These 50 easy and delicious dinner ideas are the perfect dinner recipes to make any time you ask yourself, “What should I make for dinner tonight?”
50 Easy Dinner Ideas
Why is it figuring out tonight’s dinner can be one of the biggest challenges of the day? No more! The next time you find yourself limited on time and asking yourself, “What should we eat for dinner tonight?”, just look to this list of dinner ideas.
These all-in-one dinner ideas are ready to swoop in and save the day. Some are cooked on a sheet pan, made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, or made in just one pot or skillet. And most all of these dinner ideas require 10 minutes of prep (yay less dishes) and are ready in 40 minutes or less!
This dinner idea recipe list provides the time Ito bust the boring dinner rut and slay busy weeknights by showing who’s the dinnertime boss now.
1. Chicken Piccata Pasta
FoodieCrush
This chicken piccata pasta’s lemony white wine, butter and caper sauce makes a light and snappy coating for linguine with tomato bursts and mushrooms for an easy pasta dinner that won’t weigh you down.
2. Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken & Vegetables
Joyful Healthy Eats
Sheet pan meals are one of the greatest dinner ideas! This 30-minute sheet pan dinner is everything you want a weeknight meal to be. Loaded up with colorful root veggies and a dijon mustard chicken, it’s easy to make, healthy and filling, and requires minimal cleanup!
3. Gnocchi with Pomodoro Sauce
FoodieCrush
This simple tomato sauce gets tons of flavor from herbs steeped in olive oil that lusciously coats potato pillows of gnocchi, topped with fresh balls of mozzarella.
4. Lime Beef and Basil Stir Fry
Sweet Peas and Saffron
30 minutes is all you need to make this flavorful, Thai Stir-Fry sizzle!
5. 30-Minute Garlic and Herb Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
FoodieCrush
Fast dinners don’t come together much quicker than this garlic and herb rubbed pork tenderloin recipe that’s seared on the stove then finished in the oven for a lean and juicy main dish cooked in just 30 minutes.
6. Easy Chicken Marsala
FoodieCrush
Just add a side salad to this dish of golden brown chicken breasts with mushrooms and shallots in a lush, sweet and savory Marsala wine sauce makes THE BEST easy, 30-minute classic chicken skillet dinner.
7. Coq au Riesling Pasta
Simply Delicious
This French pasta tastes like one of Julia Child’s dinner ideas that’s whipped up in minutes (only on a weeknight, because it comes together in just 30 minutes)—oui oui!
8. Easy Taco Soup
FoodieCrush
This easy taco soup recipe can be made in 30 minutes on the stove top, Instant Pot, or slow cooked in the Crock Pot for a healthy Mexican-inspired, make-ahead, one-bowl meal.
9. 15-Minute Creamy Tomato Garlic Butter Shrimp
Cafe Delites
This creamy 4-step pasta dinner is teeming with flavor thanks to lots of garlic, and it only takes 15 minutes!
10. Thai Chicken Coconut and Rice
FoodieCrush
This easy Thai Coconut Chicken and Rice dinner has just the right amount of spice from jalapeño and ginger to flavor this creamy coconut sauce for a simple all-in-on meal.
11. 20-Minute Ground Chicken Tacos with Poblanos
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Tacos make everything better, especially when they’re bursting with flavor, easy to make, and only take 20 minutes of work!
12. Garlic White Wine Skillet Chicken with Olives & Artichokes
Snixy Kitchen
Perfectly juicy and super crispy chicken is gussied up with briny olives, zesty artichokes, garlic, and white wine, making this one sexy skillet homemade dinner! Though the flavors and presentation are sophisticated, this dish actually requires minimal prep, making it weeknight-friendly.
13. Easy Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken with Vegetables
FoodieCrush
Traditional tandoori chicken is made in a clay oven, but this version of the classic Indian chicken dinner is baked on a sheet pan with Indian spiced vegetables for a complete meal any night of the week.
14. 15-Minute Lo Mein
Pinch of Yum
Ditch the greasy takeout and make these addictive, no-frills noodles instead. They’re a healthier, tasty dinner idea made in one pan, and they’re ready in just 15 minutes!
15. Smokey Chili Mac Soup
Bev Cooks
If this mac and cheese-chili hybrid doesn’t scream “coziness,” then I don’t know what does! Smoked paprika and fire-roasted tomatoes are the magic ingredients that give this one pot chili a major punch of flavor, and leafy kale makes it extra hearty (and a tad virtuous).
16. Just Like Taco Bell Tacos
FoodieCrush
Forget the drive-thru, this is how to make a beef tacos recipe that tastes just like Taco Bell tacos for an easy Taco Tuesday dinner at home any night of the week.
17. Turkey Taco Quinoa Skillet
Spoonful of Flavor
This protein powerhouse is everything you love about a burrito, but without all of the calories. Also, it comes together in just one skillet, and is super healthy and satisfying.
18. Chicken Fajita Foil Packet Dinners
FoodieCrush
Quick and easy to prep, these chicken fajita foil packet dinners with a simple homemade fajita seasoning mix are cooked on the grill or in the oven and ready to eat in just about 30 minutes.
19. Cajun Chicken Pasta
Whisk it Real Gud
A creamy alfredo sauce, spicy cajun chicken breast, and tangles of linguini make this easy, 20-minute pasta dish a decadent weeknight win.
20. Healthier Sweet and Sour Pork
FoodieCrush
This version of the classic Chinese takeout dish is made healthier thanks to sautéed lean pork tenderloin instead of deep-fried, and a master stir fry sauce sweetened with balsamic vinegar and honey.
21. One-Pot Chicken and Rice Fajita Soup
Carlsbad Cravings
This 30-minute one pot fajita-inspired soup is chockfull of so many wonderful spices and flavors. Just don’t forget all the yummy fixings!
22. Broiled Miso Cod with Vegetables
FoodieCrush
This sheet-pan dinner couldn’t be easier. Simply marinade the fish in a simple miso sauce then place in the oven for a fast and favorite meal.
23. Chicken Snow Pea Green Curry
Nutmeg Nanny
Lean chicken and tons of fresh veggies make this aromatic, creamy curry healthy and satisfying. Plus, it it all comes together in just 20 minutes!
24. Beef with Broccoli
FoodieCrush
This incredibly easy but incredibly flavorful recipe for one of the most popular Chinese dishes can easily be made gluten-free or traditional style.
25. One-Pot Black Bean Enchilada Pasta
Savory Nothings
You can never go wrong with a one pot pasta during a busy workweek. This one only has two steps, and can be on your table in 30 minutes! The best part? The only dishes you’ll need to wash are a knife, cutting board, and pot!
26. Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli with Whole Wheat Pasta
FoodieCrush
n this chicken and broccoli pasta, a hint of stone ground mustard gives a bit of tang to creamy melted cheese mixed into whole wheat pasta, broccoli florets, and shredded chicken.
27. Honey Mustard Slow Cooker Pork Loin and Rice
Food Faith Fitness
With just 10 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, you can’t beat this easy weeknight meal that your whole family will love. Melt-in-your-mouth-tender pork and brown rice are brought together in the most irresistible honey-dijon sauce, resulting in the most comforting, yet healthy, and gluten-free dinner!
28. Easy Skillet Chili
Rachel Schultz
You’ve gotta love a meal you can make entirely in one skillet. This chili is everything chili should be: Hearty, comforting, and effortless.
29. 30-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry
Gimme Some Oven
Everyone loves a good stir-fry, and this one features a killer homemade sauce that you’ll want to use on everything! Plus, it’s quick and easy, and customizable with whatever veggies you have in your fridge.
30. Instant Pot Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps
FoodieCrush
hese better-than-P.F. Chang’s orange chicken lettuce wraps recipe is incredibly easy to make and does double duty as a self-serve, low-carb appetizer or as a healthy main meal that’s quick to make and even more fun to eat.
31. Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese
Love Grows Wild
We’ll never be too old for some mac and cheese! This dreamy (not too caloric) version only has three steps and you can make it in just minutes. Plus, it’s got some chicken thrown in for protein, and broccoli for good measure, so you get something green! Everybody wins.
32. Slow Cooker Chipotle Lentil Soup with Avocado
Cookin’ Canuck
This soup may be vegetarian, but it’s wonderfully hearty and filling. Flavors of cumin and adobo lend a nice smokiness to it, and once again, the slow cooker steps in to save the day!
33. Lemon Chicken Thighs with Artichokes
FoodieCrush
This lemon chicken recipe makes juicy, bone-in chicken thighs with the Mediterranean flavors of white wine and artichokes for an easy chicken dinner ready in 30 minutes.
34. One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Chelsea’s Messy Apron
After a mini 2-ingredient marinade (that’s also used as a cooking sauce and dipping sauce) and 10 minutes of prep, you can sit down and relax with a glass of wine while this healthy sheet pan dinner cooks away! All weeknight dinners should be this easy.
35. Baked Salmon with Creme Fraiche
FoodieCrush
Salmon recipes can be cooked many ways, but in my book, there’s nothing as easy as oven baked salmon in white wine and lemon for a healthy dinner, or to make and use for meal prep all week long.
36. One Pot Cheesy Sausage Penne Recipe
Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Let’s be real, I’ll always be excited about any homemade dinner idea that involves penne, sausage, cheese and is made in one lil’ old pot.
37. Mediterranean Chicken and Quinoa Bowls
FoodieCrush
Chicken quinoa bowls have staked their healthy claim on quick and easy meal-prep dinners that are flexible enough to mix and match ingredients for take-to-work lunches that never get boring, too.
38. Easy White Chicken Chili
Two Peas and Their Pod
A simple store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this comforting chili a breeze. You can prep everything in just 10 minutes, and it only needs 20 minutes to cook.
39. Sheet Pan Mustard Roasted Salmon with Vegetables
FoodieCrush
A tangy mustard sauce flavors this sheet-pan baked salmon recipe with caramelized asparagus and potatoes for a super simple dinner with minimal clean-up.
40. (Really, Really Good) Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Iowa Girl Eats
This recipe makes a whole lot, so halve it if you’re cooking for one or two or make it part of your weekly meal plan to eat through the week, the leftovers are excellent reheated.
41. One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice
FoodieCrush
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is a fast and healthy 30-minute meal made right on the stove top, making it a favorite one-pot dinner that feeds a family of four for under $10.
42. 30-Minute Tarragon Chicken Pasta
Gnom Gnom
The trick to this quick meal is in browning the chicken first, followed by a brief poaching in dry white wine with sautéed shallots that’ll keep the chicken juicy all week long.
43. Ramen Noodles with Marinated Steak and Broccoli
FoodieCrush
Ramen noodles aren’t just for soup anymore. Here’s how to hack every college student’s favorite noodle recipe and give it an instant upgrade by turning it into an easy and healthy weeknight meal ready in just 30 minutes or less.
44. Italian Chicken and Vegetable Skillet
Recipe Runner
Bright pesto, Italian seasoning, and garlic breathe so much flavor into this light and easy dish. It comes together in just 30 minutes, and you can eat it straight from the skillet, or add to your favorite grain or pasta—mamma mia!
45. One-Pot Penne Pasta with Ground Turkey and Spinach
FoodieCrush
Looking for an easy ground turkey recipe? This one-pot pasta comes together in just 30 minutes and is packed with good-for-you ingredients like spinach, tomatoes, and ground turkey.
46. Sheet Pan Thai Glazed Salmon with Vegetables
The Recipe Critic
Flaky salmon and veggies get tossed in the yummiest zesty Thai sauce and then cooked up on a sheet pan in this super easy 30-minute meal! Eat as is, or serve over some rice, then rejoice in the fact that you have practically zero dishes to wash!
47. Chicken Shawarma Gnocchi Bowls
Climbing Grier Mountain
Simple and quick, herbed baked chicken tops little pillows of heaven, GNOCCHI! for a dinner or lunch that will totally bowl you over. This yummy dish totally hits the spot.
48. Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas
FoodieCrush
This healthy recipe for pasta with turkey sausage and peas makes a fast Italian skillet dinner for any night of the week.
49. Crockpot Thai Chicken Curry
The Endless Meal
Want curry in a hurry? Let your crockpot do all of the work! This version is super creamy and flavorful, yet light and healthy. It’s naturally paleo and gluten-free.
50. 30-Minute Caprese Chicken
FoodieCrush
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this beautiful and easy chicken. Serve over pasta, salad, or alongside your favorite veggies, and pretend it’s summer all year-long!
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
THE BEST Chicken Caprese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts , skinless and boneless
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 6 oz. jar DeLallo Traditional Basil Simply Pesto
- 4-6 slices fresh mozzarella or 6 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
- 8 cocktail or small tomatoes sliced
- DeLallo balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil slivered
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Use a thin, sharp knife to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat with the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted into the olive oil, add the chicken breasts to the pan, being careful not to crowd. Cook on each side until lightly browned and easily release from the pan, about 3-4 minutes each.
- Slather the tops of each chicken breast with the basil pesto, about 1-2 tablespoons per chicken breast. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella and a few slices of tomato. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Nutrition
More Dinner Ideas
- 20 One-Pot Wonder Meals—They’re What’s for Dinner
- 25 Great Ground Beef Recipes
- 30 Easy Comfort Food Casseroles
- 31 Quick Dinner Ideas for Easy Summer Nights
- 50 Favorite Mediterranean Diet Recipes
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