When dinner time hits and you’re low on energy, you need something easy that won’t turn your kitchen into a mess. These recipes keep things simple while still packing flavor. From one-pan meals to quick dinners, there’s something here for whatever you’re craving and they’re all fit for even the most unexperienced cook.
Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta
Lemon feta spinach pasta is a no-brainer when you need dinner fast. Just toss some lemon, spinach, and feta with your pasta, and you’re done. It’s simple, quick, and perfect for a night when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something great.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta
Bomb Meatloaf
Bomb meatloaf is your go-to when you want a dinner that’s both easy and delicious. This recipe is all about juicy meatloaf topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. It’s as simple as it gets, but still makes everyone at the table happy.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf
Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Maple mustard air fryer frozen salmon is the kind of recipe you keep in your back pocket. No need to defrost—just toss the salmon in the air fryer with a quick maple mustard sauce. Dinner’s ready in minutes, and it’s as easy as boiling water.
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables
Sheet pan BBQ tofu & vegetables is what you make when you want everything on one pan. Throw tofu, veggies, and BBQ sauce on a sheet pan, pop it in the oven, and you’ve got a great meal without any extra work. Perfect for those nights when you need dinner without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Sheet pan chicken & sweet potatoes is the perfect dinner when you want everything cooked together with minimal effort. Just toss chicken, sweet potatoes, and some caramelized pecans on a sheet pan, bake, and you’re set. It’s simple, quick, and great for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Sheet pan pork chop dinner is your answer to a busy weeknight. Pork chops, red cabbage, potatoes, and apples all cook together on one pan. With just one dish to clean up, this dinner is as easy as it gets and perfect when you’re in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Sheet Pan Sausage & Vegetables
Sheet pan sausage & vegetables is a complete meal that’s all about simplicity. Just throw your sausage and veggies on a sheet pan, pop it in the oven, and dinner’s ready. It’s the perfect no-fuss option when you want something fast and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Vegetables
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Sheet pan steak & shrimp fajitas give you a surf and turf dinner with almost no work. Season everything, toss it on a pan, and in under 20 minutes, you’ve got a great weeknight meal that’s easy enough for anyone to make.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is perfect for when you’re craving takeout but don’t want to leave the house. Just throw everything in the slow cooker, and let it do the work. The result is tender chicken with a sticky, sweet sauce that beats anything you’d order in.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Smashed white bean quesadillas are the perfect meatless dinner when you’re looking for something quick. With melted cheddar and a creamy BBQ sauce, these quesadillas are easy to whip up and great for a night when you want something simple but satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Garlic chicken bite skillet is a one-pan dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes. Chicken bites, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers come together fast, making it a great choice for a quick and tasty meal with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Greek Shrimp Skillet
Greek shrimp skillet is a 30-minute meal packed with tomatoes, spinach, Kalamata olives, and feta. It’s light, fresh, and perfect for when you need dinner on the table fast but still want something that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet
Honey Orange Sesame Chicken
Honey orange sesame chicken is your homemade takeout solution. Ready in minutes, this dish is sticky, sweet, and tastes just as good (if not better) than what you’d get at the local takeout joint. Perfect for when you need something quick and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken
Kung Pao Chickpeas
Kung Pao chickpeas bring the bold flavors of your favorite takeout dish into your kitchen with a vegan twist. Simple to make and packed with flavor, it’s a great choice for a quick dinner that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas
Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops
Pretzel crusted pork chops are a fun and easy dinner that packs a crunch. Baked with a maple Dijon sauce, these pork chops are perfect for when you want something a little different but still quick and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Sheet pan maple mustard chicken is a one-pan wonder. Chicken breasts, Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries all bake together in a maple mustard sauce, making this dinner as simple as it is tasty.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Pesto Salmon
Pesto salmon is an easy, oven-baked dinner that requires only five ingredients. On the table in less than 25 minutes, it’s a great way to get a healthy, flavorful meal on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken is the easy weeknight meal you didn’t know you needed. Baked with salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar cheese, this dish is ready in less than 30 minutes and will quickly become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage skillet is a quick, one-pan dinner inspired by Asian stir fry. With lots of texture and flavor, it’s a great option for when you need a fast, satisfying meal that doesn’t require much work.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic Italian dish that’s all about simplicity. Made with just five ingredients, this creamy, flavorful pasta comes together quickly, making it a perfect choice for an easy, comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Pecan crusted chicken is a crunchy, flavor-packed dinner that’s easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. Served with a honey Dijon yogurt sauce, this dish is one that everyone will ask for again and again.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
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.
