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Be the weeknight dinner hero with this extensive list of quick dinner ideas to make every night deliciously successful, and hassle-free!

Collage of quick dinner ideas.

We Love Easy Meals!

Soups, salads, and sandwiches are go-to quick dinner ideas in our home. These tasty main dishes don’t take much time to put together making them perfect for busy nights. Most of these meals make great freezer meals, easily double the recipe when you have time and save one for when you don’t. Along the same lines, we love dinners that can be made in the morning and are ready when it’s time to eat (think crockpot!)

  • For more quick dinner tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of this post!

Go-to Quick Dinner Ideas

From tortillas filled with cheese and chicken in our favorite quesadillas to simple white sauce pasta, there are plenty of easy and quick dinners to choose from!

1 Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 308 votes
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2 Easy Fettuccine Alfredo

Main Course Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 384 votes
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3 White Sauce Recipe

Main Course White Sauce Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 870 votes
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4 Easy Meatball Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Easy Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 205 votes
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5 Flautas

Appetizer, Main Course Flautas
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 63 votes
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6 Best Grilled Cheese Recipe

Main Course, sandwich Best Grilled Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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7 Chicken Tacos

Main Course Chicken Tacos
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 84 votes
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8 Hamburger Helper Recipe

Main Course Hamburger Helper Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 60 votes
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9 Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Main Course Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 21 votes
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10 Pizza Casserole

Main Course Pizza Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 116 votes
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More Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

I love to keep a collection of easy dinner recipes that I can pull out on those days when I’m stumped, especially ones that utilize pantry staples! You’ll love these simple ideas.

11 Corn Dog Recipe

Main Course Corn Dog Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 111 votes
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12 Sloppy Joe Recipe

Main Course Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
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13 Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe

Main Course Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 253 votes
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14 Easy Baked Ziti

Main Course Easy Baked Ziti
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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15 Pasta Bake Recipe

Main Course Pasta Bake Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 31 votes
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16 Taco Soup Recipe

Soup Taco Soup Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 29 votes
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17 Walking Tacos Recipe

Main Course Walking Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
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18 Pigs in a Blanket

Main Course Pigs in a Blanket
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 181 votes
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19 English Muffin Pizzas

Appetizer, Main Course English Muffin Pizzas
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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20 Mini Pizzas

Main Course Mini Pizzas
Total Time: 18 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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21 Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

Main Course Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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22 Tostada

Main Course Tostada
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
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23 Burrito Recipe

Main Course Burrito Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 52 votes
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24 Pizza Roll Ups Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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25 Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Main Course Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 33 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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26 Bean Chimichangas Recipe

Main Course Bean Chimichangas Recipe
Total Time: 19 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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27 Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Chicken Parmesan Sliders Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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28 Mac and Cheese with Ham

Main Course, Side Dish Mac and Cheese with Ham
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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29 Cheese Quesadilla

Main Course, Snack Cheese Quesadilla
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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30 Monte Cristo Sliders

Appetizer Monte Cristo Sliders
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.89 from 9 votes
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31 Ham and Cheese Slider Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish Ham and Cheese Slider Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 98 votes
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32 Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese recipe

Main Course Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 54 votes
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Quick Dinner Ideas For Family

Feeding a family (especially a big one) can seem overwhelming at times. Casseroles and pasta recipes are always a success, but you’ll also love any of these tasty dishes.

33 Croque Monsieur Recipe

Main Course Croque Monsieur Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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34 Teriyaki Pork Chop recipe

Main Course Teriyaki Pork Chop recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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35 Fried Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Fried Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.89 from 18 votes
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36 Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

Soup Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 5 votes
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37 Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe

Soup Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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38 Potato Corn Chowder Recipe

Soup Potato Corn Chowder Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
4.95 from 17 votes
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39 Pasta Carbonara Recipe

Main Course Pasta Carbonara Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
4.73 from 18 votes
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40 Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe

Main Course Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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41 Skillet Lasagna

Main Course Skillet Lasagna
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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42 Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe

Main Course Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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43 Fajita Chili Recipe

Main Course, Soup Fajita Chili Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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44 Country Fried Steak

Main Course Country Fried Steak
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 3 votes
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45 Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Smothered Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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46 Taco Pizza Recipe

Main Course Taco Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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47 Green Chili Smothered Burritos Recipe

green chili smothered burrito with olives, cilantro and avocado on plate
Main Course Green Chili Smothered Burritos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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48 Best Hamburger Recipe

Main Course Best Hamburger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 37 votes

49 Sausage Alfredo Recipe

Main Course Sausage Alfredo Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.93 from 14 votes
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50 Baked Ravioli Recipe

Main Course Baked Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 44 votes
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51 Cheesy Tortellini Pasta Recipe

Main Course Cheesy Tortellini Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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Quick Healthy Dinner Ideas

Fast doesn’t need to mean unhealthy! These healthy options are perfect to have on hand. It will help you get dinner on the table quickly and avoid a hasty trip to pick up fast food.

52 Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe

Main Course Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.92 from 12 votes
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53 Waldorf Salad Recipe

Salad Waldorf Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 21 votes
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54 Egg Drop Soup Recipe

Soup Egg Drop Soup Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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55 Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Main Course Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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56 Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe

Main Course Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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57 Pork and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

Main Course Pork and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
4.85 from 19 votes
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58 Meatball Soup

Soup Meatball Soup
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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59 Easy Tortellini Soup

Soup Easy Tortellini Soup
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

4.99 from 96 votes
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60 Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

Salad Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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61 Asian Citrus Chicken Salad Recipe

Salad Asian Citrus Chicken Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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62 Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe

Appetizer Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.90 from 47 votes
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63 Healthy Flatbread Pizzas Recipe

Main Course Healthy Flatbread Pizzas Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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64 Tomato Pizza

Main Course Tomato Pizza
Total Time: 23 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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65 Pasta Primavera Recipe

Main Course Pasta Primavera Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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66 Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Main Course Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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67 Steak Bites Recipe

Main Course Steak Bites Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 3 votes
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68 Baked Chicken Wings Recipe

Appetizer Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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69 Southwest Salad Recipe

Salad Southwest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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70 Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Main Course Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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71 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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Quick Chicken Dinner Ideas

All are simple, all are delicious, and all of these recipes utilize chicken!! Chicken is a versatile ingredient that can take on so many tasty flavor profiles. There is no shortage of goodness here – you’re sure to find a kid pleaser!

72 Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Main Course Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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73 Baked Chicken Recipe

Main Course Baked Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 34 votes
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74 Chicken Stroganoff Recipe

Main Course Chicken Stroganoff Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 64 votes
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75 Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe

Main Course Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
4.74 from 15 votes
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76 Teriyaki Chicken

Main Course Teriyaki Chicken
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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77 Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 26 votes
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78 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 1 vote
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79 Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe

Main Course Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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80 Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Soup Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 17 votes
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81 Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken Berry Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Salad Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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82 Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

Main Course, Salad, sandwich Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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83 Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe

Main Course Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.98 from 35 votes
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84 BBQ Chicken Pizza

Main Course BBQ Chicken Pizza
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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85 Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Main Course Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
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86 Parmesan Chicken and Noodles Recipe

Main Course Parmesan Chicken and Noodles Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 1 vote

87 Chicken Penne Pasta

Main Course Chicken Penne Pasta
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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88 Chicken Pesto Pasta

Main Course Chicken Pesto Pasta
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 3 votes
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89 Orange Chicken Recipe

Main Course Orange Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.94 from 16 votes
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90 Honey Chicken Recipe

Main Course Honey Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 12 votes
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91 Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Main Course Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 51 votes
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92 Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe

Main Course Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.93 from 55 votes
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FAQS

  • Prep ahead of time. When the meals are planned for the week, ingredients can be prepped ahead of time.
  • Save time and money. Instead of running to the grocery store several times a week, make a list of what you’ll need for the weekly menu, and only go once. 
  • Flexibility. Having all the needed ingredients for a week of meals allows you to adjust your daily plan. If something unexpected pops up, simply switch that day’s meal with a quicker one planned for later that week.
  • Variety. Planning allows for more variety and healthier eating. No more hasty trips to pick up fast food. 
  • 30 minutes or less. Collect 30-minute meal recipes to have quick options on hand. As an added tip, keep all needed pantry staples on hand for easy recipes you make often.
  • Chicken. Have cooked meat on hand that’s ready to throw into pasta, soup, or even enchiladas. Shredded chicken is perfect to be kept in the freezer. 
  • Freezer meals. Double the recipe and save the extras in the freezer, for later. Thaw the dish in the fridge overnight and heat it for dinner the next day! 
  • Instant pot. This is especially helpful when I forget to thaw my meat. Unlike the crock pot, you can quickly cook completely frozen meat in an instant pot.
  • Leftovers can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Use leftover Crock Pot Pot Roast to make Green Chile Burritos, leftover Best Chili Recipe to make loaded nachos or chili dogs, or put leftover Baked BBQ Chicken on top of a salad.

For More Easy Dinner Ideas:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4 Comments

  1. mary says:

    Really like the recipes.

  2. Sue says:

    I made walking taco for the first time and two great things happened. The Fritos, which are always left untouched in the chip box, got eaten and my kids asked me to make them again this week. I hope the other easy recipes on the list are as well received.

  3. Olivia says:

    Best ideas ever! The variety is simply amazing. Who doesn’t like quick and easy?

  4. Joy says:

    The word caught my attention!! I am all about fast & easy!! That’s exactly what these recipes are! And, they taste so good! We’ve never been disappointed!