If you are struggling with what to have for dinner tonight, these easy dinner recipes and ideas are the perfect weeknight meals for busy families! This list of favorites is helpful to solve any dinner plans and cravings.
Best Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
While having a meal plan is great, sometimes even the best laid plans can change and we are faced with the age old question of “what’s for dinner?”. These easy dinner recipes and ideas are here to help!
Whether it’s a comforting pasta recipe, a healthy sheet pan meal or a vegetarian main there is an easy dinner recipe to curb any craving or mood. You might even find a few new meals to add to your regular menu rotation!
Keep this list of easy dinner ideas handy whenever you are not sure what to make. It has came to my rescue time and time again and I hope it does the same for your family. Easy dinners for the win!
Dinner Ideas To Plan and Prep Ahead
While the easy dinner ideas below are perfect when you need a meal that is quick and easy, sometimes you just need a simple sauce or protein that can be prepped ahead of time.
I use these ideas to make a simple DIY nacho bar or potato bar on busy nights or just to pair with cooked pasta, salad or rice for a 30-minute meal.
- Taco meat: Use in tacos, nachos, quesadillas or salad.
- Rice: Rice is a great starting point that can used to make fried rice or paired with a stir-fry.
- Marinara sauce: Just add your favorite pasta and enjoy! You can also make ahead, white sauce and pink sauce, too.
- Shredded beef: Transform your shredded beef into a sandwich, use in burritos or add to stroganoff just to name a few.
- Shredded chicken: Toss with BBQ sauce, add to a salad, use on a pizza, add to pasta, there are so many ways to use shredded chicken.
Best Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas
I come back to this list time and time again when it’s dinner time and I don’t know what to make! Here are some criteria for easy weeknight dinners:
- Start with store bought items dinners like French bread pizza or meatball subs so that dinner can be on the table faster.
- Affordable yet dinner time favorites can be as simple grilled cheese with a bowl of tomato soup.
- When I am too tired to cook, avocado toast with egg is simple and nutritious. Another favorite easy dinner is picking up a rotisserie chicken and pairing it with sheet pan veggies or a chopped salad.
- On busy nights when dinner needs to be ready quickly, a spinach pesto pizza or tostada only need about 10 minutes prep.
- Leftovers night, in order to skip takeout, it’s fun to pull everything out of the fridge at the end of the week and have a buffet night! Everyone will be sure to find something they love!
30 Minute Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
These easy dinner ideas are perfect for busy nights and can be on the table in 30 minutes or less!
Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Made on the stovetop and ready in less than 20 minutes, all you need is a pack of chicken and pantry staples to pull off this family favorite!
Easy 3-Ingredient Chili. This is an easy meal that the whole family loves! All you need is ground beef, chili beans and chili ready tomatoes and it’s ready in 30 minutes.
Bean and Cheese Burritos. Ready in only 15 minutes, no one ever turns down one of these burritos. It’s an easy dinner win!
Sheet Pan Gnocchi. One of our favorite vegetarian easy dinner recipes! Crispy gnocchi and roasted vegetables all come together on one pan in only 30 minutes.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin. A simple stove-to-oven method means this is ready in less than 30 minutes with a beautiful sear outside and tender juicy meat inside.
Parmesan Ranch Chicken. With only 5 ingredients, this crispy Parmesan breadcrumb coated chicken is a quick meal that I always keep the ingredients on hand for as it’s fast and easy!
Baked Tilapia Recipe. Oven baked with crispy, flaky results make this tender white fish a favorite.
Sheet Pan Salmon. An all in one easy meal with salmon, potatoes and asparagus and a baking time of only 30 minutes!
Healthy Pizza. Loaded with veggies, lean chicken and cheese on a whole wheat crust, this meal is ready in only 20 minutes.
Spaghetti Pesto. Fresh bold flavors, familiar spaghetti noodles and a vegan pesto will make this a new favorite. It’s easy to make at home but feels elegant like a fancy restaurant.
Lemon chicken. Only 7 ingredients are needed for this delicious one pan lemon butter chicken that’s ready in 30 minutes.
One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe. Everything you love about a burrito but without the work of piling it into a tortilla. Instead, serve with some tortilla chips and call it a day!
Homemade Mac and Cheese. There is no better comfort meal than homemade mac! It’s perfect for busy families.
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs. Tender and juicy chicken thighs with a colorful medley of vegetables will be a new favorite and filling dinner idea ready in only 30 minutes.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies. Colorful, flavorful and delicious smoked sausage with broccoli, potatoes and peppers is a quick and simple dinner idea for busy families.
French Bread Pizza. With a loaf of French bread, your favorite toppings and cheese, this easy dinner is ready in 20 minutes!
Pigs in a Blanket with Cheese. A kid-friendly staple with an added twist of garlic butter and cheese that makes them irresistible to the kid in all of us!
Beef Stroganoff. A comforting weeknight dinner that everyone loves with beef served with a creamy sauce over noodles.
Steak and Potatoes. Hearty, comforting and sure to satisfy, crispy potatoes with tender bites of steak will be a hit.
How to Cook Steak in the Oven. No matter the weather outside, this steak turns out perfectly cooked inside! It’s an easy meal that everyone loves!
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. Easy and comforting this is the perfect weeknight dinner recipe after a long day!
BBQ Chicken Tacos. Ready in 15 minutes, everyone will love this spin on tacos with sweet BBQ sauce.
Chicken Tortellini Alfredo. 20 minutes is all you need for this family-friendly dinner with cheese filled tortellini and creamy Alfredo sauce!
Korean Ground Beef Bowl. This dinner idea is budget friendly and ready in 15 minutes!
Chicken Fajita Casserole. This quick and easy dinner is ready in 30 minutes! It’s flavorful and can be served as is are with tortillas and salad.
PF Changs Mongolian Beef. Skip the high dining out prices and make this copycat recipe at home. It’s flavor, tender and so good.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. A loaded soup that is a crowd pleaser! Serve with all your favorite toppings and let everyone customize their bowl to taste.
Egg Roll in a Bowl. No time to roll? Just put it in a bowl! That’s the method behind this egg roll and everyone will rave about it.
Taco Soup. A family favorite and for good reason! This super easy and filling meal is full of meat, beans and colorful veggies it tastes like a taco but is a comforting soup.
Sausage Tortellini Soup. Full of Italian flavor, this soup is husband approved!
Broccoli and Cheese Soup. Better than any takeout from your favorite cafe, this soup is creamy, cheesy and the perfect easy dinner idea.
Chicken Stir Fry. A simple stir fry always hits the spot and this one will be a new favorite!
Pizza Bagels. These never fail for an easy dinner recipe for the family! All you need are bagels, pizza sauce and toppings!
Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos. Easy, creamy and hands off, these taquitos bake in the oven for crispy results.
Easy Dinner Ideas For When You’re Not Sure What to Make
These easy meals take longer than 30 minutes but are popular dinner recipes that are flavorful and mostly hands off!
Healthy Turkey Chili. This chili is a little lighter and a longer simmering time ensures it is thick and flavorful. Ready in under an hour!
Tater Tot Casserole. A classic family favorite with minimal ingredients, this hot dish has been a favorite for generations!
Easy Sheet Pan Quesadillas. A giant quesadilla guarantees smiles all around at the dinner table when this is on the menu.
Easy Tuna Casserole with Egg Noodles. Call it classic or old-fashioned but there is a reason moms have been making this for generations!
Three Cheese Manicotti. Impressive yet simple, everyone loves this baked pasta dish that can be on the table in an hour!
Chicken Noodle Soup. A classic for a reason! Serve this bowl of delicious soup on any day that you need a little boost of comfort.
Easy Lasagna Soup. All the taste, no layering required. Top with ricotta to seal the deal and enjoy this easy soup for dinner!
Steak Tacos. After a short marinade time, these tacos come together in 12 minutes! My entire family loves this easy dinner idea!
Greek Chicken Meatballs. Serve in pita or on a salad for a simple easy dinner with fresh Mediterranean flavors.
Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Quicker and better for you than takeout, this stir fry can be spicy or mild, your choice.
Orange Chicken. This homemade version tastes like the real thing but better! You can make this easy dinner idea at home in less than an hour.
Cheeseburger Casserole. A cheesy version of hamburger helper that comes together effortlessly in one pot! An easy meal the whole family loves.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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Easy Dinner Recipe Idea + French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread , sliced in half horizontally
- 3-4 Tablespoons salted butter , softened
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese , more if desired
Optional toppings: Pepperoni, Sliced veggies, Tomatoes, Basil, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Spread 3-4 Tablespoons butter over each French bread half and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Bake for 4 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
- Spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce evenly over the top of each slice. Top with cheese and any desired toppings.
- Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool for a few minutes and then slice when ready to serve.
Notes
- Caprese: Pizza sauce, cheese, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze
- Alfredo: Alfredo sauce, cheese, and chicken
- Pesto: Pesto sauce, cheese, and other toppings like chicken, tomatoes, or spinach
- BBQ chicken: BBQ sauce, cheese, chicken, and sliced red onions.
- Ham & pineapple: Pizza sauce, cheese, ham, and pineapple
- Veggie: Pizza sauce, cheese, and any of your favorite veggies
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Dinner, Recipe Roundup
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I made the orange chicken and I have to say…easy AND delicious! I used to collect cookbooks but I❤️naptime recipes are my go to recipes. Thank you for always sharing delicious recipes!
The Broccoli cheese soup is a favorite around our house!
We love a creamy broccoli and cheese soup!
Three ingredient chili…. Sooo good!!!
I made Parmesan Crusted chicken! Yum!
I made the Korean Ground Beef Bowl and it was SOOOO good! I can always find a recipe that I want to try from you! Thank you so much for making dinners so easy (and flavorful)!:)
We made the Parmesan Ranch Chicken for dinner last night, and it is definitely on our favorites list. It was so easy to make and was DELICIOUS! We’re trying to decide which to try next and have a tie between the Sheet Pan Quesadillas or the Three Cheese Manicotti. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Scrambled eggs with toast
I’ve been making Gringo tacos for my husband for over 50 years. It’s quick & easy!
Yum! My easy go-to dinner is meatballs – anything meatballs. I keep them in my freezer and pull out just what I need for a family meal. They may be homemade or from the grocer’s freezer. I may serve with dipping sauces, such as cranberry sauce mixed with jalapeño jelly or with marinara. Add some easy finger sides or rice for a quick dinner. Our family fave is to heat and serve meatballs on a hot dog bun, smothered in marinara, topped with slices of provolone and broiled until the cheese is toasted. Of course, meatballs can be served over any pasta with marinara or a cream gravy. So easy with so many variations. I’m going to be trying some of Jamielyn’s recipes!
So many wonderful dinner ideas. I pinned this to save. Thanks so much for sharing!
Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe is an easy and yummy alternative to the long lasagna process! Perfect for our fall and winters in Chicagoland!
I made chicken enchiladas with leftover chicken breasts. Super easy and delicious!!
I love so many of these recipies. Will definitely be trying lots of them. Thank you for sharing!! I made pigs in a blanket for an easy back to school dinner.
The Parmesan crusted chicken is so delicious and easy to make. It’s a family favorite!
Everything looks so good . I have saved a few to make in the coming weeks!!!
Everything looks delicious!! I am all about easy dinner ideas! I will be adding some of these in my dinner rotation!! Your recipes are always so good!
I’m so hungry after looking at all these delicious ideas! Thank you for putting together a list with so many great options for my family.