29 Easy Weeknight Dinners for Busy Evenings

After a busy day, the last thing you want to do is spend a ton of time in the kitchen – understandable! These easy dinners will get you through the busiest of evenings. From stir-fries to pasta to comfort food classics, these are sure to become your go-to weeknight dinners.

Healthy Turkey Meatloaf

This healthy turkey meatloaf recipe is proof that comfort food can be both healthy and hearty! This lighter take on classic meatloaf also has some (not-so) secret veggies mixed right in, making it a delicious way to eat some extra veggies. It’s cheesy, juicy, super flavorful, and perfect for a comforting dinner that’s easy to make and so versatile.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Meatloaf.

Sheet Pan Lasagna

With generous amounts of meat, cheese, and sauce, this sheet pan lasagna recipe is simply delicious! It’s easy to make and ideal for dinner.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lasagna.

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.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

If you could benefit from some cozy comfort food, this chicken noodle soup is the recipe to make. It is a classic chicken noodle soup but with a rich drizzle of heavy cream for ultra-delicious flavor and texture. Each bite has a creamy flavor and chunks of chicken and veggies with plenty of noodles. Serve with a simple green salad.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.

Easy Udon Noodles

A bowl of udon noodles with vegetables and chopsticks. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

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.

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.

Cheesy Boursin Pasta

A plate of pasta made with boursin cheese. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

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 Taco Chili

Two bowls of chili topped with sour cream. — Photo Credit: Wholefully.

Adding lean ground turkey to a pot of chili is a delicious idea. This recipe is so easy; you make it in your slow cooker and add a shortcut ingredient with corn, beans, ground turkey and crushed tomatoes for the best easy chili. You will want to serve bowls of turkey taco chili with sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Taco Chili.

Sheet Pan Shrimp and Andouille Sausage

sheet pan cajun shrimp — Photo Credit: XOXO Bella.

Looking for tasty dinner ideas? Why not give this sheet pan shrimp and andouille sausage recipe a whirl? It’s fail-proof, easy, and oh-so delicious.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp and Andouille Sausage.

Dumpling Soup

A bowl of brothy soup with dumplings. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

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.

Mama’s Mini Meatloaves

Two mini meatloaves on a plate with mashed potatoes. — Photo Credit: Wholefully.

Try a batch of saucy mini meatloaves with ground turkey the next time you need comfort food. Bake them in a muffin tin, and serve one or two per person, depending on their appetite. These are perfect with mashed potatoes and peas on the side.

Get the Recipe: Mama’s Mini Meatloaves.

Shrimp Fajitas

A platter of tortillas, shrimp, peppers and lettuce. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

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.

Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu and Vegetables

This baked BBQ tofu is combined with broccoli, peppers, sweet potatoes, a BBQ dry rub, and your favorite BBQ sauce for the ultimate vegetarian sheet pan dinner! It’s a complete and easy meal all in one simple dish loaded with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu and Vegetables.

Turkey Bell Pepper Chili

A serving spoon lifting bell pepper turkey chili from a pot. — Photo Credit: JCP Eats.

This simple chili has so much flavor. Grab some ground turkey, bell peppers, tomato sauce and black beans to make this easy and hearty chili. It tastes perfect on a blustery fall day or anytime you could go for a thick bowl of chili!

Get the Recipe: Turkey Bell Pepper Chili.

Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese Pasta

This sheet pan chicken caprese pasta is made with chicken tenderloins, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and bocconcini (fresh mozzarella balls) and packs in many authentic Italian flavors. Serve with pasta or garlic bread for an Italian-inspired meal.

Get the Recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese Pasta.

Sticky Asian Turkey Meatballs

These turkey meatballs bring the best sweet and savory, sticky flavor to the table. Serve them over rice or noodles for a full meal, or offer a bowl of sticky Asian meatballs with toothpicks for a tasty appetizer at your next party.

Get the Recipe: Sticky Asian Turkey Meatballs.

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.

Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Pork Chops

These sheet pan honey garlic pork chops and vegetables make a delicious meal that’s easy to assemble and offers plenty of wonderful flavors. This family-friendly dinner is easy to make, and everything cooks in one pan. The pork chops are succulent, flavored with tangy honey garlic sauce, and the vegetables round out the meal.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Pork Chops.

Turkey Mapo Tofu

Bowls of rice topped with turkey and tofu. — Photo Credit: Sift and Simmer.

This Chinese style dish is so delicious and healthy that you will want to make this meal a regular on your dinner time rotation. With lean ground turkey and tofu coated with a spicy bean paste, this tastes better than take out and is ready in under a half an hour. Serve this turkey tofu over rice for a filling and flavorful meal.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Mapo Tofu.

Sheet Pan Steak and Shrimp Fajitas

Steak and shrimp fajitas are the easiest way to enjoy a surf and turf dinner at home, even in the middle of the week. Simply seasoned and cooked on a single pan in the oven in under 20 minutes! Serve with plenty of fresh toppings to add color, flavor, and nutrition.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak and Shrimp Fajitas.

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

This 20-minute stir fry makes a great weeknight dinner. The sweet and savory chunks of chicken taste just as good as the dish from your local Chinese restaurant. Serve it over rice or with stir-fried veggies for a take-out fake-out dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry.

Three Bean Turkey Chili

A bowl of turkey chili with three kinds of beans, sour cream and cheese. — Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen.

This hearty chili recipe is just the thing to make when you need a meal that can feed a crowd, while being budget friendly. With three kinds of beans, Mexican spices and ground turkey meat, this soup is so filling and flavorful that everyone will walk away from the table, completely satisfied.

Get the Recipe: Three Bean Turkey Chili.

Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet

A ground turkey taco skillet with corn, black beans and jalapeno pepper rings. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Taco night has never been so tasty! This dish is as easy as can be and is loaded with cheesy ground turkey, black beans, corn, and plenty of taco toppings to make a one-dish meal that can fill up a hungry family. You can have this quick meal on the table in just about 15 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet.

Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken

If you’re craving something sweet and savory, this Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is for you! The combo of juicy chicken thighs, broccoli, and pineapple drenched in BBQ and teriyaki sauce is unbeatable. It’s ready in under 40 minutes, making it a quick and tasty weeknight meal everyone will love.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken.

Ground Turkey Broccoli and Rice Skillet

A skillet of rice, broccoli and ground turkey topped with cheese. — Photo Credit: Evolving Table.

Make a simple skillet meal with ground turkey, broccoli, cheese, and rice for a budget-friendly family dinner that always hits the spot. This one-dish dinner is on the table in forty minutes. The panko parmesan crust over the top makes this meal incredibly tasty despite it being so simple to prepare with pantry staple ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Broccoli and Rice Skillet.

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these sheet pan chicken thighs are pure comfort food with minimal effort. Roasted alongside your favorite veggies such as carrots, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and potatoes, all soak up with Homey Dijon for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.

Ground Turkey Stir Fry

This easy recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and is loaded with protein, veggies, and a flavorful sweet and savory stir-fry sauce that’s made with pantry staples! Ground turkey and broccoli florets cook together and then get major flavor from the sauce. Serve over rice and dinner is ready.

Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stir Fry.

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.

Turkey Curry in a Hurry

Zucchini and turkey curry with rice on the side. — Photo Credit: Heartbeet Kitchen.

You can have this delicious turkey curry with coconut milk and fresh vegetables ready for dinner in no time at all. This easy meal has vibrant fresh flavors and is loaded with nutritious protein and vegetables. Serve over your favorite rice and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Curry In a Hurry.