10 Easy Weeknight Dinners

After a busy day, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 10 easy weeknight dinners are quick, delicious, and perfect for the whole family. Each recipe can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, making weeknight cooking a breeze.

1. One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta (your choice)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Add pasta, chicken broth, and milk. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is cooked.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Garnish with parsley before serving.

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2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
• Tortillas and toppings (sour cream, salsa, cheese)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Toss chicken, peppers, and onions with olive oil and fajita seasoning. Spread on the sheet pan.
3. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with tortillas and toppings.

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3. Stir-Fry Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef (sliced thinly)
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Cooked rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Toss beef slices in cornstarch.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan, add beef, and stir-fry until browned.
3. Add broccoli, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and beef broth. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
4. Serve over rice.

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4. Easy Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 zucchini (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• Cooked rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large pan, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
3. Stir in bell pepper, zucchini, soy sauce, and honey. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Serve over rice.

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5. Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Tortillas and toppings (shredded cabbage, avocado, cilantro)

Instructions:

1. Season shrimp with cumin, paprika, and a pinch of salt.
2. Sauté in olive oil for 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
3. Mix sour cream with lime juice to make the lime crema.
4. Serve shrimp in tortillas with lime crema and your choice of toppings.

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6. Baked Lemon Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and top with lemon slices and garlic.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Garnish with parsley before serving.

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7. Turkey Meatball Subs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 4 sub rolls
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, and garlic powder. Form into meatballs.
2. Sauté meatballs in a pan until browned and cooked through.
3. Warm marinara sauce and pour over meatballs. Serve in sub rolls with mozzarella.

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8. Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers (tops removed and seeds scooped out)
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix quinoa (or rice), beans, corn, cheese, and chili powder. Stuff the mixture into the bell peppers.
3. Place peppers in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.

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9. Quick Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced)
• 8 oz fettuccine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
2. In a large pan, melt butter and sauté chicken until cooked through.
3. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Toss in cooked fettuccine and serve.

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10. BBQ Chicken Flatbread

Ingredients:

• 2 flatbreads
• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread BBQ sauce on flatbreads, then top with shredded chicken, mozzarella, and red onion.
3. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

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Conclusion:

These 10 easy weeknight dinners are perfect for busy evenings when you need a quick, nutritious meal on the table. Whether you’re craving pasta, tacos, or a hearty stir-fry, these recipes will satisfy the whole family with minimal effort!