25+ Monday Dinner Ideas That Will Change How You Feel About Mondays

These Monday dinner ideas will take the stress off your week with meals that come together quickly and dishes you can make in advance. Delicious dinner is possible, even on a busy weeknight!

You can totally pull off a yummy dinner, even on a busy Monday night!

Before you reach for your takeout menu, consider making a shrimp sushi bowl or the ultimate grilled cheese instead. This roundup has everything you need for a smooth start to the week.

Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle Recipe

Ramen is one of the easiest comfort foods to make on Mondays. Let’s take it to the next level with this viral version, ready in 6 minutes.

Get The Recipe: Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle Recipe

Easy Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Enjoy all the delicious flavors of enchiladas without the guilt or hassle of rolling! This casserole version will make it hard to go back to classic enchiladas.

Get The Recipe: Easy Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Whip up yourself the best grilled cheese of your life! This vegan version recreates the crowd-favorite crispy and melty Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese with pantry ingredients.

Get The Recipe: Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Shrimp Sushi Bowl

This shrimp sushi bowl brings all the flavors of traditional sushi in a no-fuss, easy-to-assemble meal.

It includes tender sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, and carrots, all tied together with a spicy mayo dressing. The flavor is a delightful mix of sweet and spicy with a crispy, creamy texture.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl

Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

Prepare these turkey bacon ranch sliders on a busy Monday night. They feature turkey and bacon, topped with ranch dressing, all nestled in soft slider buns.

Serve them with sweet potato fries and a side of coleslaw for a touch of freshness.

Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Transform your Monday night with a deconstructed version of the classic egg roll.

This low-carb meal combines ground chicken, cabbage, and carrots in a savory Asian-inspired sauce. It’s crunchy, savory, and slightly sweet all at once. 

Get The Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl

You deserve a healthy, delicious treat after a long day at work. Try this copycat Sweetgreen harvest bowl.

It’s packed with sweet potatoes, apples, chicken, and goat cheese and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Get The Recipe: Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl

Instant Pot Chicken Bites

Your Instant Pot can make dinner preparations faster and easier.

This chicken bite recipe is a delicious option that saves time without sacrificing flavor. Serve them with quinoa or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites

TikTok Ramen Lasagna

Add some creativity to your dinner with this ramen lasagna. It’s so cheesy, savory and comforting.

This inventive recipe uses ramen noodles as the base, layered with cheese, marinara sauce, and ground meat, then baked to perfection.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Ramen Lasagna

Copycat Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola

Indulge in the luxurious flavors of copycat Olive Garden steak gorgonzola for your Monday dinner. The steak is succulent and flavorful, complemented by the tangy and creamy sauce.

Serve this decadent steak with roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus for a complete gourmet meal.

Get The Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

This vegan eggplant parmesan is layered with vegan marinara sauce and topped with vegan parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.

It’s so easy to prepare, with simple ingredients like almond milk and Italian seasoning. Garnish it with fresh basil to enhance the flavors.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

Vegan Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ready to elevate your Monday dinners? These vegan buffalo chicken wings are made with meat-free substitutes, yet they capture the fiery spirit of traditional buffalo wings.

They offer a crispy texture on the outside with a tender bite inside.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Buffalo Chicken Wings

Coconut Lentil Curry

This coconut lentil curry is a warm and comforting meal. It combines lentils with coconut milk and a variety of spices.

The main ingredients include lentils, coconut milk, and tomatoes, resulting in a hearty and tasty dish. Serve it with steamed rice or with naan bread for a fulfilling dinner.

Get The Recipe: Coconut Lentil Curry

Vegan Black Bean Burger

These burgers are packed with black beans, onions, and a mix of spices and then formed into patties that are grilled to perfection.

They offer a robust flavor and a satisfying texture. Top them with your favorite vegan toppings, and serve on a toasted bun.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Black Bean Burger

Meatless Vegan Lobster Roll

This Monday, enjoy a creative twist on the seafood classic. This dish uses plant-based ingredients to mimic the texture and flavor of lobster.

You’ll love the mouthwatering vegan mayo-based sauce. Pair it with crispy fries or a fresh salad for a delightful meal.

Get The Recipe: Meatless Vegan Lobster Roll

Air Fryer Cod

Make your Mondays more exciting with simple dinner recipes. To make this, you need cod, eggs, all-purpose flour, Panko breadcrumbs, and other simple ingredients.

This dish is versatile, working well on its own, in tacos, or on a sandwich with tartar sauce.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Cod

Brothy Weeknight Butter Beans

This dish is an excellent choice for a comforting yet light Monday dinner.

It features butter beans simmered in a rich broth with cherry tomatoes, which adds a nice balance of savory and slight sweetness.

Get The Recipe: Brothy Weeknight Butter Beans

Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Try this baked chicken parmesan for a comforting and cheesy dinner.

It combines ground chicken, Italian or panko breadcrumbs, Italian parsley, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses to create tender and flavorful meatballs.

Get The Recipe: Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Romanian Sweet Cabbage with Pork

Have you ever tried homemade Romanian dishes? This hearty, one-pot meal combines the sweetness of cabbage with the deep flavors of pork.

It’s seasoned with a mix of spices that enhance the pork and cabbage without overwhelming them.

Get The Recipe: Romanian Sweet Cabbage with Pork

Ranch Pork Chops and Vegetables

These pork chops are seasoned with ranch spices, creating a creamy and tangy outer crust that complements the juicy meat.

It offers a wonderful blend of textures and flavors! Serve it with a side of apple sauce or a dollop of sour cream.

Get The Recipe: Ranch Pork Chops and Vegetables

Creamy Tuna & Sun-Dried Tomato Casserole

Casseroles are convenient weekday meals you can easily prepare ahead of time.

This version features canned tuna, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, milk, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a superb choice for a stress-free Monday meal.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Tuna & Sun-Dried Tomato Casserole

Ground Beef Curry

This ground beef curry is rich in flavors and simple to prepare. It melds the robust taste of ground beef with aromatic spices like curry powder, ginger, and cinnamon.

Serve it over white rice or with flatbread to soak up the delicious curry.

Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Curry

Mini Meatloaf

Mini meatloaves are a fun twist on the traditional meatloaf. These smaller servings are packed with flavor, combining beef with breadcrumbs, ketchup, and some seasonings.

They’re topped with a glaze made from ketchup, sugar, and mustard that caramelizes as it bakes.

Get The Recipe: Mini Meatloaf

Thai Peanut Tofu Quinoa Bowl

This bowl is a vibrant blend of textures and flavors, perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner.

It features crispy pan-fried tofu and a medley of broccoli and snap peas, all tossed in a savory and slightly sweet Thai peanut sauce.

Get The Recipe: Thai Peanut Tofu Quinoa Bowl

White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce

This white fish recipe features a delicate fish fillet that is pan-seared to perfection.

The highlight is the lemon butter sauce, enriched with garlic and parsley, offering a creamy and tangy flavor that complements the fish wonderfully.

Get The Recipe: White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce

Beef Tamale Casserole

This casserole is a deconstructed version of the classic tamale, layering flavors of seasoned ground beef, cornbread, and enchilada sauce.

It’s topped with cheese and jalapeños and baked until golden. Pair this unique creation with guacamole and sour cream.

Get The Recipe: Beef Tamale Casserole

Speedy Smash Dumpling Tacos

These tacos are an innovative and quick meal, ideal for when you want something different and fun.

The recipe uses smashed dumplings as the taco filling, crisped up in a pan and seasoned with soy sauce and other spices. This dish is crunchy, savory, and easy to make!

Get The Recipe: Speedy Smash Dumpling Tacos

Garlic Shrimp Fried Rice

This garlic shrimp fried rice is an excellent quick-fix dinner bursting with flavor. It features succulent shrimp sautéed with a vibrant mix of garlic and butter.

Feel free to sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley to make it even more flavorful. 

Get The Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Fried Rice

Happy cooking!

Try incorporating ingredients from different cuisines to keep things exciting—like adding a dash of curry powder to a chicken dish or some fresh herbs to a pasta recipe.

Constantly explore new dishes that will boost your cooking skills and make your dinners more exciting.