Quick Dinner Recipes to Use in Your Meal Plan
I love taking care of my family, but cooking dinner every night is killing me slowly. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. It seems to take forever to make a meal and 5 minutes to eat it. These quick dinner recipes are easy to make, your family will love them and they will get you out of the kitchen fast. That Real Housewives isn’t going to watch itself.
Quick Dinner Recipes to Make for Your Family
I try to cook 5 nights a week. That doesn’t mean I’m cooking elaborate meals 5 nights a week but I certainly do my best to put at least something healthy on the table. That means if I server hot dogs, there is also going to be a veggie tray.
I usually give myself an hour to cook but try to make recipes that take about half an hour. Any longer than that and I end up running behind and getting dinner on the table later than I want to.
I reserve more complicated home-cooked meals for Sunday evening when I have less stress and more time to try new things.
These quick and easy dinner recipes will feed your family and they might not hate it. You never really know with kids.
Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Try one of these super fast dinner ideas when you're in a hurry or just don't feel like spending your whole evening in the kitchen.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
Chicken is a great choice for a quick, healthy meal when you're in a hurry. Here are some ideas to get chicken dinner on the table fast.
Creamy and delicious; this meal will make it feel like you have something to celebrate. And you'll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. This is comfort food at it's finest. It's great for colder weather or if you have unexpected company.
All of the gooey goodness of white enchiladas without the time-consuming task of hand filling and rolling each one. This one is casserole-style, baby!
Tacos are always a winner and this healthy chicken version is no exception. Serve with everyone's favorite toppings for a quick meal everyone will devour. You can even make the chicken in the Instant Pot if you don't want to worry about a pot boiling over.
In a perfect world, the whole family sits down around the table to eat and chat. Unfortunately, our world isn't perfect and sometimes we need an easy, portable meal to grab on the go. These Walking Tacos are the answer! Your kids will LOVE them!
Tired of serving the same old chicken dishes every night? This simple stir fry will break you out of your slump with its unique flavor. Use frozen rice and precut veggies to get it on the table in a hurry.
Don't let your fear of raw chicken scare you away from roasting chickens. The gross part is over quickly and you'll be left with moist, versatile chicken to use in a variety of dishes. Plus I always make at least 2 at a time so you have enough chicken for 3 meals!
No time to cook? Pair a store-bought rotisserie chicken with a few frozen sides. There are so many healthy, whole food options waiting in the grocery store freezer! Just a few simple ingredients help you dress up your chicken fast.
Honest truth? I am not a fan of mayonnaise. Like, at all. The mayo is what makes this dish though! Creamy mayo and crunchy tortilla chips work together to create super moist chicken with a crunchy crust that is irresistible, even to mayo haters.
Easy Dinner Recipes To Try Tonight
Between school, sports, work, and other responsibilities, it is almost impossible to get a healthy meal on the table. Try one of these ideas so you can cross dinner off your to-do list.
A stir fry is an easy dish to whip up quickly and using ground turkey makes it even faster. Use your family's favorite add-ins or just grab whatever you have left in the fridge. Serve over rice or in a lettuce wrap. This one is also great as leftovers.
This kid friendly version of fish tacos is so easy to throw together. Using frozen fish sticks and a pre-made salad kit, you can have a light, fresh meal on the table in 15 minutes.
Easy Soup and Sandwiches for Dinner
Soups and sandwiches don't have to be boring. Try one these unique meal ideas and put an end to boring soup and sandwiches.
Some nights, you just need a juicy hamburger. Try this surprising twist with bbq sauce and pineapple. I only use Bubba Burger patties since they are delicious and I can keep them in the freezer.
Whether you have a picky eater, are trying to be more environmentally friendly, or just love grilled veggies, these sandwiches are perfect for a meatless meal.
Nothing pleases a hungry bunch more than hot dogs. Offer some unique toppings to set your spread apart for the basic hot dog with ketchup. People love to choose their own toppings. And this makes serving hot dogs seem a little fanicer.
One pot and a few cans from the pantry is all it takes to get this delicious soup on the table. Serve with everyone's favorite toppings. It's perfect for super busy nights when it's cold outside.
Crockpot meals do take a little extra planning to get them started, but having a ready-to-eat meal at the end of the day is so worth it. A few quick chops and this soup is ready to set and forget. Serve with some extra cheese and bacon for a cool weather favorite!
Pizza and Pasta For An Easy Dinner
Who doesn't love pizza and pasta?? Dish up one of these meals that everyone is sure to love.
If you can boil water, you can make this long-time favorite pasta dish. A little season salt gives it tons of flavor and topping it with Frito's gives it the perfect crunch! This is a favorite cozy dish we make when my youngest is under the weather. He LOVES this!
Pizza doesn't have to be be greasy takeout. Throw together this sophisticated version with a goat cheese sauce and gourmet sausage to impress even the pickiest palates. I crave this!
One of my childhood favorite sandwiches in pizza form! Because everything is better on a pizza, right? My grandma used to make delicious warm salami sandwiches when we would visit. These flavors are so great together! And it's totally unexpected.
Make These Quick Easy Dinner Recipes
If the list above didn’t give you enough ideas of what to serve your family you also need to check out my list of ridiculously easy dinner ideas for when you don’t want to cook at all. These ideas barely even qualify as cooking. Because sometimes cooking sucks.
While these aren’t full meals, these recipes will help you save time in the kitchen too.
- My Favorite Taco Seasoning for quick ground beef tacos.
- Frozen Side Dishes to Make with a Jazzed Up Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken.
- Frozen Lasagna is a great quick dinner idea with Easy Mushroom Polenta Side Dish.
Pin These Ideas for Dinner Recipes to Make on Busy Weeknights
These quick dinner recipes will help you feed your family a delicious meal and ensure that you aren’t in the kitchen all evening! They’re perfect for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a ton of time to worry about dinner.