Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinners

Let’s be honest, after a long day at work (or wrangling kids!), the last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you have to resort to takeout every night! There are tons of simple dinner ideas that are both delicious and easy to prepare.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies & Protein

This is a classic for a reason! Toss your favorite veggies (broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes) with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them on a sheet pan at high heat. Add protein to the pan – chicken breasts, salmon fillets, or even tofu – and dinner is ready in about 30 minutes.

Tips:

Get creative with flavors: Add herbs like rosemary and thyme, or spices like cumin and chili powder.

Make it ahead: Roast the veggies earlier in the day and reheat them with the protein.

One-Pan Pasta

This is another sheet pan winner! Cook pasta and your favorite sauce (marinara, pesto, or even alfredo) together in one pan. Top with cheese and bake until bubbly and golden.

Tips:

Add veggies: Toss in some chopped spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrients.

Try different types of pasta: Penne, rotini, and farfalle all work well.

Stir-Fries

Stir-fries are incredibly versatile and can be made with almost any combination of ingredients. Simply stir-fry your protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu) with a variety of colorful vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snap peas, onions) and a flavorful sauce.

Tips:

Use store-bought sauces: To save time, use a store-bought stir-fry sauce or make your own with soy sauce, honey, and ginger.

Prep veggies ahead of time: Chop and store your veggies in the refrigerator so they’re ready to go when you are.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Simply fill tortillas with cheese, your favorite fillings (black beans, chicken, veggies), and warm them in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.

Tips:

Get creative with fillings: Try adding salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or pico de gallo.

Make mini quesadillas: Cut tortillas into smaller squares for easy-to-eat appetizers.

Salads

Salads don’t have to be boring! Add grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp for protein, and top with a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

Tips:

Make a big batch of dressing: Store it in the refrigerator for the week.

Use seasonal ingredients: This will ensure your salads are always fresh and flavorful.

Soup

Soup is a comforting and easy-to-make meal, especially on a cold night. There are endless varieties of soup, from simple chicken noodle soup to hearty lentil soup.

Tips:

Use a slow cooker: This is the easiest way to make soup. Simply throw all of your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook all day.

Make a big batch: Soup freezes well, so you can enjoy it all week long.

Tacos

Tacos are another versatile and easy-to-make meal. Simply fill tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as ground beef, shredded chicken, fish, or even tofu.

Tips:

Set up a taco bar: Let everyone choose their own toppings.

Make your own tortillas: If you have time, try making your own tortillas.

Burritos

Burritos are similar to tacos, but they are wrapped in a larger tortilla. Fill them with rice, beans, veggies, and your favorite protein.

Tips:

Use leftover ingredients: Burritos are a great way to use up leftover rice, beans, and veggies.

Make ahead: Assemble the burritos and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a classic for a reason! They are quick, easy, and can be made with a variety of ingredients.

Tips:

Get creative with bread: Use different types of bread, such as ciabatta, sourdough, or whole wheat.

Add some crunch: Top your sandwiches with crunchy toppings, such as nuts, seeds, or sprouts.

Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? You can order takeout, but it’s actually quite easy to make your own pizza at home.

Tips:

Use store-bought dough: This will save you a lot of time.

Get creative with toppings: Use whatever you have on hand, such as vegetables, meat, and cheese.

Omelets

Omelets are a quick and easy breakfast or dinner option. Simply whisk together eggs with milk or cream, and cook them in a skillet with your favorite fillings, such as cheese, vegetables, and meat.

Tips:

Use leftover ingredients: Omelets are a great way to use up leftover vegetables.

Make individual omelets: This is a great option for a crowd.

Pancakes

Pancakes are a classic breakfast food, but they can also be enjoyed for dinner.

Tips:

Make a big batch of batter: Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Get creative with toppings: Top your pancakes with fruit, syrup, whipped cream, or nuts.

French Toast

French toast is another classic breakfast food that can be enjoyed for dinner.

Tips:

Use stale bread: This will help the French toast soak up the egg mixture.

Get creative with toppings: Top your French toast with fruit, syrup, or whipped cream.

Waffles

Waffles are a fun and easy-to-make breakfast or dinner option.

Tips:

Use a waffle iron: This will make the process much quicker and easier.

Get creative with toppings: Top your waffles with fruit, syrup, whipped cream, or nuts.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many simple dinner ideas that are both delicious and easy to prepare. So next time you’re not sure what to make for dinner, try one of these easy recipes. You’ll be glad you did!