Don’t let your dinner routine become boring, check out these 40 Easy Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight to get new, delicious dinner ideas!

Chicken breasts in creamy mushroom sauce are cooked in a skillet, garnished with parsley. Text overlay reads: Top 40+ Easy Dinner Ideas To Make Tonight.

40 Easy Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight

Can’t decide what to make for dinner?! We’ve got you covered! Back to school means busy weeknights and quick dinners. That is why I complied my favorite easy dinner recipes that can be made in no time! Most of these recipes are 30 minutes or less or are dump and go either in the slow cooker or in the instant pot. I’ve included everything from healthy low carb meals, to pastas and slow cooker favorites. There’s something for everyone!

I’ve also included recipes from almost every type of cuisine. Italian, Asian inspired, Mexican, Indian! You will never get bored with this rotation!

Chicken Recipes

A bowl of creamy chicken pot pie pasta with spiral noodles, peas, carrots, tender chicken pieces, and herbs, topped with grated cheese. A fork is in the bowl.
Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta has everything you love about classic chicken pot pie, but in an easy, one-skillet recipe.
5 from 4 votes
Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
chicken shawarma thighs on plate
Chicken Shawarma
Super Easy Chicken Shawarma. A Mediterranean inspired dish loaded with tons of spices and baked until golden brown!
4.90 from 55 votes
Chicken Shawarma Recipe
A bowl of white rice topped with pieces of glazed, sesame-sprinkled chicken—just like you’d find in a Homemade General Tso Chicken recipe—with a pair of dark chopsticks resting on the side of the bowl.
30 minute General Tso Chicken
This easy and delicious 30 minute General Tso's Chicken recipe is pan-fried and tossed in a sweet and sticky sauce. Skip the takeout and make this dish in the comfort of home!
3.67 from 3 votes
Easy General Tso Recipe
A pan filled with Chicken Chow Mein stir-fried noodles, vegetables, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions. A hand uses metal tongs to lift some noodles.
Chicken Chow Mein
Chicken Chow Mein. Stir fried noodles, vegetables and chicken cooked in a rich savory sauce. Everything is cooked in one skillet and is ready in 30 minutes!
5 from 7 votes
Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
A bowl of white rice topped with sliced breaded chicken katsu, drizzled with dark sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and garnished with chopped green onions. Served alongside is a crispy toasted ravioli for an extra touch of flavor. A fork rests on the side.
Chicken Katsu
This Chicken Katsu is just as good at the takeout version maybe even better! We bread chicken cutlets then deep fry them until golden brown and crispy! Serve over a bed of white rice and Tonkatsu sauce! Skip the takeout and make this delicious homemade chicken Katsu instead!
3.67 from 3 votes
Chicken Katsu Recipe
cropped-the-best-chicken-stir-fry.jpg
Easy Chicken Stir Fry
Easy 30 Minute Chicken Stir Fry. Loaded with vegetables and tossed in a spicy Asian sauce.
4.75 from 12 votes
Easy Chicken Stir Fry
A delicious enchilada topped with sauce, diced tomatoes, onions, and olives is served alongside refried beans and lettuce on a white plate with a fork on the side—perfect for those who enjoy Mexican favorites like air fryer chimichanga.
Air Fryer Chimichangas
Ready in less than an 30 minutes, this Air Fryer Chimichanga Recipe is so easy to throw together! Loaded with shredded Mexican chicken, refried beans and cheese, it gets air fried and then smothered in simple homemade queso. The outside gets just as crispy as baking and is much healthier than the restaurant version!
5 from 5 votes
Air Fryer Chimichangas
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake is made with blackened chicken, homemade Alfredo, and penne pasta. It's a quick and easy dinner recipe!
5 from 2 votes
Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
Chicken Caprese grilled chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella, fresh tomato slices, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze on a white plate.
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Grilled Chicken Caprese. Juicy chicken breast topped with mozzarella, tomato, basil and a homemade balsamic reduction.
5 from 21 votes
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Chicken breasts in a creamy mushroom sauce—reminiscent of Easy Chicken Marsala—are garnished with chopped parsley and simmered gently in a stainless steel skillet.
Easy Chicken Marsala
Easy Chicken Marsala is a rich and creamy dish made in one pan and ready in under 30 minutes! It is an Italian staple that you can make at home!
4.45 from 9 votes
Easy Chicken Marsala

Beef Recipes

beef fried rice in pan with wooden spoon and veggies
Easy Beef Fried Rice
Easy Beef Fried Rice. Loaded with beef, carrots and broccoli! Ready in under 30 minutes!
4.60 from 27 votes
Easy Beef Fried Rice
A bowl of Instant Pot Spaghetti with tomato sauce, meat, and sliced basil, topped with grated cheese. A fork is placed in the bowl.
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Instant Pot Spaghetti. A super easy meat sauce spaghetti cooked in the instant pot and ready in less than 30 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Meatballs in a glossy brown sauce with chopped green onions and diced red and yellow bell peppers, served in a metal pan—a hearty dish that’s just as satisfying as classic favorites like Curry Chicken Salad.
Teriyaki Beef Meatballs
Super Easy Teriyaki Beef Meatballs. Serve as an appetizer or add rice to make it a meal. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
5 from 9 votes
Teriyaki Beef Meatballs
A bowl of Sesame Beef stir-fry with red bell peppers, green onions, and sesame seeds, served in a white bowl on a white background.
Sesame Beef
Super Easy Sesame Beef. Tender flank steak stir fried with red peppers and green onions. Better and healthier than takeout!
5 from 4 votes
Easy Sesame Beef
A close-up of shepherds pie with a serving spoon, showing layers of mashed potatoes, ground meat, peas, carrots, and gravy in a white baking dish, garnished with fresh herbs—an inviting comfort food that could be paired perfectly with a fresh Salsa Verde recipe for an added burst of flavor.
Shepherd’s Pie
It doesn't get more comforting or tasty than this homemade Shepherd's Pie! Perfect for cold weather, super filling, and packed with wholesome ingredients like ground beef, peas, carrots, and mashed potatoes.
5 from 2 votes
Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
beef fried rice in pan with wooden spoon and veggies
Easy Beef Fried Rice
Easy Beef Fried Rice. Loaded with beef, carrots and broccoli! Ready in under 30 minutes!
4.60 from 27 votes
Easy Beef Fried Rice
Sizzling steak bites cooked to perfection in a stainless steel pan, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes. Tender strip steak seared in a garlic butter sauce alongside crispy wedge potatoes. The perfect one skillet meal!
5 from 1 vote
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
A bowl of hearty Beef Stew with tender chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich brown broth, garnished with chopped parsley and black pepper. A gold spoon is partially visible on the side.
Beef Stew
Super Tender Beef Stew cooked low and slow for hours! Loaded with carrots and potatoes! Warm, comforting and hearty.
5 from 1 vote
Easy Beef Stew
A close-up of creamy pasta noodles, sliced mushrooms, and juicy meatballs in a rich Meatball Stroganoff sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and being stirred with a wooden spoon.
One Pan Meatball Stroganoff
One Pan Meatball Stroganoff. A quick and delicious dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes!
4.49 from 43 votes
Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli in a dark, savory sauce simmers inside a slow cooker, with a wooden spoon resting on the side.
Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef
Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef. Super tender steak cooked low and slow for 5 hours! Serve over a bowl of rice or noodles!
4.70 from 20 votes
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers filled with a savory meat mixture, topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley, sit in a rich tomato-based sauce for an easy and delicious meal.
Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
These Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers are the ultimate easy comfort food dinner! Tender bell peppers are stuffed with a hearty mixture of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and savory seasonings, then cooked low and slow until perfectly tender.
4.82 from 11 votes
Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
Shredded teriyaki chicken topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions in a slow cooker, reminiscent of Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken, with a fork resting in the food.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Slow cooked chicken in a sweet and tangy Asian inspired sauce.
4.54 from 124 votes
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Close-up of Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa: tender, cooked cubed beef garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, served in a white dish with a large serving spoon and fork.
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
Melt in your mouth Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef. Cooked low and slow for 8 hours! Perfect for tacos, burritos and quesadillas!
5 from 8 votes
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
Crockpot Meatballs in tomato sauce topped with chopped parsley and grated cheese, with a wooden spoon scooping one meatball from the pot.
Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs
Super Tender Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs. Loaded with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and garlic. They melt in your mouth and are incredibly tender. Simmered low and slow for 4 hours!
4.90 from 87 votes
Crockpot Italian Meatballs
creamy chicken Alfredo in crockpot
Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
This Crockpot Chicken Alfredo recipe comes together in one pot and is perfect for busy days when you need a filling, tasty dinner, but don't have time to tend to it over a hot stove. You only need a handful of ingredients and your handy dandy slow cooker to make this at home!
4.87 from 45 votes
Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Seafood Recipes

Shrimp cooking in a pan with a glossy, dark brown sauce. A wooden spoon drizzles sauce over the shrimp, which are garnished with sesame seeds and green onions—just like you might find on flavorful steak kabobs at your favorite grill spot.
20 Minute Teriyaki Shrimp
Easy 20 Minute Teriyaki Shrimp made with a homemade teriyaki sauce. A super easy meal for a busy weeknight! Serve over rice or noodles to soak up all that delicious sauce!
4.73 from 11 votes
Teriyaki Shrimp Recipe
Three Honey Sriracha Salmon fillets on a white plate, glazed to perfection and topped with a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds.
Honey Sriracha Salmon
Sweet and Spicy Honey Sriracha Salmon. A super easy and healthy dinner. Serve with rice and veggies to make it a meal!
4.60 from 25 votes
Honey Sriracha Salmon Recipe
A delicious Salmon Sushi Bowl featuring a bowl with rice, glazed salmon, sliced cucumbers, avocado, and julienned carrots, topped with sesame seeds.
Salmon Sushi Bowls
These Salmon Sushi Bowls have all of the flavors you love about a sushi roll all piled up into a bowl and drizzled with spicy mayo and eel sauce! This easy salmon bowl is loaded with flavor!
5 from 17 votes
Salmon Sushi Bowl Recipe
A white bowl filled with zucchini noodles, cooked shrimp, grated cheese, red pepper flakes, and herbs offers a delicious twist on healthy shrimp scampi, with a fork resting on the side.
Zucchini Shrimp Scampi
Loaded with garlic, butter, and parmesan, you won't miss pasta with this Healthy Shrimp Scampi recipe! This low-carb version uses zucchini noodles which are bright, colorful and so good for you. Perfect for sticking to a keto diet or anytime you need a lighter meal!
5 from 2 votes
Zucchini Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Two pieces of Easy Teriyaki Salmon in a skillet, glazed to perfection and garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, with a metal spatula beside them.
Easy Teriyaki Salmon
Easy Teriyaki Salmon pan-fried to perfection and served with a homemade teriyaki sauce! Serve with rice and veggies to make it a meal!
4.81 from 71 votes
Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
How To Make the Best Homemade Shrimp and Grits
Creamy Shrimp & Grits
This Creamy Shrimp and Grits recipe is an impressive dish that is super simple to throw together and packed with flavor. Plus, it's ready in 30 minutes or less! You can have a total New Orleans culinary experience in the comfort of your own home.
4.50 from 8 votes
Easy Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Instant Pot

How To Make Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
This Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken recipe is the perfect dish for busy weeknights and meal-prepping! Serve as a sandwich or with rice and roasted veggies. It's a meal the whole family will love!
5 from 2 votes
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
A baking tray filled with shredded, cooked Instant Pot Carnitas, with a metal fork and a lime wedge on the side.
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Crispy Instant Pot Carnitas. They take only 30 minutes in the instant pot and are super easy to make. They come out so tender and juicy!
5 from 1 vote
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
A close-up of a bowl of homemade beefaroni with chunky beef, tomato sauce, vegetables, and macaroni pasta, garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese.
Instant Pot Beefaroni
This grown up Instant Pot Beefaroni recipe is so comforting and hearty! Chuck roast is pressure cooked in a tomato sauce with lots of veggies until fall apart tender. Even the elbow noodles are cooked right in the pressure cooker! A one pan meal!
5 from 5 votes
Instant Pot Beefaroni
A bowl of creamy Instant Pot Butter Chicken curry garnished with cilantro, served with white rice and naan bread, with a spoon resting in the bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Easy Authentic Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Incredibly tender and flavorful! It is loaded with Indian spices, garlic, ginger and heavy cream.
5 from 1 vote
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Shredded, seasoned Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas with onions and chopped herbs spread across a baking sheet, ready to serve.
Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas
Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas. They take only 30 minutes in the instant pot and are super easy to make. These chicken carnitas are loaded with Mexican spices, onions, garlic, fresh squeezed orange and lime juice. They come out spicy, tender and juicy!
5 from 6 votes
Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas

Vegetarian Recipes

A bowl of fried rice with peas, carrots, scrambled eggs, and sesame seeds, served with a spoon and finished with a drizzle of creamy vodka sauce for a unique twist.
The BEST Fried Rice
The BEST Fried Rice. This fried rice is loaded with veggies and only takes 20 minutes to make!
4.76 from 321 votes
Best Fried Rice Recipe
A serving of cheesy vegetarian lasagna sits on a white plate with a fork, showing layers of sauce, cheese, pasta, and vegetables. Another plate of lasagna is partially visible in the background.
Vegetarian Lasagna
Loaded with 7 vegetables, this is the BEST Vegetarian Lasagna recipe! The cheese mixture is rich and creamy with spinach and ricotta, the vegetable tomato sauce is super robust, and everything gets sandwiched between layers of lasagna noodles and extra cheese. Perfect for the whole family!
5 from 7 votes
Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe
close up of this Lemon Asparagus Pasta in white bowls with a fork | chefsavvy.com
Asparagus Pasta
This lemon asparagus pasta recipe is vegetarian-friendly and made with just a handful of easy ingredients. Perfect for a light lunch, easy dinner, or side dish!
5 from 3 votes
Asparagus Pasta Recipe
Two white plates each hold a serving of Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole topped with black olives, corn, and red sauce. A fork rests on each plate, and the food appears garnished with herbs. The background is white.
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole. Layered with black beans, corn, green chilies and corn tortillas!
5 from 3 votes
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
A white bowl filled with fragrant rice and hearty Chickpea Curry, garnished with chopped herbs, is served alongside a warm piece of naan bread.
Chickpea Curry
This Chickpea Curry Recipe is loaded with flavor! All you need is 45 minutes and one pot to make this easy chickpea curry! This recipe is vegan, gluten free and vegetarian. Serve over rice with a side of garlic naan bread!
4.60 from 20 votes
Chickpea Curry Recipe

Sides That Go With Every Meal

With such a wide range of easy dinner ideas, you need some great options for sides as well! Many of these recipes can go great with some of my favorite sides, try them out!