10 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Quick and Delicious Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Introduction

Finding time to prepare a wholesome dinner during busy weeknights can be a real challenge. However, with these 10 quick and easy dinner recipes, you can enjoy delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Let’s explore each recipe in detail.

Recipe 1: One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
4. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Add minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the skillet.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes.

Recipe 2: Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces linguine pasta
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the linguine pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque.
5. Add cherry tomatoes and spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Add the cooked linguine pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated.
9. Serve hot with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.

Recipe 3: BBQ Ranch Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced red onions
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with barbecue sauce and ranch dressing.
2. Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
3. Place a spoonful of the BBQ ranch chicken mixture onto each tortilla.
4. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, and fresh cilantro.
5. Roll up the tortillas and secure with toothpicks if needed.
6. Serve the BBQ ranch chicken tacos as a quick and delicious dinner option.

Recipe 4: Teriyaki Salmon with Steamed Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Steamed vegetables of your choice (broccoli, carrots, snap peas, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger to make the teriyaki sauce.
3. Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish and pour the teriyaki sauce over them.
4. Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.
5. While the salmon is baking, steam the vegetables until tender.
6. Serve the teriyaki salmon with steamed vegetables for a healthy and satisfying dinner.

Recipe 5: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss until well combined.
4. Serve the Mediterranean quinoa salad as a refreshing and nutritious dinner option.

Recipe 6: Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil to make the stir-fry sauce. Set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sliced beef to the skillet and stir-fry until the beef is browned.
4. Add broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for a few minutes until they are crisp-tender.
5. Pour the stir-fry sauce over the beef and broccoli mixture.
6. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve the beef and broccoli stir-fry over steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying and flavorful dinner.

Recipe 7: Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese
• 4 slices tomato
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Make a horizontal slit in each chicken breast to create a pocket for stuffing.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
4. Stuff each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese, a slice of tomato, and a few fresh basil leaves.
5. Secure the chicken breasts with toothpicks to hold the stuffing in place.
6. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
8. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
9. Serve the caprese stuffed chicken breast with a side salad or roasted vegetables.

Recipe 8: Pesto Tortellini with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 1 package of cheese tortellini
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, etc.)
• 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Toss the mixed vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
4. Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked tortellini, roasted vegetables, pesto sauce, and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Toss until the tortellini and vegetables are well coated.
7. Serve the pesto tortellini with roasted vegetables as a flavorful and filling dinner option.

Recipe 9: Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup diced red onions
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork a few times and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Bake the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
4. In a bowl, combine cooked black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and diced red onions.
5. Cut open the baked sweet potatoes lengthwise and fluff the insides with a fork.
6. Spoon the black bean and corn mixture onto the sweet potatoes.
7. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, if desired.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve the Mexican stuffed sweet potatoes as a hearty and nutritious dinner.

Recipe 10: Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggie Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
• 2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced smoked sausage, halved baby potatoes, halved Brussels sprouts, cubed butternut squash, sliced red bell pepper, and sliced yellow bell pepper.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and sprinkle with dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss until all the ingredients are well coated.
5. Spread the sausage and veggie mixture onto a sheet pan in a single layer.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
7. Serve the sheet pan sausage and veggie bake as a flavorful and fuss-free dinner option.

Conclusion

With these 10 quick and easy dinner recipes, you can save time and effort while still enjoying delicious meals on busy weeknights. From one-pan lemon garlic chicken to sheet pan sausage and veggie bake, these recipes offer a variety of flavors and ingredients to satisfy your taste buds. So, say goodbye to kitchen stress and hello to enjoyable dinners with these simple and flavorful recipes.

FAQs

1. Can I make substitutions in the recipes? Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipes based on your preferences and dietary restrictions. You can substitute ingredients or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
2. Are these recipes suitable for vegetarians? While some recipes include meat or seafood, there are vegetarian options as well. For example, you can try the Mediterranean quinoa salad or the pesto tortellini with roasted vegetables.
3. Can I prepare these recipes in advance? Yes, you can do some prep work in advance, such as chopping vegetables or marinating the meat. This way, you can save time when it’s time to cook dinner.
4. Are these recipes family-friendly? Absolutely! These recipes are designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes, making them suitable for the whole family. You can adjust the spice levels or simplify the ingredients to make them kid-friendly if needed.
5. Where can I find the nutritional information for these recipes? Nutritional information may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. It’s best to use online nutritional calculators or consult with a registered dietitian for accurate information.

Read also

• Vegetarian Recipes Pasta: Delicious and Nutritious Options
• Delicious Vegetarian Recipes Lasagna Lovers
• Vegetarian Recipes: A Delicious Journey to Plant-Based Delights
• Top 15 Healthy Recipes Dinner Easy for a Balanced Diet
• Quick and Easy Recipes

References

• 100 Easy Dinner Recipes to Keep the Whole Family Happy
• 75 Easy Dinner Recipes – Cheap Ideas for Family Dinner