Quick Weeknight Dinners
Quick Weeknight Dinners are a must-have for busy families. These easy recipes will have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes and will have the whole family rushing to the dinner table without hesitation.
If you are looking for easy ground beef recipes, easy chicken dinners, or hearty soups to add to the menu this week, we’ve got what you are looking for.
Quick Weeknight Dinners ~ 35+ Easy Meal Ideas
Life gets hectic and it can be really tough to get dinner on the table every night. It seems that deciding what to cook is half of the battle and finding something everyone will like is even harder. These family pleasing recipes are just what you need this week.
Top 5 Tips for Quick Meals:
- We love to grill whole chickens, rump roast or a smoked turkey breast over the weekend to have on hand for meals throughout the week when we don’t always have time to cook.
- If you are cooking ground beef or sausage, cook double and refrigerate or freeze half for the next meal.
- I am the worst at meal planning but if you can come up with a plan, it definitely saves time. There’s no standing at the pantry staring blankly with no idea what sounds good for dinner.
- Some of the prep work can be done ahead. Keep chopped onions, bell peppers and other vegetables ready to go in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- I like to buy block cheese because it stays fresh longer, so I shred up enough cheese for 2- 3 meals and store it in deli containers or zip top baggies to save time.
If you are having trouble deciding what to cook for dinner, these quick weeknight dinner recipes are sure to help you out.
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Quick Weeknight Dinners
Our best dinner recipes for any day of the week that can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
Easy Chicken Recipes
Quick and easy chicken recipes for any night of the week. These delicious recipes can be on the table in about 30 minutes and are sure to be a hit with the entire family.
Skip the takeout window and make fantastic crispy chicken tenders right at home. The kids will be running to the dinner table when chicken strips are on the menu.
This quick and easy stir fry is my favorite way to add in extra vegetables to our weeknight dinners. We love peppers, onions, broccoli and mushrooms and it's easy to add in your favorites.
Chicken thighs are always a budget friendly option for dinner and my family just can't get enough of this crispy coated chicken on a toasted bun with tangy ranch dressing!
I could literally eat tacos every day of the week and these crispy chicken tacos are so flavorful and delicious. Add your favorite toppings and watch them disappear.
BBQ chicken is a classic dinner and can be quick and easy using chicken tenders. Make them spicy or mild with your favorite sauce.
Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Ground beef is one of the best options for a quick and easy family meal. The options are limitless. These are a few of our tried and true favorites.
Adding shredded mozzarella to ground beef makes these burgers extra tender and juicy. Topped with crispy bacon and burger sauce for an unbeatable burger.
Crispy taco bowls filled with seasoned ground beef and all of your favorite salad fixings makes a great dinner. Top it off with a quick and easy salsa ranch dressing for a tasty meal.
Everyone that tries this easy Asian-inspired dinner loves it. I love how easy it is to get on the table and there are never any leftovers!
Juicy ground beef meatballs tossed with a quick honey garlic sauce that is out of this world delicious. Serve over rice or pasta for a quick weeknight meal.
Sloppy Joes are a nostalgic dinner recipe that is so quick to make. We like to use bbq sauce in place of the classic tomato sauce and they are scrumptious!
Taquitos are the best for those nights you just can't decide what to cook. This ground beef version just has a few ingredients and they are baked in the oven for a super simple recipe.
I like to keep frozen ravioli on hand for busy weeknights and top them off with this delicious ground beef and tomato sauce. It's a filling and delicious meal that everyone will love.
This version of the classic meatballs is from my mother in law's recipe box. It's made with a hearty tomato sauce that will knock your socks off.
Easy Pork Recipes
These quick pork recipes are so delicious that you won't believe they are so easy to prepare. Amazing flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Grill or bake these boneless pork chops for a tasty meal that is so full of flavor and filling too.
If I can't decide what to cook, nine times out of ten I choose sausage and pepper rice. It's really fast and flavorful and I love that the leftovers are even better the next day.
Leftover pulled pork makes amazing taquitos. This is a great last-minute, everyone is starving and dinner needs to be ready right now recipe.
My kids would eat pork chops every night of the week and these quick pork chops are topped off with savory mushrooms.
Pork chops with a savory dry rub that is incredibly flavorful. Grilled with hardwood for smoky pork chops that is satisfying and delicious.
Easy Seafood Recipes
Seafood is always a treat for dinner at our house. It cooks up super fast and is sure to please the entire family.
Jumbo shrimp dipped in buttermilk and seasoned flour, then deep fried to crispy perfection. Dip these crispy fried shrimp into homemade cocktail sauce or white bbq sauce.
Hoisin Shrimp Stir Fry is an easy dinner that is full of Asian-inspired flavors that the entire family will love. This recipe comes together really fast and is a go-to for busy weeknights.
Shrimp cooks super fast and is easy to make on the stovetop or grill. This recipe is similar to shrimp scampi and every bit as delicious.
My kids grew up on fish sticks because they are so quick and easy. This homemade version is crispy and delicious. We love them dipped in homemade tartar sauce.
If you haven't tried grilling catfish, you are missing out. We love this simple recipe just as much as the classic deep fried catfish and it's even easier to make.
This is seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life. The toasted garlic chips add incredible flavor to tender and flaky salmon. If you are looking for a quick and easy salmon recipe, this one is a must-try.
Easy Pasta Recipes
We are huge pasta lovers and these easy recipe are sure to please. These recipes go beyond the same old spaghetti dinner!
My family goes crazy for this tasty pasta skillet. Made on the stovetop and it's one of the best flavor combinations for a quick weeknight meal.
A classic creamy pasta that comes together so easily. Our family loves this version even more than Olive Garden! You will be surprised at how easy it is to make.
I've always been partial to the box mac and cheese but this homemade version is much more decadent and delicious. A guaranteed hit with the whole family.
Bacon really does make everything better and this white cheddar pasta gets rave reviews every single time.
Easy Soup Recipes
A hearty and delicious soup doesn't have to cook all day. These quick and easy recipes will have a warm and filling meal on the table in no time at all. These recipes just taste like they have been simmering away all day.
All of the flavors of classic stuffed peppers in a rich and hearty tomato broth served with rice. This is one of my absolute favorite meals for busy nights.
If you love Italian food, this recipe is going to be your new favorite. Cheese tortellini, crispy sausage and spinach come together in a rich broth for a flavorful soup that is filling and delicious.
I make this quick and easy potato soup often. There are just a few ingredients but the flavor combination is incredible. It's really hearty and filling and we never have leftovers.
When you need something simple, this recipe is just the ticket. Only 5 ingredients and on the table in 30 minutes, this easy soup is a guaranteed hit.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese is one a favorite with kids and adults. We like to cut the grilled cheese up in to croutons and serve them right on top of the homemade tomato soup.
I have already made several of these recipes and they have all been winners! I can’t wait to give the rest a try!
Thanks Wilhelmina!
So many fantastic dinner ideas! I want them all!!
I love these pork chop recipes and I especially love the bacon white cheddar pasta recipe, so good!
This is a great list!! I already see 3 I’m making next week for SURE! Thank you!