Today I’m going to share with you some great fast and easy dinner ideas. I’m sure we’ve all seen, and perhaps even looked up, recipes for easy dinners. Sometimes you’re looking for something new. Sometimes you’re looking for something you can whip up without a whole lot of effort. I know easy dinners are my go-to for weeknights especially.
However, have you noticed that just because it’s an easy recipe doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fast? I have several recipes that are easy to throw together and delicious, but they take a while to bake in the oven. Even a majority of those recipes that claim to be quick and easy take 30 minutes to make. While 30 minutes is a pretty decent time frame for cooking a meal, sometimes I just don’t have that amount of time!
You know, those nights when you have to be in and out of the house in 45 minutes to an hour? I’m sure I’m not the only one that has nights like these. Sure, does it sound possible to cook a 30-minute-meal when you have an hour at home? It does sound possible, but it’s easier said than done. If you have kids like I do, it’s impossible to start cooking the second you walk in the door. There are always a few things to do first and attention that the children need. Cooking, eating, changing clothes, and any “extras” that inevitably pop up can be very difficult to do in such a short amount of time. And we won’t even address clean up.
Fast And Easy Dinner Ideas
Sure, grabbing take out is quick, but I’m sure we all get tired of that and like to have food cooked from home. Or, maybe you’re trying to cut some expenses in the eating out department. Enter my quick and easy dinner ideas. This is a list of ideas that literally take 15 minutes to cook, 20 minutes at max.
Most of these recipes will not be brand new to you (although some may). This is meant to be more of a reference post. Something you can pin and come back to when you need some quick ideas. I know that’s what I’ll be using it for! Yes, I’ll be using my own blog post for a quick reference. I am a meal planner, and sometimes I get stuck and just can’t think of what to add to my meal plan. This will serve as a reference when I’m needing ideas.
Some of the ideas below are slow cooker recipes, because of course they are a time saver. But, most of them are not. If it is a slow cooker recipe, then it’s a dump and go recipe, not something that needs pre-cooking or much prep. I also have not included any Instapot recipes. While I am learning to love my Instapot, I would put it more in the 30-minute-meal category with the time it takes to come to pressure and release the pressure. So, without further ado.
Reference List
List is in alphabetical order
*If recipe includes rice, this is something I make sure to start in my rice cooker the second I step in the door. I do the same if the oven needs to be preheated.
7 Can Soup – 1 can each of black beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, green enchilada sauce, and canned chicken breast. Dump all cans in slow cooker (after draining beans) with one packet taco seasoning and cook on low for 4 hours. You may want to add an additional can on chicken broth, depending on how thick you like it.
15 Minute Keto Garlic Chicken with Broccoli
A-C
Baked Potato Bar – I cook my potatoes in the crockpot using this recipe and cook all day while I’m at work. Set out any and all toppings your family will love. Ham, pre-cooked bacon, chicken, leftover chili, cheese, sour cream, onions, black olives, and the list goes on and on.
Beef Tacos – Brown your ground beef (or turkey if preferred). Add store-bought seasoning packet or make your own. Serve with tortillas or chips and any desired toppings.
Cheese Quesadillas
Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce
Chicken Fajitas – For a super fast meal, cut your peppers and onions the night before. Slice chicken into fajita strips. Chop peppers and onions. I cook veggies and chicken in separate skillets, but you can absolutely cook them together until cooked through then add fajita seasoning (from packet or pre-made).
Chicken Salad – Store bought or make your own favorite variation. Eat on a sandwich, toast, with crackers or veggies.
Chili Dogs/Chili Fritos – While homemade chili is always the most delicious option, for this quick version you’ll want to pick up something pre-made/store bought. You can find some decent ones out there.
Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup
Crockpot Italian Chicken – Literally chicken breast and Italian dressing, that is all. Put the chicken in the slow cooker, dump the bottle of Italian dressing on top, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4 hours.
Crockpot Pepsi Chicken – In your slow cooker add chicken (enough for your family, BBQ sauce, and one can of Pepsi for a moist delicious BBQ chicken ready when you walk in the door.
F-H
Fettuccini Alfredo – Grab your favorite store-bought alfredo sauce and fettuccini noodles. Boil the noodles, warm the sauce, and that’s it! We prefer to cook up some chicken in the skillet to add to this meal. Serve with a frozen vegetable.
Flatbread Pizza – Flatbread makes a perfect, pre-cooked pizza crust. top with favorite pizza toppings and pop in the oven for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees or until cheese is melted.
Fried Eggs, Canadian Bacon & Toast – I prefer my eggs over easy. My eldest daughter prefers hers egg whites only. Cook them however you like and serve with Canadian Bacon (fry it for just a few short minutes in the skillet) and toast. Or, top the eggs and Canadian Bacon on an English muffin!
Fried Rice – Check out the recipe. The key to this quick meal is making the rice the day before.
Frozen Pizza/Papa Murphy’s
Grilled Cheese/Grilled Ham & Cheese
Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll Ups
K-P
Korean Beef Bowls – a family favorite
Mississippi Roast – slow cooker meal
Macaroni and Cheese – Good ol’ mac n cheese. Grab your favorite boxed brand and serve with hot dogs, ham steak, chicken nuggets, etc.
Pita Pockets – Grab pre-sliced pita pockets from the store. Brown your ground beef or turkey and season as desired. Put your meat and shredded mozzarella cheese in the pocket and warm in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese. Top as desired (BBQ sauce, ranch, veggies, etc). Pitas are also super easy to make vegetarian. Throw in your favorite veggies and you’re good to go!
Pork Roast – Grab any pork roast (shoulder, picnic or butt) and season as desired. Salt, pepper, onion, garlic. Whatever seasonings you like. Add a little water or chicken stock to the bottom of the slow cooker, place the roast in the pot and season. Cook on low for 8 hours. If you’d like, add some potatoes and carrots in the pot for a complete meal ready when you get home from work.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Cook your pork roast as desired in the slow cooker. When you get home, shred the pork roast, add BBQ sauce as desired and place back in slow cooker for a few minutes to allow sauce to warm. Substitute beef roast if desired.
R
Rotel Cheese Dip – Yes, I eat this as a “meal”. It’s not a go-to all the time. It’s more of a guilty pleasure. Velveeta cheese, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, and ground beef, pork or turkey served with tortilla chips (or try it with cauliflower, for real, give it a try!).
Rotisserie Chicken – This one is one of the easiest of fast and easy dinner ideas, plus super delicious! Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store and serve with your favorite veggies.
Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad – Romaine lettuce, your favorite caesar salad dressing, and shredded rotisserie chicken. And that’s all there is to it!
Rotisserie Chicken Nachos – Shred chicken. Place tortilla chips on baking sheet and top with chicken, cheese and any other desired toppings. Bake until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream, avacado, salsa, olives, really the possibilities are endless.
S-T
Salad – The sky is the limit here. Pre-packaged or chop your own and top with your favorites.
Scrambled Eggs and Sausage – While bacon is a favorite of mine, if you’re short on time, sausage is the faster route to take. If you’re looking for an extra yummy scrambled egg recipe, check this one out.
Sloppy Joes
Spaghetti – Of course homemade is best, but sometimes you just don’t have the time (unless you have some canned or frozen). Grab your favorite store-bought red sauce, spaghetti noodles, and some ground beef or sausage. It all cooks up in about 15 minutes. Add a frozen veggie or garlic toast.
Sub Sandwiches – Of course you can have your run-of-the-mill sandwich on white or wheat sandwich bread, but why not dress it up a bit? Opt for a sub sandwich or your favorite artisan bread and all your family’s favorite fixings to top it off!
Tuna Salad – Store bought or make your own favorite variation. My family goes for mayo, diced eggs, and dill pickle relish. Eat on a sandwich, toast, with crackers or veggies.
Fast and easy dinners are just a necessity some nights.
I hope this list provides a good reference for you. I tried to include a variety of options and styles, and also many recipes that my own family loves. Now I would love to hear from you. What are some of your fast and easy go-to dinners?
Really useful list. As a mum of two I often get stuck cooking the same things so this post is so helpful in mixing up our weekly meal plan!
Really useful list. As a mum of two I often get stuck cooking the same things so this list with help me mix up our weekly meal plan.
Yes, I feel you. I do the same thing! If I used every one of these recipes and no others, I could have a different meal planned for almost 6 weeks!
Thank you for these great ideas. Always looking for new fast ideas. The evenings get more hectic and busy.
What a great list of easy and quick dinners to make. I always forget to include breakfast type foods like eggs in our dinner meal planning but really should! Pinned this for later too!
You’ve got a great collection of useful recipes! Cooking healthy and nutritious food, while managing time can be a real challenge.
This is something I really need! Dinner prep is always a struggle for me and my hubby cause we are already too tired working 9 to 5 lol
Great ideas! I love the meals using rotisserie chicken! It’s definitely something I always have it as a main dish rather than mixed into something like nachos! Yum!
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.