87 Simple Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights

Dinnertime doesn’t have to be complicated.  As a matter of fact, it shouldn’t be.  Because who wants to spend time in the kitchen prepping, cooking, and cleaning up for two hours after a long day at work?   

It’s no secret that cooking and eating at home can save you money.  In addition, the money you save from cooking your meals at home can be used to help you reach your financial goals.  Whether your goal is to pay off debt, save up for a large purchase, or to invest for your future, eating at home can help you get there more quickly.

So if you are looking for some simple dinner ideas to start eating at home so you can save money and eat healthier, look no further.  Here are 87 easy dinner meals to include on your meal planning calendar.  

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Simple Dinner Ideas for Families

1. Dirty Rice with Sausage

This easy dirty rice with sausage recipe makes a quick and flavorful dish that is full of sausage, rice, and veggies cooked in Cajun spices. It’s easy on the budget, easy to customize with what you have on hand, and works well as a side dish or as a main dish your family will love.

2. Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs (Gluten-Free)

These meatballs (without breadcrumbs) are delicious and can easily be made in bulk and turned into freezer meals. Perfect for weeknight meals where you don’t have a lot of time and need to cook for a family.

3. Weeknight Chili Mac-N-Cheese

Chili Mac and Cheese is a very satisfying combination of your favorite hearty chili and creamy macaroni and cheese. This Chili Mac recipe is filling, delicious comfort food your family will request again and again!

4. Easy Oven Roasted Sausage and Potatoes

Simple and delicious, this one-pan Sausage and Potatoes Recipe is filled with onion, sweet Italian sausage, bell peppers, and baby potatoes. Enjoy this hearty, family-friendly dinner as a quick weeknight meal, and enjoy the leftovers for meal prep the next afternoon.

5. Dairy-Free Carbonara Pasta

This super easy pasta dish can be made in less than 20 minutes. It is dairy-free but full of taste, perfect for the whole family.

6. Oven-Fried French Onion Pork Chops

French Onions Pork Chops combine the flavors of french onion dip, crispy potato chips, and breaded pork chops into a 30-minute dinner that everyone will love.

7. Swedish Meatball Bake

This is a quick and easy weeknight version of a Swedish Meatball casserole bake recipe. So simple to throw together with pre-made meatballs, beef gravy, mushrooms, and sour cream. You won’t believe how good this is!

8. One-Pot Cheesy Kielbasa, Broccoli, and Rice

This newly improved One-Pot Cheesy Kielbasa, Broccoli, and Rice is a deliciously easy weeknight meal made in just one pan. It’s fast and easy to make, is great for the freezer, and is packed full of flavor and broccoli, making it an incredible family-friendly meal.

9. Bacon, Mushroom, and Tomato Pasta

This pasta is covered in a delicious, garlic tomato sauce. Try this easy bacon and mushroom pasta for a quick and delicious family dinner.

10. Ground Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Cheesy ground turkey meatloaf muffins are sure to be a hit. The best part is that they come pre-portioned with no need for slicing!

11. Sheet Pan Italian Sausage and Potatoes

For an easy weeknight meal, try this tasty Italian sausage and potatoes. Sweet Italian sausage, baby yellow potatoes, sweet bell peppers, and red onions are cooked all together on a sheet pan for easy prep and easy clean-up.

12. Sausage and Pierogi Casserole

This easy sausage and pierogi casserole is loaded with sausage, onions, and frozen pierogis. It’s covered with a creamy cheese sauce and then baked to perfection.

13. One Pan Chicken and Vegetable Bake

This is such an easy dinner! All done in one pan in the oven, this chicken and veggie bake with honey and rosemary gives you extra time to do whatever else needs to be done at dinner time!

Photo Credit: Mess for Less (Bacon Mac-N-Cheese)

Simple Dinner Ideas for Kids

14. Bacon Mac-N-Cheese

Nothing says comfort food like mac-n-cheese. The bacon in this family recipe really kicks it up a notch.

15. Easy Baked Ziti

This Easy Baked Ziti recipe is called super easy because it really is that simple for anyone to make. Great for a busy weeknight dinner, friendly gatherings, and just an all-around family favorite.

16. Kids Broccoli Pasta

Here is a simple yet rich meal that can be enjoyed by any family. With just 15 mins, you can make this creamy broccoli pasta for lunch or dinner.

17. Copycat Chick-fil-a Mac and Cheese

Want to take the taste of a fast-food restaurant home? Prepare this quick and easy chick-fil-a copycat mac and cheese recipe. So tasty!

18. Gluten-Free Tater Tot Casserole

This tater tot casserole is a one-dish meal of classic comfort food that will become an instant family favorite and satisfy even your picky eaters. This great recipe is the epitome of a family-friendly weeknight meal that the whole family will cheer for!

19. Cheez-It Crusted Chicken Tenders

Cheez-It Crusted Chicken Tenders are full of easy, cheesy goodness! This recipe has few ingredients, is easy to make, and has minimal clean-up! Say hello to your new family favorite!

20. Tuna Mac and Cheese (One-Pot)

This one-pot tuna mac and cheese recipe is a great family-favorite weeknight recipe. You will need just a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time.

21. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

These quick and easy Rotisserie Chicken Tacos are on the table in under 30 minutes! Add your favorite taco toppings for a delicious, family-friendly meal.

22. Rotel Chicken Spaghetti

Rotel chicken spaghetti is an easy family meal. This creamy baked pasta dish features shredded chicken, Rotel, Velveeta, and cheddar cheese.

23. Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake

Perfect for busy weeknights, this creamy chicken pasta bake is the perfect family-friendly, filling meal that uses leftover chicken and a 2 ingredient cheese sauce.

Photo Credit: Simple Living Recipes (One-Pot Taco Pasta)

Simple Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef

24. Simple Salisbury Steak

Salisbury Steak is a perfect weeknight recipe to serve the family. Plate up with mashed potatoes or tasty veggies for the best comfort food!

25. One-Pot Taco Pasta

This delicious One Pot Taco Pasta is an explosion of flavors! And it’s so easy that the pasta cooks in its own sauce.

26. Ground Beef Stroganoff

This is such an easy weeknight dinner recipe. Ground Beef Stroganoff cooks in just 30 minutes and who doesn’t love a comforting, creamy pasta dish?

27. Homemade Hamburger Helper

This is the best Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe. Easy, healthy, and delicious – this is a quick meal your family will love!

28. Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

This Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is loaded with nutrition and has all the flavor of Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, but comes together in just 30 minutes and has much fewer carbs!

29. Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole recipe is sweet and tangy homemade sloppy joes mixed with corn and topped with melty cheddar cheese and crisp golden brown tater tots. This is an all-in-one, kid-friendly meal that makes it easy to feed the whole family.

30. Simple Ground Beef Casserole

This ground beef casserole recipe is super easy to throw together and feeds a crowd! It’s comforting and uses simple ingredients.

31. Creamy Beef and Shells

Tender shell pasta in a meaty, deliciously seasoned tomato cream sauce. Creamy Beef and Shells is an incredibly comforting skillet pasta recipe that is ready in 30 minutes, start to finish!

32. Easy Homemade Taco Meat

On busy nights, tacos are a go-to quick-to-make meal! Make this veggie-filled taco meat with homemade seasoning for authentic flavor!

33. Taco Stuffed Peppers

Taco Stuffed Peppers take Taco Tuesday to a whole new level of deliciousness! Filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, cheese, and more, they’re packed full of flavor and taste so good, that your family will want them for dinner every night!

Simple Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

34. Garlic Chili Oil Noodles with Cilantro

Easy, simple, and delicious, these Garlic Chili Oil Noodles come together in just 15 minutes! They’re finished with a generous amount of chopped cilantro for a fresh and tasty meal!

35. Simple Hibachi Fried Rice

Quick, perfectly seasoned, and tastes delicious! It only takes a handful of common pantry ingredients and 10 minutes from start to finish.

36. Easy Vegan Ramen

Of all the foods out there, ramen is one of my favorite. What I love more is a healthy, quick ramen recipe that is 100 percent vegan! With vegetable broth and coconut milk, you can easily create one of the most delicious ramen in just 20 minutes!

37. Vegan Hamburger Helper

This vegan hamburger helper recipe is so easy to make in 25 mins. The whole family will love this meatless hamburger helper that’s dairy-free and protein-packed!

38. One-Pot Vegan Chili Mac

This easy vegan chili mac is the perfect thing to whip up when you want something hearty yet quick. If you love Vegan Chili then you are sure to love this vegan chili mac and cheese.

39. Vegan Sloppy Joes

Vegan Sloppy Joes stem from an American favorite and it turns out they are very easy to make from scratch. A great sandwich will be ready to eat in about 25 minutes.

40. Vegan Burrito Bowl

So quick and easy it takes less than 20 minutes! Flavorful and customizable. Make this your go-to weeknight meal in a pinch!

41. Vegan Hash with Sprouted Lentils

This vegan hash is made with a range of vegetables, sprouted lentils, and activated walnuts. It’s a quick and easy nutrient-dense dish, made in just 25 minutes.

42. Creamy Red Lentil Curry

This One-pot Creamy Red Lentil Curry is a simple, healthy, and delicious weeknight meal that the whole family will love! It’s packed with protein, and nutrients, and can be made in under 20 minutes. Plus, it only requires one pot, which makes cleanup a breeze.

43. Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

A perfect soup that is a complete meal in itself – beans, loads of veggies, and pasta, topped with cheese, and a side of bread. This tastes just like the Olive Garden minestrone soup. Vegetarian-friendly and can easily be made gluten-free and vegan.

44. Easy Vegetable Low Mein

Skip the takeout. This Easy Vegetable Lo Mein recipe is faster and healthier!

Photo Credit: Stylish Cravings (Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole)

Simple Dinner Ideas with Chicken

45. Pesto Chicken Tray Bake

This pesto chicken tray bake is the flavourful one-pan meal you need for a busy weeknight dinner! Chicken breasts are nestled alongside fresh vegetables and baked in the oven for a healthy family meal.

46. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

Want a hearty and filling dinner that’s perfect for the whole family? Well, then you’ll absolutely love this easy, cheesy chicken broccoli pasta casserole.

47. Keto Chicken Curry

This amazingly flavorful keto chicken curry tastes just as good as what you’d serve at an Indian Restaurant. It’s the best chicken curry recipe that’s quick to make, even on those busy days.

48. Chicken Burrito Skillet Dinner

This chicken burrito skillet dinner comes together in one pan to make a quick, easy, and healthy dinner the whole family will love! This simple recipe has everything you love in a burrito but is made in a skillet!

49. Mongolian Chicken Stir Fry

There are few things as easy as a stir-fry dinner. When you factor in how fast you can make it along with the number of variations available, it can easily be a go-to dish once or more a week. Try this copy-cat Mongolian Grill Sauce that is super delicious.

50. Easy Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Dinner has never been easier! This Instant Pot Chicken Fajita recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, with tender, and lightly spicy chicken breasts, bell peppers, and onions. It’s a simple and delicious meal that’ll wow your family!

51. Chicken Cacciatore

A simple, one-pan meal that the family will love, chicken cacciatore is delicious! No-fuss and easy enough for weeknight meals.

52. Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

This 5 ingredient dump and cook pasta dish is a great go-to when you need to put dinner on the table fast, and can be made on the stovetop if you don’t have an instant pot. The pesto and chicken broth pack a ton of flavor. No bland pasta here! 

53. Instant Pot Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

This savory Instant Pot Chicken Pasta has broccoli, cheese, bacon, pasta noodles, and TONS of flavor! It’s easy to whip up in your pressure cooker and is sure to give you the comfort food you’ve been craving.

54. Air Fryer Roasted Whole Chicken

Make a whole chicken in under an hour with four ingredients using this recipe. Use the different chicken parts for multiple meals.

55. Pan-Fried Parmesan Crusted Chicken

When it comes to chicken, there just isn’t anything more delicious than a juicy piece of pan-fried chicken breast. This chicken is super tender on the inside and incredibly crusty on the outside.

56. Chicken Taco Casserole

This Chicken Taco Casserole is a quick, easy and absolutely delicious weeknight dinner the whole family will love! With no canned soup in sight, this recipe uses rotisserie chicken and doesn’t require any stovetop cooking before it goes in the oven. A truly simple, flavorful, and healthy meal!

57. Crispy Sesame Chicken

This easy Sesame Chicken Recipe combines pieces of battered crispy fried chicken with an easy eight ingredient sauce that has both sweet and salty flavors with just a hint of spice. It is so simple to prepare and tastes so much better than takeout. Enjoy it garnished with thin sliced green onion and toasted sesame seeds.

58. Creamy Spinach Chicken

Crispy seasoned chicken coated in creamy garlic spinach sauce. An easy one-pan chicken dish ready in under 30 minutes!

Phot Credit: A Peachy Plate (Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl)

Quick Simple Dinner Ideas

59. Tortellini Alla Panna

Tortellini Alla Panna is a tasty pasta dish with a luscious, creamy Parmesan sauce that will have your guests asking for seconds! You won’t believe how easily you can make such a classic Italian dish in 20 minutes with just 6 ingredients.

60. Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

This air fryer steak is quick, easy, and perfect for families. It takes only 20 minutes and it’s always a family favorite.

61. Friday Night Capellini with Buttery Tomatoes

Capellini pasta in a 10-minute homemade tomato sauce using simple ingredients from your pantry. Talk about a delicious and quick family meal!

62. Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry

This quick and easy recipe for shrimp stir fry features a delicious sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with crisp vegetables. Best of all it’s ready in under 20 minutes!

63. Yaki Udon | Stir-Fried Udon Noodles

Yaki udon is an easy stir-fried udon noodle recipe ready in 20 minutes! Add any protein and veggies to this quick and easy meal!

64. Simple Mac and Cheese Without Flour

Looking for a simple mac and cheese recipe? This is a quick, no-frills fix for the times when you don’t want to spend an eon in the kitchen getting dinner ready. A few common ingredients, easy stovetop instructions, and one-pot…that’s all you need to put together a satisfying meal for hungry times!

65. Ravioli with Sauteed Asparagus and Walnuts

Freshly cut asparagus stalks are sauteed in a fragrant lemon and butter, tossed with ravioli, and topped with parmesan cheese, and walnuts for a satisfying crunch.

66. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

This quick creamy pasta recipe uses sun-dried tomato pesto and bursts with rich garlic, basil, and cheese! It is also conveniently customizable with any veggies to create your own favorite version.

67. Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes

This Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes is perfect for busy weeknight dinners. You can put it together in under 30 minutes and everything is cooked in one pan.

68. Turkey and Black Bean Tacos

These turkey and black bean tacos are a delicious and lightened-up version of your favorite classic taco recipe. Ready in 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights!

69. Tuna Pesto Pasta

The best easy tuna pesto pasta dish! It’s a simple weeknight meal made with spaghetti, pesto, garlic, tuna, and Parmesan made silky with starchy pasta water. It’s so easy, yet uber delicious. No one will know it’s made with only 5 ingredients!

70. Simple Hibachi Fried Rice

Quick, perfectly seasoned, and tastes delicious! It only takes a handful of common pantry ingredients and 10 minutes from start to finish.

71. Instant Pot Brats with Sauerkraut

Cooked in your choice of beer with sauerkraut, onion, and bell pepper, Instant Pot brats are the way to go when you are unable to grill. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, they are simple to prepare in just 20-minutes.

72. Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl

A delicious rice bowl made with ground turkey, a savory teriyaki sauce, and loads of crunchy carrots and broccoli. Quick and easy stirfry for the family.

Light Simple Dinner Ideas

73. Turkey Pesto Sandwich

This turkey sandwich is loaded with pesto, melty fontina cheese, piled high with delicious slices of turkey and tomato, and then grilled or toasted until it is a perfect golden brown. It has got tons of flavor and is a great lunch or dinner choice!

74. Four Bean Salad

This quick and easy four bean salad is simple and delicious. With a tangy vinaigrette, it’s perfect for a quick and easy meal or makes a great side.

75. Rotisserie Chicken Hawaiian Sliders

I promise these Rotisserie Chicken Hawaiian Sliders will be the first dish to go amongst your family’s spread. Hawaiian rolls meet rotisserie chicken and melted Havarti with mayo. This is a sandwich you don’t want to miss out on.

76. Easy Zucchini Corn Chowder

This veggie-packed soup is the perfect addition to your weekly rotation during those cold fall and winter nights. With in-season produce, this easy zucchini corn chowder is rather inexpensive and fabulous!

77. Quick Flatbread Pizza Margherita

This delicious Margherita flatbread pizza recipe is going to be your new favorite flatbread pizza. It’s delicious and easy to assemble which makes this naan pizza a perfect light summer lunch or dinner meal for when you don’t feel like cooking.

78. Open-Faced Tuna Melts

These quick and easy open-faced tuna melts are made with cream cheese, no mayo, a little kick from the jalapenos and are the perfect last-minute dinner or lunch. You can make them ahead and reheat, so they’re also perfect for the lunch bag! They are also Weight Watchers friendly.

79. Grilled Chicken Sliders

These grilled chicken sliders are a perfect addition to your Super Bowl menu or for that mid-summer BBQ. Not only are they great for that NFL game but these are kid-friendly and will also be wife approved.

Photo Credit: Garlic, Salt, & Lime (Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos with Slaw)

Healthy, Simple Dinner Ideas

80. Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon needs only 30 minutes from start to table. Even better, the spice rub can be batch prepped and used for other meat and fish dishes.

81. Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry

This 15-minute chicken cabbage stir fry recipe makes a quick & easy dinner everyone will love. Naturally low carb, paleo, & whole 30 – but so delicious!

82. Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos with Slaw

Delicious, flaky mahi-mahi seared in blackening seasonings and butter and added to corn tortillas along with a tangy, homemade slaw. Top with sour cream, Baja sauce, avocado, cilantro, lime, jalapeno slices, and anything else your heart desires.

83. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

There is nothing easier than a quick sheet pan chicken dinner. Easy to make, flavorful, and a favorite among the families.

84. Healthy Burger Bowls

These healthy burger bowls combine all the flavors of a classic burger in a low-carb, easy-to-prepare bowl. They are gluten-free, easily dairy-free, and customizable for everyone to enjoy!

85. Easy Goulash with Turkey and Egg Noodles

This healthy ground Turkey Goulash is a quick and flavorful meal made with simple ingredients right from your pantry. Ready and on the table in just about an hour.

86. Steak and Asparagus Stir Fry

Twenty minutes is all you need to make this healthy and delicious stir fry. It’s packed with vegetables and it’s a great way to extend a steak.

87. Salmon with Vegetables

Citrusy and flavorful baked salmon with vegetables. This recipe is easy, quick, and healthy. It makes the perfect weeknight dinner!

Final Thoughts on Simple Dinner Ideas

Busy weeknights require quick and easy meals for your family.  When meal planning for the week, you can choose from this list of simple dinner ideas to help you conquer mealtime, even when you are tired after work.