When you hear “easy dinner recipes,” you expect them to actually be simple and stress-free. I can’t count how many times I’ve searched for “easy” recipes online, only to find myself cooking for over an hour.
So, what makes a recipe “easy”? For me, it’s about minimal ingredients, short cooking times, and no complicated prep. Whatever your definition is, these 20 dinner ideas will definitely fit the bill and make your weeknights a little less hectic.
1. Easy Sweet and Sour Pork
Skip takeout and make this sweet and sour pork at home! With tender pork and a tangy soy-sauce-based glaze, this dish is packed with flavor, made with just basic ingredients. A quick 15-minute marinade and 20 minutes of cooking is all it takes to create a meal that tastes like it took way longer.
2. One-Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce
Made all in one pot, this pasta with meat sauce is a delicious and hearty meal that means fewer dishes for you! It’s super easy to make, perfect when time is tight, and the pasta soaks up all those amazing flavors for a rich, creamy sauce everyone will love.
3. Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
These chicken dumplings are one of those go-to recipes for a cozy family dinner. Tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy broth all come together in your Instant Pot for a quick-fix comfort-food classic. You just gotta prep a few veggies, and after that it’s smooth sailing.
4. Easy Baked Garlic Butter Salmon
20 minutes is all you need to make a restaurant-quality salmon dish at home. This baked garlic butter salmon delivers flaky fish with a rich lemon garlic butter sauce that tastes indulgent yet is totally effortless. It’s a guaranteed showstopper, for special moments or just because!
5. Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
In the mood for a more creative dinner? These air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick and delicious option, packed with ground beef, rice, and cheese. They’re super easy to make, great for meal prep, and even customizable for whatever ingredients you have on hand.
6. Best Damn Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs don’t have to be a full-day project. This simple slow cooker recipe gives you that fall-off-the-bone tenderness you crave without needing a grill or smoker. Just apply a simple homemade rub, let the slow cooker work its magic, and finish under the broiler for that perfect caramelized BBQ crust.
7. Mouthwatering Fish Tacos with Lime Crema
These fish tacos with lime crema are the perfect sheet-pan dinner for a fast, flavorful weeknight dish. White fish is baked until flaky, then topped with a simple lime crema made with sour cream, mayo, and lime juice. It’s a fresh, zesty, and easy way to upgrade your taco night.
8. Instant Pot Easy Chili Mac
Once you make pasta in the Instant Pot, it’s hard to do it any other way. This chili mac recipe is perfect for quick dinners. Just 5 minutes of prep and one pot does it all! No chopping, no draining, and minimal cleanup, making it a dinner winner that guarantees clean plates.
9. Best Damn Air Fryer Meatball Subs
From game day to a quick dinner, these air fryer meatball subs will seriously upgrade your sandwich game. We’re talking homemade air-fried meatballs, marinara, and provolone, all tucked into a hearty roll. This quick and reliable recipe is just the thing when you can’t think of what to make!
10. Stovetop Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet and savory, this honey garlic chicken is coated in a delicious sauce made from just six common ingredients. It’s a quick, easy, and flavorful dish that comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it up on its own, with rice, or use it in sandwiches, wraps, or salads for something simple n’ tasty.
11. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Shrimp with Vegetables
This teriyaki shrimp brings together tender shrimp and fresh summer veggies like zucchini and bell peppers, all bathed in a rich teriyaki sauce. Everything cooks up on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze and delivering amazing flavors and textures. Uncomplicated, yummy, and great for anything.
12. Best Damn Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers
Add another easy sandwich recipe to your collection. This air fryer sausage and pepper recipe gives you perfectly cooked Italian sausages with roasted bell peppers and onions, all in a bun. I love these for gameday or when I’m craving a hearty sandwich.
13. Easy Shepherd’s Pie Casserole
Your favorite Irish comfort food, but in casserole form. This shepherd’s pie switches things up with mushrooms and green beans, layered with ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and a cheesy cheddar topping. It’s an easy, savory meal that’s perfect for feeding the whole household.
14. Slow Cooker Lasagna Roll-Ups
Traditional lasagna can be a bit of a hassle, but these slow cooker roll-ups make it effortless. You simply roll tender noodles with a hearty meat sauce and rich ricotta filling, then let your slow cooker do the rest. It’s a creative way to enjoy lasagna, offering a “set it and forget it” meal perfect for pasta lovers seeking an easy dinner or party dish.
15. Best Easy Instant Pot Pot Roast
A pot roast, done in just over an hour? What kind of magic is this? This easy Instant Pot recipe whips up a flavorful chuck roast with all the fixings – carrots, potatoes, and perfect gravy – in a fraction of the time. It’s an inexpensive, fall-apart family meal that’ll be ready before you know it!
16. 4-Ingredient Pesto Tortellini Salad
I love me some pesto, and this tortellini salad is a home run. With just four ingredients like cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and pesto, you get a simple and delicious meal that’s great for a quick lunch or a summer side. It’s proof that you don’t need many ingredients to create a flavorful, filling meal.
17. Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken
This air fryer hot honey chicken hits all the right notes: sweet, spicy, and savory. Coated in sticky honey, zesty hot sauce, and crunchy cornflakes, it’s a healthier, crispy twist on a classic chicken dish that’s super easy and quick to make. Serve it on its own, in a sandwich, or over a salad for a surefire universal favorite.
18. Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Peppers
When you’re craving homemade Italian but don’t want the fuss, this sheet pan gnocchi with sausage & peppers is your new secret weapon. It’s got tender gnocchi, savory sausage, and sweet peppers, all cooked in one pan in just 40 minutes. The gnocchi comes out perfectly crispy and caramelized on the outside, while still being soft and pillowy on the inside.
19. Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice
Cajun chicken is always delicious, and this Instant Pot version makes it so convenient. This one-pot wonder brings together tender chicken, flavorful rice, and bold Cajun spices with minimal effort. You get maximum flavor, perfectly cooked chicken, and fluffy rice without the usual kitchen mess.
20. Easy Air Fryer Lamb Chops
I don’t make lamb often since it seems kind of intimidating, but this air fryer recipe makes it surprisingly easy. With just a few basic ingredients, you can have a tender, delicious main dish on the table in about 15 minutes. Enjoy juicy, garlic-and-rosemary-infused lamb chops any night of the week!
No More “What’s for Dinner?”
The daily “What’s for dinner?” struggle is all too real. It always seems to hit when you’re tired and fresh out of ideas. Finding something easy, tasty, and quick to whip up can feel like a real challenge.
With this handy list of easy dinner recipes, you don’t have to worry about staring into the pantry or defaulting to takeout. With a go-to collection of simple, delicious meals, you can save time, money, and eliminate the stress of meal planning.
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