28 weeknight meals you’ll be glad to have in your back pocket
Not every dinner needs to be a production with three side dishes and a garnish. These weeknight meals keep things simple without feeling like a fallback plan. Think solid, dependable recipes you’ll actually want to make again.
Sesame Chicken
Homemade Chinese sesame chicken features crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. This sesame chicken recipe is even better than takeout and totally worth making at home. Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken
One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells
This cheesy beef and shells recipe is a comforting, no-fuss pasta with a silky cheese sauce. Made all in one pot, it’s easy, satisfying, and cuts down on cleanup. Get the recipe: One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells
Perfectly Seared Cast Iron Scallops
Cast iron scallops are one of those easy-but-impressive meals that feel straight off a restaurant menu. Ready in minutes, they’re perfectly seared, finished with melted butter, and a fresh squeeze of lemon. Get the recipe: Perfectly Seared Cast Iron Scallops
Cheesy Garlic Buttered Gnocchi
Soft pan-fried potato gnocchi tossed in a garlicky butter sauce with parmesan, herbs, and spices. If you’re a garlic gnocchi fan, this one’s for you. It’s quick, easy, and lets the gnocchi shine while still bringing tons of flavor to the table. Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Buttered Gnocchi
30-Minute Taco Beef Salad
Who doesn’t love a good taco salad? This recipe is so quick and easy and perfect to customize with all your favourite toppings for those picky eaters. Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Taco Salad
Honey Lime Shrimp
This honey lime shrimp is tender and tasty, ready in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients. The marinade soaks in to keep the shrimp juicy and fresh. Serve with rice or pasta for a quick dinner or with dips for appies. Get the Recipe: Honey Lime Shrimp
Chimichurri Shrimp Tacos
These chimichurri shrimp tacos are a weeknight game-changer. Bright, herby chimichurri pairs with creamy jalapeño avocado slaw for seriously fresh flavors. Taco Tuesday just got upgraded! Get the recipe: Chimichurri Shrimp Tacos
Chicken Pineapple Curry
This chicken pineapple curry is rich, creamy, and full of tender chicken in every bite. It’s ready in 20 minutes and gets a boost of tropical flavor from sweet pineapple. Get the recipe: Chicken Pineapple Curry
Spicy Shrimp Bowl
This spicy shrimp bowl with rice and peach avocado salad is fresh, flavourful, and ready in under 30 minutes. Simple ingredients, bold taste, and an easy win for a quick and delicious dinner. Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Bowl Recipe
Sheet Pan Sausage and Gnocchi
Sheet pan sausage and gnocchi is a simple one-pan meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Smoked sausage, pillowy gnocchi, broccoli, and mushrooms are all tossed with seasoning and roasted to golden perfection. It’s cozy, easy, and perfect for busy nights. Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Gnocchi
One-Skillet Baked Ziti
This one-skillet baked ziti comes together in just 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner. It uses simple pantry ingredients to create a warm and comforting pasta dish. Get the recipe: One-Skillet Baked Ziti
Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
Saucy and tangy, these ground chicken sloppy Joes are a one-pan recipe that doesn’t require many ingredients. Added bonus: this American classic takes less than half an hour to make. Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
Chili Mac
This one-pan Chili Mac is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will enjoy. With just a few ingredients, this better-than-the-box meal comes together fast and feeds the whole family. Get the recipe: Chili Mac
Cheeseburger Bowl (With Smashburger Sauce)
This easy cheeseburger bowl recipe brings all your favorite burger flavors into one low carb high protein meal. Think beef, cheese, pickles, and that signature burger sauce all in a bowl. Ready in 30 minutes and way easier than firing up the grill. Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Bowl (With Smashburger Sauce)
Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta
Super easy, but it tastes like you ordered it in a restaurant! This creamy tomato and spinach pasta is a rich and delicious meal that everyone asks for over and over. Best part? It is ready in less than half an hour. Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Pasta
Chicken Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce
This healthy chicken stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes way fancier than it is. Juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and a rich peanut sauce make it feel like takeout without the wait. Just add rice or noodles and dinner is done. Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce
Scallion Chicken
You’ve got to try this scallion chicken. It’s on the table in under 20 minutes. Quick, budget-friendly, and seriously tasty. Get the recipe: Scallion Chicken
Mongolian Beef
Craving takeout but trying to keep it healthy? This healthy Mongolian beef has you covered. It is made with tender shaved beef, tossed in a balanced, flavorful sauce, and ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy nights and picky eaters alike. Get the Recipe: Mongolian Beef
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Creamy and comforting, this old-school recipe for tuna noodle casserole is simple and healthy. It takes no time to whip up, but it tastes like there was a lot of effort behind it. Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Air Fryer Chicken Bites
These air fryer chicken bites are juicy, flavorful, and loaded with protein. They come together fast with just a few simple ingredients and work for dinner, meal prep, or an anytime snack. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This Instant Pot mac and cheese is the quickest way to get creamy, cheesy comfort on the table. Just dump everything in, let the pot do the work, and skip the extra sauce-making step. Get the recipe: Easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
30-Minute Spicy Chicken Soup
Warm and cozy, this spicy three-bean chicken soup is a tasty, protein-packed meal. It also reheats great, making it perfect for enjoying as lunch tomorrow too. Get the Recipe: Three Bean Chicken Soup
Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Sausage and Veggies
This easy sheet pan chicken sausage and veggies recipe is made with a ton of good stuff, all roasted to perfection on a single sheet pan. It’s simple, healthy, and great for busy weeknight dinners. Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Veggies
Creamy White Wine Halibut
This creamy white wine halibut is easy to make but still feels elegant. The lemon-caper sauce is rich and balanced, and it’s a great way to ease picky eaters into fish. Get the recipe: Creamy White Wine Halibut
Air Fryer Sweet Chili Salmon
This Air Fryer sweet chili salmon is a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner with a bright, tangy glaze. It cooks fast, tastes amazing, and makes high-protein meals that are restaurant quality.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Chili Salmon
Teriyaki and Honey Glazed Salmon
This teriyaki and honey glazed salmon recipe is sticky and tasty with the most delicious and easy 3-ingredient glaze and drizzled with a simple, tasty, creamy sesame sauce. Easy but so fancy! Get the Recipe: Honey Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
Simple Chicken Enchiladas
This easy recipe shows how to make quick and delicious chicken enchiladas with only a few pantry ingredients. This tasty dish is super simple and a crowd-pleaser. Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Enchiladas
20 Minute Pan Fried Pork Chops
Southern-fried flavor is packed into these delicious fried pork chops made with simple ingredients and tasty seasonings. You’ll have a hearty meal on the table in a hurry. Get the recipe: 20 Minute Pan Fried Pork Chops