Delicious and Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners
Weeknights can often feel like a tornado. After a long day at work, school, errands and everything in between, all you need to do is spend hours in the kitchen. But the great news is that with the right recipe, you can still whip up an enjoyable and nutritious dinner in no time. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a gathering of friends, here are quick, easy, and filling dinner ideas that require no prep time or complicated steps. Here are a few recipes to keep in your back stash for when you want to get dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less.
1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetables
A one-pan dinner is a lifesaver on an active evening. This lemon garlic chicken and veggie formula comes together in a dish that’s stacked with flavor, requires minimal effort, and justifies simple cleanup. Materials:- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 slice, cut
- 1 clove pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 can cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:- Preheat your broiler to 400°F (200°C).
- On a preparation sheet, place the chicken breasts and surround them with the chopped vegetables.
- Drizzle everything with olive oil, and sprinkle the garlic, oregano, salt and pepper over the chicken and vegetables.
- Arrange the lemon wedges over the chicken and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Serve chicken and steamed vegetables together for a healthy and simple meal.
2. 15-minute meat stir-fry
Stir-fries are a great weeknight meal because they cook quickly and can be customized with whatever vegetables you have on hand. This meat stir-fry takes about 15 minutes to prepare, making it the ideal choice for an active evening. Materials:- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 Carrot, Julian
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon clam sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Cooked rice, to serve
Instructions:- In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, clam sauce, nectar, garlic powder, and ginger to make the stir-fry sauce.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped meat and cook for 2-3 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove the hamburger from the dish and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the broccoli, chili peppers and carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Return the meat to the pot, pour the stir-fry sauce over the top and toss everything together for another 1-2 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs over rice for a quick and tasty dinner.
3. Caprese Pasta Salad
When you’re short on time but need a refreshing, light dinner, this caprese pasta served with mixed greens is the answer. It’s straightforward, full of new fixings and perfect as a side or starter course. Materials:- 8 ounces pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
- 1 can cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1/4 cup fresh basil cleaned, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:- Cook the pasta according to the informational bundle. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a wide bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.
- Toss everything together until well combined and serve quickly. If you’re inclined to chill it, you can refrigerate this serving of mixed greens for 30 minutes.
4. Sheet Skillet Fajitas
If you love Tex-Mex flavor but don’t have time to make fajitas from scratch, this sheet skillet form is the easiest way to go. It’s all cooked in one dish, which means negligible cleanup. Materials: 2 chicken breasts, finely diced 1 clove pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon of chili powder 1 teaspoon of cumin 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon paprikaSalt and pepper to taste
- Tortillas, to serve
- Toppings (sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.)
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- On a heating sheet, toss chopped chicken, chicken peppers, and onion with olive oil and seasoning. Spread everything evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Serve the fajita mixture on warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
5. Vegan chili
Chili is a comforting snack to finish off an active evening, and this veggie-loving adaptation is loaded with generous beans and veggies. It’s easy to make, delicious and can be customized with fixings like cheese, sour cream or avocado. Materials:- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) dark beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 clove pepper, chopped
- 1 can (4 ounces) green chilies
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:- In a large pot, sauté the onion and chives in a little olive oil over medium heat until soft, 3-4 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin and paprika and cook for another minute to extract the flavors.
- Add beans, tomatoes, green peppers, and salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
- Simmer the peppers for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with your favorite garnish, such as crumbled cheese, sour cream or chopped green onions.
Conclusion
Busy weeknights don’t have to sacrifice delicious taste or nutrition. These simple recipes show that you can still appreciate a delicious and filling dinner, indeed, when times are tight. From one-pan chicken suppers to quick stir-fries and light pasta servings of mixed greens, these meals are ideal for any night of the week. So, the next time you’re looking to whip up a meal, try one of these recipes and enjoy a delicious, stress-free dinner.Read More latest Posts
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