These Easy Weeknight Dinners Are So Good They'll Earn Applause

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When life gets busy and the clock ticks closer to dinnertime, having a stash of quick, easy, and delicious recipes can make all the difference. This collection of easy weeknight dinners is here to save your day (and your sanity) with simple dishes that don’t compromise on flavor. From crispy baked chicken thighs to creamy Tuscan salmon, and even crowd-pleasers like slow cooker teriyaki meatballs, there’s a meal for every craving. These recipes are designed to take the stress out of dinner prep, so you can focus on enjoying a warm, hearty meal with your loved ones—without spending hours in the kitchen. Dinner just got easier and tastier!

Curry Fried Rice

This curry fried rice recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner—quick, easy, and bursting with flavor! It’s healthy, hearty, and totally vegetarian, making it a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Curry Fried Rice

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs

Close up of meatballs in teriyaki sauce in slow cooker — Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Looking for a stress-free dinner that’s bursting with flavor? Toss these irresistible slow cooker teriyaki meatballs into your crockpot, pair them with a steaming pot of rice, and get ready for a meal everyone will rave about!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs on a plate with some rice. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

It doesn’t get simpler (or more delicious) than this! Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs require only three ingredients and come out perfectly baked in your oven. Ideal for a hectic weeknight, this recipe packs a punch of flavor with minimal fuss.

Get The Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Ravioli Casserole

This Baked Ravioli Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—quick, hearty, and oh-so-easy to make! With simple, store-bought ingredients, it’s a deliciously budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Get The Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Panko Chicken

Say goodbye to boring chicken! These golden-brown cutlets feature a delightful crunch thanks to the panko parmesan crust, unveiling succulent, tender chicken inside. The perfect blend of flavor and texture will have you craving seconds in no time.

Get The Recipe: Panko Chicken

Easy Shrimp Scampi

A plate full of shrimp scampi and spaghetti sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This simple Shrimp Scampi is made with garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine; it’s a timeless Italian favorite made wonderfully simple.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Smothered Chicken

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

Easy Crab Cakes

Three Crab Cakes on a plate with lemon wedges and a fork next to it. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe lets you whip up incredible crab cakes with fresh, flavorful ingredients at home. It’s surprisingly easy – just mix it up, pan-fry it, and enjoy a customizable, restaurant-worthy meal that’ll leave you happy and satisfied.

Get The Recipe: Crab Cakes

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This recipe is your weeknight hero! It delivers restaurant-quality flavors without the fuss. Tender chicken is simmered in a silky sauce, creating a versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve it over pasta, rice, or polenta for a complete and satisfying meal.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Coconut Chicken Curry

This Indian chicken curry is a flavorful masterpiece, with tender chicken pieces simmered to perfection in a rich, creamy coconut milk and tomato sauce infused with bold, aromatic spices.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Chicken Curry

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Shredded apricot chicken in a slow cooker. — Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Sweet and Tangy Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken – a simple, flavor-packed dinner that’s as easy to make as it is delicious! With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a meal everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Lasagna Soup

All the flavors of your favorite Italian comfort food, now in a cozy, hearty bowl! My lasagna soup features a rich, savory tomato base and is finished with a dollop of creamy, dreamy ricotta cheese filling. It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds!
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup

CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF

from scratch Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff on egg noodles in a white bowl with a silver servings spoon and blue napkin — Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This irresistibly rich and creamy Beef Stroganoff (no canned soup here!) is the ultimate comfort food. Made effortlessly in the crockpot, it delivers melt-in-your-mouth tender meat and a sauce packed with bold, mouthwatering flavor!
Get the Recipe: CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF

Slow Cooker Honey Lime Salsa Verde Pork

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Pork is an easy, juicy, and flavorful dish that takes pulled pork to the next level. Packed with bold, tangy goodness, it’s a must-try for salsa verde fans!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Lime Salsa Verde Pork

Grandma’s Easy German Schnitzel

Easy German Schnitzel | foodiecrush.com #schnitzel #german #pork #porkchops — Photo credit: Foodie Crush

My grandma’s authentic German Schnitzel is a dinner classic you’ll crave! Tender pork chops, pounded thin, coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, and fried to golden perfection—simple, delicious, and full of tradition.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Easy German Schnitzel

Sheet Pan Maple Apricot Chicken

top view of sheet pan chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet — Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

Sheet Pan Maple Apricot Chicken and Vegetables is a mouthwatering, fuss-free dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights—all cooked together in one pan for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Apricot Chicken

Garlic Mozzarella Margherita Pasta

25-Minute LIGHTENED-UP Margherita Pasta packed with juicy fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a mouthwatering garlic, mozzarella-Parmesan sauce! It’s everything you love about Margherita pizza, transformed into a delicious pasta dish!
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mozzarella Margherita Pasta

Tuscan Salmon in Cream Sauce

Close-up of creamy Tuscan salmon fillets garnished with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. A golden fork slices through the flaky, saucy fish, unveiling its tender texture. The dish graces a white plate and is a standout among salmon recipes sure to impress. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whip up this impressive Tuscan Salmon in Cream Sauce in just 30 minutes – a perfect weeknight meal!

Get The Recipe: Tuscan Salmon in Cream Sauce

Browse More Easy Recipes

A plate with a pork chop crowned with sliced mushrooms and gravy, garnished with herbs. Served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and broccoli, this family favorite is sure to be one of those incredible recipes you'll want to make again. A fork and knife are placed beside the steak. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Discover a variety of easy weeknight dinner ideas, from casseroles and stir-fries to pastas and slow-cooker meals. Save time in the kitchen while serving up dishes your family will love!

Browse More Easy Recipes