15 Dinners You Can Count On Every Single Time

Sometimes you just need a recipe that works. No weird ingredients, no complicated steps, just something that actually turns out great every time. When life feels a bit chaotic, these meals make you look like you’ve got it all together. Forget the trial and error, these are the dishes you can count on every single time

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with sausage and parsley. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

A close-up of a stuffed bell pepper, filled with a mixture that includes sausage, shredded cheese and herbs, garnished with parsley. Other stuffed peppers and a plate edge are partially visible in the background. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sausage stuffed peppers are a hearty and complete meal. Bell peppers are filled with ground sweet Italian sausage, spinach, rice, ricotta cheese, herbs, and spices. Topped with grated parmesan, this dish is a reliable choice for any dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

A bowl of pasta with sauce, garnished with fresh herbs, on a table with a pepper grinder and a cloth napkin alongside. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This sun-dried tomato pasta combines al dente rigatoni, a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, shredded parmesan, and baby spinach. Ready in less than 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick midweek dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Flank Steak Pinwheels

Flank steak pinwheels are stuffed with pesto, parmesan cheese, prosciutto, and spinach. They’re great for parties, special occasions, or an easy midweek family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Flank Steak Pinwheels

Pesto Salmon

Pesto salmon is an oven-baked dinner requiring only five ingredients and ready in less than 25 minutes. It’s a flavorful and healthy option 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 an easy weeknight meal. 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. A reliable family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Sausage Mac and Cheese

This creamy homemade sausage mac and cheese is always a hit. Its cheesy sauce, velvety texture, and great taste make it a meal that both adults and kids love.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese

Loaded Brisket Potatoes

Stuffed sweet potatoes topped with cheese and toppings. — Loaded Brisket Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These loaded BBQ brisket baked potatoes are stuffed and delicious. They’re perfect if you have leftover beef brisket and want a new way to use it up.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Brisket Potatoes

Pecan Crusted Chicken

Pecan-crusted chicken, served with honey dijon yogurt sauce, makes for an easy weeknight meal. Crunchy and full of flavor, this is a dinner everyone will ask for repeatedly.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken

Turkey Chili Pie

Turkye chili pie in a skillet on a blue tablecloth. — Turkey Chili Pie. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This chili pie combines lean turkey chili with a hearty cornbread topping, all baked together in one skillet. It’s a comforting meal that’s easy to make and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie

Healthier Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes on an English muffin on a plate. — Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Healthy Sloppy Joes are made with lean ground beef, low-sugar ketchup, BBQ sauce, and low-fat cheese. They offer a lighter version of the classic American Sloppy Joe recipe.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef sweet potato skillet. — Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This southwestern-inspired ground beef and sweet potato skillet is an easy one-pan meal. It works great for meal-prepping, and the leftovers are delicious.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Cream Cheese Chicken

Chicken thighs in a cream cheese sauce with potatoes and parsley on a wooden table. — Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cream cheese chicken is the answer to boring weeknight meals. Seasoned with five flavor-packed spices, it’s creamy and full of savory goodness.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Slow Cooker Tri-Tip

Slow Cooker Tri-Tip Roast is one of the tastiest recipes you can make in a slow cooker. With just a few ingredients and fresh herbs, it’s easy to prepare and perfect for feeding the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tri-Tip

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Three grilled chicken breasts on a plate stuffed with cheese, ham and pineapple. — Stuffed Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled Hawaiian chicken is stuffed with ham, fresh pineapple, and melted smoked cheese, all glazed with a sticky sweet teriyaki sauce. This dish brings a tropical flair to dinner time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli

A pan full of pasta and broccoli with a wooden spoon. — Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This lightened-up spaghetti alfredo with broccoli is creamy, cheesy, and decadent. It’s a healthier version of the original, so you can feel good about enjoying it.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli

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.