"What should I make for dinner tonight?" If you find yourself asking this almost daily, you're not alone. It's the number one question in our kitchen too, which is why I've rounded up over 60 of the best easy dinner ideas that we've shared over the years.
This collection covers it all: convenient sheet pan meals, quick pasta dinners, easy chicken recipes, hearty soups, better-than-takeout favorites, ground beef classics, seafood specialties, vegetarian dinners, and more. With so much variety, you'll never run out of inspiration for busy weeknights.
The best part? These easy dinner recipes are designed to be quick, simple, and family-friendly. Inspired by my love for home-cooked meals that bring people together, each recipe uses everyday ingredients, comes together fast, and tastes absolutely delicious - proof that easy dinners never have to be boring.
Jump to:
\Best Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
Easy Family-Friendly Dinners
Quick Ground Beef Dinner Ideas
Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas
Easy Pasta Dinner Ideas
Seafood Dinner Ideas
Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
Sheet Pan Dinner Ideas
Hearty and Filling Soups for Dinner
Better than Takeout Dinner Ideas
Expert Tip: Plan Once, Eat Twice
More Dinner Tips and Tricks
FAQ
More Dinner Recipe Collections
Email this Recipe
Best Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
Sometimes you just need dinner on the table fast. These recipes are simple, quick, and made with pantry staples - perfect for weeknights when you don't want to overthink.
Baked Greek Chicken Breast with Souvlaki Marinade
Juicy, tender, and moist, baked chicken breast with the best Greek souvlaki marinade is the most flavorful and delicious chicken dinner in under 30 minutes.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade hamburger helper is a family favorite but you can make a cheaper, healthier, and way tastier version at home, ready in just 30 minutes.
One Pan Garlic Roasted Chicken and Baby Potatoes
One pan garlic roasted chicken and baby potatoes is an easy to make, delicious and wholesome meal for the entire family. Prep this flavourful sheet pan meal in 10 minutes.
Quick and Easy Vegetarian Ramen
Put down the instant noodles! This quick and easy Vegetarian Ramen recipe is ready in minutes with fresh veggies, noodles, and authentic umami flavor.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Creamy Garlic Shrimp is a quick and easy 15-minute meal made with juicy shrimp in a cheesy garlic cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners!
Creamy Tomato Pasta
This Creamy Tomato Pasta is a simple and delicious meal made from scratch in 20 minutes with a cream and tomato based sauce that is rich and silky smooth.
Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
Quick and easy, creamy lemon chicken piccata is a simple and delicious 30-minute meal made with tender chicken breast in a light lemon sauce with capers.
Glazed Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
Quick and easy, glazed honey balsamic pork chops are tender and juicy, seared in thyme and coated with a honey balsamic sauce. Make it in under 30 minutes.
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Sticky and sweet, easy honey garlic glazed salmon is one of the best salmon recipes to add to your weeknight dinner rotation. Ready in under 25 minutes.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy one pan Marry Me Chicken with sun-dried tomatoes is ready in 30 minutes for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner that will have you saying "I do".
Easy Family-Friendly Dinners
Cooking for the whole family? These dinners are picky-eater approved, budget-friendly, and big on flavor. Everyone at the table will find something to love.
Italian Meatballs
Quick, easy homemade Italian meatballs are juicy, flavourful, and delicious, simmered in a rich and savoury tomato sauce. Make them in just 30 minutes.
Pasta Bake with Sausage (Baked Ziti)
Pasta bake with sausage (baked ziti) is a lazy day lasagna with layers of pasta tossed in a rich meat sauce, layered with mozzarella, and baked.
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Baked Chicken Drumsticks are ideal for busy weeknights. Marinate inexpensive chicken legs with everyday spices and bake until crispy, tender, and flavorful.
Fish Tacos with Lime Crema
Flavourful, easy fish tacos with lime crema is made with seasoned white fish, cabbage slaw, and lime sauce. It takes less than 25 minutes to prep and serve.
Chicken Penne Pasta
Chicken penne pasta is a quick and easy dinner that is delicious, rich, creamy, and flavorful. It's a family favorite that's ready in under 30 minutes.
Stovetop Mac and Cheese with White Cheddar
Quick and easy, creamy stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar is a delicious and comforting one pot 20-minute meal packed with three types of cheese.
Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken
Easy Dutch oven whole roast chicken with the crispiest golden skin is juicy, tender and succulent and packed with flavour. Just takes 15 minutes to prep.
Homemade SpaghettiOs
This comforting Homemade SpaghettiOs recipe brings back all the nostalgia of the classic canned version but with better ingredients and flavor.
Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
Creamy white chicken and spinach lasagna with tender shredded chicken is the most comforting, creamiest, and cheesiest white lasagna. Easy to make ahead and freeze.
Quick Ground Beef Dinner Ideas
Ground beef is the ultimate weeknight hero - affordable, versatile, and fast to cook. These easy beef dinners will quickly become staples in your rotation.
Classic Easy Meat Lasagna
Easy Meat Lasagna is a classic, hearty, homemade pasta dish layered with beef sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan - perfect for cozy family dinners.
Swedish Meatballs
Delicious, comforting homemade Swedish meatballs are seared and smothered in a creamy gravy sauce and taste so much better than IKEA meatballs.
Mexican Ground Beef Tacos
Spice up Taco Tuesday with these delicious, authentic, and easy-to-make Mexican ground beef tacos. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fiesta!
Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Hearty slow cooker beef chili is an easy, comforting, low-maintenance dinner in fall and winter months. You can even substitute with ground turkey. It's a family favourite crockpot chili.
Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers
Ground beef stuffed peppers are delicious, healthy, and filling. Stuffed with beef rice and veggies, they're easy to make ahead and freezer-friendly.
Skillet Shepherd's Pie
Skillet shepherd's pie is a savoury and hearty traditional comfort food. With flavourful beef and fluffy potatoes, this cozy meal it will warm you up.
Phyllo Meat Pie (Egyptian Goulash)
Phyllo meat pie (Egyptian goulash) is a savory pie made of well-seasoned ground beef that lies between layers of flaky, crispy, golden phyllo pastry dough.
Beef Taco Salad
Beef taco salad is a simple, filling, and delicious meal loaded with veggies including lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and corn, your favorite taco fillings, tortlla chips, and a creamy lime dressing. Make it in 20 minutes.
Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas
Chicken is always a crowd-pleaser. These easy winner winner chicken dinners are flavorful, protein-packed, and perfect for nights when you want something simple but satisfying.
Easy Chicken Parmesan (Parmigiana)
Easy chicken parmesan (parmigiana) with crispy breaded chicken, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The best comfort chicken dinner.
Chicken Marsala
Easy Chicken Marsala is creamy, savory, and comforting. Juicy chicken in a silky, creamy mushroom marsala wine sauce ready in 30 minutes!
Roasted Spatchcock Chicken (Butterflied Chicken)
Quick and easy roasted spatchcock chicken (butterflied chicken) seasoned with garlic and thyme is juicy, tender, delicious and flavourful with minimal prep.
One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice
Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal.
Apple Dijon Braised Chicken Thighs
Tender and juicy apple dijon braised chicken thighs with potatoes is juicy, tender and so succulent that it falls off the bone, yet so crispy outside.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Creamy Tuscan chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is a quick and easy 30 minute Italian chicken dinner that is delicious, flavorful, and comforting.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Baked parmesan crusted chicken is breaded in a herby parmesan breadcrumb mixture and baked until crispy perfection. This great recipe is so flavourful and delicious.
Creamy Pesto Chicken
Creamy Pesto Chicken is a quick, 30 minute one-pan dinner with juicy chicken breasts in a rich, flavorful pesto sauce. Weeknight easy, date-night worthy.
Indian Butter Chicken
Better than takeout, make easy Indian butter chicken in just 30 minutes, with a creamy tomato-based sauce, charred chicken, and incredible spice + flavour.
Easy Pasta Dinner Ideas
Pasta night is always a hit. These recipes are cozy, quick, and can be dressed up or down with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Creamy spaghetti carbonara (Spaghetti a la Carbonara) is a simple classic Italian pasta with pancetta that's quick and easy to make in minutes.
Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
Quick and easy, cheesy tortellini and sausage bake is a delicious 30-minute dinner packed with flavour. A family-favourite comfort food for busy weeknights.
Pesto Penne Pasta
Quick and easy pesto penne pasta is a simple and light Italian pasta dish made with just five ingredients in under 15 minutes. The easiest dinner.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine alfredo is a classic Italian pasta dish that is rich, creamy, and delicious. Plus, it comes together in less than 15 minutes!
Classic Baked Mac and Cheese
Classic Baked Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and topped with golden garlic breadcrumbs. The ultimate comfort food, ready in under an hour.
Pasta Primavera
Pasta Primavera is a classic pasta dish that is overflowing with fresh colorful veggies including carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini. Make this vegetarian pasta this spring in less than 30 minutes!
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delicious 30 minute recipe that is packed with flavor, quick and easy to make, and will satisfy the whole family.
Farfalle Pasta with Mushroom Rosé Sauce
Farfalle pasta with mushroom rose sauce is creamy yet light, delicious and flavorful, and quick and easy to make in 20 minutes. Best comfort food dinner!
Seafood Dinner Ideas
Seafood cooks in minutes, making it one of the fastest options for weeknight meals. These dishes are fresh, flavorful, and light yet filling.
Pistachio-Crusted Salmon
Pistachio Crusted Salmon is tender, flaky, and topped with a crunchy pistachio crust. A healthy, elegant dinner ready in 25 minutes!
Homemade Fish Sticks
Quick easy baked homemade fish sticks are crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and packed with flavor. Kid-friendly + freezer-friendly.
Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
Better than takeout garlic shrimp stir fry is saucy, sticky, flavorful, and delicious. It's quick and easy to make in 15 minutes and great for meal prep.
Greek Salmon
Greek salmon is delicious, flaky, and tender. This healthy oven-baked salmon is packed with Mediterranean flavors and is ready in just 20 minutes.
Yellow Curry Mussels
Yellow curry mussels are the epitome of delicious seafood - creamy, spicy, and savory. This flavourful one pot dish is quick + easy to make in 25 minutes.
Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw - and ready in about 20 minutes!
Salmon Burgers
These Salmon Burgers made with real fresh salmon, are crispy on the outside and flaky inside, juicy and thick, and healthy and packed with protein.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic butter shrimp is a quick and easy dinner ready in just 10 minutes! It's loaded with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights and special occasions.
Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
Meatless meals don't have to be boring. These vegetarian dinner ideas are hearty, wholesome, and packed with flavor - even meat-lovers will enjoy them.
Easy 20-Minute One Pot Lentils
Easy 20-Minute One Pot Lentils are a healthy, nourishing, and delicious vegan meal that is easy to make in a few simple steps. Make a big batch and freeze!
Stuffed Eggplant
This Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant is delicious, filling, and healthy. This vegetarian dinner is loaded with veggies and topped with bubbly cheese.
Spanish Tortilla (Tortilla de Patatas)
This traditional Spanish Tortilla, also known as tortilla española or tortilla de patatas, is a popular egg and potato dish served across Spain.
Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
Skip the trip to the burrito shop and make this Vegetarian Burrito Bowl at home, loaded with cilantro lime rice, tofu, veggies, black beans, and delicious toppings.
Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles
Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles is a quick, creamy stir-fried noodle dish packed with flavor. Ready in 10 minutes with pantry staples!
Falafel
Homemade falafel are delicious, golden brown and crispy on the outside, fluffy tender and soft inside. Plus, they're vegan, loaded with plant-based protein. Serve with pita or rice.
Baked Beans
Homemade Baked Beans are the perfect side dish with their sweet and savory flavor, tender beans, and glossy sauce. So much better than canned baked beans!
Vegetarian Pot Pie
Vegetarian Pot Pie is truly the ultimate comfort food. The creamy filling is loaded with tender veggies, all wrapped in a buttery, flaky puff pastry crust.
Tofu Coconut Curry
Quick and easy Tofu Coconut Curry is nourishing, satisfying, and so delicious. This healthy meal is ready in just 20 minutes, making it a one pot meal for busy weeknights.
Baked Zucchini Roll Ups
Baked Zucchini Roll Ups are a low carb lasagna alternative with ricotta, marinara, and cheese rolled in tender zucchini slices. It's healthier and lighter!
Spinach Quiche
Spinach Quiche is a golden, savory classic with a tender flaky crust and a rich, creamy egg filling that's packed with flavor. Surprisingly easy to make!
Sheet Pan Dinner Ideas
Sheet pan dinners are the ultimate hands-off meal. Toss everything on one tray, bake, and enjoy easy cleanup afterward.
Easy Sheet Pan Pizza with Crispy Crust
This Easy Sheet Pan Pizza recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With its crispy crust and customizable toppings, it'll become a family favorite!
Sheet Pan Nachos
Oven-baked loaded sheet pan nachos are a crowd pleaser for an easy weeknight dinner or a crave-worthy appetizer to serve on game day.
Sheet Pan Quesadillas
These Sheet Pan Quesadillas are loaded with veggies and gooey cheese, baked in the oven until crispy, and made to feed a crowd in just 30 minutes.
Sheet Pan Lamb Chops
Sheet pan lamb chops with vegetables are healthy and delicious, easy to make, and easier to clean up. Perfect for busy weeknights or a holiday dinner.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sheet pan chicken fajitas are quick and easy to make, loaded with flavor, delicious, and ready in less than 30 minutes. Great for meal prep too.
Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Vegetables
Sheet pan curry chicken and vegetables with tender chicken thighs marinated in a delicious flavourful curry marinade is a complete one pan dinner.
Hearty and Filling Soups for Dinner
Soup isn't just for lunch. These hearty, filling soups make a full meal on their own, especially when paired with bread or salad.
White Bean Soup with Kale
White Bean Soup with Kale is a hearty and nourishing one-pot meal that is flavorful and easy. Make this healthy soup in 30 minutes using simple ingredients.
Creamy Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Hearty and creamy tortellini soup with sausage, spinach and kale is total comfort food in a bowl. Make this flavourful one pot meal in under 30 minutes.
Beef Taco Soup
Beef taco soup is a delicious take on tacos, transforming it into a hearty, wholesome, filling soup topped with all the taco fixings. Ready in 30 minutes.
Old Fashioned Vegetable Barley Soup
Old Fashioned Vegetable Barley Soup is hearty, healthy, and easy to make. A comforting one-pot classic packed with nutritious veggies and pearl barley.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Smooth, hearty and light, one pot lemon chicken orzo soup is pure comfort in a bowl. This family favourite is like chicken noodle soup with a major upgrade.
Creamy Vegan Ramen
Creamy vegan ramen is delicious, flavorful, and healthy comfort food, packed with nutrients that will give you an immunity boost. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Creamy Ham and Potato Soup
Creamy ham and potato soup is hearty, filling, and so flavourful. This warm and cozy one pot meal is the easiest weeknight meal to make in just 25 minutes.
Beef Wild Rice Soup
Creamy beef wild rice soup is savory, flavorful, and delicious, packed with vegetables and beef flank steak (or leftover roast beef!), and freezes well.
Better than Takeout Dinner Ideas
Skip the delivery fees and long wait times. These easy dinners taste just as good (if not better) than takeout and come together in less time than it takes to order.
Vegetarian Fried Rice
Say goodbye to takeout and make flavourful, Chinese restaurant-style vegetarian fried rice at home in 10 minutes, with fully customizable ingredients.
General Tso's Chicken
Baked General Tso's Chicken is a saucy, savoury, sweet, and spicy Chinese-American takeout favourite made healthier with baked chicken, not deep-fried.
Easy Vegetable Stir Fry
Easy Vegetable Stir Fry is a quick and healthy dinner made with vibrant veggies and a savory sauce. Ready in 20 minutes and perfect for weeknights!
Beef Noodle Stir Fry
This beef noodle stir fry is the 20-minute dinner that you have been looking for - quick and easy, delicious and flavorful, and so much better than takeout.
Teriyaki Salmon
Quick easy teriyaki salmon is tender, flaky, and flavorful, with bold flavors from the delicious teriyaki marinade. Great for dinner or meal prep lunches.
Healthy Lemon Chicken
Better than takeout, healthy lemon chicken is a delicious, sticky chicken stir fry coated in a flavourful, sweet and tangy sauce. The best weeknight dinner.
Chicken Chow Mein
Chicken Chow Mein is a classic Chinese noodle dish that is quick and easy to make at home in 20 minutes - faster, healthier, and better than takeout.
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Beef and broccoli stir fry is a classic Chinese-American dish that is delicious, savory, hearty, and saucy. Better than takeout and ready in 25 minutes.
Sesame Noodles
Easy Sesame Noodles are proof that simple ingredients can create incredible flavor. Ready in 20 minutes, it's perfect for lunch, meal prep, or weeknights.
Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao chicken is a Chinese chicken dish that is stir-fried with crisp vegetables and tossed in a delicious Asian sauce packed with flavour.
Expert Tip: Plan Once, Eat Twice
Double your favorite easy dinner recipe and freeze half for later. Having ready-to-go meals in the freezer saves you time, money, and stress on busy nights - and ensures you'll always have something homemade and delicious waiting.
More Dinner Tips and Tricks
- Make ahead and freeze. Many of these dinners can be made ahead, stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Always cool completely before storing.
- Prep smart. Chop vegetables, marinate proteins, or measure spices in advance so all you have to do at dinner is assemble and cook. Meal prepping even 10 minutes ahead makes a huge difference.
- Reheating leftovers. Most dinners reheat well in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, on the stovetop over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, or in the microwave in short intervals. From frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Use versatile proteins. Ground beef, chicken, or tofu can be swapped in many recipes depending on what you have on hand. This makes meal planning flexible and budget-friendly.
- Keep pantry staples stocked. Pasta, rice, canned beans, and frozen veggies are the backbone of easy dinners. With a few basics on hand, you can pull together a quick meal any night.
FAQ
A good dinner tonight depends on what you're craving and how much time you have. Quick pasta dishes, one-pot meals, or tacos are always reliable choices. Stir-fries, sheet pan dinners, and hearty soups are also easy options that come together fast.
The easiest dinners use minimal ingredients and cook quickly. Think scrambled eggs on toast, quesadillas, stir-fried noodles, or a simple sheet pan chicken and veggies. One-pot meals also cut down on cleanup.
With just a few ingredients, you can whip up pasta with olive oil and garlic, veggie fried rice, or a grilled cheese sandwich with soup. Eggs, beans, and rice are pantry staples that can be transformed into filling dinners in minutes.
Healthy dinners focus on lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. Try baked salmon with roasted veggies, chicken stir-fry with brown rice, or a hearty grain bowl with beans and greens.
Simple, familiar flavors usually work best for picky eaters. Think spaghetti with tomato sauce, chicken tenders, tacos with customizable toppings, or classic mac and cheese. These can be adapted with hidden veggies for added nutrition.
Budget-friendly dinners often rely on pasta, rice, beans, or potatoes. Chili, casseroles, soups, and stir-fries are all affordable meals that can stretch ingredients while staying hearty.
A lazy dinner is one that requires almost no effort. Try sheet pan nachos, rotisserie chicken with salad, or breakfast-for-dinner (like eggs and toast). These meals come together with minimal cooking.
More Dinner Recipe Collections
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Tried any of these dinner recipes?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating for the dinner recipe that you made to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover the recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Recipe
60+ Easy Dinner Ideas: Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
Discover 60+ easy dinner ideas from pasta and chicken to seafood, soups, and vegetarian meals. Quick, simple, and perfect for busy weeknights. One of my favorites is this homemade hamburger helper, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 2 cups elbow macaroni pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is sizzling hot, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Break up beef into small pieces to help even browning.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and mix until well incorporated and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Add milk, beef broth, and uncooked macaroni. Stir well and bring to a boil. Cover the lid and simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted and well combined. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve immediately.
Notes
Make ahead and store: You can make many of these easy dinners ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also make things easy by prepping the ingredients in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Check the individual recipes for full make ahead and storing instructions.
How to reheat: Most of these leftovers can be reheated either in the air fryer or the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, on the stovetop over medium to low heat for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through. If heating from frozen, let it thaw first and then reheat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
This post was originally published in 2021. It has been updated with new recipes.
90