10+ Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

When you’re short on time but still want a tasty meal, quick and easy dinner recipes can really save the day. These dishes help you get dinner on the table fast, and honestly, who wants to spend hours in the kitchen after a long day?

Cooking doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you can whip up meals that fit your schedule—and your appetite.

Whether you’re new to cooking or just want something stress-free, these recipes make dinner a bit more enjoyable. Let’s dive in.

1) Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

Lemon pepper chicken breasts hit the spot when you want something simple and bright. The lemon and pepper combo keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavor—no fancy ingredients required.

You can cook these on the stove or pop them in the oven, whatever works. If you bake them, the lemon seasoning caramelizes a bit, which is a nice bonus.

Pair them with veggies or a fresh salad. The seasoning is easy to mix, and you probably have most of it on hand.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• Juice of half a lemon

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry and lightly coat with flour.
2. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning on both sides.
3. Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
5. Add lemon juice, cook another minute, and spoon sauce over chicken.
6. Serve warm.

For baking, go with 375°F (190°C) for about 25–30 minutes.

Find more details in this lemon pepper chicken recipe.

2) Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini

This dish is all about simplicity. You cook tortellini in one skillet with olive oil—less mess, less time.

The big flavors come from Pecorino Romano and a bunch of black pepper. Toss in some baby kale or spinach for a fresh, healthy twist.

The cheese melts right into the pasta, making a creamy sauce that’s pretty irresistible. You can get this on the table in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (16–18 oz) fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 ounces baby kale or spinach (about 3 packed cups)
• 1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium.
2. Add tortellini, sear until golden.
3. Pour in water, add salt and pepper.
4. Cover and cook until tortellini is tender, 5–7 minutes.
5. Stir in kale or spinach, cook until wilted.
6. Remove lid, let water reduce a bit.
7. Mix in Pecorino until the sauce thickens.
8. Top with extra black pepper and cheese.

Get the full scoop at Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens Recipe.

3) Microwave Red Curry Poached Salmon

This salmon is perfect for nights when you’re craving something bold but don’t want to wait. Just poach the salmon in a mix of red curry paste and coconut milk—right in the microwave.

The flavors come together fast, with a creamy, spicy, and tangy kick. You’ll have dinner ready in under 30 minutes.

Serve it over rice or with steamed veggies. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Coconut milk
• Red curry paste
• Soy sauce
• Lime juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix coconut milk, red curry paste, soy sauce, and lime juice in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Add salmon, coat well.
3. Cover and microwave on high for 4–6 minutes, until salmon’s cooked through.
4. Let it rest a minute before serving.

Check out the full Microwave Red Curry Poached Salmon recipe.

4) Easy Beef Bulgogi

Beef bulgogi might sound fancy, but it’s actually a breeze. Thin beef slices soak up a sweet and savory marinade, then cook super fast on the stove.

Serve it with rice and maybe some lettuce leaves. If you’ve got kimchi or spicy sauce, even better.

It’s a weeknight win—no special tools needed. Just mix, marinate, and cook.

Ingredients

• 1 lb thinly sliced sirloin steak
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, green onions, black pepper, and sesame seeds in a bowl.
2. Toss in beef, marinate 15–20 minutes.
3. Heat a pan over medium-high.
4. Cook beef until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
5. Serve with rice.

Want more? Here’s an easy bulgogi recipe.

5) Spaghetti with Crispy Zucchini

This one’s a fun twist on pasta night. You coat zucchini slices in egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and lemon zest, then bake them until crispy.

The crunchy zucchini pairs perfectly with the spaghetti. Add garlic, olive oil, and whatever fresh herbs you like.

It’s simple and comes together fast. Honestly, it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies, too.

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• Salt and pepper
• 8 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Beat egg in a bowl. Toss zucchini to coat.
3. Mix panko, Parmesan, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
4. Coat zucchini in breadcrumb mix.
5. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake 15–20 minutes until crispy.
7. Cook spaghetti as directed.
8. Sauté garlic in olive oil, toss with pasta.
9. Top spaghetti with crispy zucchini.

Get more details for this crispy zucchini recipe here.

6) Chili Garlic Pappardelle with Smashed Broccoli

Here’s a pasta dish that really wakes up your taste buds. Wide pappardelle noodles get tossed in a spicy chili garlic sauce.

You’ll roast broccoli until it’s crispy, then smash it for texture. A soft egg on top adds a creamy touch—so good.

It takes about 15 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight when you want something bold but easy.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pappardelle pasta
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 eggs
• 1 tbsp honey
• Calabrian chili peppers or chili garlic sauce
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20 minutes until crispy.
3. Cook pappardelle as directed.
4. Melt butter in a pan, add chili garlic sauce. Toss pasta in sauce.
5. Smash roasted broccoli with a fork, mix with pasta.
6. Cook eggs to your liking.
7. Serve pasta topped with broccoli and eggs.

7) Burger Salad

Craving a burger but not the bun? Burger salad gives you all those classic flavors in a bowl—seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese.

Add avocado or red onion if you want. Drizzle with burger sauce or whatever dressing makes you happy.

It comes together in about 15 minutes. It’s lighter than a burger, but just as satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 cups chopped romaine
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup pickles, sliced
• ½ cup shredded cheddar
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• Optional: ½ avocado, sliced
• ¼ cup burger sauce or dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium until browned, about 7–10 minutes. Drain fat.
2. Season beef with salt and pepper.
3. In a big bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onion, cheese, and avocado if you’re using it.
4. Top with cooked beef.
5. Drizzle with sauce or dressing and dig in.

8) Gumbo

Gumbo is a bold, flavorful stew from Louisiana. With the right ingredients, you can whip it up pretty quickly.

It usually has sausage, shrimp, chicken, and a bunch of veggies. Everything simmers together in a rich, dark roux for that thick, tasty finish.

When you want something warm and filling, gumbo really hits the spot. Serve it over hot cooked rice—trust me, that’s the way to do it.

Try a simple sausage and shrimp version, or toss in some chicken for extra heartiness. If you’re after a quick meal, here’s a 30 Minute Chicken & Sausage Gumbo you can make in just one pot.

Ingredients

• Andouille sausage, sliced
• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Chicken thighs, chopped
• Onion, celery, and bell pepper (the “holy trinity”)
• Garlic, minced
• Flour and oil (for roux)
• Chicken broth
• Cajun seasoning
• Cooked white rice

Cooking Instructions

1. Make the roux: cook flour and oil together until it turns brown.
2. Add onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until they soften.
3. Pour in chicken broth and toss in the seasoning.
4. Add sausage and chicken. Let it simmer until fully cooked.
5. Drop in the shrimp and cook just until they turn pink.
6. Spoon the gumbo over hot rice and serve.

9) Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is one of those dinners that’s simple, filling, and always a crowd-pleaser. You get pasta, tomato sauce, and a ton of cheese all baked together.

Want more protein? Add ground beef or sausage—totally up to you.

This dish bakes until bubbly and golden on top. It’s easy to prep ahead, making it a lifesaver on busy nights.

There’s just something about those cheesy layers with the sauce and pasta. For a classic, easy version, check out this easy baked ziti recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Boil the ziti pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. If you’re using meat, heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and ground beef or sausage, and cook until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a big bowl, mix the cooked pasta, marinara, ricotta, and half the mozzarella. Stir in the cooked meat if you want.
5. Pour half the mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle with half the Parmesan.
6. Add the rest of the pasta mix and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the top gets bubbly and golden.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes before you dig in.

10) Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is pure comfort and surprisingly easy to throw together. Use cooked chicken, frozen veggies, and a store-bought pie crust or puff pastry if you want to save time.

The filling turns out creamy and loaded with veggies like carrots, peas, and celery. It’s just what you need on a hectic night.

Mix the filling, pour it into the crust, and bake. The crust gets golden and flaky while the inside stays rich and creamy.

For a no-fuss recipe, take a look at Easy Chicken Pot Pie.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 store-bought pie crust or puff pastry

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

3. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Keep mixing until it looks smooth.

4. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk. Cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens up.

5. Toss in the chicken and vegetables. Give it a good mix.

6. Pour the filling into a pie crust set in a pie dish.

7. Lay the top crust over it, seal the edges, and cut a few slits so steam can escape.

8. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. The crust should turn a nice golden brown.

9. Let it cool for five minutes before you dive in.