10+ Quick Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights Made Easy

Finding time to cook dinner after a jam-packed day? Yeah, it’s tough.

You want meals that taste good but don’t eat up your whole evening. Quick dinner recipes help you get a delicious meal on the table fast, minus the stress.

These recipes are for those nights when you just need something easy.

Simple ingredients, no-nonsense steps—you get homemade food even when you’re short on time.

1) Garlic Butter Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken is one of those dinners you can whip up any night.

Just chicken breasts, butter, and garlic. Cook the chicken in a pan, then finish it off with a buttery garlic sauce.

You’ll only need about 20 minutes.

Toss in some parsley or thyme if you feel fancy. It goes great with veggies or rice.

Cleanup? Pretty painless with just one pan.

Here’s a straightforward garlic butter chicken recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or herbs (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken about 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Remove chicken, toss garlic in the pan, and cook until fragrant (about a minute).
5. Return chicken and spoon garlic butter over it.
6. Let it cook another minute or two.
7. Sprinkle with parsley if you want, then serve.

2) One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

One-pot cheeseburger pasta is for when you want comfort food fast.

Brown some ground beef, onions, and garlic in one pot, then add pasta and seasonings. Everything cooks together, so you won’t have a pile of dishes.

It’s got the flavors of a cheeseburger but with creamy pasta. Perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty.

Add ketchup or Worcestershire sauce if you’re after more zing.

The pasta soaks up all the beefy goodness. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces pasta (elbow or shells)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic in a big pot over medium-high.
2. Drain extra fat if you need to.
3. Toss in pasta, broth, ketchup, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer 10-12 minutes.
5. Stir in cheese until it melts.
6. Serve it up warm.

More details at Budget Bytes.

3) Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

Lemon pepper chicken is a lifesaver on busy nights.

The lemon gives it a tangy kick, and the pepper brings just enough heat.

You can cook it on the stove or pop it in the oven. Either way, it’s done in about 15-20 minutes.

This works with veggies, pasta, or rice. Lemon pepper seasoning keeps it simple, but a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens everything.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. If baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat chicken dry, season both sides with lemon pepper and salt.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.
4. Sear chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
5. If baking, finish in oven for 10-12 minutes.
6. Drizzle with lemon juice and zest before serving.

You can find more tips in this lemon pepper chicken recipe.

4) Black Bean Chili

Black bean chili is hearty and comes together fast. Warm spices, lots of beans—what’s not to like?

Go with ground beef if you want, or skip it for a vegetarian version.

You’ll need about 40 minutes total. It simmers just long enough for the flavors to blend.

Serve it with rice or bread if you want something extra.

Beans bring fiber and protein, so you get a filling meal without much fuss. Adjust the spices to your liking—no rules here.

Ingredients:

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

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain the fat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano. Cook about a minute.
4. Add beans, tomatoes, broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat.
6. Simmer uncovered 30 minutes, stirring now and then.
7. Season before serving.

Try this easy black bean chili recipe for more ideas.

5) Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini

Here’s something fast that still feels a bit fancy—Cacio e Pepe Tortellini.

Cook the tortellini in a skillet with olive oil. It gets a little crispy—so good.

Add black pepper and Parmesan for that classic flavor.

Toss in greens like spinach or kale if you want a little extra.

Ready in about 20 minutes, and you only need one pan.

Ingredients

• 1 (16-20 ounce) package fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 ounces baby kale or spinach
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
2. Add tortellini, cook until golden and crispy (5-7 minutes).
3. Stir in kale or spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Sprinkle black pepper and Parmesan over the top.
5. If it’s too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
6. Cook another couple minutes, then serve.

Check out this Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini recipe if you want to see more.

6) Korean Ground Beef and Rice

Korean ground beef and rice is a go-to when you’re in a rush.

Just cook ground beef with garlic, soy sauce, and brown sugar. It’s simple but full of flavor.

You’ll be done in about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve it over hot rice.

Add steamed veggies or kimchi if you want to round it out.

Top with green onions or a drizzle of sesame oil for a little extra something.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• Cooked rice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium, cook the ground beef until browned.
2. Add garlic, cook for a minute.
3. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil.
4. Let it bubble for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit.
5. Serve over rice.

7) 10-Minute Chana Masala

Need something fast and packed with flavor? Chana masala is a solid pick.

It’s an Indian chickpea dish that comes together in a flash, especially if you use canned chickpeas and tomato paste.

No need to sauté onions if you’re short on time. Frozen ginger-garlic paste works great.

Toss in your spices—cumin, garam masala, whatever you like.

Serve over rice or with bread. It’s filling, healthy, and easy to tweak.

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon frozen ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup tomato juice or crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium.
2. Add cumin seeds, toast for 30 seconds.
3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste, cook a minute.
4. Add tomato paste, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala. Cook 2 minutes.
5. Pour in tomato juice, bring to a simmer.
6. Add chickpeas and salt, cook 5 minutes, stir now and then.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

8) Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng is Indonesian fried rice that’s quick and loaded with flavor.

It’s perfect for using up leftover rice.

Add veggies, chicken, shrimp, eggs, or tofu—whatever you have.

The taste comes from garlic, onion, and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). Want it spicy? Toss in some chili.

Ready in about 20 minutes. Super easy to make your own.

This dish is filling and, honestly, kind of addictive.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cold cooked jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or neutral)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1-2 teaspoons kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 cup vegetables (like cabbage or peas)
• 1-2 eggs, beaten
• Optional: chili, chicken, shrimp, or tofu

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F/175°C).

2. Toss in garlic and onion. When you smell that fragrant aroma, you’re good.

3. Add carrots and whatever veggies you like. Cook until they’re just tender.

4. Push everything to the side and pour in the eggs. Scramble them right in the pan.

5. Add your cold rice and kecap manis. Stir it all together—don’t be shy.

6. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. If you want extra heat or protein, now’s the time.

7. Serve it up hot.

9) Homemade Meatballs

Homemade meatballs really hit the spot for a quick dinner. They’re juicy, full of flavor, and you only need a handful of ingredients.

You can throw them on pasta, tuck them into a sandwich, or just eat them as they are. I love that you can bake them instead of frying—less mess, less fuss.

They take under 30 minutes in the oven, so dinner comes together fast. If you make extra, just freeze them for another night.

Mix ground beef with eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Shape into balls and bake.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a large bowl, combine beef, eggs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. Mix until everything looks well blended.

4. Shape into 1.5-inch meatballs.

5. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re cooked through.

10) Easy Beef Bulgogi

Beef bulgogi is one of those Korean BBQ dishes you can whip up at home in no time. Thinly sliced beef cooks super fast, and the marinade makes everything tender and packed with flavor.

Serve it with rice, wrap it in lettuce, or throw on some kimchi if you’re feeling bold. It’s a nice change from the usual dinner routine, and honestly, it’s easier than you might think.

Sirloin or any thin-cut beef works here. You don’t need much to make it taste amazing.

Ingredients

• 1 pound thinly sliced beef (sirloin or ribeye)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and green onions together in a bowl.

2. Drop in the beef and let it soak up the flavors for at least 30 minutes.

3. Fire up a pan on medium-high heat.

4. Sear the beef for about 3 to 5 minutes—get it nicely browned and cooked through.

5. Scatter sesame seeds over the top right before serving.

Craving more details? Check out Easy Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef) Recipe.