Some nights you come home after a long day, open the fridge, and stare into the abyss hoping dinner magically appears. We’ve all been there. The good news? You can eat well without spending hours in the kitchen—or calling for takeout. This list of 21+ easy dinner recipes is packed with simple meals that take minimal effort, require little cleanup, and still taste delicious.
From one-pan pasta to 10-minute quesadillas and pantry-friendly bowls you can assemble in minutes, these recipes will help you get dinner on the table fast, even when motivation is at its lowest.
Whether you need lazy weeknight dinner ideas, cheap meals on a budget, or “I refuse to dirty more than one pan” recipes, this list has you covered.
Easy Dinner Recipes
Peking Style Beef
Ground beef is the MVP of my low-effort weeknights. It’s affordable, lightning-fast to cook, and its simplicity is unmatched. You don’t need to chop anything, you don’t need to marinate, you just throw it in the pan. It’s the simplest path from fridge to fork.
10 Minute Garlic Butter Pasta
Pasta with butter garlic is one of my favorites among all my easy recipes for spaghetti noodles. You have all the ingredients in your kitchen and it is super satisfying. Add shrimp or chicken to this dish for some protein.
One pan chicken fajitas
Nothing beats a one pan meal for dinner. I don’t think I have ever had a disappointing one pan meal..yet. This one pan meal is worth all the little effort it takes to throw it all together.
Chicken Quesadillas
Enter the Chicken Quesadilla: a fast, delicious, and stress-free family dinner. It’s the versatile, easy-to-make friend that saves the day when time and motivation are running low.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This 30-minute broccoli cheddar soup recipe is the ULTIMATE comfort food! It’s rich, creamy, super cheesy, and loaded with tender veggies.
Enchilada casserole
This enchilada casserole is an easy, versatile weeknight meal inspired by a reader’s idea. Instead of rolling tortillas, you simply layer them flat. It’s quick (15 minutes prep, 30 minutes bake), adaptable for chicken, beef, or vegetarian/vegan diets, make-ahead friendly (assemble up to 24 hours early or freeze), and delicious, loved by everyone who tries it.
Rotisserie Chicken Wrap
This rotisserie chicken wrap is a quick, easy meal using store-bought or leftover chicken—perfect for weekend meal prep, lunch, or dinner.
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas
These Black Bean Quesadillas are a flavorful favorite, combining cheese, beans, corn, cilantro, and onion. Perfect for dipping and easy to make ahead or freeze.
Sheet Pan Tuna Melts
Sheet pan tuna melts are the ultimate pantry comfort food, delivering the perfect blend of flavor, texture, and warmth. Made in the oven, they eliminate messy flipping and ensure everyone gets their own hot, melty sandwich—pure bliss.
Pesto Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes
Pan-fried gnocchi gets a fresh twist in this quick, 20-minute recipe, tossed with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and a bright, light pesto sauce with lemon. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, this one-skillet dish is ready in minutes and ideal for spring and summer meals.
Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
I’m a huge taco fan—Chicken, Shrimp, and Beef are my go-tos—but sometimes, I just don’t have the time to make them from scratch.
Enter these Rotisserie Chicken Tacos. Using already-cooked, seasoned chicken means the filling comes together in minutes. Simply add a few spices, pile the meat into crispy taco shells, sprinkle with cheese, and dinner is done
Easy Baked Chicken and Potatoes with Onions
Craving an easy, healthy, and delicious baked chicken and potatoes dinner? This simple one-pan recipe brings together juicy roasted chicken, tender potatoes, sweet onions, and roasted garlic, all lifted with fresh rosemary and lemon. It’s a no-fuss weeknight meal that’s easy to prep, can be made ahead, and packed with flavor!
Baked Cod
Ready in just over 20 minutes, this baked cod recipe has earned its fan-favorite status! The cod turns out tender and perfectly flaky, seasoned with bold Mediterranean spices and baked in a flavorful garlic and lemon sauce.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
This comes together in a flash. While your pasta is cooking, you can quickly whip up garlicky, buttery shrimp. Tossed with wide, long fettuccine noodles, every strand gets coated in that rich, silky, buttery goodness. It’s the ultimate quick and easy dinner—perfect for family nights, entertaining friends, or even special company. Simply put, it’s absolutely delicious
Roasted Garlic Caprese Grilled Cheese
Is there anything better than a truly good grilled cheese? For me, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
Count me in for the sheet pan life! Incredibly versatile, wholesome, and ridiculously easy, sheet pan dinners let you create a flavorful meal using just one dish—meaning minimal cleanup. Recipes like this Italian Sausage and Peppers bake to perfection in the oven, making them the ultimate go-to for weeknight dinners.
Thai Peanut Noodles
These Peanut Noodles are the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. The best part? They make excellent leftovers and taste just as delicious the next day!
Veggie Wrap with Hummus
This hummus veggie wrap is loaded with fresh vegetables and gets a hearty boost of protein from the hummus. Make several at once and store them for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. If you’re extra hungry, pair your wrap with Layered Greek Dip or Garlic Baked Chickpeas for a satisfying and complete meal.
Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables
Salmon is a regular on our weekly dinner menu—my family knows they can always depend on it. It’s healthy, cooks fast, and makes the perfect sheet pan meal for busy weeknights.
10 minute Naan Pizza
Meet the fastest pizza you’ll ever make! With just five ingredients and eight minutes in the oven, you’ll have perfectly crispy, golden mini pizzas that are unbelievably easy and delicious.
Related Reads: Easy Savory Chicken Recipes
Chicken Caesar Wrap
“There’s an undeniable magic to the Chicken Caesar Wrap. It’s the perfect busy-day solution—fresh, satisfying, and ready in less than 30 minutes. What I appreciate most is its ability to take common pantry staples and transform them into a legitimately craveable meal. It’s my absolute favorite for an effortless lunch or a cool, no-bake summer dinner.”
2 ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken
If you have chicken and salsa and a crockpot you have got yourself a meal ready in less than the time it took me to type this out!
Related Reads: Easy Meal Prep Recipes for Weight Loss
Kidney Bean Salad
This simple recipe is a modern take on a classic Mediterranean peasant salad. It elevates the humble canned kidney bean into the star, mixing it with crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, red onions, and fresh cilantro. The entire dish is brightened by a light, homemade Dijon vinaigrette infused with aromatic sumac, delivering a refreshingly zesty flavor
