Navigating the hectic schedules of busy families can be challenging, especially when it comes to preparing dinner on busy weeknights. However, with a bit of planning and creativity, it’s possible to whip up delicious and nutritious meals that the whole family will love without spending hours in the kitchen. In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of easy weeknight dinner recipes that are quick to prepare, require minimal ingredients, and are sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
1. One-Pot Pasta Primavera
This colorful and flavorful dish is not only easy to make but also a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. To make one-pot pasta primavera, you’ll need:
- 8 ounces of pasta (any shape will do)
- 2 cups of assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and spinach)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
To prepare, simply add the pasta, vegetables, garlic, and vegetable broth to a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sheet pan meals are a busy parent’s best friend, requiring minimal prep and cleanup. These chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and can be customized to suit your family’s preferences. To make sheet pan chicken fajitas, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning
- Tortillas, for serving
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss the chicken strips, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, and fajita seasoning until evenly coated. Spread the mixture out on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve the chicken fajita mixture with warm tortillas and your choice of toppings.
3. Quick and Easy Stir-Fry
Stir-fries are a fantastic option for busy weeknights, as they come together in a flash and can be customized with whatever ingredients you have on hand. To make a quick and easy stir-fry, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of protein (such as chicken breast, shrimp, tofu, or beef), thinly sliced
- 2 cups of mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and mushrooms), sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the protein and cook until browned and cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and the minced garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the mixed vegetables and cook until tender-crisp. Return the cooked protein to the skillet and add the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sesame oil. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until everything is heated through. Serve the stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles.
4. 15-Minute Taco Salad
Taco salad is a quick and satisfying meal that requires minimal prep and can be customized with your family’s favorite toppings. To make a 15-minute taco salad, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 head of lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of canned corn, drained
- 1 cup of canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- Tortilla chips, crushed, for serving
- Optional toppings: salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, and shredded cheese. Add the cooked meat mixture and toss to combine. Serve the taco salad topped with crushed tortilla chips and your choice of optional toppings.
5. Baked Pesto Salmon
Salmon is not only delicious and nutritious but also cooks quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners. This baked pesto salmon recipe is simple yet flavorful, requiring just a few ingredients. To make baked pesto salmon, you’ll need:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1/4 cup of pesto sauce
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the pesto sauce and lemon juice. Spoon the pesto mixture over the salmon fillets, spreading it evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Serve the baked pesto salmon with lemon wedges for squeezing.
6. Easy Vegetable Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a quick and versatile meal that can be customized with your favorite fillings. These easy vegetable quesadillas are packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights. To make vegetable quesadillas, you’ll need:
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup of shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1 cup of assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach), sliced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Optional toppings: salsa, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced vegetables and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle half of it with shredded cheese. Top the cheese with a layer of cooked vegetables, then sprinkle with more cheese. Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling. Serve the vegetable quesadillas hot, with your choice of toppings.
7. Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
The Instant Pot is a game-changer for busy families, allowing you to cook meals quickly and easily with minimal hands-on time. This Instant Pot chicken and rice recipe is a hearty and comforting dish that comes together in a flash. To make Instant Pot chicken and rice, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup of long-grain white rice
- 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley
To prepare, start by seasoning the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Place the seasoned chicken in the Instant Pot along with the chopped onion, minced garlic, rice, chicken broth, and frozen mixed vegetables. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Select the manual or pressure cook setting and set the timer for 8 minutes at high pressure. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
Once the pressure has fully released, carefully remove the lid and fluff the chicken and rice with a fork. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve the Instant Pot chicken and rice hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
8. Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This classic Chinese dish is quick to make and bursting with flavor, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option. To make easy beef and broccoli stir-fry, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 cups of broccoli florets
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Cooked rice, for serving
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch to make the stir-fry sauce. Set aside.
Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the cooked steak from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, and broccoli florets, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
Return the cooked steak to the skillet, then pour the stir-fry sauce over the beef and vegetables. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened and everything is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
Serve the beef and broccoli stir-fry hot, over cooked rice.
9. Quick and Easy Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish that comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy weeknights. To make quick and easy spaghetti carbonara, you’ll need:
- 8 ounces of spaghetti
- 4 slices of bacon, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Start by cooking the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy, then remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it and immediately add it to the skillet with the garlic. Toss the spaghetti with the garlic until evenly coated, then add the cooked bacon to the skillet.
Pour the egg and Parmesan mixture over the spaghetti and quickly toss everything together until the eggs are cooked and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the spaghetti carbonara hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Easy Baked Chicken Tenders
Kids and adults alike will love these crispy baked chicken tenders, which are healthier than their fried counterparts and easy to make. To make easy baked chicken tenders, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of chicken tenders
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs, beaten
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Dip each chicken tender into the beaten eggs, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown.
Serve the baked chicken tenders hot, with your choice of dipping sauce (such as ketchup, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce) on the side.
Conclusion
Preparing quick and easy weeknight dinners doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. With these simple and delicious recipes, you can whip up satisfying meals for your family in no time, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy quality time together. Whether you’re craving pasta, stir-fry, tacos, or baked chicken, there’s something for everyone in this collection of easy weeknight dinner ideas. So put on your apron, fire up the stove, and get ready to impress your family with these tasty and fuss-free meals!