Don’t let your dinner routine become boring, check out these 40 Easy Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight to get new, delicious dinner ideas!
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!
Table of Contents
Chicken Recipes
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.
Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Chicken Shawarma
Super Easy Chicken Shawarma. A Mediterranean inspired dish loaded with tons of spices and baked until golden brown!
Chicken Shawarma Recipe
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!
Easy General Tso Recipe
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!
Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
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!
Chicken Katsu Recipe
Easy Chicken Stir Fry
Easy 30 Minute Chicken Stir Fry. Loaded with vegetables and tossed in a spicy Asian sauce.
Easy Chicken Stir Fry
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!
Air Fryer Chimichangas
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!
Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Grilled Chicken Caprese. Juicy chicken breast topped with mozzarella, tomato, basil and a homemade balsamic reduction.
Grilled Chicken Caprese
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!
Easy Chicken Marsala
Beef Recipes
Easy Beef Fried Rice
Easy Beef Fried Rice. Loaded with beef, carrots and broccoli! Ready in under 30 minutes!
Easy Beef Fried Rice
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Instant Pot Spaghetti. A super easy meat sauce spaghetti cooked in the instant pot and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Instant Pot Spaghetti
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!
Teriyaki Beef Meatballs
Sesame Beef
Super Easy Sesame Beef. Tender flank steak stir fried with red peppers and green onions. Better and healthier than takeout!
Easy Sesame Beef
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.
Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Easy Beef Fried Rice
Easy Beef Fried Rice. Loaded with beef, carrots and broccoli! Ready in under 30 minutes!
Easy Beef Fried Rice
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!
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Beef Stew
Super Tender Beef Stew cooked low and slow for hours! Loaded with carrots and potatoes! Warm, comforting and hearty.
Easy Beef Stew
One Pan Meatball Stroganoff
One Pan Meatball Stroganoff. A quick and delicious dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Meatball Stroganoff Recipe
Slow Cooker
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!
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
Mexican Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers. Loaded with enchilada sauce, black beans and corn. A quick, easy and satisfying meal!
Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Slow cooked chicken in a sweet and tangy Asian inspired sauce.
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
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!
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
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!
Crockpot Italian Meatballs
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!
Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Seafood Recipes
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!
Teriyaki Shrimp Recipe
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!
Honey Sriracha Salmon Recipe
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!
Salmon Sushi Bowl Recipe
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!
Zucchini Shrimp Scampi Recipe
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!
Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
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.
Easy Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Instant Pot
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!
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
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!
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
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!
Instant Pot Beefaroni
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.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
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!
Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas
Vegetarian Recipes
The BEST Fried Rice
The BEST Fried Rice. This fried rice is loaded with veggies and only takes 20 minutes to make!
Best Fried Rice Recipe
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!
Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe
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!
Asparagus Pasta Recipe
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole. Layered with black beans, corn, green chilies and corn tortillas!
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
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!
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!
Bland
so very white girl recipe
Marshall Watson
is it possible to publish More Soul
food preparers for those like me that has limited cooking skills in preparing dinners for my family of Three. I love a variety of nationalities. (Purto Rican, Soul Foods, I was never trained by my Late Mother Alice Mae.
Kelley Simmons
I love trying new cuisines and would be happy to test some of these!
Elizabeth Lee
I think that the wide range of recipes that you have given me is something that I appreciate very much. Now, my dinners and meals and whatsoever are spiced up! Keep up the good work and GIVE ME more recipes!
Kelley Simmons
Yah so happy to hear this! You got it!
James
Hi
Mahlon Griffin
Good evening. All of your recipes looks exceptionally good and easy to make.
I have a new instapot that I haven’t used yet, but I do have plans for it while trying some of your dinner ideas and recipes.
Kelley Simmons
I am so happy to hear that! We love our Insta Pot!