It’s the end of the day, and the pizza app is staring you down again. These 19 weeknight dinners are just easy enough to make you close it—barely. They’re quick, no-fuss, and get the job done without feeling like a chore. Honestly, they might be the only reason your takeout habit doesn’t win tonight.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style
This recipe takes steak to a quicker, restaurant-style level by using bite-sized pieces for full flavor in every bite. Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style pairs rich, simple, buttery notes, ideal for busy nights. Each bite brings hearty comfort, making it a smart option when time’s tight but steakhouse flavor still calls. Great for sharing, it adds something fresh to weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style
Pasta & Peas (Pasta e Piselli)
We’re talking about simple, wholesome, and comforting all rolled into one with Pasta & Peas (Pasta e Piselli). Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish blends ease with tradition. It’s all about taking something simple and giving it a heartwarming twist. A family favorite, it never gets old.
Get the Recipe: Pasta & Peas (Pasta e Piselli)
The Backyard Table
Get it NOW and level up your outdoor dining! The Backyard Table - Recipes for Summer Cookouts features 34 of Chef Jenn's BEST recipes for outdoor eating and entertaining.
You'll get ad-free recipes like:
- Grilled Corn Guacamole
- Grilled French Onion Burgers
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Blueberry Grunt
- and so many more!
Every recipe is created, tested and loved by Chef Jenn and her family - there's no AI here!
Get it now, at a special introductory price of $7.99. That's over 50 pages of foodie love at your fingertips!
Buy Now!Grandma’s Salmon Cakes
When routine feels heavy, Grandma’s Salmon Cakes can be a refreshing choice. They evoke family ties and homely comfort, like remembering happy gatherings. Quick to prepare, they’re bound to become a frequent request, bringing smiles with every bite. Perfect family-night material!
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Salmon Cakes
Cabbage & Potatoes with Bacon
Pairing two pantry staples with bold flavor, this dish is all about getting the most from minimal effort. Cabbage & Potatoes with Bacon delivers hearty comfort with quick prep, striking the right balance of simplicity and richness. It proves that filling meals don’t need to be complicated. Great for weeknights or leftovers, it brings a practical, gratifying option to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage & Potatoes with Bacon
Grandma’s Steak Fried Rice
Merging takeout vibes with home-cooked heartiness, this recipe gives new life to fried rice by adding a bold steak twist. Grandma’s Steak Fried Rice reinvents leftovers into a meal that feels fresh and deeply fulfilling. It’s perfect for turning simple ingredients into something memorable without extra fuss. Quick, packed with flavor, and built for busy evenings, this recipe deserves a spot on your weeknight go-to list.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Steak Fried Rice
Shrimp Scampi
With a focus on quick flavors, this recipe mixes convenience with sophistication. Shrimp Scampi brings seafood to the table without the need for long prep times. Its full-bodied approach reminds you that delicious meals don’t have to mean overcomplicated planning. Whether served solo or alongside a favorite side, it’s the kind of quick dinner that feels anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Want something rich and indulgent? Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts step up as a winning change from usual takeouts. This combination brings variety without much fuss. Juicy, a bit extravagant even, they’ll make a repeat appearance on your dinner list for sure.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Salmon Gnocchi Bake
This recipe proves that baked dinners can be both comforting and quick. Salmon Gnocchi Bake combines bold seafood flavors with delicate textures for a balanced, home-cooked option. It’s perfect when you want dinner to feel connected yet practical. Whether as a main dish or paired with sides, this bake simplifies meal planning while keeping flavor front and center.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Gnocchi Bake
Reuben Quesadillas
Casual weeknight meals take on a twist with this recipe. Reuben Quesadillas mix familiar sandwich flavors into easy-to-make quesadillas for a practical but creative dinner. It’s a solution for when dinner needs to be fast but still fun. Turning sandwich staples into handheld creations, this meal goes beyond routine without the hassle of complicated recipes.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Quesadillas
Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on Blackstone Griddle
Homemade takeout vibes are achievable with this dish, focused on big, bold flavors paired with convenience. Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on Blackstone Griddle offers the perfect combination of an easy cooking method with authentic-style taste. It’s ideal for hot, fresh meals ready in no time. Great for last-minute dinners when flavor and speed are your top priorities, this recipe earns its spot in your lineup.
Get the Recipe: Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on Blackstone Griddle
Creamy Low Carb Chicken Marsala
Comfort meets practicality with this updated twist on an old favorite. Creamy Low Carb Chicken Marsala balances rich textures with speed, making it perfect for hectic evenings. Each bite shows how layering keeps dinner dynamic without being overly heavy. This recipe stands out when looking for weeknight meals that blend ease with classic inspirations.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Low Carb Chicken Marsala
Mediterranean Cod
Keeping seafood fresh and straightforward, this meal delivers impressive results without the time commitment. Mediterranean Cod prioritizes flavor over fuss, ensuring dinner feels both exciting and approachable. It’s a great choice when you’re aiming for balanced portions with restaurant-like appeal. Perfect for midweek meals, this dish keeps practical-driven cooking from being boring.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod
Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Dinner and salad combine effortlessly in this meal meant to blend vegetable-heavy dishes with ease. Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or convenience. It’s a lighter option for when quick dinners need a fresh approach. Perfect for pairing with mains or eating solo, this recipe shines during crunch-time meals.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Steak night becomes fast and fuss-free with this pairing of bold, savory ideas. Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter modernizes basic grilling by focusing on dynamic flavors. It’s a reminder that steak dinners don’t have to be reserved for special occasions. This recipe keeps both prep time and stress low while delivering a truly flexible meal idea.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Baja Fish Tacos
Taco nights reach for fresh simplicity with this seafood-focused recipe that blends convenience with bold ideas. Baja Fish Tacos flip weekday meals into something unexpected by using light options inspired by takeout. Whether served as a solo meal or matched with sides, this dinner keeps weeknight cooking fun and practical. Perfect for breaking out of usual habits.
Get the Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Turning sandwich night into something unique, this recipe reinvents simplicity with a flavorful dip twist. Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich feels like eating out while staying in, combining comfort with practicality. With bold flavors that don’t demand hours of effort, this dish proves sandwiches can compete with larger dinners. Quick to make and easy to love, it’s a weekday winner for all sorts of occasions.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas
Flipping traditional tacos into something unexpected, these quesadillas bring spicy ideas to dinner. Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas show you how reimagined meals can feel both exciting and practical. Quick cooking paired with bold kicks makes them ideal for rushed weeknights. It’s a dish you’ll want to keep ready for when typical options won’t do.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas
Blackstone Smash Burger
Burger night gets an updated approach with this fast recipe built for big flavor. Blackstone Smash Burger brings outdoor grill ideas inside for easy cooking that satisfies without the fuss of standard burger prep. Each bite is balanced for a meal that feels indulgent but isn’t overcomplicated. Great for quick meals or moments when you crave comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Smash Burger
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Chicken dinners take on a fresh style with smart cooking technology that balances ease and flavor. Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs deliver bold textures while keeping prep time manageable. Designed for a hands-off approach, this recipe makes busy night cooking simple without compromising on big results. Ideal for filling meals in minimal time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs