15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (2024)

Take a look at this collection of oh-so delicious and incredibly easy 15 weeknight dinner ideas that you can prepare in under 30 minutes.

From cozy soups to scrumptious pasta dishes, these recipes are sure to please a crowd and are perfect for any occasion, especially when you need an inspiration on what to cook tonight.

Chicken Kofta

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (1)

Made with lean ground chicken, grated onion, garlic, parsley, and spices, these deliciously moist chicken meatballs are my lighter version ofGrilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofterecipe.

While pan-frying is traditional, you can also bake, grill, or air fry your chicken koftas for a healthier alternative with different flavor profiles.

To learn more: Chicken Kofta Recipe

Creamy Chicken Korma

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (2)

This homemade Creamy Chicken Korma Recipe is infused with aromatic Indian spices and created with everyday ingredients.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this mildly spiced and fragrant Indian curry is perfect for busy weeknight family dinners!

To learn more: Creamy Chicken Korma Recipe

Jamaican Style Pepper Steak

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (3)

Jamaican Pepper Steak is a delightful stir-fry dish consisting of beef strips, rich Caribbean spices, sweet bell peppers, and Asian flavorings such as ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this colorful steak dish makes a perfect weeknight meal or a lazy Sunday lunch.

To learn more: Jamaican Style Pepper Steak

Arayes - Meat Stuffed Pita

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (4)

Arayes, also known asMeat Stuffed Pita, is a popular dish in Middle Eastern cuisine that is loved by many around the world.

They consist of ground meat mixed with a blend of exotic spices, then stuffed insidepita breadbefore they are grilled or baked to perfection.

This classic Lebanese street food is simple yet full of flavor that you can serve as a snack, appetizer, or quick weeknight dinner.

To learn more: Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita)

Baked Salmon with Mediterranean Flavors

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (5)

Mediterranean Baked Salmon is a simple yet impressive and delicious dish, whether you serve it as the centerpiece of a holiday dinner table for special occasions or as a quick weeknight dinner.

It is the perfect combination of fresh salmon fillet marinated with Mediterranean flavors such as lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.

Ready in just 25 minutes, this tender, and perfectly flaky baked salmon will be your new favorite seafood recipe!

To learn more: Mediterranean Baked Salmon

Baked Sea Bass in Foil

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (6)

Baked Sea Bass in Foil(Firinda Levrek in Turkish) is a simple, healthy, and incredibly flavourful dish that requires little effort and time.

This delicious white fish is elegant enough to put on your next holiday menu or when you want something a little different for a family gathering.

It is also rich in iron, potassium, and vitamins, so it’s a great choice to include in your diet.

To learn more: Baked Sea Bass in Foil

Prawn Risotto with Peas

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Creamy Shrimp (or Prawn) Risotto With Peasis a delightful, hearty, and comforting dish made with juicy shrimp, arborio rice, and homemade stock.

Ready in only 30 minutes,this restaurant-quality risotto is perfect for a weeknight meal as well as a romantic date night!

To learn more: Creamy Shrimp Risotto with Peas

Baked Cod with Panko

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (8)

CrispyOven Baked Cod With Pankoand Parmesan is aneasy 20-minute dinner, ideal for busy weeknights.

This Baked Cod dish is made with a light and flaky cod fillet topped with a buttery crispy parmesan & panko crust and then oven-baked until golden brown.

To learn more: Oven Baked Cod with Panko

Sautéed Beef - Et Sote

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (9)

Et Sote(or Beef Tava) is a delicious Turkish classic made with beef strips, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and peppers.

This simple, quick & wholesome beef stir fry is packed with Mediterranean flavors and is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

To learn more: Et Sote

Spinach with Eggs

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (10)

Spinach with Eggs (Ispanakli Yumurta) is a delicious, healthy, and filling one-pot dish you can serve for brunch, lunch, or a quick weeknight dinner.

All you need is 20 minutes and a few fresh Mediterranean ingredients to make this simple egg dish.

To learn more: Spinach with Eggs

Wild Garlic Soup

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (11)

This simple, delicious, and nutritiousWild Garlic Souphas a gentle garlicky flavor.

It is made with freshly foraged pungent wild garlic leaves (a.k.a ramps or ramson), potatoes, onions, andHomemade Vegetable Stock.

Wild garlic has a distinct flavor that adds depth and character to any dish, and when turned into a soup, it becomes a comforting and satisfying meal.

To learn more: Wild Garlic Soup

Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofte

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (12)

Grilled Lamb Kofta is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey consisting of minced lamb and aromatic spices such as coriander and paprika.

It is extremely easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills.

To learn more: Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte

Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (13)

Creamy Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pastais an easy yet delicious dish made of chicken,prawns, garlic, cheese, and tomatoes.

Ready in 25 minutes,this pasta dish is perfect for a weekday mealor a lazy Sunday lunch!

To learn more: Creamy Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta

Cheesy Baked Prawns

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (14)

Cheesy Baked Shrimp (Karides Guvec)is a delicious Turkish dish usually served as an appetizer or a hot meze in seafood restaurants.

It consists of fresh plump prawns cooked in a garlicky tomato & mushroom sauce and then topped with cheese.

To learn more: Cheesy Baked Shrimp (Karides Guvec)

Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (15)

Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab is a popular Turkish dish made of chicken pieces marinated in olive oil, milk, tomato paste, and aromatic spices.

If you want something unique and delicious for your summer BBQ parties, this recipe is perfect for you!

Thesetender and juicy Chicken Shish Kebabs are ready in just 25 minutesplus the marinating time.

To learn more: Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab

15 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How do you simplify weeknight dinners? ›

How to Simplify Cooking for Your Family + Easy Weeknight Meals
  1. TIPS TO SIMPLIFY MEALS.
  2. Accept or ask for help in the kitchen. ...
  3. Buy things already prepped at the store. ...
  4. Theme meals of the week. ...
  5. Read the recipe before going to the store. ...
  6. Choose a recipe with 10 or less ingredients. ...
  7. Make a list of your family's favorite recipes.
Mar 23, 2022

What is a good meal to serve 20 people? ›

Feed-a-crowd recipes
  • Spiced salmon with traybaked sag aloo. ...
  • Chicken dopiaza. ...
  • Chicken Provençal. ...
  • Chicken gyros. ...
  • Sharing bavette with blue cheese, beef dripping wedges & ranch salad. ...
  • Sticky tamarind tomato & spinach whirl. ...
  • App onlyChard, feta & sesame pie with olive oil pastry.

What's for Monday night dinner? ›

I know you're tired, but grab your apron, and let's dig in.
  • Monday Dinner Ideas: One Pot Chicken Bacon Pasta. ...
  • Cheesesteak Casserole. ...
  • Monday Dinner Ideas: Easy Salisbury Steak. ...
  • White Trash Hash. ...
  • Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. ...
  • Monday Dinner Ideas: Big Mac Salad. ...
  • 15-Minute Cheesy Italian Skillet. ...
  • One Pot Taco Spaghetti.
Dec 9, 2023

What takes 15 minutes to cook? ›

Spaghetti With Collard Greens and Lemon. In just 15 minutes, you can make this nutritious and satisfying meal. We used farro or whole-wheat spaghetti, but whatever you have on hand works here. Toss the cooked pasta with toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, collard greens, and plenty of freshly grated Pecorino Romano.

What is a late evening meal eaten instead of lunch and dinner? ›

A supper is usually a light meal and is probably had after a larger dinner has been had in the middle of the day.

What is a white night dinner? ›

Dîner en Blanc ("Dinner in White" in French) is a worldwide event spanning six continents in which people have a meal dressed in white in a temporary dining setup in a public space. Diners are required to provide their own food, tables, chairs and tablecloths.

What sounds good for dinner on a Wednesday night? ›

35 Easy Wednesday Dinner Ideas To Get You Through The Midweek...
  • 01 of 35. BBQ Chicken Pizza. ...
  • 02 of 35. Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta. ...
  • 03 of 35. Baked Ziti With Meatballs. ...
  • 04 of 35. One-Pan Ranch Chicken And Vegetables. ...
  • 05 of 35. Chicken Tortilla Casserole. ...
  • 06 of 35. ...
  • 07 of 35. ...
  • 08 of 35.

What is the main meal of the night? ›

Dinner and supper are both used to refer to the main meal of the day, and especially to that meal as eaten in the evening. Supper is used especially when the meal is an informal one eaten at home, while dinner tends to be the term chosen when the meal is more formal.

What to eat for dinner homemade? ›

Best, Easy Dinner Recipes For A Family
  • Sheet Pan Olive Bar Chicken. ...
  • Five Spice Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner. ...
  • Sheet Pan Quesadilla with Jalapeño Ranch. ...
  • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. ...
  • Crock-Pot Chicken Taco Meat. ...
  • Mango Chutney Chicken Sheet Pan. ...
  • Old Bay Shrimp and Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner. ...
  • Za'atar Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.

What can I cook in a 5 minute chef? ›

Omelettes, burgers, pancakes, pizzas, cakes, toasties, quesadillas, crepes, brownies and more – 5 Minute CleverChef makes cooking so quick and easy you'll be sure to find a new favourite.

How to simplify a cooking routine? ›

Here are 13 tips to simplify meals.
  1. Check your expectations. Start out with a realistic approach to your meals. ...
  2. Cook in one pot. Choose meals that can be prepared in one pot. ...
  3. Find your favorite sauce. ...
  4. Eat the same thing everyday. ...
  5. Design themed dinners. ...
  6. Plan for four to five cooked meals. ...
  7. Batch cook. ...
  8. Try a challenge.

How to eat dinner at 5pm and not be hungry until breakfast? ›

So, practice setting your mind on having early supper and being content with the schedule. Consider eating fruits and vegetables for supper since they are big on volume and low in calories. Make this a daily routine and you won't have to think about snacks in the middle of the night ever again.

How to make weeknight cooking easier? ›

Pre-chop onions, carrots, celery, and bell peppers so they're ready for meals later in the week. Store the vegetables in zip-top bags or airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to use. Assemble casseroles up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.

How do I create a dinner menu for the week? ›

Here are six steps to making a meal plan:
  1. Give yourself time to plan. Set aside time each week to make a meal plan. ...
  2. Check what you have. Check what ingredients you already have in your cupboard, fridge or freezer. ...
  3. Include some of your favourite meals. ...
  4. Use up your leftovers. ...
  5. Cook in bulk. ...
  6. Make your ingredients work.

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