23 Effortless Dinners You and Your Family Will Love
These easy, no-fuss recipes are going to save you on busy weeknights! Whether you’re looking for a sheet pan meal, a quick skillet dinner, or an easy crockpot meal that can be prepped ahead, these simple dinners will help you get a delicious meal on the table, without a ton of work.
Pepper Steak Stir Fry
This easy pepper and steak stir fry recipe, comes together in just 30 minutes and it’s better than takeout! It’s got everything I look for in a meal (from both a nutrition and an enjoyment standpoint): carbs, veggies, protein, and FLAVOR!
Get the Recipe: Pepper Steak Stir Fry.
Steak Quesadillas
These homemade steak quesadillas combine layers of tender seasoned steak, melty cheese, and crispy tortillas. They are delicious, nutritious, and full of flavor – perfect for game day or a quick and satisfying dinner. After a quick sear, the steak rests and is then thinly sliced before being layered into the cheese and tortilla layers.
Get the Recipe: Steak Quesadillas.
Easy Salmon Caesar Salad
This simple Caesar salmon salad is a quick and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can have it on the dinner table in just about 30 minutes, and the whole family is sure to enjoy it! Pair with freshly baked bread or a bowl of soup for a filling and tasty meal that is ready in a flash.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Caesar Salad.
Easy Udon Noodles
Save your time and money on a busy weeknight. These easy udon noodles taste even better than takeout! Made with snow peas, broccoli, and peppers, this pan-fried noodle dish is loaded with veggies and flavor. Naturally vegetarian, you could add some protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu if desired.
Get the Recipe: Easy Udon Noodles.
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadilla
The whole family will love these cheesy beef quesadillas! It’s comforting, delicious, easy, and ready in just 20 minutes. The ground beef is cooked and then it’s layered with two layers of cheese for the ultimate layered gooey cheese quesadilla. Serve with fresh toppings.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadilla.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
This black bean quinoa salad recipe should be on the top of your recipes-to-make list! It’s light and bright, satisfying and nutritious, and loaded with plant-based protein and fiber, all with tons of layered flavor. Pair with your favorite protein for an extra boost if desired.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Salad.
Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Thinly sliced steak is cooked to perfection and bites of crisp and tender broccoli are coated in a deliciously glossy sauce that is sweet, savory, and balanced that brings everything together. This beef and broccoli is made with simple ingredients and can be prepped in just 15 minutes, which is why we love it on busy weeknights, and given all of the rave reviews on my original steak stir-fry, I know your family will, too!
Get the Recipe: Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry.
Cheesy Boursin Pasta
This is the best cheesy pasta and it’s made with just a few ingredients. Creamy Boursin cheese is the base of this simple sauce and has the smoothest creamy texture. Simply cook the pasta, and whip up the sauce with some sliced garlic, Boursin, and pasta water. Serve with a simple green salad and breadsticks for an utterly delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Pasta.
Turkey Pesto Panini
This recipe is inspired by a Starbucks panini, but we’ve added a lot more fillings for even more flavor. It comes together quickly thanks to deli turkey and has tons of flavor, thanks to the pesto and cheese. Serve with fries, chips or fresh fruit.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pesto Panini.
Moo Shu Shrimp
This moo shu shrimp recipe has everything you’re looking for in a weeknight meal. It’s nutritious, it’s fast (just 20 minutes), and it’s totally delicious. With classic moo shu flavors, this easy stir-fry is quick and easy to make at home. Serve over rice or with a warmed tortilla as a nod to moo shu wraps.
Get the Recipe: Moo Shu Shrimp.
Turkey Tacos
Ground turkey is seasoned with a mix of spices and simmered with salsa to add another layer of flavor for juicy and delicious taco meat every time. Stuff into tortillas and add your favorite fresh toppings. This turkey taco recipe is quick and easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Tacos.
Feel-Good Minestrone
You’ll love this healthy soup recipe! Loaded with vegetables (8 different ones to be exact) and beans (3 different types) this minestrone soup simmers away in a rich tomato broth and is both hearty and healthy at the same time. It’s cozy, comforting, delicious, and nutritious on a cold day or chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup.
Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean pasta salad could be a main dish on its own, but it’s also a tasty side dish for many different entrees. This salad has it all with sweet, crunchy, chewy, acidic, and salty flavors in each and every bite. You’re going to love it.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Shrimp Fajitas
Not only is this meal nutritious and delicious, but it’s also totally easy to make, making it a great option for weeknight dinners. Shrimp is seasoned with a homemade fajita seasoning blend and cooks with bell peppers, onions, and garlic for maximum flavor. Put out a bunch of fresh toppings like lettuce, pico de Gallo, and sour cream, and let everyone build their own fajita.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Fajitas.
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
This one is a crowd-pleaser and a family favorite! Orecchiette pasta is tossed with tender broccoli and hearty chunks of sausage to make a meal that looks as good as it tastes. You might even have everything you need to make this orecchiette pasta dish in your kitchen already, it’s made with just five simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli.
Shrimp Quesadillas
You can make these tasty quesadillas in just 20 minutes! Shrimp cooks in mere minutes, which makes it a great weeknight protein option. The toasted tortillas have layers of melty cheese and succulent spiced shrimp. This easy dinner delivers great flavors in each bite.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Quesadillas.
Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki
If you are craving takeout at home, try this slow-cooker recipe for chicken teriyaki! You’ll have a flavorful and easy dinner waiting for you – with minimal work. Chicken is coated in a jarred teriyaki sauce for a true dump-and-go recipe! Serve with rice and a veggie.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki.
Big Mac Salad
Skip the drive-thru and get the flavor you crave, at home. This recipe has Big Mac-inspired flavor in each bite, but with a lighter and fresher flavor. Serve with fries for a delicious and nutritious main course dinner salad.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad.
Crockpot Pesto Chicken
You’ll need just two ingredients for this flavorful and juicy chicken. It uses budget-friendly chicken thighs to stretch your grocery budget and keep your chicken juicy. Pile this saucy chicken on bread for sandwiches and add a bit of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes for a Caprese-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pesto Chicken.
Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla
If you like buffalo chicken this recipe is for you! This buffalo chicken quesadilla is incredibly easy to make, and it has so much flavor with layers of buffalo chicken, sautéed veggies, and plenty of cheese. Serve with plenty of fresh toppings for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas.
Naan Pizzas
These easy mini naan pizzas are perfect for nights when you don’t feel like cooking as they take just a few minutes to prep. Put out toppings and let everyone make their own.
Get the Recipe: Naan Pizzas.
Dumpling Soup
Save your money and skip the takeout because you can make this delicious and easy dumpling soup at home in just 15 minutes. Frozen dumplings cook in a garlic and ginger broth and spinach wilts in the last few minutes of cooking for a light, but satisfying soup. Top with chili crisp oil and sesame oil for more flavor.
Get the Recipe: Dumpling Soup.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
If my kids had to pick an all-time favorite meal, this is it. Our homemade spaghetti with meat sauce features a slow-simmered, rich tomato meat sauce made with perfectly browned ground beef, Italian sausage, a balanced tomato sauce, and traditional Italian seasonings. Serve with al dente spaghetti, a salad, and garlic bread.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
