an easy dinner!
22. Amatriciana
One of the four Roman pastas, Amatriciana is made from just 6 ingredients but packs a flavor punch with sweet, tangy tomatoes, rich bits of guanciale, sharp and salty Pecorino Romano cheese, a little kick from red pepper flakes, and a splash of wine. All tossed into al dente bucatini, it’s an Italian masterpiece.
23. Pasta With Peas and Bacon
The ultimate pasta with peas and bacon is made with no cream! Pasta water, olive oil, and parmesan cheese add the perfect touch of creaminess, accentuating the smokiness of the bacon and sweetness of the peas. The addition of shallots and garlic make for a real pasta party in your mouth!
24. Greek Pasta Salad
What’s not to love about a 25-minute Greek pasta salad loaded with fresh veggies, Kalamata olives, feta, and a quick lemony dressing? There’s no going wrong with this make-ahead side dish or main course for your next summer party, picnic, or potluck!
25. Peanut Noodles
Try them once and you’ll crave these peanut noodles. Flavor-packed, nutritious, and easy to make, this peanut noodles recipe is a complete meal made in just 30 minutes!
Soups
26. White Bean Soup
My favorite recipe during soup season is this super easy white bean soup, that’s made in just 30 minutes. It’s creamy, hearty, nourishing, and packed with flavor from garlic, onion, spinach, and finished with a squeeze of lemon and grated parmesan cheese.
27. Turkey Chili
Turkey chili from-scratch doesn’t have to take hours to make. This easy turkey chili recipe is on the table in less than an hour, is made with lean ground turkey, veggies, beans and spices, and of course, doesn’t compromise on flavor!
28. Chicken and Rice Soup
Good, old-fashioned chicken and rice soup is a timeless classic that stands the test of time. And there’s one secret ingredient in this easy recipe that’ll take your soup from standard to scrumptious!
Salad
29. Summer Salad
One of my favorite salads of all time is this summer salad. It’s bright and light with shaved veggies, perfectly pickled beets, olives, buttery pistachios, and parmesan crisps. Tossed in a refreshing vinaigrette, this salad is as delicious as it looks.
30. Antipasto Salad
This is everything you want on an Italian antipasto platter is tossed into a salad with greens and a zesty homemade vinaigrette to make an antipasto salad!
31. Greek Salad
If you want a big, classic Greek salad, this recipe is for you! A bunch of Mediterranean veggies, olives, and feta tossed with lettuce and a simple lemony dressing, this Greek salad is a perfect side salad or full meal with a protein.
32. Italian Salad
Made with classic ingredients, this Italian salad only takes 20 minutes to make, can be made ahead, and is a celebration of fresh, bright, and simple Italian flavors.
If you’ve tried any of these Easy Dinner Ideas or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
What to Make for Dinner (32 Easy Dinner Ideas!)
Ingredients
- 1 ½-2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 9-12 small taco-sized flour tortillas
- 2 medium just-ripe avocados
- 2 juicy limes, zested and then juiced (plus more wedges for garnish)
- 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, roughly 7 ounce can
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- Small block queso fresco, crumbled
- Handful of cilantro, to garnish
- Jalapeño, diced (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Place chicken in a gallon Ziploc bag with the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Massage chicken, breaking up the chipotle peppers as you go. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Preheat oven to 425℉. Place marinaded chicken on a baking sheet along with smashed chipotle peppers. Sprinkle with salt. Bake for 17-21 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken registers at least 165 degrees.
- While chicken is in the oven, add avocados, onion, lime zest and juice, salt and jalapeño (optional) to a medium bowl. Using the back of a fork to mash avocado to a semi-chunky consistency, mixing in with the other ingredients. Set aside.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before shredding/pulling chicken.
- Assemble tacos by placing some shredded chicken on each tortilla (enough to fill but not overfill your tacos). Then add a small scoop of the avocado topping, a pinch of fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of queso fresco. Serve with more lime wedges.
Video
Notes
- The chicken for these tacos is mildly (some may say moderately) spicy. If you prefer almost-zero heat, don’t mash up the chipotle peppers in your chicken marinade. Simply leave them intact and then remove them before baking the chicken.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce comes in a small can (roughly 7 ounces) in the Mexican foods aisle.
- This avocado topping is onion-forward to add nice crunch and tang! If you prefer less onion, use a small onion instead!
- You can also use parsley if you’re not a cilantro fan!
- The total time above doesn’t include the 30-minute marinading time.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love that you provided this list of easy dinner recipes! I am going to make each one! They all look so good and healthy. I am a insanely busy person so having these suggested recipes makes my life so much easier. Thank you!
Btw, I have tried the orange chicken and it was fabulous!
Woohoo! Thanks for your review. SO happy these have helped you and you liked the orange chicken recipe!
Grace
Easy and delicious recipes.
The perfect casual summer meals for family or friends!!!
Love it! Thank you!
Grace
I have tried several of these recipes and use them regularly every week!! Thanks
Love hearing this! Thanks for letting me know ๐
Grace