10+ Delicious Dinner Recipes to Make Weeknights Easy and Tasty

Picking a dinner recipe can be a real headache, especially when you want something that tastes good but isn’t a huge hassle. Sometimes you just want a meal that hits the spot and doesn’t take forever.

Delicious dinner recipes let you enjoy great food without burning out in the kitchen.

Maybe you’re after a quick meal after work, or you want something to share with family. There are plenty of options for every mood.

You really don’t need to be a chef to pull off these dishes. With solid recipes, you can whip up meals that’ll actually make people happy.

1) Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken

Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken is one of those meals that just works. The lemon brings a bright, citrusy punch, and the garlic fills your kitchen with that cozy, savory smell.

Roasting the chicken low and slow keeps it juicy. The flavors really sink into the meat, so every bite’s got something going on.

It’s not a complicated recipe—just a few ingredients and you’re good. Perfect for when you want something homey but don’t have all night. Here’s a step-by-step recipe if you want more details.

Ingredients

• Whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
• 2 lemons, halved
• 5 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Rub olive oil all over the chicken.
3. Season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper.
4. Stuff the lemon halves and garlic cloves inside the chicken cavity.
5. Place chicken in a roasting pan.
6. Roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

2) Creamy Tuscan Pasta

Creamy Tuscan Pasta is what you make when you want something rich but don’t want to fuss. The creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach just work together.

You can use penne, rigatoni, or whatever pasta you’ve got. Sometimes I throw in cherry tomatoes and basil for a little freshness.

Want more protein? Add some cooked chicken and you’ve got the whole package.

The sauce comes together with cream, garlic, and cheese. It cooks fast and smells amazing.

Ingredients

• Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• Heavy cream
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh spinach
• Garlic cloves
• Cherry tomatoes
• Basil leaves
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cherry tomatoes; cook for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in cream and spinach, cook until spinach wilts.
5. Add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese, mix well.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Optional: cook chicken separately and add on top.

3) Beef Stir-Fry with Broccoli

Beef stir-fry with broccoli is fast, filling, and honestly a lifesaver on busy nights. You toss beef and fresh broccoli in a savory sauce that comes together in minutes.

You don’t need a lot of ingredients, and you can have dinner on the table in half an hour or less. Great for those evenings when you just want to eat without a big production.

The sauce usually has soy sauce, garlic, and a bit of ginger for kick. I like it over rice, but noodles work too. More tips and details are at Dinner at the Zoo.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef (thinly sliced)
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and water in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
3. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add beef and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Toss in broccoli and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. Pour sauce over beef and broccoli, cook until sauce thickens, 2 minutes.
7. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

4) Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Barbacoa is kind of a “set it and forget it” dinner. You put everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing.

The spices soak into the beef, giving it a deep, Mexican-inspired flavor. It’s great in tacos, over rice, or honestly just by itself.

Beef chuck roast works best here. After hours of slow cooking, it gets super tender and shreds easily.

Prep is easy—just toss in your spices, meat, and some veggies. The slow cooker handles the rest.

Ingredients

• 3 lb beef chuck roast
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 cup beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the beef into large chunks.
2. Place beef, onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, cumin, oregano, and cloves in the slow cooker.
3. Pour in lime juice and beef broth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours (about 190°F / 88°C).
6. Shred the beef with two forks before serving.

Check out the detailed barbacoa recipe for extra tips.

5) Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs—classic, right? It’s simple, comforting, and honestly, everyone seems to love it.

You make juicy meatballs, simmer them in tomato sauce, and serve them over spaghetti. It’s family-friendly and works for a quiet night too.

Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasoning for the meatballs. Let them bake, then simmer in marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade, up to you).

Serve over hot spaghetti and throw on some Parmesan. Want more flavor? Add fresh parsley.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 lb spaghetti
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix beef, bread crumbs, egg, parsley, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Shape mixture into meatballs.
4. Bake meatballs for 15 minutes until browned.
5. Simmer the baked meatballs in marinara sauce for 20 minutes.
6. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
7. Drain spaghetti and serve with meatballs and sauce on top.

6) Cheesy Zucchini Boats

Cheesy zucchini boats are just fun to make. Hollow out zucchinis, fill them with cheese and whatever else you like, then bake until bubbly.

Mix up the cheeses—mozzarella, Parmesan, even something creamy like Boursin if you’re feeling fancy. Add roasted peppers, sausage, or breadcrumbs if you want more texture.

They bake up fast, usually in under 30 minutes. It’s a great low-carb option, but honestly, they’re just tasty.

You can tweak the filling however you want. Breadcrumbs or tomatoes add a nice touch. Want a recipe? Here’s a cheesy zucchini boats guide.

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchinis
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers.
3. Mix cheeses, roasted peppers, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add breadcrumbs if using.
4. Fill zucchini boats with the cheese mixture.
5. Place boats on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve warm.

7) Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is pure comfort food. It’s got tender chicken, a bunch of veggies, and a creamy sauce, all tucked under a flaky crust.

Leftover or rotisserie chicken works great and saves you time. The filling usually has carrots, peas, celery, and sometimes potatoes if you want it heartier.

The sauce is rich and buttery, and baking it gives you that golden, crispy top. Every bite is just… satisfying.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup peas
• 1/2 cup potatoes, diced (optional)
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 package pie crust or puff pastry

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cook carrots, celery, peas, and potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook until bubbly.
4. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Cook until thick.
5. Stir in chicken and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Pour filling into a pie dish. Cover with pie crust, seal edges.
7. Cut slits in the top crust to vent.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden brown.
9. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

If you want an easy version, check out this chicken pot pie recipe—it’s straightforward and uses basic ingredients.

8) Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

If you’re into spicy food, you might want to give Buffalo chicken lasagna a shot for dinner. It brings together the heat of buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and all those cheesy lasagna layers.

You basically get hot wings and Italian comfort food in a single dish. The cheese melts right into the spicy sauce, making every bite just a little bit addictive.

It’s creamy, flavorful, and honestly, a fun twist on classic lasagna. Serve it up with a side salad or maybe some steamed veggies if you’re feeling healthy.

This dish is filling enough to keep you satisfied all night.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce in a bowl.
3. Spread a thin layer of dressing in the bottom of a baking dish.
4. Layer 3 noodles, half the chicken mixture, then add dollops of ricotta, mozzarella, cheddar, and blue cheese.
5. Repeat the layers with what’s left, finishing with cheese on top.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Take off the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese bubbles up.
8. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before you dig in.

For more ideas, check out this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna recipe.

9) Black Bean Crispies

Black Bean Crispies make dinner easy and tasty. You get crispy tortillas stuffed with seasoned black beans and those fresh, bright flavors.

They’re quick to whip up, which is great for busy nights. If you want to level them up, try adding salsa, cheese, or a creamy cilantro lime sauce.

Baking the tacos until they’re golden and crunchy really makes a difference. This recipe is vegetarian-friendly, and you can swap out the cheese to make it vegan.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 small corn tortillas
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh cilantro and lime for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix the black beans with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan and warm up the tortillas.
4. Fill each tortilla with the bean mixture and add cheese if you like.
5. Set the tacos on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re crispy.
6. Serve them with salsa, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

10) Veggie Frittata

A veggie frittata is one of those simple, tasty dishes you can whip up any time. It’s especially nice for dinner when you want something quick but still filling.

Grab some fresh vegetables, a handful of herbs, and a little cheese for extra flavor. You don’t have to overthink it—just use what you’ve got in the fridge.

Bake it all in the oven, and you’ve got a meal that comes together easily. I love how colorful and healthy it looks on the plate.

Honestly, you can toss in almost any veggies you have on hand. Try different herbs or switch up the cheese—feta, Parmesan, cheddar, whatever you like.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms)
• 1/4 cup cheese (feta or Parmesan)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp fresh herbs (like parsley or basil)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe pan over medium heat.
3. Add vegetables and cook until they’re soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Beat eggs in a bowl, then stir in cheese, herbs, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the egg mixture over the cooked veggies in the pan.
6. Let it cook on the stove for about 2 minutes.
7. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the eggs set.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

Want a little more guidance? Check out this Baked Vegetable Frittata recipe.