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Home / Best Recipes

Dinner Made Easy: 20 Ideas for When You’re Short on Time and Ideas

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

06/04/2024

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When the clock is ticking and your mind is blank, dinner can feel like a daunting task – but with these 20 easy and delicious ideas, you’ll be able to whip up a satisfying meal in no time. From quick one-pot wonders to clever shortcuts and simple twists on classic favorites, this collection of recipes is designed to save the day (and your sanity!) on even the busiest of nights.

Pork Burgers

a pork burger topped with Caramelized Onions
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Want a burger that’s bursting with flavor? Try these amazing Pork Burgers! Grill ’em up for a smoky twist, sear them on the stove for a quick fix, or toss them in your favorite appliance—these versatile patties are down for whatever your hunger throws their way.

Get The Recipe: Pork Burgers

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Short on time and cooking skills? This recipe is your weeknight savior! With a handful of ingredients and just 20 minutes, you can create a delicious and satisfying stir-fry featuring tender beef and crisp broccoli. It’s so easy, even kitchen novices can master it!

Get The Recipe: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Chicken Mushroom Alfredo

a close up image of chicken and mushroom fettuccine alfredo on a white plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe unlocks the secrets of a classic dish. Fettuccine noodles are tossed in a decadent Alfredo sauce bursting with garlic, Parmesan cheese, tender chicken, and savory mushrooms. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress your taste buds.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Mushroom Alfredo

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca freshly served and ready to eat.
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 Spicy Shrimp Tacos

Image Credit: Image credit goes to.

Whip up these spicy shrimp tacos in no time flat. Juicy, marinated shrimp bursting with spice is nestled in warm tortillas, ready for your favorite toppings. Dinner doesn’t get much faster or tastier!

GET THE RECIPE: Shrimp Tacos

Fish Piccata

A plate of Fish Piccata garnished lemon and capers.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This dish presents crispy pan-fried fish fillets, lightly coated in flour. It’s highlighted by a tantalizing sauce made of zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and savory white wine, and finished with briny capers for a burst of flavor.

Get The Recipe: Fish Piccata

Chicken Francaise

a close up image of Chicken Francaise in a black pan.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Pan-fried golden brown, and finished in a vibrant lemon white wine sauce. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare and delivers a restaurant-worthy meal you can enjoy at home.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Francaise

Steak Stir Fry

A steak stir fry with broccoli, red bell peppers, and mushrooms served over white rice, garnished with sesame seeds and accompanied by black chopsticks.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe features marinated steak bursting with flavor, all thanks to a savory-sweet sauce infused with fresh ginger and garlic. Served with a symphony of crunchy vegetables, it’s a quick and healthy dinner that’s guaranteed to satisfy.

Get The Recipe: Steak Stir Fry

Panko Breaded Pork Chops

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe takes your weeknight dinners to the next level with amazingly crispy panko-breaded pork chops. Packed with flavor and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect way to satisfy the whole family without the fuss.

Get The Recipe: Panko Breaded Pork Chops

Chicken with Chinese Mushrooms

Chicken with Chinese Mushrooms in a white bowl scattered with green onion slices.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Simple ingredients come together in under 20 minutes to create a scrumptious dish that will leave you forgetting about takeout.

Get The Recipe: Chicken with Chinese Mushrooms

Easy Shrimp Pasta

a landscape image of a white plate full of shrimp pasta
Image Credit: Mateusz Gzik

Tender shrimp is transformed into a delightful pasta dish in just 20 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that proves ease doesn’t have to compromise on flavor.

Get The Recipe: Easy Shrimp Pasta

Chicken Stroganoff

A close up image of Chicken Stroganoff on a white plate with a white background.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Try this simple Chicken Stroganoff recipe, featuring tender chicken bathed in a delightful sour cream sauce—ready in a mere 30 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Stroganoff

Beef Massaman Thai Curry

Beef Massaman Thai Curry
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Experience the magic of authentic Thai cuisine without the hassle. This slow-cooked curry delivers a symphony of fragrant spices and rich flavors, perfect for a relaxed and delicious dinner party.

Get The Recipe: Beef Massaman Thai Curry

Garlic Butter Cod Fillets

A close up image of a seared cod filet in a garlic butter sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Sometimes, simplicity wins. This garlic butter cod fillet recipe is a perfect example. It’s bursting with flavor, quick to make, and sure to delight everyone without any fuss.

Get The Recipe: Garlic Butter Cod Fillets

Pasta Alla Norma

A close up image of pasta with an eggplant tomato sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Learn to perfect the classic Italian dish, Pasta Alla Norma, with our straightforward, step-by-step guide and professional tips. This easy and tasty meal is perfect for any occasion.

Get The Recipe: Pasta Alla Norma

Cavatelli and Broccoli

a serving spoon in a big pan of Cavatelli and Broccoli
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Elevate your weeknight routine with this incredibly easy Cavatelli and Broccoli recipe. Despite its simplicity, the dish packs a flavor punch that will leave you surprised. It’s a perfect example of how effortless preparation can lead to a delicious and satisfying meal.

Get The Recipe: Cavatelli and Broccoli

Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops covered with melted cheese with mushrooms and onions.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Weeknight dinners don’t get much better than this! These juicy pork chops practically cook themselves, bathed in a luxuriously rich caramelized onion and mushroom gravy. A quick sprinkle of melted cheese adds the finishing touch to this simple yet satisfying comfort food classic.

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Japanese Curry

a dish with Japanese Chicken curry and rice, with chopsticks
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Experience the magic of Japanese cuisine with this family-friendly curry recipe. Tender chicken, fluffy potatoes, and crisp carrots mingle in a delightful curry sauce, capturing the essence of Japanese comfort food. It’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table!

Get The Recipe: Japanese Curry

Chicken and Yellow Rice

a pan full of Chicken and yellow rice in a black skillet.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Transform your leftover chicken into something spectacular with our delectable Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe. This simple, one-pot dish gives new life to your ingredients, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Get The Recipe: Chicken and Yellow Rice

Chicken Korma

A bowl filled with Chicken Korma, garnished with fresh cilantro, sits beside garlic naan on a woven mat.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Embark on a culinary adventure to India with our authentic Chicken Korma recipe. Succulent chicken bathed in a creamy and flavorful sauce, bursting with fragrant spices, awaits you. This dish is a true representation of Indian cuisine, with a richness and aroma that will linger in your memory.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Korma

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