10+ Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Meals

Making dinner can feel like a chore after a busy day. You want something tasty but don’t have much time or energy to spend in the kitchen.

Quick and easy dinner recipes help you get a good meal on the table without spending hours cooking or cleaning up.

These recipes fit into your fast-paced life. You get more time to relax and enjoy your evening.

Whether you cook for yourself or your family, simple meal ideas make dinner less stressful and more enjoyable.

1) Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

Lemon pepper chicken breasts are a quick and tasty dinner option. The lemon-pepper seasoning gives the chicken a bright and zesty taste.

You can cook the chicken on the stove or in the oven. It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.

Add a squeeze of fresh lemon for extra flavor if you like. This dish pairs well with vegetables, potatoes, or pasta.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 lemon (optional for extra juice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts with lemon pepper and dust with flour.
2. Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
4. Add lemon juice on top before serving, if desired.

You can find more details in this Lemon-Pepper Chicken Breasts Recipe.

2) Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini

This quick dish comes together fast in one skillet. You’ll cook cheese tortellini until golden and tender and add fresh baby kale or spinach for a bit of green.

The sauce is simple, made with olive oil, black pepper, and grated Pecorino Romano cheese. It’s creamy without any cream and gives you a rich, comforting flavor in just 20 minutes.

You can easily adjust the pepper amount to your taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (8 to 9 ounces each) fresh cheese tortellini
• 3 ounces baby kale or spinach
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
2. Add tortellini and sear until golden on both sides.
3. Pour in water, add salt, and pepper. Cover and cook until tortellini is tender.
4. Add kale or spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Stir in Pecorino Romano cheese until melted and sauce is creamy.
6. Serve immediately with extra black pepper if desired.

3) Microwave Red Curry Poached Salmon

This recipe gives you a tasty dinner in minutes. You poach salmon fillets in a Thai-inspired red curry sauce made with coconut milk, red curry paste, and a few simple ingredients.

Mix the sauce in a microwave-safe dish, add the salmon, and cook in the microwave. It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

The salmon turns out tender and full of coconut and spice flavor. Serve it with rice or steamed veggies for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Coconut milk
• Red curry paste
• Soy sauce
• Lime juice

Cooking Instructions

1. In a microwave-safe dish, mix coconut milk, red curry paste, soy sauce, and lime juice.
2. Place salmon fillets in the sauce, making sure they are covered.
3. Cover the dish loosely and microwave on medium power for 6-8 minutes (about 350°F / 175°C), or until salmon is cooked through.
4. Let it rest for a minute before serving.

4) Easy Beef Bulgogi

Beef bulgogi is a simple Korean BBQ dish you can make quickly. Thin slices of beef marinate in soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil.

The marinade gives the meat a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors. Cook the beef in a hot pan for just a few minutes.

Serve it with rice, fresh lettuce leaves, or kimchi. Using thin beef cuts helps you skip extra tenderizing steps.

Ingredients

• 1 pound thinly sliced sirloin beef
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, black pepper, and green onions in a bowl.
2. Add beef to the marinade and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
3. Heat a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
4. Cook the beef for 3-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with rice or lettuce.

5) Black Bean Chili

Black bean chili is a quick and simple meal for any night. It’s full of flavor and easy to customize with your favorite spices.

You can make it with just a few ingredients. It comes together in about 30 minutes.

You don’t need meat to enjoy a hearty bowl, but you can add ground beef if you like. Add toppings like cheese or avocado for extra flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and oregano; cook for 1 minute.
4. Add black beans and diced tomatoes; stir well.
5. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 25 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

You can find more details about quick black bean chili recipes here.

6) One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta is a quick, easy meal you make in one pot. It combines ground beef, pasta, and a cheesy sauce for a filling dinner.

You don’t need many dishes, making cleanup simple. The dish cooks in about 30 minutes.

Add onions, garlic, and ketchup for extra flavor. For a creamy texture, add cheese near the end while everything simmers together.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups pasta (like elbow macaroni)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic in a large pot.
2. Drain excess fat, then add pasta, beef broth, ketchup, salt, and pepper.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until pasta is tender (about 10-12 minutes).
4. Stir in cheese until melted and creamy.
5. Serve warm.

For more details, you can check this One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta recipe.

7) Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki

This dish is great when you want a quick and tasty dinner with little cleanup. You cook marinated chicken, sliced peppers, and other veggies all on one sheet pan.

The chicken is juicy and full of flavor from a simple yogurt and lemon marinade. Fresh cucumber, olives, and creamy feta cheese add a nice touch.

Tzatziki sauce brings everything together with its cool, tangy flavor. You can make this meal in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 2-3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Pita bread

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Marinate 10 minutes.
3. Spread chicken and peppers on a sheet pan.
4. Roast 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked.
5. Warm pita bread.
6. Assemble pitas with chicken, peppers, cucumbers, olives, feta, and tzatziki.

For a full recipe, check Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki.

8) Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam

These chicken burgers offer a spicy kick. Gochujang sauce adds heat and depth to the chicken mix.

Mix ground chicken with panko breadcrumbs, gochujang, garlic powder, and salt. Cook the burgers until fully done and juicy.

Make the kimchi bacon jam quickly by cooking bacon, kimchi, brown sugar, and a bit of heat together. This burger will be ready in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons gochujang sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1/4 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix chicken, panko, gochujang, garlic powder, and salt. Form into 4-5 patties.

2. Cook bacon in a pan until crisp. Remove and drain fat.

3. Add kimchi and brown sugar to bacon fat. Cook on medium-low until jam thickens.

4. Grill or pan-fry patties until they reach 165°F (74°C).

5. Serve burgers topped with kimchi bacon jam.

9) Easy Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

This dish is perfect for a quick and simple dinner. You can make it in one pan, so cleanup is easy.

The pesto gives the chicken and veggies a fresh, herby flavor. This meal cooks in about 20 to 30 minutes, making it great for busy nights.

It also tastes good as leftovers. Use your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes.

Baking keeps the chicken juicy and the vegetables tender. You can meal prep this for a few days of easy lunches or dinners.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet.

3. Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add them around the chicken.

4. Spread pesto evenly over the chicken.

5. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

6. Serve warm.

You can find more details on making this meal in this easy pesto chicken and vegetables recipe.

10) Homemade Meatballs

Homemade meatballs make a simple and tasty dinner. You can bake them in the oven for easy cooking and less mess.

They go well with pasta, in sandwiches, or as a main dish. Making meatballs from scratch lets you control the flavors.

Add garlic, Italian seasoning, or other spices to match your taste. Bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes for juicy, well-cooked meatballs.

You only need a few ingredients. Use ground beef or a mix with sausage for good flavor and texture.

Eggs and breadcrumbs help hold the meatballs together.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb sausage (optional)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. Remove the meatballs when they are cooked through.