21 Easy Dinner Recipes: Delicious and Nutritious for Busy Families & Couples
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick and easy dinner recipe or a more elaborate meal, this collection of 20 easy dinner recipes has something for everyone. From hearty slow cooker dishes to healthy sheet pan dinners, these easy dinner ideas are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious home-cooked meal without the hassle.
With a variety of flavors and cooking methods represented, you’re sure to find several new easy dinner recipes to add to your rotation. From creamy chicken and pasta bakes to flavorful one-pan wonders, these dinner recipes are both simple to prepare and sure to satisfy.
So what are you waiting for? Spice up your weeknight dinner routine with these 20 easy and delicious meal ideas that the whole family will love. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting classic or a creative new dish, this collection of dinner recipes has you covered. Happy cooking!
1. Parsley & Garlic-Rubbed Oven Baked Salmon With Asparagus & Potatoes
This easy sheet pan dinner is a healthy and flavorful option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The salmon is rubbed with a delicious parsley and garlic seasoning, and paired with roasted asparagus and potatoes for a complete meal.
This easy dinner recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a nutritious and tasty dinner on the table fast. The combination of baked salmon, roasted veggies, and simple seasoning makes for a delicious and easy dinner recipe that’s sure to please.
2. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Slow cooked until tender and shredded, this pulled pork is perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it on buns, in tacos, or over rice for a satisfying easy dinner recipe. The slow cooker does all the work, making this an effortless dinner option that’s packed with flavor.
Simply set it and forget it for a hassle-free meal that the whole family will enjoy. This easy dinner recipe is great for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, with endless ways to serve the juicy, saucy pulled pork.
3. Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Whip up this cozy and comforting chicken tortilla soup in your Instant Pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Top it with all your favorite toppings for a delicious meal.
This easy dinner recipe takes advantage of the Instant Pot’s speed and convenience to deliver a hearty, flavorful soup in a fraction of the time. With tender chicken, creamy broth, and all the classic tortilla soup toppings, this is a simple yet satisfying dinner option.
4. Chicken Fajitas
These easy chicken fajitas come together quickly for a simple and flavorful dinner. Serve the juicy, seasoned chicken with sautéed peppers and onions in warm tortillas for a crowd-pleasing meal.
This easy dinner recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty and customizable. The versatile fajita components allow everyone to build their own meal to their liking, making it a family-friendly and easy dinner option.
5. Baked Ziti
This classic baked ziti is a family-friendly dinner that’s easy to prepare. Ground beef, Italian herbs, and plenty of cheese make this a comforting and delicious easy dinner recipe.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, this baked ziti comes together quickly for a satisfying and easy dinner the whole family will love. The rich, cheesy casserole is sure to become a new weeknight staple in your home.
6. One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
This one-pan dinner features tender chicken and roasted veggies tossed in a tangy balsamic glaze for a healthy and easy weeknight meal.
The convenience of a single-pan dinner makes this an ideal easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights. With minimal cleanup and the bold flavors of balsamic, this nutritious meal comes together quickly for a delicious and hassle-free dinner option.
7. Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
Enjoy this classic, creamy beef stroganoff in a fraction of the time by making it in your Instant Pot. It’s a comforting and easy dinner recipe the whole family will love.
The pressure cooker speeds up the process, allowing you to enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish on a busy weeknight. This easy dinner recipe delivers all the rich, satisfying taste of traditional beef stroganoff with a fraction of the effort.
8. Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
These taco-stuffed zucchini boats are a fun and healthy twist on traditional tacos. They make for a delicious and easy low-carb dinner option. This easy dinner recipe provides a nutritious and creative way to enjoy taco flavors.
The zucchini boats are a simple yet filling base, and can be customized with your favorite taco toppings for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
9. Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Parmesan
This quick and easy shrimp dinner features a rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that’s sure to impress. Serve it over pasta or rice for a complete meal.
With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this easy dinner recipe comes together in a flash. The decadent sauce elevates the simple shrimp into a restaurant-worthy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
10. Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
Let your slow cooker do the work and enjoy these flavorful chicken burrito bowls for a simple and satisfying easy dinner recipe. This hands-off dinner option is great for weeknights when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort.
The slow cooker makes the chicken incredibly tender and packed with flavor, and you can customize the bowls with your favorite toppings for a complete and easy dinner.
11. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
This baked salmon is coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze for a delicious and easy dinner idea. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal. This easy dinner recipe transforms simple salmon filets into a flavor-packed entree that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
The honey garlic glaze creates a delicious caramelized crust on the salmon, making it a quick and impressive dinner option. Pair it with your preferred sides for a well-rounded and easy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
12. Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Enjoy this classic chicken and dumplings dish with the ease of your slow cooker. It’s a comforting and easy dinner recipe the whole family will love. The slow cooker does most of the work, making this a hassle-free dinner option that delivers all the rich, cozy flavors of traditional chicken and dumplings.
This easy dinner recipe is perfect for chilly evenings when you want a hearty, homemade meal with minimal effort.
13. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
This one-pan dinner features Italian sausage and a variety of roasted vegetables for a quick, healthy, and easy dinner option. The convenience of a sheet pan meal makes this an ideal easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights.
With just a few ingredients and one pan to clean up, you can have a complete and nutritious dinner on the table in no time.
14. Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill
This simple baked salmon recipe is flavored with fresh lemon and dill for a light and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. This easy dinner recipe highlights the natural flavors of salmon with a bright, herbal seasoning.
The quick baking time makes it a breeze to prepare on a busy weeknight, while the healthy salmon and fresh ingredients keep it a nourishing meal option.
15. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Tender chicken breasts are smothered in a rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce in this easy and delicious dinner recipe. This easy dinner recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an indulgent, restaurant-worthy meal.
The creamy, flavorful sauce makes it a family-friendly and satisfying option for busy weeknights when you want something a little more special.
16. Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Enjoy the flavors of this classic Chinese dish in a fraction of the time by making it in your Instant Pot. It’s a quick and easy dinner option. The pressure cooker cooks the beef to tender perfection and the broccoli to crisp-tender in no time,
making this an ideal easy dinner recipe for weeknights. With bold, authentic flavors and convenient one-pot cooking, this Instant Pot beef and broccoli is sure to become a new family favorites.
17. Broccoli Chicken Divan
This cheesy broccoli chicken casserole is a family-friendly dinner that’s easy to prepare. It’s a comforting and delicious easy dinner recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep,
this one-dish meal comes together quickly for a hassle-free weeknight dinner. The creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken make it a crowd-pleasing option that the whole family will enjoy.
18. Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
Pork chops are pan-seared and then simmered with sweet apples and onions for a simple and flavorful easy dinner. This easy dinner recipe combines classic flavors for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
The pork chops cook up quickly, while the apple and onion mixture creates a delicious pan sauce for a complete and easy dinner.
19. Instant Pot Beef Stew
This hearty and comforting beef stew comes together quickly in the Instant Pot for an easy and satisfying weeknight dinner. The pressure cooker makes quick work of the beef, transforming it into tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites in a fraction of the time.
This easy dinner recipe delivers all the cozy, satisfying flavors of traditional beef stew with the convenience of the Instant Pot for a hassle-free weeknight meal.
20. Loaded Potato
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon, this easy potato soup is the ultimate comfort food dinner. This easy dinner recipe turns classic baked potato flavors into a hearty, satisfying soup.
With minimal prep and the ability to let the soup simmer hands-off, it’s a simple yet indulgent option for busy weeknights when you crave something warm and comforting.
21. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts
These delicious and easy spinach stuffed chicken breasts are a fantastic dinner recipe for busy weeknights. The chicken is filled with a creamy, cheesy spinach mixture, making it a satisfying and flavorful meal.
This simple dinner idea comes together quickly and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. The combination of tender chicken, fresh spinach, and melted cheese creates a dinner that’s both nutritious and indulgent.