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Home / Best Recipes

Delicious Dinner Ideas for When You Don’t Know What to Cook

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

04/16/2025

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We all have those days when cooking feels like the last thing we want to do. That’s where these 15 easy and satisfying recipes come in! From quick and comforting dishes like Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti and Chicken and Yellow Rice to elegant yet simple meals like Lemon Fish Piccata and Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon, these recipes are perfect for low-energy days. Whether you’re craving a hearty Chinese Beef Noodle Soup or a fresh Chicken Cobb Salad, these dishes are easy to make and big on flavor. Let’s make dinner effortless!

Chicken with Sherry Mushrooms Sauce

Chicken with Sherry Mushrooms Sauce piled high in a white bowl
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe for Chicken with Sherry Mushroom Sauce features juicy chicken thighs and pancetta in a silky mushroom sauce. The addition of onions, garlic, and herbs creates a rich and flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Sherry Mushrooms Sauce

Easy Lemon Shrimp Risotto

a plate if Easy Lemon Shrimp Risotto with broccoli and peas
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Easy Lemon Shrimp Risotto is a delicious one-pot meal that’s simple to whip up any night of the week. With bright flavors from lemon, garlic, and parmesan cheese, this creamy dish is sure to please the whole family. Serve with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Shrimp Risotto

Chicken and Yellow Rice

chicken and yellow rice in a pan with a blue spoon
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe is a flavorful and easy one-pot dish that’s great for using leftover chicken. With the addition of saffron, this dish brings a lovely aroma and vibrant color to the table. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Yellow Rice

Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti

a plate of piled high with Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti topped with mushrooms and chopped herbs
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for busy weeknights! Sautéed mushrooms and spaghetti are tossed in a luscious garlic cream sauce that’s both comforting and quick to make. This vegetarian dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a winner for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti

The Best Chicken Cacciatore of Your Life

a serving dish full of Chicken Cacciatore with a plate of spaghetti in the background.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Chicken Cacciatore recipe is the best you’ll ever have! Featuring tender chicken, savory pancetta, and aromatic herbs, this dish is a comforting and flavorful delight. It can be made in a slow cooker or on the stovetop for a convenient and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: The Best Chicken Cacciatore of Your Life

Lemon Fish Piccata

A platter full of fish piccata garnished with lemon slices and chopped herbs.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Lemon Fish Piccata recipe delivers a scrumptious supper in just 30 minutes. The dish features perfectly cooked fish fillets in a bright, tangy lemon-caper sauce. Serve over pasta or with a side of vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Fish Piccata

Grilled or Baked Peri Peri Chicken with Sauce Recipe

Six roasted Peri Peri chicken thighs garnished with fresh chopped parsley on a white plate.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Bring the heat with this Grilled or Baked Peri Peri Chicken! Marinated to perfection in a fiery blend of peppers, herbs, and spices, this dish delivers a flavorful experience. Serve with the homemade Peri Peri sauce for an extra kick that will leave everyone craving more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled or Baked Peri Peri Chicken with Sauce Recipe

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

A bowl of sun-dried tomato pasta with creamy penne, tender chicken, and fresh basil. The dish is topped with grated cheese, accompanied by a white napkin and a gold-and-white fork.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy sauce. It’s a family-friendly recipe that brings Italian flavors to your table with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

Steak Stir Fry

A colorful steak stir fry in a black skillet, featuring thinly sliced beef mixed with broccoli, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Steak Stir Fry recipe is a quick and easy dinner option, ready in just 45 minutes! Packed with tender steak and crisp vegetables in a flavorful sauce, it’s a family-friendly meal that’s better than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Steak Stir Fry

Coq Au Vin

A close-up of a pot containing Coq Au Vin, showcasing succulent chicken pieces, carrots, onions, and mushrooms in a rich brown sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs, creating an appetizing view of this classic hearty meal.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This classic Coq Au Vin recipe transforms simple chicken into a rich and flavorful stew. With a luscious wine sauce, bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions, it’s the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for a cozy night in or a festive holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Coq Au Vin

Creamy Tagliatelle and Mushrooms

A close up image of a white plate with a creamy tagliatelle pasta dish and sliced mushrooms.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This creamy tagliatelle and mushroom recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It’s packed with flavor from the mushrooms, white wine, garlic, and parsley, all coated in a rich and creamy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this vegetarian dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tagliatelle and Mushrooms

The Best Hamburger Recipe

a hamburger made with The Best Hamburger Recipe piled high with toppings and a cocktail stick through the bun
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Looking to make the best burgers ever? This recipe has you covered with tips and tricks for perfect patties, from grinding your own meat to toasting your buns. Fire up the grill and get ready for a burger experience like no other!
Get the Recipe: The Best Hamburger Recipe

Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon

a serving fork with three strips of thick cut grilled filet mignon garnished with parsley.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Fire up the grill and prepare for a steakhouse experience at home with this recipe for Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon. Each steak is seared to perfection and basted with a luscious garlic-infused butter, creating an irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet elegant dish!
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon

Chicken Cobb Salad

overhead shot of a cobb salad on a platter
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Chicken Cobb Salad is a classic for a reason! Packed with fresh lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese, it’s the perfect dish for summer barbecues or a satisfying lunch. This recipe from Erren’s Kitchen is simple, delicious, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobb Salad

Chinese Beef Noodle Soup

Chinese Beef Noodle Soup - Erren's Kitchen - Wonderfully fragrant and deliciously healthy, this simple soup makes the perfect warming meal.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Chinese Beef Noodle Soup is a wonderfully fragrant and deliciously healthy meal that’s perfect for warming you up. Made with stewing beef, star anise, and Chinese five-spice powder, this soup is packed with flavor and nutrients. Serve it with Chinese noodles, cabbage, and bok choy for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Beef Noodle Soup

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