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With these easy weeknight dinners, you’ll crave home-cooked meals over fast food! Enjoy fast but hearty dishes like French onion pasta or spicy shrimp tacos, even on a Monday night.
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Why settle for drive-thrus, takeouts, and deliveries when you can have mushroom stroganoff or vegan lobster rolls in minutes?
You’ll never guess how easy cooking at home can be!
Best Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff Recipe
Do you think home-cooked meals for weeknights just feel impossible? Instead of reaching for processed options for convenience, try this wholesome stroganoff! It’s all done in one pan, ready in 30 minutes, and completely vegan!
Get The Recipe: Best Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff Recipe
Best Vegan Lobster Roll
Want a delicious dinner simple enough for busy weeknights without breaking the weekly budget? Check out these 10-minute, no-cook vegan lobster rolls!
Get The Recipe: Best Vegan Lobster Roll
Big Mac Tacos (Big Mac Smash Tacos)
If you love Big Macs, try this modern twist on the fast-food favorite! Imagine a juicy beef patty on soft-crisp tortillas with cheese, lettuce, pickles, and dressing.
Get The Recipe: Big Mac Tacos (Big Mac Smash Tacos)
Sweet Potato, Apple And Pancetta Hash
Discover a deliciously different way to enjoy potatoes for dinner! This easy one-pan meal is bursting with flavor and texture, showcasing diced sweet potatoes, onions, and eggs. If you’re a fan of baked potatoes, this must-try recipe will become your new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato, Apple And Pancetta Hash
Viral TikTok One-Pot French Onion Pasta
Easy weeknight dinners are a breeze, thanks to one-pot pasta dishes! I love indulging in comforting classic pasta recipes after a long day, and this one is truly exceptional. It’s effortless, yet it taught me a new skill: caramelizing onions. You can prepare the caramelized onions ahead of time for added convenience.
Get the Recipe: Viral TikTok One-Pot French Onion Pasta
Nigerian Tomato Stew Recipe
I’m delighted to share this Nigerian tomato stew recipe that won over a family of picky eaters. When I prepared it for an impromptu gathering, my loved ones were beyond satisfied. Even though I couldn’t find stewed tomatoes, substituting them with tomato sauce worked perfectly. The best part is you can have this tasty meal ready in just an hour of cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Tomato Stew Recipe
Viral Marry Me Chicken TikTok Recipe
Who said easy weeknight dinners had to be bland and repetitive? Chicken recipes are my ultimate go-to, and this one has quickly become my new favorite. Its creamy, flavorful sauce takes me back to the classic carbonara but with a delightful twist – the addition of sun-dried tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Viral Marry Me Chicken TikTok Recipe
Asian Cucumber Salad
Chilly weeknights are made for relaxation and hobbies, not slaving away in the kitchen! On those evenings, I whip up a comforting meal with refreshing veggies to help me unwind. One of my go-to dishes is this cucumber salad with a savory sesame soy dressing that I can’t get enough of! Nutritious dinners like this are the secret to a beautiful start tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad
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My Top 5 Viral TikTok Recipes —Revealed! WARNING: These tasty recipes will make your mouth water! Still want to know which recipes made the list? Click here to get ALL five recipes.
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Copycat Chili’s Spicy Shrimp Tacos With Cilantro-Lime Crema
I enjoy trying complex, comforting dishes for lunches and during the holiday season, but not on busy weeknights. However, everything changed last week when I stumbled upon this shrimp tacos recipe while searching for easy weeknight dinners. The cilantro-lime crema perfectly enhances the savory flavors of the shrimp. Eating everything with tortillas adds an amazing twist to my usual salad and rice routine.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chili’s Spicy Shrimp Tacos With Cilantro-Lime Crema
Quick And Easy Instant Pot Chicken Korma Recipe
Prepare easy weeknight dinners and travel the world through your taste buds. This chicken dinner, featuring yogurt, turmeric, and coconut milk, captures the essence of a classic dish found in fancy restaurants. I suggest pairing it with brown rice for a heartier, more satisfying comfort food meal filled with aromatic Indian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Quick And Easy Instant Pot Chicken Korma Recipe
Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi
Easy weeknight dinners make it possible to savor holiday favorites with added convenience. We always relish classic shrimp scampi during Christmas dinner, and for my solo dinner meals, I enjoy a special dairy-free version. With just white wine, dairy-free butter, shallots, and a few other basic ingredients, I can prepare a healthier meal that I can complete in 30 minutes flat.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi
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Ground Chicken Stir Fry With Green Beans
Discover a world of healthy and delicious recipes with more easy weeknight dinners. One absolute winner for my parents when they join me for dinner is this flavorful lean ground chicken stir fry with green beans. I personally love it as is, but you can serve it with brown rice or cauliflower rice for a heartier option.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Stir Fry With Green Beans
Cheesy Pork Chop And Potato Casserole
Every bite of this casserole dish will take you to dreamland! When I crave a satisfying evening meal, this recipe always comes to mind. The combination of pork chops, mushroom soup, milk, and jack cheese is simply unbeatable. Give it a try and see for yourself!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Pork Chop And Potato Casserole
Easy Ravioli Lasagna
From Indian flavors to Italian cuisine, you can enjoy a wide range of meals for easy weeknight dinners. Treat yourself to this classic lasagna dish featuring fresh mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, and herbs. You deserve this comforting pasta after a long, tiring day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ravioli Lasagna
Vegetarian Tostadas With Creamy Cilantro Sauce Recipe
Beans are essential to many easy weeknight dinners, adding a protein-packed punch to every meal! This recipe combines black beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a medley of veggies in luscious cilantro sauce. Enjoy these nutritious wraps for a more relaxed evening.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Tostadas With Creamy Cilantro Sauce Recipe
Steak Pizzaiola
This is one of those easy weeknight dinners that helped me say goodbye to food delivery services. Make a homemade pizza with your choice of meat, paired with crushed tomatoes and fragrant fresh herbs. No dough is needed—just steaks seared and seasoned to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Steak Pizzaiola
Vegan Thai Green Curry
Looking for a vegan version of some of your favorite Thai dishes? Look no further than this delightful green curry recipe! It showcases a classic combination of flavors using tofu, avocado oil, creamy coconut milk, umami-rich miso paste, and spices. Serve it alongside a bowl of rice for a complete meal that will transport you and your taste buds to Thailand.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Thai Green Curry
Air Fryer Tilapia
My niece and I had a blast cooking together and decided to try something new: air fryer tilapia! Instead of our usual air fryer chicken, we wanted to see how this fish dish would turn out. And guess what? It was delicious and healthy too! The recipe is incredibly simple, requiring just two large eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tilapia
Spicy Salmon Bowl
Before discovering easy weeknight dinners, I used to end my day with a bag of chips. Now, I regularly enjoy this spicy salmon bowl. This meal is filled with savory goodness thanks to sriracha, toasted sesame oil, and slaw mix. It’s a wholesome, complete dish I wouldn’t regret preparing every night.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Salmon Bowl
Chicken And Vegetable Soup
Put your chicken noodle soup plans aside and try this hearty recipe. This soup is a winner with its flavorful combination of chicken breast, green beans, carrots, potatoes, and fresh herbs. It’s a complete meal that can be done in less than an hour! You can even save time and cook raw chicken directly into the soup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Vegetable Soup
Eggroll in a Bowl (Crack Slaw) Recipe
This crack slaw takes me back to the meal my parents used to make for me when I was younger, except they used chicken. In this version, we use beef along with carrots, rice vinegar, green onions, and soy sauce. It’s amazing how much I appreciate this dish now, especially since I’m trying to stay healthier.
Get the Recipe: Eggroll in a Bowl (Crack Slaw) Recipe
Lemon Pepper Pasta
Preparing easy weeknight dinners for me is like a cooking lesson. Take this classic pasta dish, for example. It taught me the importance of not overcooking the pasta and saving some pasta water to make a more delicious sauce! Try this dish and elevate your pasta game to a whole new level of yum.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Pasta
Delicious Steakhouse Philly Sandwich
Easy weeknight dinners are perfect for both a cozy dinner and a delicious breakfast! Upgrade your plain old cheese sandwich with this mouthwatering steakhouse Philly sandwich. Load it up with extra mushrooms and ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese, because who can resist?! If you’re feeling extra healthy, throw in some fresh greens for that added crunch.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Steakhouse Philly Sandwich
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Meal planning becomes a breeze with a handy list of easy weeknight dinners. Try this recipe that brings together a holiday favorite, turkey, with everyday ingredients like black beans and sweet potato. Treat yourself after a long day and celebrate your achievements as if it were a holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Air Fryer Beef And Broccoli
Broccoli and beef make a delightful duo that’s both tasty and healthy. With its Asian-inspired flavors, this dinner recipe will impress your friends. Serve it up and watch them dig in! The air fryer is really a fantastic kitchen appliance that makes cooking easy weeknight dinners a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beef And Broccoli
Weeknight Kid-Friendly Jambalaya
I don’t always prepare easy weeknight dinners for the kids in the family, but the next time I’m in charge, I already know what to prepare. This jambalaya dish has it all! Juicy chicken breasts, flavorful Italian sausage, a touch of Tabasco sauce, zesty salsa, and of course, rice. It’s a heavenly meal that the whole family will enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Kid-Friendly Jambalaya
Keto Eggplant Parmesan
Back when I had roommates, we had a blast with our weekly meal-planning sessions. We were all about jazzing up our easy weeknight dinners, saving money, and skipping the takeout. One recipe that never failed to impress was our eggplant parmesan. It’s a dish I still make when I want a cozy, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Keto Eggplant Parmesan
Mexican Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Tacos are at the top of my list of easy weeknight dinners. Let me introduce you to this delicious taco recipe with ground beef. I couldn’t believe how quickly I prepared this delightful yet basic meal in just five minutes, using only five ingredients. And, of course, I added my favorite taco toppings: shredded cheese and black beans.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
FAQ About Easy Weeknight Dinners
What time do most American families eat dinner?
Most American families typically eat dinner between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm, the average time being around 6:22 pm.
Is it rude to not eat at someone’s house?
It’s not rude to decline an invitation to have dinner at someone else’s home, especially if you have dietary restrictions or simply want to cook your own easy weeknight dinners. Just express your reasons with kindness and suggest an alternative dinner plan soon.
What is the most common family dinner?
The most popular choices include casserole dishes, stews, wraps, and pasta dishes. Try these awesome French onion pasta and shrimp taco recipes for quick, family-friendly meals you can try tonight.
Is it rude to finish your plate?
Absolutely not! Finishing your plate is a great way to express your gratitude for the effort put into making the meal.
Conclusion
Let me share one of the best cooking tips I’ve learned: amidst the hustle and bustle of gathering ingredients and following the recipe, take a moment to truly enjoy the process.
Meal prep is a soothing activity that allows us to unwind and indulge in anticipation of the tasty flavors that lie ahead.
Dinner is my absolute favorite part of the day for obvious reasons. It’s that special moment when I can finally unwind and relax after a long, stressful day. But it comes with a challenge! With my job already demanding lots of creative thinking, finding the energy to prepare meals can be difficult.
Amidst everything, I remind myself to indulge in my favorites while staying mindful of my health!
Get playful in the kitchen, experiment with new flavors, and try out exciting dinner recipes to make you smile (and make you forget that takeouts exist)!
25+ 30-Minute Dinners to End Your Day Right, No Matter How Busy You Are!
These 30-minute dinners are the real winners! Whether you’re craving chicken, beef, seafood, or veggies, these dishes will surely make you forget you’re tired and hungry.
Read it here: 25+ 30-Minute Dinners to End Your Day Right, No Matter How Busy You Are!
25+ Last-Minute Dinner Ideas for When You Want to Chill and Just Eat!
These last-minute dinner ideas prove delicious meals are just minutes away! Spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing after a busy day.
Read it here: 25+ Last-Minute Dinner Ideas for When You Want to Chill and Just Eat!
30 Dinner Ideas for Late Night Workers Hungry for a Delicious Change
Don’t let work stop you from savoring a mouthwatering meal! Indulge in these hearty dinner ideas for late night workers, featuring wraps, salads, pasta dishes, and one-pot meals.
Read it here: 30 Dinner Ideas for Late Night Workers Hungry for a Delicious Change
Are you excited to try more easy weeknight dinners? Consider these mouthwatering and simple dinners tonight, whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family:
Tired of meal planning stress? Save time, savor variety, and explore culinary creativity with our top 3 meal kit picks! 🍽️ Why not try Hello Fresh for diverse, exciting recipes, Blue Apron for gourmet cooking made easy, or Green Chef for eco-conscious dining?
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