Maybe you’ve forgotten how “real” food tastes like. I mean, if you’re always on the go, maybe because of your hectic work schedule, the only option you had for dinner is ordering pizza, Chinese foods, or any fast foods – and you might think, “That’s easier than cooking. Fancy dishes.”
Or maybe this is you:
Most people are big fans of portable and on-the-go meals. I feel like Chef Gordon Ramsay because, in this article, I share with you, not 1, not 10, but 27 easiest dinner recipes that will save you time and effort.
Top 27 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes
1. Fresh Onion Frittata
First on the list is Fresh Onion Frittata. This mouth-watering frittata is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The combination of frittata and French onion soup is not only dressed to impressed, but it’s also a perfect match to satisfy your cravings. The Eggs are packed with melted Gruyère, rich and caramelized onions, and crunchy toasted bread plus, it’s pretty easy to prepare!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 cups diced day-old bread
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 8 large eggs
- 1/4 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced Gruyère cheese (2 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
2. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells is a new way to use large pasta shells. Just stuff it with the combination of shredded chicken meat and chopped broccoli, then top with Alfredo sauce, mix it, and voila! You can now enjoy these mouth-watering and easy peasy meals that are perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz.) box Jumbo Shells
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (12 oz.) bag frozen broccoli florets (steamed then chopped)
- 1 (16 oz.) jar Alfredo sauce OR use the homemade Alfredo recipe below
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3. Sensational Chicken Carbonara
Chicken is the most used ingredient in our meals, if you’re tired of eating fried chicken, then this Sensational Chicken Carbonara is worth a try and will make you want more, plus it’s easy to prepare. The creamy and delicious combination of chicken meat, Alfredo sauce, pasta, and bacon is surely made to perfection.
Ingredients
- 5 strips bacon cooked and diced.
- 2 Chicken breasts -Grilled, Chicken striped up
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 T Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic Fresh minced
- 3/4 Cup milk
- 1/4 Cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 3 T flour
- 3/4 c Parmesan Shavings
- 2 T parsley
- 1-2 Cups Petite Sweet Peas (optional)
- 1 small box bowtie pasta
4. Sticky Pineapple Chicken
Pineapples are common ingredients used in Hawaii, Bora Bora, Fiji, or any tropical locals. With this Sticky pineapple chicken, your taste buds will take you there. It is made with hollowed-out pineapple boats stuffed with a scoop of rice and sticky chicken meat, perfect for a casual dinner party.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken stock
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- 1/2 cup roasted, salted cashews (optional)
- Rice, for serving
5. Chicken Fajita Quesadilla
Chicken Fajita Quesadilla is a Mexican all-time favorite restaurant meal, but you can make your own at home. This easy meal is made with sautéed onions, red and green peppers, velvety and seasoned chicken breast, mouth-watering cheese between two tortillas.
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- ¾ tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. garlic salt
- fresh cracked pepper
- 1 (9-oz) bag Johnsonville Flame Grilled Southwestern Chicken Breasts
- Mexican Blend Cheese
- Tortillas
6. Homemade Crunch wrap supreme
Love taco bell? Why not make your own? Homemade crunch wrap supreme is an easy-peasy recipe that’s great for a casual dinner party. This meal includes ground beef, shredded Mexican cheese, a layer of sour cream, lettuce, and tomato and filled inside a crunch wrap or tortillas. Wow, someone today and makes this easy meal now.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 6 burrito size flour tortillas
- 6 tostada shells
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 2 cups of shredded lettuce
- 1 diced tomato
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Nacho Cheese
7. Ground Turkey stuffed peppers
This Ground turkey stuffed pepper recipe is very versatile. If you don’t have ground turkey, you can also use ground beef added with veggie bits and baked with cheese. Perfect for family dinner, and kids will love it.
Ingredients
- 6 large bell peppers, any color
- 2 cups wild rice, cooked
- 1 lb. 93% Lean ground turkey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 16 oz. jar crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
8. Homestyle Slow Cooker pot roast
This Homestyle slow cooker pot roast is perfect if you want to spend more lazy days at the pool or any activities and saving you money as well, mainly because you can use cheap ingredients such as beef, chicken meat, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and any spice that you could find in your kitchen cabinet.
Just dump all the ingredients in the pot, hit a button, and voila, you now have a delicious and healthy dinner to serve.
Ingredients
- 1 chuck roast (3-4 lbs)
- 1 lb baby carrots (or carrots, cut to about 1″ pieces)
- 1½ lbs potatoes (any variety, cut into about 1″ pieces if necessary)
- 4 Tbsp homemade dry onion soup mix
- 1 batch homemade cream of mushroom soup
9. Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia
Baked lemon butter tilapia is a budget-friendly and easy cook recipe that’s great for family dinner. Just drizzle the tilapia fillet with butter sauce, sprinkle it garlic and seasoning, and squeeze lemon before putting it in the Oven. Could you wait until it’s cooked and served? Now that’s easy.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more, to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
10. Taco Pizza
Taco? Or Pizza? Why not both? Taco pizza, well, as the name implies, it’s pizza in a taco. This easy recipe would make a tasty appetizer for family dinner. With cheese or sour cream sauce and spicy taco flavor, you can wow your kids and your family during dinner time. You can prepare Taco Pizza ahead of time or even the night before and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve and eat it!
11. Slow cooker Chicken burrito bowls
Burrito in a bowl. Yes, you heard it right. Slow cooker chicken burrito bowls are perfect for burrito lovers out there. This easy recipe could take up to less than 5 minutes to finish. It contains brown rice, black beans, corn sprinkled with cheese, and shredded chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or a mix
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, divided, plus more if needed
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, sour cream, diced avocado, salsa, hot sauce, diced green onions, shredded lettuce
12. Baked Garlic Parmesan potato wedges
Baked Garlic parmesan potato wedges are a fancy recipe for French fries. These semi-French fries are crispy in texture and packed with yummy garlic and cheese flavor, and dip it in cheese, preferably blue cheese sprinkled with minced parsley. This easy recipe is better than your fast food fries.
Ingredients
- 3-4 large russet potatoes, sliced into wedges
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh parsley (or cilantro), ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
13. Chicken and broccoli stir-fry
The chicken and broccoli stir fry recipe proves that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a delicious meal. You can make this dish with a handful of chicken meat and vegetables stir-fried in a pan and topped with oyster sauce. You can also add a variety of ingredients like mushrooms or carrots to add beauty to this dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms if you don’t like mushrooms you can add more broccoli instead
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
14. Brown Sugar and Garlic Chicken
You can simply be sautéing the garlic and added brown in olive oil to make a delicious and aromatic sauce perfect partner for oozing chicken breast. It’s a great and easy recipe for your family that will surely save you time and effort.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
15. Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti
Are you tired of eating a plain old salad? Why not try something new this upcoming New Year? Why not try this Parmesan Garlic spaghetti? The combination of melted butter, pasta, garlic, and freshly grated parmesan is can make up a great and mouth-watering dish for your family.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
16. Dump and bake Chicken Caprese pasta
The last thing you would want to deal with is a complex supper. A good thing there are different easy recipes just like Dump and bake chicken Caprese Pasta. This recipe is dumped and bake, put some classic Italian ingredients such as garlic, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese, shredded chicken, and of course pasta in a casserole, put it in the Oven, and wait for a few minutes. A healthy and delicious dinner is now ready to be served.
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced, cooked chicken
- 1 3/4 cups halved grape tomatoes (can substitute with a can of undrained diced tomatoes)
- 12 ounces (about 3 cups uncooked) uncooked penne pasta
- 3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup chopped or torn fresh basil leaves, divided
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
17. Easy Cashew Chicken
On a low-carb diet? This chicken and cashew recipe is perfect for you. Who said chickens and cashews couldn’t create a perfect and delicious combination? You can also serve it over your fried rice with cauliflower. Experience an authentic Asian dish with its seeping rich flavored sauce coated with chicken, cashews, and vegetables. So yummy.
Ingredients
- 3 raw chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp canola oil(for cooking)
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/2 medium Green Bell Pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
- 1 tbsp green onions
- 1/4 medium white onion
- Salt + Pepper
18. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Fettuccine
With this Creamy garlic parmesan fettuccine recipe, you can wow your kids and your whole family. Turn your plain pasta into a chef-like dish by simply adding creamy garlic sauce and topped with parmesan cheese. Easy peasy.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 3 dashes ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Lemon wedges
19. Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Fettuccine Alfredo
Roasted garlic, peppers, and freshly grated parmesan simmered into rich chicken broth will make an incredibly rich and creamy sauce that will add magic to your fettuccine. It is the perfect dish for your whole family.
Ingredients
- 6 large Red Bell Peppers, cut into quarters with seeds and membranes removed
- 2 heads of garlic, roasted and mashed (about 2 tablespoons)
- 16 ounces Fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup nonfat milk
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
20. Quick Oven Baked Naan Bread
Experience an authentic Indian dish with this easy Oven-baked Naan bread. Overbaked Naan bread is crispy and crusty in texture, but add eggs to the dough if you want to get a soft and fluffy texture. Naan bread is perfect for kid’s snack-time.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons vegan sour cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
21. Balsamic Roasted New Potatoes with Asparagus
This Balsamic roasted new potatoes with asparagus recipe comes with a simple, delicious yet healthy dish that will satisfy your family’s appetite. By simply adding the ingredients such as asparagus and new potatoes seasoned with balsamic vinegar for subtle sweetness, you can develop a healthy side dish for lunch or dinner in a minimum amount of time and effort.
Ingredients
- 1 kg new potatoes (such as Jersey Royal or another small waxy variety) cut into quarters
- 250 g asparagus tips cut into 2 inch pieces or halved
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil
- 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- A generous pinch of salt and pepper
22. Low Carb Mexican Cauliflower rice
I know some of you are picky when it comes to cauliflower, but this recipe will surely change the way you think about cauliflower. Mexican cauliflower rice is perfect if you’re on a low-carb diet. Adding other ingredients such as sliced avocados, a scoop of sour cream, bits of jalapenos, and squeezed lime juice will make a perfect rice side dish.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cauliflower Florets (stems removed and washed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 1 jalapeno (finely chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 3/4 cup diced Bell Peppers
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Paprika Powder (or red chilli powder)
- 1 tablespoon chopped Coriander (or Cilantro)
- Salt to taste
- More cilantro, sliced avocados, jalapenos, lime juice etc for topping
23. One pot taco Zucchini Noodles
One-pot taco zucchini noodles are a healthier version of spaghetti primarily because of their healthy ingredients, such as zucchini noodles and ground turkey. So if you’re on a low carb and gluten-free diet, this recipe is perfect for you.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 small brown onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 tbsp of homemade taco seasoning (or one packet of your favorite taco seasoning)
- 1/4 cup water
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- One lime, sliced into wedges
24. Creamy four cheese garlic spaghetti sauce
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner recipe, try creamy four-cheese garlic spaghetti sauce now. The creamy pasta sauce is perfectly blended with four-cheese such as mozzarella, white cheddar, provolone, and asiago cheeses that will transform your boring pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup cooked pasta water
- 1 chicken bullion cube
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 and 1/2 cups of Four-Cheese Italian White Cheese Blend (Mozzarella, White Cheddar, Provolone, Asiago)
- Parsley or chives or green onions, finely chopped
25. Asian Zucchini Noodles
Want to try an easy to cook Asian dish? Try this “Zoodle” recipe that’s perfect for low-carb side dishes. This dish is versatile. You can add various vegetables of your own choice to make it more your “own”. Also, you can make this dish in just 10 minutes, so easy.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar (use honey for paleo)
- 1 teaspoon oil
- ¼ cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large zucchini, spiralized
26. Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
Chicken and Mushroom casserole is perfect for after church parties and potlucks. Savor the incredibly tender chicken and rich mushroom soup with this worth-a-taste dish together with your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 4-5 large (2 1/2 lbs) boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch thick strips
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour to coat the chicken
- 6 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour for the sauce
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup half and half (or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 cup heavy cream)
27. Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken and Sausage
Last but not least, another easy recipe that’s perfect for family dinner is the slow cooker Cajun chicken and sausages. This recipe is great for slow cooker fans by simply putting together the ingredients such as sausages, onions, garlic, tomatoes, sausages, Cajun seasoning, and chicken breasts into a casserole and cook. You can come up with a perfect side dish that will give magic to your plain rice.
Easy and so yummy.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces smoked Andouille sausage , cut into small rounds
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup chopped white or yellow onion
- 4 green onions , chopped
- 1 green bell pepper , chopped
- 2-3 ribs of celery , chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes , undrained
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Hot cooked brown rice , for serving
28. Baked Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon in Foil
Ingredients
- 1 large salmon fillet
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup butter, melted (see note)
- juice of 2 limes (plus one lime, thinly sliced)
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
Conclusion
Do you feel your “inner hidden cooking skills” now?
The last thing you would want to deal with after long work hours is preparing a complicated dinner for you and your family. Still, the good thing is, there are tons of recipes to help you to easily prepare delicious yet healthy dishes, just like the different recipes listed above.
So, what’s your favorite easy dinner recipes listed above? Do you have your easy dinner recipe? Let us know and share it with us by commenting below.
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