Some nights, the thought of cooking dinner is about as appealing as running a marathon. When you’re this close to surrendering to frozen pizza, these quick and easy recipes are here to save the day. They’re the kind of meals that come together fast without much brainpower, perfect for when you’re running on empty.

Pasta in a white bowl on a striped towel.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

A stack of quesadillas with spinach and cheese.
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These smashed white bean and kale quesadillas are the perfect indulgent meatless meal. Oozing with melted cheddar and topped with a creamy BBQ sauce.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Gochujang Chicken

Chinese chicken in a skillet on a table.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This gochujang chicken is a quick 30-minute dinner featuring a takeout-inspired sticky, spicy and sweet sauce that’s perfect served over white rice.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Air Fryer Tofu

Air fried tofu cubes on a wire rack.
Air Fryer Tofu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Making tofu in the air fryer will be your new favorite method once you try this easy recipe. Much healthier and lower in fat than traditional frying with all the tasty benefits!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tofu

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Pasta with meat and tomatoes in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef pasta recipe can be made in under 30 minutes with any pasta you have and tastes like it’s been simmered all day long on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground Beef Stir Fry

A skillet full of vegetables and beef on a wooden table.
Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef stir fry recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. Made in one pan with an assortment of fresh vegetables, it features a garlic ginger homemade stir fry sauce that’s healthier, tastier and quicker than any takeout order!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Chicken and green beans in a white bowl with orange slices.
Honey Orange Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This honey orange sesame chicken dish is an easy, healthy takeout fake-out recipe you can make in minutes at home. Sticky, sweet and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Kung Pao Chickpeas

Two bowls of chickpeas with rice and vegetables.
Kung Pao Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy your favorite Chinese takeout meal with a vegan twist in this Kung Pao chickpea recipe. The sauce is a perfect recreation with tons of bold flavors making this dish taste just like the original with a simple protein swap!
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef in a skillet with tortilla chips.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Taco seasoning makes this Mexican ground beef recipe an easy and flavorful one-pan meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Red cabbage and pork in a skillet with a wooden spoon.
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A quick and easy stir fry recipe using ground pork, cabbage and mushrooms in a delicious Asian inspired sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp

A bowl of rice with shrimp and mangoes.
Mango Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This sweet and spicy mango shrimp dish is ready in just 20 minutes and has a nice kick of spice that is balanced out by the sweet mango.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Pasta in a white bowl on a striped towel.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a simple, classic peasant dish from Italy made with just five ingredients. This creamy decadent pasta uses sheep’s milk Pecorino Romano cheese along with starchy pasta cooking water to create an indulgent meal that’s both easy and economical.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Pesto Salmon

Pesto salmon on a white plate with potatoes and salad.
Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pesto salmon is an easy oven-baked dinner requiring only five ingredients that can be on the table in less than 25 minutes. It’s a healthy dinner full of flavor and perfect for weeknight cooking.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Salsa Chicken

Chicken breasts covered in a cheese salsa sauce in a casserole dish.
Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Salsa chicken is the easy weeknight meal you didn’t know you needed. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are baked with salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar cheese in this simple recipe that’s ready in less than 30 minutes and will become a fast family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Jalapeño Chicken

A skillet filled with pieces of cooked chicken and sliced peppers in a savory sauce, placed on a woven mat with a jalapeño pepper beside it.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If recreating the addictive taste of takeout dishes at home is something you love, this jalapeño chicken recipe will be right up your alley. Bite-sized pieces of chicken are pan-fried until crispy and cooked with spicy slices of jalapeño peppers. The dish is finished in a sweet, salty and sticky sauce that makes this an insanely flavorful and easy meal served over rice.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken

Blackstone Pizza

A slice of Blackstone pizza with melted cheese, tomatoes, and mushrooms is being lifted from the rest of the pizza.
Blackstone pizza. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Making pizza on the Blackstone is even easier than the oven. You can use any crust, whether it’s homemade, store-bought or unconventional like flatbread or naan and load it with your favorite toppings that are cooked right there on the griddle itself. Making Blackstone pizza will become one of your new favorite weekly dinners with this easy method!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Pizza

Garlic Pizza Bread

Pepperoni pizza on a cooling rack.
Garlic Pizza Bread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

When two classic comfort foods like garlic bread and pizza combine, the result is one of the most crave-worthy dinners imaginable. This garlic bread pizza with pepperoni is the ultimate Friday night meal or quick weeknight dinner. It costs pennies compared to ordering out and couldn’t be easier to make.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Pizza Bread

Baby Kale Salad

Kale salad with chickpeas and apples.
Baby Kale Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The best tasting recipe for a quick and easy baby kale salad! Tossed in a simple tahini dressing and topped with roasted BBQ chickpeas and apple slices, it’s a complete plant-based meal with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Baby Kale Salad

Gina Matsoukas
Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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