10+ Food Recipes Easy and Delicious for Busy Weeknights

If you want to whip up meals without spending hours in the kitchen, easy food recipes are a solid place to start. These dishes let you make something tasty fast, even if you’re not exactly a culinary wizard.

They’re perfect for those hectic days, for beginners, or honestly, for anyone craving simple meals that still hit the spot.

With easy recipes, you get to save time and still enjoy homemade food. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just a few basics and clear directions, and dinner’s basically done.

1) Easy One-Pot Pasta

Making pasta doesn’t have to be a production. One-pot recipes let you cook the pasta, sauce, and veggies all in the same pot.

You just throw uncooked pasta, sauce, and whatever veggies you like into the pot. Cook it all together until the pasta’s tender—usually around 20 minutes.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights. Change up the ingredients based on what’s in your fridge, and you’ll still get a flavorful meal without much hassle.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta
• 2 cups (480 ml) water or broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce or cream sauce
• 1 cup (150 g) mixed vegetables (like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: grated cheese or herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Add pasta, water or broth, sauce, veggies, and olive oil to a big pot.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Stir now and then and cook for 15-20 minutes, until pasta is soft and liquid is mostly gone.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve warm; cheese or herbs on top if you want.

Need more ideas? Check out easy one-pot pasta options on Allrecipes.

2) Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki

Sheet pan chicken pitas are a lifesaver on those nights when you just want something quick and tasty. Marinate the chicken, toss it on a pan with peppers and onions, and roast it all together.

You can load up your pita with fresh cucumber, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Tzatziki—made from yogurt and cucumber—gives it a cool, tangy finish.

If you’re after a healthy meal with barely any prep, this one’s a winner. Here’s a good example.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Bell peppers
• Red onion
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Pita bread
• Cucumber
• Kalamata olives
• Feta cheese
• Greek yogurt (for tzatziki)
• Lemon juice
• Fresh dill or mint

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss chicken and sliced veggies with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread everything on a sheet pan.
4. Roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken’s cooked through.
5. For tzatziki, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and herbs.
6. Warm pita bread.
7. Fill pitas with chicken, veggies, olives, feta, and tzatziki.

3) Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam

These spicy chicken burgers are a real treat. Gochujang brings the heat, and the kimchi bacon jam gives you that sweet, tangy punch.

For the jam, cook bacon with kimchi and brown sugar until it’s sticky and rich. Mix ground chicken with panko and gochujang, then fry up the patties.

Pile the jam on top for a burger that’s anything but boring.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 ½ cups kimchi, chopped
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp gochujang sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a pan until crispy.
2. Add kimchi and brown sugar; simmer until sticky.
3. Mix chicken, panko, and gochujang.
4. Shape into patties.
5. Cook patties in a hot pan, about 5-6 minutes per side, until done.
6. Top burgers with kimchi bacon jam.

4) Creamy French Onion Chicken Pasta Bake

This one’s pure comfort food. You get juicy chicken, creamy sauce, caramelized onions, and pasta all baked together.

French onion flavor comes from soup powder or caramelized onions. It’s rich and satisfying.

Cook chicken in the air fryer or oven, then mix with pasta, cheese, and sauce. Bake until golden and bubbly.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• French onion soup powder or caramelized onions
• Cream or cream cheese
• Mushrooms (optional)
• Cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes (air fryer or oven).
3. Boil pasta; drain.
4. Mix pasta, chicken, cream, soup powder or onions, mushrooms, and half the cheese.
5. Pour into a baking dish, top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.

More details? Check French Onion Chicken Pasta Bake.

5) BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

BBQ jackfruit sandwiches are a fun way to get a meaty vibe without, well, meat. Young jackfruit shreds easily and soaks up barbecue sauce for that “pulled pork” feel.

Add toppings like avocado slaw or grilled pineapple if you’re feeling extra. These come together fast—ideal for busy nights or when friends drop by.

Just sauté jackfruit with onion and garlic, mix in BBQ sauce, and heat through. Throw it on buns, pile on toppings, and you’re good to go.

Ingredients

• 2 cans young green jackfruit in water or brine
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• Sandwich buns
• Optional: avocado slaw, grilled pineapple

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain and rinse jackfruit. Shred with your fingers or forks.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add jackfruit and BBQ sauce. Cook for 10-15 minutes on medium heat.
4. Toast buns if you want.
5. Build sandwiches with jackfruit and toppings.

Craving more? Here’s a BBQ jackfruit sandwich recipe.

6) Classic Roast Chicken

Roast chicken is about as classic as it gets. You really just need a few things: a chicken, some butter, and a handful of seasonings.

Season the chicken well and roast until the skin’s golden and crisp. Stuff it with lemon and herbs for a boost of flavor.

Rubbing butter under the skin keeps the meat juicy. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about an hour.

Let it rest before carving so the juices don’t run everywhere.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 lemon, halved
• 3 garlic cloves, smashed
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat chicken dry, rub butter under and on the skin.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Stuff cavity with lemon, garlic, and herbs.
5. Place chicken breast side up in a roasting pan.
6. Roast about 1 hour, until juices run clear.
7. Rest 10 minutes, then carve.

7) Easy Fried Rice

Fried rice is the ultimate way to use up leftover rice. It’s fast, filling, and totally customizable.

Toss in your favorite veggies, eggs, and whatever protein you have. All you need is a hot pan, a splash of oil, and some soy sauce.

This meal comes together in about 15 minutes. Busy day? No problem.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked white rice (cold is best)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
2. Scramble eggs, remove, and set aside.
3. Add veggies; stir-fry 3-4 minutes.
4. Add rice, breaking up clumps, and cook 5 minutes.
5. Stir in soy sauce, eggs, and green onions. Cook 2 more minutes.
6. Season and serve hot.

8) Homemade Meatballs

Homemade meatballs are way easier than they sound. Baking them keeps things simple and juicy.

Mix ground beef and sausage for extra flavor. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs to taste.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce, in a sandwich, or just eat them as they are.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• Optional: Italian herbs or grated cheese

Cooking Instructions

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

2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.

3. Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned and cooked through.

5. Serve with your favorite sauce or just as they are.

9) Black Bean Chili

Black bean chili is such a straightforward, hearty meal for any day. It’s packed with protein and fiber, so you’ll feel full and get a healthy boost, too.

You can toss in ground beef, turkey, or skip the meat if you want to keep it vegan. Just beans and spices work great.

Try playing around with seasonings like oregano, cumin, or chili powder. Let everything simmer so the flavors really come together.

Honestly, it’s a lifesaver for busy nights or when you just want something cozy.

You can even make a quick version with just a few main ingredients if you’re short on time.

This chili keeps well, so leftovers are easy, and you can freeze some for later.

Ingredients

• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (optional)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 cup vegetable or beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground meat in a large pot over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).

2. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft.

3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, broth, and spices.

4. Bring it all to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

You’ll find more tips in this easy Black Bean Chili recipe.

10) Pot Roast with Potatoes

Pot roast with potatoes is about as classic as it gets. It’s simple, filling, and you can pull it off mostly in one pot.

The beef turns out tender and juicy after slow cooking with carrots, onions, and potatoes. Perfect comfort food for when you need something warm and not too fussy.

Start by browning the roast in a pan—locks in a lot of flavor.

Add chopped onions, then arrange potatoes and carrots around the roast.

Let it all cook low and slow so the meat soaks up those savory juices.

This dish works in a slow cooker or the oven.

When you let it go for a few hours, you don’t have to babysit it, and dinner is ready when you are.

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless chuck roast
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut
• 4 medium potatoes, cut into chunks

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).

2. Pour a bit of olive oil into a big pan and set it over medium-high heat.
   Brown the roast on every side—don’t rush it, let that crust develop.

3. Move the roast to a roasting pan.
   Toss in onions, carrots, and potatoes so they’re cozied up around the meat.

4. Sprinkle salt and pepper over everything.

5. Cover the whole thing with foil.
   Roast it in the oven for about 3 hours, or until the meat feels tender when you poke it with a fork.

6. Let the roast sit for a few minutes before you slice and serve.
   Waiting’s tough, but it’s worth it.

Want to use a slow cooker instead?
Layer onions on the bottom, then set in the roast, and pile the veggies around it.

Set it to low and let it go for 8 hours.
Honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

You can find more about this style at Classic Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots.