Peace out, boring dinners.
Peace out, boring dinners. With pasta, tacos, soups, and more, these recipes will make sure you never have another basic meal again. While we all want to have that picturesque dinner, nobody wants to work for hours at it after a long hectic day. These 55 easy weeknight dinners will have you sitting down to eat in no time flat. With a good mix of greens, protein, and carbs, you really can’t go wrong.
The bell pepper is an excellent vessel for stuffing meat, rice, and, of course, cheese. It's strong enough to hold its shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well with just about anything. This is our favorite recipe but the customization options are endless.
Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Goulash originated in medieval Hungary, where it was prepared by herdsmen—so you know it’s bound to be hearty and filling. Our version is simple but full of flavor: because the pasta cooks in the skillet, it’s infused with the tomato sauce and beef broth from the very beginning. Just a cup of cheddar cheese melted in seals the deal on flavor at the end.
Get the Goulash recipe.
The fish—we use cod, but any flaky variety, like tilapia, works—marinates in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin that will become your standard. But the real gem of this recipe is the cabbage slaw—it takes just a few minutes to toss together and its brightness is the perfect condiment to the spiced cod.
Get the Perfect Fish Tacos recipe.
Fried rice is a quick and delicious way to transform leftovers into something greater than the sum of its parts. Though we sometimes think of certain ingredients being typical (eggs, peas...) the only things you need heat, rice, and oil. Anything else you add is up to you!
Get the Fried Rice recipe.
Oh, chicken alfredo: It's the classic pasta we just can't seem to get enough of. Of course there are tons of jarred pasta sauces you can buy, but making alfredo sauce from scratch is actually so easy.
Get the One Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe.
This pasta went viral on TikTok, and for good reason! Roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is amazing, and you can add things like shallots and smashed garlic to make it your own.
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
A longtime favorite of Delish readers, this savory-sweet salmon never disappoints. Searing fish might seem intimidating but, once you get the hang of it, it'll be second nature—just follow our easy tips.
Get the Honey Garlic-Glazed Salmon recipe.
We skipped some traditional ingredients (such as dried shrimp, tamarind, pressed tofu, and bean sprouts), opting instead for ingredients that you can pick up at your local grocery store. Absolutely necessary for our recipe: fish sauce. It's easy to find at nearly every grocery store, and it adds an unbeatable punch of umami goodness.
Get the Pad Thai recipe.
The easiest way to make chicken noodle soup? Use your slow-cooker!
Get the Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.
Be sure to have some crusty bread on hand, because this sauce is KILLER. And don't skip the suggested lemon wedges — the bit of acid helps cut through all the cream!
Get the Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.
Battered and lightly fried chicken is extra crispy underneath a sticky and sweet honey sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, serve with rice, and you'll never need takeout again!
Get the Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken recipe.
Due to the intense heat circulation that happens in the air fryer, the outside of these chops crisps slightly while the inside stays nice and juicy. 20 minutes later — most of it hands-off time — and it's basically instant dinner.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe.
Gumbo is a true melting pot dish. It's a top notch comfort stew centered around a flavorful roux and the Holy Trinity of onions, celery and bell peppers.
Get the Seafood Gumbo recipe.
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of chicken parm recipes in the world, but this one is our favorite. Crispy, well-seasoned chicken, a flavorful tomato sauce with a kiss of sweetness, and, of course, tons of melty cheese. It's easy, simple, and classic.
Get the Easy Chicken Parm recipe.
This easy one-pot soup was inspired by our love for that Tex-Mex classic: ground beef tacos. Lots of us grew up with taco night with those boxed taco shells and pre-shredded cheese. Now you can have all the joys of serving tacos without having to do any of the taco building.
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
If you're looking for a super simple, comforting, no-frills bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, you've come to the right place. And if you're feeling adventurous, it's also a great jumping off point for your own version of this classic dish— try different meatballs and sauces to see what combo you like best.
Get the Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.
This recipe starts on the stovetop for a perfect golden sear then finishes in the oven for the juiciest, most flavorful results. If you don't want to turn on your oven, you can do everything over the stovetop too—after you add the sauce ingredients, reduce heat to medium, and cook for about another 3 minutes until the sauce is a perfectly silky consistency.
Get the Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe.
Craving something hearty, healthy and warm? Pasta e Fagiole (AKA pasta and beans) is the answer. Traditionally this soup is made from dried beans, but we've opted for canned beans for ease. Not only can we be sure that canned beans are cooked perfectly every time, but in this recipe we're also using their canning liquid for added flavor.
Get the Pasta Fagioli recipe.
This is the least basic grilled chicken has ever looked. Make it on repeat during summer — when tomatoes are at their peak.
Get the Grilled Bruschetta Chicken recipe.
Shakshuka, though typically eaten for breakfast, is a hearty dinner. Our take spins the color wheel, thanks to roasted tomatillos and Swiss chard. We top these eggs cooked in a tangy, spicy salsa verde with cotija cheese and avocado, but the topping choices are endless from chorizo to toasted pine nuts.
Get the Green Shakshuka recipe.
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