10+ Easy Recipes Dinner Ideas for Quick and Tasty Meals

Finding time to cook a good dinner is tough, especially after a packed day. Easy dinner recipes can get a meal on the table fast, so you don’t have to stress or spend your whole evening in the kitchen.

These simple recipes make cooking dinner less stressful and more enjoyable for you.

You don’t need fancy ingredients or chef skills to whip up a dinner the whole family will like. With the right recipe, you can make meals that are quick, tasty, and genuinely satisfying.

Whether you want something fresh or just crave comfort, there’s plenty of easy options for any mood.

1) Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies

Honey-soy-glazed salmon is a go-to for a fast dinner. The sauce is just honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a little ginger—super simple, but it gives the salmon a sweet and tangy kick.

Just cook the salmon on a sheet pan with veggies like green beans or asparagus. Throw some orange slices on top for a fresh twist.

You’ll have dinner ready in about 25 minutes. Everything cooks together, so cleanup is a breeze.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Fresh ginger
• Green beans or asparagus
• Orange slices

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven broiler to 450°F (232°C).
2. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
3. Brush the salmon with the mixture.
4. Place salmon and veggies on a baking sheet.
5. Add orange slices on top of the salmon.
6. Bake for 6–7 minutes or until salmon is cooked through.

2) One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta

This one-pot garlic butter chicken pasta is a lifesaver when you’re in a rush. One pan means less mess, and the chicken cooks right in a buttery garlic sauce.

The pasta soaks up all that flavor. You’ll have dinner ready in about 20 minutes, which honestly feels like a miracle on some nights.

It’s creamy and comforting, but you don’t need much—just chicken, pasta, garlic, butter, and a few seasonings.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 8 oz (225 g) pasta of your choice
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups (475 ml) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
5. Add pasta and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
6. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Cook for 2 more minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley if you like.

3) Sticky BBQ Chicken Meatballs

Sticky BBQ chicken meatballs are such a fun dinner. Mix ground chicken with garlic, green onions, and an egg, then roll into balls.

Cook them in a pan or bake until browned and cooked through. Toss in BBQ sauce so they get sticky and packed with flavor.

Serve with broccoli slaw, rice, or whatever side you like. They’re quick, but still feel a little special.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil (for cooking)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) if baking.
2. Mix ground chicken, egg, garlic, and green onions in a bowl.
3. Shape mixture into small meatballs.
4. Brown meatballs in olive oil over medium heat or bake for 20 minutes.
5. Toss meatballs in warmed BBQ sauce until sticky.
6. Serve warm.

For an easy recipe, see sticky BBQ chicken meatballs with broccoli slaw.

4) Zucchini Pasta with Goat Cheese and Brown Butter

This zucchini pasta is so simple, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner. Brown butter gives it a nutty flavor, and goat cheese melts in for creamy goodness.

Fresh zucchini or summer squash keeps things light. Toasted pine nuts and basil are nice extras if you’ve got them.

It comes together fast, but tastes like you put in real effort.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.
2. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat until brown and nutty.
3. Add zucchini slices and sauté until tender, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Toss pasta with browned butter and zucchini.
5. Stir in goat cheese until melted.
6. Top with pine nuts and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

For more ideas, check out this Brown Butter Summer Squash Pasta.

5) Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet pan nachos are the ultimate quick dinner. Just spread out tortilla chips on a pan.

Add toppings like seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and a heap of cheese. Bake until the cheese is gooey and everything’s hot.

Top with salsa, jalapeños, or sour cream if you’re feeling it. Perfect for sharing, or just for yourself—no judgment.

Ingredients

• Tortilla chips
• 1 lb ground beef
• Taco seasoning
• 1 cup black beans
• 1/2 cup corn
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or pepper jack)
• Optional: salsa, jalapeños, sour cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook ground beef with taco seasoning.
3. Spread chips on a sheet pan lined with parchment.
4. Add beef, beans, corn, and cheese on top.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.
6. Add optional toppings before serving.

For more ideas, check out these easy sheet pan nachos.

6) Classic Roast Chicken

Roasting a whole chicken is way easier than it sounds. All you need is butter, salt, pepper, and maybe a few herbs.

Rub butter all over the chicken, then season inside and out. Lemon and garlic in the cavity make it extra tasty.

Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The skin gets crispy and the meat stays juicy.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon, halved
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• Fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary), optional

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Rub butter all over chicken, including under the skin if possible.
4. Season with salt and pepper inside and out.
5. Stuff cavity with lemon halves, garlic, and herbs.
6. Place chicken breast side up in a roasting pan.
7. Roast for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until cooked through.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before carving.

7) Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is pure comfort food. It’s creamy, simple, and topped with buttery crackers and poppy seeds.

Use leftover chicken or cook some fresh. Sour cream and cream of chicken soup make the sauce rich, while the cracker topping adds crunch.

This casserole is a hit with families and works well with a green salad or some steamed veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken
• 2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
• 16 oz sour cream
• 60 Ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook and shred the chicken.
3. In a bowl, mix soup, sour cream, and chicken.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
5. Mix crushed crackers, poppy seeds, and melted butter.
6. Sprinkle the cracker mix evenly on top.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden.

8) Smoky Pork and Greens Stew

This stew is what you want when you crave something hearty but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. It’s quick to make, yet it somehow tastes like it simmered for hours.

Paprika brings a smoky kick that works perfectly with tender pork shoulder and fresh greens. You’ll find it’s easy to throw together, so it’s a solid option for busy nights.

Garlic, onion, and a few spices give the whole thing a cozy, warm flavor. The greens sneak in a little healthiness, which never hurts.

Serve it up with crusty bread or maybe over some rice if you’re feeling it. Most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen, which is a win.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped greens (collard, kale, or spinach)
• 2 cups chicken broth

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Brown the pork chunks on all sides.
3. Toss in the onion and garlic, and cook until soft.
4. Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; mix everything together.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil.
6. Lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Stir in the greens and cook for about 5 minutes, just until they’re tender.
8. Taste and tweak the seasoning before serving.

For the full rundown, check out Southern Living’s Smoky Pork-And-Greens Stew.

9) Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie just hits the spot when you want something cozy and filling. If you use cooked chicken, frozen veggies, and a store-bought crust, it comes together fast.

You get a creamy filling, tender chicken, and a flaky crust—what’s not to love? Even picky eaters usually go back for seconds.

No need to fuss with a bunch of steps or fancy ingredients. Just bake until the crust is golden and the filling bubbles.

Frozen mixed veggies and rotisserie chicken make this even easier. You skip most of the prep but still get that homemade vibe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 package refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix chicken, veggies, soup, and milk in a bowl.
3. Pour everything into a pie dish.
4. Lay the pie crust over the top and seal the edges.
5. Cut a few slits in the crust for steam.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the crust turns golden brown.
7. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before digging in.

Want more ideas? Here’s a solid Easy Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

10) Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is one of those dinners you can count on—it’s simple, cheesy, and always a crowd-pleaser. Pasta, tomato sauce, and lots of melty cheese come together in a way that just works.

You can toss in ground beef, Italian sausage, or skip the meat if you want. It’s flexible, which is nice.

Layer cooked pasta with sauce and cheese, then bake until it’s hot and bubbly. You can switch up the cheeses or spices to keep things interesting.

Great for feeding a hungry group or just having leftovers for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (optional)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the ziti according to the directions on the package. Drain it well.

3. Heat some olive oil in a pan. Toss in diced onion and garlic, and sauté until they’re soft—just a few minutes.

4. Add Italian sausage or ground beef. Cook until it’s nicely browned.

5. Pour in the marinara sauce. Let it all simmer together for about five minutes.

6. Mix half the mozzarella and all the ricotta with the cooked pasta.

7. Grab a baking dish. Layer in half the pasta mixture, then some of the sauce, and finish with the rest of the pasta.

8. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and a generous handful of Parmesan.

9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Honestly, this baked ziti comes together fast and always hits the spot. If you want to dive deeper, here’s a solid easy baked ziti recipe.