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Home / Best Recipes

16 Weeknight Dinners That Are Fast Easy and Delicious

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

05/24/2025

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Weeknights can be a battle against the clock. Who has time for elaborate meals between work, errands, and activities? The secret weapon you’ve been searching for is here: a collection of easy dinners that are bursting with flavor and sure to please everyone at the table.

Smothered Chicken

A close-up of a plate with grilled chicken, caramelized onions, and white rice, garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon is drizzling a golden-brown sauce over the chicken, creating a savory and appetizing presentation. This easy chicken dinner idea is sure to impress every time on your marble-like surface.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This smothered chicken recipe is super easy to make, whether you use the stove or a slow cooker. It’s all about those tender chicken thighs swimming in a tasty gravy that’s just right for comfort food lovers!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

A bowl of creamy penne pasta with pieces of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, topped with a sprinkle of grated cheese. A gold fork rests inside the bowl, ready for eating.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is all about convenience and flavor! Juicy chicken and sun-dried tomatoes bathe in a luxurious cream sauce, coming together in a 30-minute masterpiece. It’s a weeknight dinner win that’s guaranteed to satisfy.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

Ground Beef Tacos

A hand holds a taco filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, sliced jalapeño, tomato, sour cream, and cilantro in a yellow tortilla.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whip up the ultimate Ground Beef Tacos with bold, smoky homemade taco seasoning! Packed with flavor and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner everyone will love.

Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Tacos

Shrimp Alfredo

A close-up of a plate of Shrimp Alfredo Pasta. The pasta appears to be coated in a creamy white sauce, and the shrimp are large and pink, garnished with a sprinkle of herbs. A fork rests on the plate's rim.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

You’ll love this quick and easy Italian pasta dish featuring garlicky shrimp and fettuccine pasta drenched in a luxurious cream sauce.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo

Weeknight Paella

A plate of bright yellow saffron rice topped with chorizo and shrimp.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This one-pot, simple Paella recipe uses Shrimp, Chorizo, and savory saffron rice. It’s a wonderful, easy meal that is full of flavor. 

Get The Recipe: Weeknight Paella

Pan Seared Scallops with Brown Butter Sauce

A close-up reveals seared scallops with a rich sauce atop rice, complemented by roasted Brussels sprouts. This delectable dish, from our "20 Easy Recipes" collection, is garnished with a lemon wedge for that perfect zest.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Got a craving you just can’t shake? Indulge in our melt-in-your-mouth pan-seared scallops, golden-crisp on the outside and irresistibly tender inside. They’re bathed in a luxurious brown butter sauce, infused with garlic, fresh parsley, and a bright pop of zesty lemon. Pure perfection on a plate!
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Scallops with Brown Butter Sauce

Sausage and Egg Frittata

A golden brown Sausage and Egg Frittata with peppers and feta cheese.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This delicious edd dish combines creamy Parmesan and tangy feta cheese with savory Italian sausage, all nestled in eggs, roasted onions, and colorful peppers.

Get The Recipe: Sausage and Egg Frittata

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

A plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, black olives, capers, and fresh basil leaves from our 20 Easy Recipes collection. A fork twirls the pasta, capturing the vibrant colors and a sprinkle of herbs adding a touch of fresh flair.
Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Create a delicious and hassle-free family meal with this Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca recipe! Made with pantry staples and ready in no time, it’s a simple dish that delivers big on flavor and satisfaction for the whole family.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

Easy Salmon and Pea Risotto

Easy Salmon and Pea Risotto on a white dish with a fork next to it.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Say goodbye to tedious stirring with our simple Salmon and Pea Risotto! Toss everything together and let it simmer until creamy and delicious—no fuss required.

Get The Recipe: Easy Salmon and Pea Risotto

Chicken Lo Mein

Chopsticks holding a chicken lo mein with noodles, vegetables, and chicken, set against a white background.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the takeout menus! This recipe unlocks the secrets of restaurant-worthy chicken lo mein, all from the comfort of your kitchen. It’s surprisingly easy to follow, making it the perfect weeknight dinner that will have everyone at the table raving.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Lo Mein

Baked Chicken and Rice

A spoonful of chicken and rice being scooped from a blue pan.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe turns your oven into a flavor factory. Juicy chicken thighs nestle on a bed of lemony garlic rice, all baking together for a stress-free and delicious weeknight dinner.

Get The Recipe: Baked Chicken and Rice

Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

A chicken and Broccoli stir fry piled high on a white plate with chop sticks
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Short on time? No problem! This flavorful Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry comes together in under 30 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

Chili Con Carne

Classic Chili Con Carne served on a bed of white rice.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Dive into a pot of pure comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

Shrimp Coconut Curry

Shrimp Curry in the pan with a serving spoon ready to serve
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Freshest flavors, fastest fix: This Thai Shrimp Coconut Curry is a symphony of aromatic spices and succulent shrimp, ready in no time.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Coconut Curry

Garlic Butter Cod Fillets

Cod in garlic butter sauce with lemon slices on a white plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Melt-in-your-mouth cod bathed in garlicky butter? Yes, please! This simple recipe delivers amazing results with minimal effort – all in one pan!

Get The Recipe: Cod Fillets

Healthy Fried Chicken

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the deep fryer! This low-fat recipe delivers a crispy, flavorful coating on baked chicken, making it a healthy alternative you won’t miss.

Get The Recipe: Healthy Fried Chicken

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