Juggling work, family, and personal time can be challenging. As dinner time approaches and hunger sets in, you might find yourself wishing for quick, tasty, and nutritious recipes that can be whipped up in a flash. Here are ten easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights that combine convenience and flavor, saving your time without sacrificing your tastebuds.
1. Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
The tangy lemon, flavorful garlic, and buttery shrimp combined in a pasta will satisfy your midweek Italian cravings. Within 20 minutes, serve your family a healthy and delicious dinner. Cook the pasta and sauté the shrimp simultaneously. Toss them together with generous amounts of lemon and garlic for a zesty, hearty meal.
2. Easy Grilled Chicken Salad
A protein-packed salad is an ideal light dinner option. Grilling the chicken breasts while you chop a selection of your favorite vegetables cuts your cooking time in half. Top it off with a homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon, and honey for an easy, nutritious meal.
3. Quick Beef Stir-fry
For a quick, Asian-inspired dinner, beef stir-fry is a top-notch choice. Marinate the beef in soy sauce and garlic as you chop vegetables. Briefly toss them in a hot wok with a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
4. Must-try Veggie Quesadilla
Quesadillas are a quick and easy option, especially when loaded with beans, bell peppers, and cheese. Just layer your ingredients between tortillas and grill each side until toasty. Serve with sour cream or salsa, and dinner is served in under 15 minutes.
5. Simple Baked Salmon
Baked salmon is full of omega-3 acids and is super simple to prepare. Just season the fillets with your favorite herbs and throw them in the oven while you prepare a simple side salad or veggies. Within 30 minutes, you will have a healthy, delicious dinner ready.
6. Easy Spaghetti Carbonara
This Italian classic is definitely worth mastering. A combination of pasta, eggs, cheese, bacon, and pepper, spaghetti carbonara is simple yet mouthwateringly delicious. It's a guilt-free, indulgent dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes.
7. Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas are as easy as they are versatile. Stir-fry chicken, peppers, and onions with some fajita seasoning, then serve wrapped in warm tortillas. Top with sour cream, avocados, and salsa for a fulfilling dinner meal that's ready in 30 minutes.
8. Quick Tofu Stir-fry
A quick tofu stir-fry can be a great weeknight meal for vegans and vegetarians. Quickly stir-fry tofu and your choice of vegetables with a spicy, tangy sauce for a quick, healthy dinner. Pair with steamed rice or noodles and dinner is served.
9. Five-ingredient Tomato Soup
An all-time classic, tomato soup can be made with as little as five ingredients. Crush tomatoes, sauté onions, then mix in broth and seasoning. Let it bubble away while you toast some bread for dipping. Simple, nutritious dinner doesn’t get much easier than this.
10. Pepperoni Pizza on a Weeknight
Who says you can’t have pizza on a busy weeknight? Opt for a pre-made pizza crust and pile on your favorite ingredients. You can never go wrong with the classic tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni combo. Pop it in the oven, prepare a quick salad while it cooks, and pizza night is on.