Looking for easy weeknight dinners? Hey, me too!
We’ve all been there. It’s 5 o’clock, everyone is asking, “what’s for dinner?” and you are digging through the fridge and pantry to find an easy dinner you can make in a jiffy.
your arsenal of easy weeknight dinners
I compiled a list of delicious, family-friendly meals you can pull from when you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner to make for your family. BONUS: Most of these recipes call for ingredients you probably already have stocked in your kitchen!
If you need a super quick solution, here are a few of my favorite easy weeknight dinners that don’t require a specific recipe:
- Quesadillas (keep pre-shredded cheese on hand & add meat and/or beans)
- Chef Salad (I always keep boiled eggs in the fridge, add cheeses, lunch meat or canned chicken, beans, etc.)
- Breakfast (waffles, French toast, pancakes, omelettes + toast, etc)
- Nachos (load them up with veggies and/or meat!)
- Pasta Bar (make a batch of pasta and serve with different grated cheeses, leftover meat, jarred sauce or pesto, etc.)
- Sandwiches (pb&j, sub sandwiches, or tuna/chicken salad that you’ve made ahead!)
I hope you enjoy these easy weeknight dinners! When you try a recipe, please come back and let me know how you liked it. If you’re following a keto meal plan, check out our easy Keto Dinners.
Happy cooking!
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners
20 easy weeknight dinners that are ready in 45 minutes or less! These recipes are simple, quick, easy, and use ingredients you probably have on hand.
Remember when Mom used to pull the box of Hamburger Helper out of the pantry when she was in need of a quick dinner?
Well, we promise this homemade version is a whooooole lot tastier, and it will still be on the table in 30 minutes or less.
What's better than chicken fajitas?? SHEET PAN Chicken Fajitas! This easy recipe turns a restaurant favorite into a no-fuss weeknight meal.
A few minutes in the morning and you'll be enjoying these mouth-watering BBQ Beef Sandwiches by dinner!
Easily make gluten free by serving on salad or with a gluten free bun.
Grab a loaf of French bread from your favorite grocery store bakery, and whip up this easy dinner in less than 30 minutes!
This fun twist on a traditional pizza is great for family dinners or entertaining guests.
If you like fish, you're going to LOVE these coconut crusted fish tacos! 30 minutes from start to finish makes these tacos the ultimate quick and easy dinner.
If you love all things lemon like I do, then this Lemon Chicken is going to be a regular on your menu rotation! Easy to make in 45 minutes, this recipe is simple but DELICIOUS.
Of all the quick and easy dinners I have in my rotation, shredded chicken is at the top of the list. It is so versatile - make a quick salad, some fancy-shmancy quesadillas, burrito bowls...
the options are endless! This particular recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and is ready-to-eat in under 30 minutes. Includes instructions for fresh OR frozen chicken breasts.
Have you tried making sheet pan meals yet??? It's an entire meal in one pan, which means dinner time (and clean up!) got a LOT easier!
This pork chop sheet pan is ready to eat in under 45 minutes.
Everyone needs a classic Sloppy Joes recipe in their easy-dinner-arsenal! This one is simple, quick, and packed with flavor.
Serve on your favorite buns or rolls for a family favorite that is sure to please even your pickiest eaters!
Looking for Instant Pot dinner recipes? This easy Mediterranean Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a winner!
Less than 30 minutes from start to finish, and you'll have a full and healthy meal on the table.
Grab your favorite taco toppings and make this quick and easy Mexican casserole! This dish takes only 30 minutes to bake and is easy to assemble.
Take a look at the recipe now, and stock your pantry/freezer with ready-made ingredients like rotisserie chicken and enchilada sauce so you can put this meal together anytime for easy weeknight dinners!
Have you ever tried Zuppa's Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup? It's one of the restaurant's most-requested dishes, and for good reason!
This recipe is an easy-to-make copycat. It's quick and easy to make thanks to your Instant Pot, and so tasty your entire family will love it!
I LOVE easy pasta dishes for a quick meal, and this recipe does not disappoint. It's an indulgent comfort meal the whole family will love, and is ready in 30 minutes flat.
If you have an air fryer, you'll definitely want to try this easy Pistachio Crusted Salmon! Quick to assemble and cook, but everyone will think you spent HOURS slaving away in the kitchen.
I won't tell 😉
This kid-friendly dinner is sure to become a family favorite! Just a few minutes of prep and a quick bake time make these Chicken Taquitos the gold star of easy weeknight dinners. Enjoy!
Rice and Beans sure get a bad rap, but this recipe takes them to a whole new level! Grab a few simple ingredients, toss into your Instant Pot, set it, and forget it!
This easy meal will be done in less than 40 minutes and takes only a few minutes of your time.
Dinner AND clean-up will be a breeze with this easy sheet pan dinner! Perfect for busy weeknights or a more formal weekend dinner!
Forget Chinese take-out, this Vegetable Lo Mein is ready in less than 30 minutes and way better than what you would pick up at your local restaurant.
This Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole takes closer to an hour, but it is well worth the wait! It's a one pan meal with the veggies included which means less fuss and less clean-up.
If shrimp is your jam, you'll love this easy salad! This easy dinner recipe takes only 20 minutes to make, and you can even prep it ahead for a quick dinner or grab-and-go lunch.
Have you tried one of these easy weeknight dinners? We would love to hear about it! Comment below, or snap a photo and tag #UpliftForWomen on social media.
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I LOVE all these recipes. I’m always on the hunt for something new and EASY!
You can’t ever have enough quick and easy recipes! Glad you found some new favorites 🙂
What a great compilation of easy recipes! They all look so fantastic. I better start cooking!
Glad you found some recipes to try Kathy, hope you enjoy them!