We all know the feeling: it's a weeknight, you're tired, and you don't have anything planned for dinner. You could order takeout, but it's expensive and unhealthy. You could go to the grocery store, but you don't have time. What do you do?
The answer is simple: make a quick and easy weeknight dinner. These recipes are designed to be simple to follow and quick to cook, so you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table in no time.
Here are five of my favorite quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes:
1. One-Pan Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry
This recipe is a great way to get a healthy and delicious meal on the table in no time. Simply stir-fry your favorite vegetables with some chicken, and you'll have a meal that's both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup snow peas
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, and snow peas.
- Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
- Stir to coat.
- Cook until the sauce is heated through.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
2. 30-Minute Sheet Pan Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
This recipe is another great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The salmon and vegetables are roasted on a single sheet pan, so there's minimal cleanup required.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound salmon fillet, skin on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the salmon fillet on the baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 15 minutes.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, and cherry tomatoes to the baking sheet.
- Roast for an additional 15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Serve immediately.
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3. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
This recipe is a great option for a busy weeknight. The chicken is cooked in the slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it. Then, all you have to do is assemble the tacos and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 jar salsa
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 12 taco shells
- Your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Pour the salsa and taco seasoning over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the chicken with two forks.
- Assemble the tacos and enjoy.
4. Veggie-Packed Spaghetti
This recipe is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. The vegetables are hidden in the sauce, so they'll never know they're eating them.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- Shredded cheese, for serving
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Drain the fat.
- Add the onion and green pepper to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
- Drain the noodles and return them to the pot.
- Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss to coat.
- Serve topped with shredded cheese.
5. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
This recipe is a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that's perfect for a weeknight meal. The creamy tomato sauce is made with simple ingredients and comes together in no time.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound pasta, such as penne or rotini
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners
- Plan ahead: Take some time on the weekend to plan your meals for the week. This will help you avoid the stress of figuring out what to make for dinner each night.
- Keep your pantry stocked with staples: Having a few staple ingredients on hand, such as canned tomatoes, pasta, rice, and beans, can help you throw together a quick meal even when you're short on time.
- Prep your ingredients in advance: Chop vegetables, cook rice, or shred chicken ahead of time to save time during the week.
- Use your slow cooker or Instant Pot: These appliances can be lifesavers on busy weeknights. You can simply throw in your ingredients and let them cook while you're at work or running errands
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These are just a few ideas for quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes. With a little planning, you can easily whip up a delicious and healthy meal that your whole family will love.
So next time you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of cooking dinner, don't despair. Just try one of these recipes and see how easy it can be to eat well on busy weeknights.