11 Easy Fast Dinner Recipes To Solve What To Cook Tonight

We’ve all been there. It’s 5 PM, the day has been long, and the perennial question echoes in your mind: “What’s for dinner?” You stare into the fridge, a void of inspiration, feeling the familiar wave of decision fatigue wash over you. The thought of a complicated, multi-step recipe with a mountain of dishes is enough to make you reach for the takeout menu.

This daily dinner dilemma is a universal struggle for busy people. Juggling work, family, and life leaves little time or energy for creative cooking. You need something fast, something simple, and something that doesn’t require a special trip to the grocery store. You need solutions, not more stress.

Here’s the deal: the best easy and fast dinner recipes solve the “what to cook tonight” problem by using minimal, common pantry ingredients, requiring less than 30 minutes of total time, and often involving one-pot or sheet-pan methods to minimize cleanup and stress on busy weeknights.

Tired of Asking “What’s for Dinner?” Every Single Night?

The best solution to the nightly dinner dilemma is having a curated, go-to list of genuinely fast and simple recipes you can rely on. In my experience, the sheer stress of deciding what to cook is half the battle. When you have a handful of tried-and-true, minimal-ingredient meal ideas in your back pocket, you reclaim your evenings from that last-minute panic.

We’ve personally tested and compiled these go-to recipes that save our weeknights time and time again. They are invaluable tools that transform dinner from a chore into a simple, satisfying part of your day. These aren’t just recipes; they’re your new strategy for conquering weeknight meals with budget-friendly, convenient, and stress-free options.

Key Takeaway: The secret isn’t becoming a gourmet chef overnight. It’s about building a small arsenal of quick, reliable recipes that work for your real, busy life.

11 Genuinely Easy & Fast Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Forget complicated instructions and long ingredient lists. This collection of 11 recipes is your new weeknight bible. Each one is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort and cleanup, making them perfect for beginners or any seasoned cook who’s simply short on time.

From one-pot wonders and speedy skillets to hands-off sheet pan dinners, you’ll find a variety of quick dinner ideas to suit any craving. These are the meals that get our family through the week, and we’re confident they’ll do the same for you.

1. One-Pot Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

A complete, comforting pasta meal that requires only one dish for cooking is a one-pot recipe where uncooked pasta, sauce, and broth cook together until creamy and delicious. This method saves significant time on both cooking and cleanup, making it a weeknight hero.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta (like penne or rotini)
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, and broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, spinach, and parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the spinach has wilted completely and the sauce is rich and creamy.
5. If using, add the shredded rotisserie chicken and stir until it’s heated through.
6. Season with salt and pepper to your liking before serving hot.

Pro-Tip: Use a good quality jarred marinara sauce as it’s the flavor base for the entire dish. If the sauce gets too thick while cooking, don’t hesitate to add a splash more broth to reach your desired consistency.

Save this One-Pot Wonder to your ‘Easy Dinners’ board!

2. 20-Minute Pork & Peanut Dragon Noodles

This is a fast, flavorful, and slightly spicy noodle dish that uses quick-cooking ground pork and a simple 7-ingredient peanut sauce. It’s an exciting alternative to standard weeknight meals and comes together in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz ramen or spaghetti noodles
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce (or sriracha)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cups pre-shredded coleslaw mix
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook your chosen noodles according to the package directions. Drain them and set aside.
2. While the noodles are cooking, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook until it’s browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and chili garlic sauce to create the sauce.
4. Add the pre-shredded coleslaw mix to the skillet with the browned pork. Cook for 2-3 minutes, just until it’s slightly wilted.
5. Add the cooked noodles and the sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together until it’s well-coated and heated through.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with a generous sprinkle of chopped peanuts.

Lesson Learned: Don’t overcook the coleslaw mix! You want it to be tender-crisp, not mushy. This adds a crucial and delightful texture to the final dish that contrasts perfectly with the soft noodles.

Pin this speedy noodle recipe for a spicy weeknight fix!

3. Speedy Southwest Chicken Skillet

This is a fast, healthy, and flavorful one-skillet meal that uses pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to get a cheesy, satisfying dinner on the table in under 20 minutes. It’s packed with pantry staples like black beans, corn, and taco seasoning.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.
2. Stir in the rinsed black beans, drained corn, undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles, and the full packet of taco seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and stir to combine everything thoroughly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through.
4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover with a lid or a piece of foil for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
5. Serve hot, straight from the skillet, with optional toppings like sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro.

Pro-Tip: This is a perfect “clean out the fridge” meal. In my experience, it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to add in chopped bell peppers along with the onion or wilt in a few handfuls of spinach at the end for extra veggies.

Need a fast dinner? Save this 15-minute skillet recipe!

4. Sheet Pan Kielbasa, Potatoes & Green Beans

A perfect hands-off dinner is a sheet pan meal where pre-cooked kielbasa, potatoes, and veggies roast together on one pan, making both preparation and cleanup incredibly simple and fast. The oven does all the work for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 package (14 oz) kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes with 1 tbsp of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread them into a single, even layer.
3. Roast the potatoes alone for 15 minutes.
4. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Add the trimmed green beans and sliced kielbasa to the pan. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and toss everything together directly on the pan.
5. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the green beans are crisp-tender.

Lesson Learned: Cut the potatoes into small, uniform pieces (about 1-inch) to ensure they cook at the same rate as the other ingredients. Giving them that 15-minute head start in the oven is the absolute key to everything finishing at the same time.

Click to save the easiest sheet pan dinner you’ll ever make!

5. 10-Minute Easy Dumpling Soup

The fastest satisfying hot meal is often a simple soup made with convenient frozen dumplings and a flavorful broth. This comforting Asian-inspired soup comes together in the absolute shortest amount of time possible, perfect for a truly lazy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 package (12-16 oz) frozen potstickers or dumplings
• 2 cups chopped greens (like bok choy or spinach)
• Sliced scallions for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
2. Carefully add the frozen dumplings directly to the boiling broth. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the dumplings are fully cooked through and float to the surface.
3. Stir in the chopped greens and cook for just 1-2 minutes more, until they are perfectly wilted.
4. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly sliced scallions before serving immediately.

Pro-Tip: I always keep a bag of frozen dumplings and a carton of broth in my pantry/freezer for a true “emergency dinner.” This simple combination has saved me on countless busy nights when I have zero energy to cook.

Pin this 10-minute soup recipe for your laziest dinner days!

6. Quick Greek Chicken & Rice Bowls

A quick, fresh, and healthy meal is a bowl-style dinner that can be assembled quickly using pre-cooked components. These Greek-inspired bowls use instant rice, rotisserie chicken, and fresh toppings for a customizable meal that’s also great for meal prep.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (instant rice works perfectly)
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie is great)
• 1 cup chopped cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives (optional)
• Lemon-dill dressing or tzatziki sauce for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare your rice according to the package directions.
2. While the rice is cooking, prepare your fresh toppings by chopping the cucumber and halving the cherry tomatoes.
3. To assemble the bowls, divide the warm rice between two bowls to create a base.
4. Top the rice with the shredded chicken, chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.
5. Drizzle generously with your favorite lemon-dill dressing or add a dollop of tzatziki sauce just before serving.

Pro-Tip: To make this meal even faster, use microwaveable rice pouches. From my own experience, you can have the entire meal assembled and ready to eat in the 90 seconds it takes to microwave the rice and chop two vegetables.

Save this fresh & fast bowl recipe for a healthy lunch or dinner!

7. Bacon & Spinach Pasta with Parmesan

You can transform simple pantry staples into a crave-worthy meal by sautéing crispy bacon and garlic, then tossing it with cooked pasta, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Using reserved pasta water creates a light, glossy sauce without any heavy cream.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Crucial: 1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Before you drain it, be sure to reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s perfectly crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving about 2 tbsp of the rendered bacon grease in the skillet.
3. Add the thinly sliced garlic to the skillet and cook in the hot bacon grease for 1 minute until fragrant—be careful not to burn it.
4. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in handfuls, tossing until it wilts completely, which only takes a minute or two.
5. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet along with the cooked bacon bits and the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine, adding a few splashes of the reserved pasta water to create a light, glossy sauce that coats every noodle.
6. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Lesson Learned: The reserved pasta water is non-negotiable! I learned this the hard way. The starch in the water is the magic ingredient that helps the sauce emulsify and cling to the pasta, making it perfectly silky without any heavy cream.

Pin this simple but decadent pasta dish for your next dinner!

8. 15-Minute Brown Sugar Blackened Salmon

You can cook a healthy, elegant protein like salmon in under 15 minutes by using a simple brown sugar and spice rub and pan-searing it at high heat. This foolproof method creates a delicious, caramelized crust while keeping the inside moist and flaky.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel. This is key for a good sear.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
3. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the top (flesh side) of each salmon fillet.
4. Heat olive oil in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
5. Place the salmon fillets, spice-side down, in the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes without moving them, until a dark, caramelized crust forms.
6. Flip the salmon carefully, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Pro-Tip: For an even faster all-in-one meal, toss chopped zucchini or asparagus in the same pan with a little oil while the salmon cooks on its second side. It will be perfectly sautéed by the time the fish is done.

Save this 15-minute healthy salmon recipe now!

9. 15-Minute Easy Teriyaki Chicken

You can create a kid-friendly, takeout-style meal at home by quickly stir-frying bite-sized chicken pieces and coating them in a simple, homemade teriyaki sauce. Using a cornstarch slurry is the secret to getting that thick, glossy sauce in minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• Cooked instant rice and sesame seeds for serving

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger to create the sauce.
2. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
3. Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and bring it to a simmer.
4. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens beautifully and coats the chicken.
5. Serve immediately over hot instant rice, sprinkled generously with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Lesson Learned: The cornstarch slurry is the professional secret to getting that thick, glossy sauce you love from takeout restaurants. Don’t skip this step, and make sure to stir it in well to avoid any lumps. It makes all the difference.

Ditch the takeout menu and pin this 15-minute teriyaki chicken!

10. Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

An incredibly fast, flavorful, and healthy plant-based meal can be made with canned chickpeas simmered in a creamy, fragrant sauce of coconut milk and curry powder. This entire dish uses minimal pantry staples and comes together in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut or olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
• 5 oz fresh spinach

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and curry powder and cook for 1 minute more until it’s very fragrant.
3. Add the rinsed chickpeas and the full can of coconut milk to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until it has just wilted, which only takes 1-2 minutes.
5. Season with salt to taste. Serve hot with rice, naan, or warm pita bread for dipping.

Pro-Tip: For a richer, deeper flavor, make sure to “bloom” the curry powder by cooking it in the oil with the onion and garlic for a full minute before adding any liquids. My first-hand experience shows this simple step deepens its flavor significantly.

Save this speedy vegan curry for a healthy, flavorful night in!

11. One-Pot Beef & Mushroom Stroganoff

You can make this classic comfort food on a weeknight by using ground beef and cooking the egg noodles directly in the pot with the beef broth. This one-pot method creates a rich, creamy stroganoff in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 12 oz wide egg noodles
• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms have softened and released their liquid.
3. Pour in the beef broth and bring the entire mixture to a boil.
4. Stir in the uncooked egg noodles. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
5. Important: Remove the pot from the heat completely. Stir in the sour cream and fresh parsley until smooth.
6. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Lesson Learned: Always stir the sour cream in off the heat. If you add it while the pot is still boiling or simmering, it can curdle and ruin the texture of your sauce. This final step, I learned, makes all the difference for a perfectly creamy, smooth result.

Pin this one-pot comfort food recipe for a cozy night in!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to easy fast dinner recipes

To consistently solve the weeknight dinner problem, remember these core strategies. They are the foundation of fast, stress-free cooking.

• One-Pot & One-Skillet Meals: These are your #1 time-saver. They dramatically reduce cleanup by cooking everything in a single vessel. Think pastas, stroganoffs, and cheesy taco skillets.
• Sheet Pan Dinners: Embrace the ultimate “hands-off” cooking method. Combine a protein (like sausage or chicken) and your favorite vegetables on one pan, season well, and let the oven do all the work.
• Utilize Time-Saving Ingredients: Your grocery list is a powerful tool. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, frozen dumplings, pre-shredded vegetables, and canned beans are your best friends on a busy night.
• 15-Minute Wonders: Don’t be afraid of high heat. Quick-cooking proteins like salmon, thin-cut pork chops, ground pork, or bite-sized chicken can help you get a sophisticated meal on the table in 15 minutes flat.
• Pantry-Powered Meals: A well-stocked pantry is your secret weapon. Many fast, delicious meals like curries, soups, and simple pasta dishes can be made almost entirely from shelf-stable items you already have on hand.

People Also Ask About easy fast dinner recipes

What’s the easiest thing to cook for dinner?

The easiest dinners are typically one-pot or sheet-pan meals that require minimal prep and cleanup. Recipes like Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies or a simple One-Pot Pasta are fantastic because you combine ingredients and let them cook together. Using pre-cooked proteins like rotisserie chicken or pantry staples like canned beans and pasta further simplifies the process.

What’s a good lazy dinner?

A great lazy dinner is one with very few ingredients and even fewer steps. A 10-Minute Dumpling Soup using frozen dumplings and broth is a prime example. Another option is a quick rice bowl where you assemble pre-cooked rice, a protein (like canned tuna or rotisserie chicken), and some pre-chopped veggies. The key is minimal chopping and cooking.

What’s the fastest thing to cook for dinner?

The absolute fastest things to cook for dinner often involve ingredients that cook in minutes under high heat. Dishes like Blackened Salmon, which cooks in a skillet in under 10 minutes, or a quick stir-fry like Pork Dragon Noodles, are incredibly fast. Any recipe that heavily relies on pre-cooked or canned ingredients, like a Southwest Chicken Skillet using rotisserie chicken, will also be among the quickest options.

Final Thoughts

A delicious, home-cooked meal doesn’t have to be a complicated or time-consuming affair. By stocking your kitchen with a few key staples and keeping a handful of these fast, simple recipes on hand, you can reclaim your weeknights from the stress of last-minute meal planning.

Now that you have these 11 recipes in your back pocket, the question of “what’s for dinner?” should feel a lot less daunting. Which one are you excited to try first this week?