37 Dinner Recipes That You Can Whip Up With Minimal Effort

Some nights, I just want dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. That’s when I turn to easy meals that come together quickly but still feel like a real dinner. These recipes save time, keep cleanup simple, and make weeknights a whole lot smoother.

Baked pasta casserole with a golden cheese crust, topped with sliced green onions, in a rectangular dish. A small bowl of green onions sits nearby. — Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake: Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Steak Tips

A bowl of seasoned meat cubes garnished with chopped herbs, with a fork resting on the side. — Air Fryer Steak Tips. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

These steak tips are quick to prepare and cook in the air fryer, making them an easy choice for busy evenings. They deliver a hearty and filling main dish without requiring much hands-on time. The short cooking process means you can have them on the table in minutes. They’re a great option for when you want a warm, protein-rich dinner with little fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Tips

Turkey Taco Soup

A creamy dip with diced tomatoes and cheese, garnished with shredded cheese and fresh cilantro on top, served on a white plate. — Turkey Taco Soup. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This soup comes together fast with simple pantry staples and ground turkey. It’s a warm, comforting bowl that’s easy to make even on a packed weeknight. You can simmer it while handling other tasks, and it’s ready before you know it. It’s perfect for when you want a flavorful dinner that doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Taco Soup

Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and bacon in a white dish, with a serving on a plate beside it. — Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Inspired by the restaurant favorite, this mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and ready without a complicated cooking process. It works well as either a main dish or a side, depending on your dinner plans. The recipe uses straightforward ingredients, keeping prep time short. It’s an ideal choice for when you need something hearty but simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

A plated piece of seasoned salmon with a portion removed on a fork, served alongside steamed broccolini. — Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This salmon dish pairs tender fish with a light, herby sauce for a well-rounded dinner. The recipe is quick to put together, making it suitable for a weeknight meal. Most of the time is hands-off, allowing you to multitask in the kitchen. It’s a practical way to enjoy seafood without an involved process.
Get the Recipe: Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Sliced grilled chicken breast in a white dish, with whole pieces on another plate in the background, next to a fork and dark cloth napkin. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Cooking BBQ chicken in the air fryer keeps things simple and quick. The result is juicy meat with a flavorful coating that works well for dinner any night of the week. It doesn’t need much preparation or cleanup afterward. This makes it a dependable choice for busy schedules.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Easy Air Fryer Tuna Steak (Fresh Ahi Tuna Steak)

These tuna steaks cook quickly in the air fryer, making them a great option for nights when time is short. The preparation is minimal and requires only a few steps. The result is a satisfying seafood dinner without complicated techniques. It’s an easy way to get a main course ready in under 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Tuna Steak (Fresh Ahi Tuna Steak)

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

A skillet containing a stir-fried mix of ground meat, sliced bell peppers, leafy greens, and white sesame seeds, with a wooden spoon resting on the side. Plates with flatbreads are in the background. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This one-pan meal is a time-saver that’s filling and simple to make. It combines beef and vegetables into a hearty dinner without requiring multiple pots. The cleanup is quick, making it perfect for weeknights. It’s a smart choice when you want a balanced meal without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Tomato Garlic Pasta

A shallow white bowl with penne pasta, ground turkey, cherry tomatoes, and sliced zucchini. — Tomato Garlic Pasta. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

A pasta dish like this is perfect when you want something warm and flavorful without a long prep time. The ingredients are simple, and cooking goes quickly from start to finish. It’s great for busy evenings when you still want a home-cooked meal. This recipe keeps both effort and cleanup to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Garlic Pasta

Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

A single barbecued chicken skewer on a white plate, with a small bowl of barbecue sauce and a parsley garnish, next to a plate of additional chicken skewers. — Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These chicken skewers cook fast in the air fryer, giving you a flavorful dinner in minutes. Prep is minimal, and the cleanup is straightforward. They work well served over rice, salad, or with bread. It’s a flexible meal that doesn’t require much planning.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Mediterranean Cod

This cod dish has light, fresh flavors and comes together in less than 20 minutes. It’s an easy way to enjoy seafood on a weeknight without complicated steps. The ingredients are simple, making shopping and prep quick. It’s a reliable choice for nights when you need dinner done fast.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

A plate of salmon on a white plate with lemon slices on it. — Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This sauce is quick to make and adds flavor to salmon without a lot of extra work. It uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. The short cooking time means you can add it to your meal with minimal effort. It’s a practical way to make seafood dinners feel more complete.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These shrimp skewers cook in minutes and need little prep, making them great for quick dinners. They’re easy to pair with rice, pasta, or vegetables. Cleanup is simple, especially if you prep them ahead. They’re a reliable choice for when you want a seafood meal without a long wait.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Ground Pork Stir Fry

A plate with ground pork and vegetables on top of cauliflower rice. — Ground Pork Stir Fry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This stir fry is quick, colorful, and uses basic ingredients for a balanced dinner. The cooking time is short, and it all comes together in one pan. It’s easy to adjust with whatever vegetables you have on hand. This makes it perfect for nights when you want to use what’s already in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Stir Fry

Korean Beef and Broccoli

Ground Beef and Broccoli stir-fry over rice. — Korean Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This beef and broccoli recipe offers bold flavors in a short cooking time. It’s made in one pan, which helps keep cleanup quick. You can have it ready in under 30 minutes, making it weeknight-friendly. It’s a dependable option for when you want something flavorful without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Korean Beef and Broccoli

Mexican Steak Pizza

This pizza combines steak and Mexican-inspired toppings for a hearty meal. It’s quick to assemble, especially with a prepared crust. Cooking is straightforward, and cleanup is minimal. It’s an easy way to switch up your dinner routine without adding more work.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Steak Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

This pasta bake is a crowd-pleaser that doesn’t take much effort to prepare. Most of the cooking happens in the oven, so you can focus on other things. It’s hearty enough for a full meal and reheats well for leftovers. It’s a smart pick for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Shrimp Macaroni Salad

This salad is easy to make ahead and keeps well for quick dinners. The shrimp adds protein, making it filling enough for a light meal. It’s also a good option when you want something you can serve cold. The prep is minimal, making it perfect for low-effort evenings.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Macaroni Salad

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese. — Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These stuffed peppers are flavorful and easy to prepare for a weeknight dinner. Most of the work is simple assembly, with the oven doing the rest. They’re hearty enough to serve as a main dish. This makes them a practical choice for when you want something different without extra complexity.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Panko Crusted Cod

This cod has a crisp coating and cooks quickly, making it weeknight-friendly. The recipe doesn’t require many ingredients or much prep time. You can have it ready in under 20 minutes. It’s a simple way to add seafood to your dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Panko Crusted Cod

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

A bowl of meat and green peppers with a spoon. — Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These steak bites cook quickly in a skillet, perfect for nights when you need dinner fast. They use only a few ingredients and require little cleanup. The bite-sized pieces make serving easy. This is a go-to for a low-effort, protein-packed meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Korean Ground Beef

This dish is quick to make with simple pantry staples. It’s flavorful, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights. Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is minimal. It’s a dependable dinner when you don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Korean Ground Beef

Chicken Chop Suey

This stir fry is packed with vegetables and comes together in less than 30 minutes. It’s made in one pan for quick cleanup. The recipe is flexible, allowing you to use what you have on hand. It’s a smart option for a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chop Suey

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet. — Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This baked gnocchi dish is hearty, warm, and easy to assemble. Most of the cooking is hands-off, letting you handle other tasks while it bakes. It’s ready in under an hour and needs only one pan. This makes it perfect for a simple yet filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Plate of crispy chicken pieces with walnuts and green onions, served next to white rice on a patterned cloth with a fork. — Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This shrimp dish has a balance of sweet and savory flavors and is ready in minutes. The recipe is simple and doesn’t require many steps. It’s a good option when you want seafood without much prep. Cleanup is quick, making it great for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp

Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Bowl of black pepper chicken with chop sticks. — Chinese Black Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This chicken dish has bold flavors and cooks in one pan for easy cleanup. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes, making it weeknight-friendly. The ingredients are easy to find and prepare. It’s a dependable option for when you want dinner done fast.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Serving of honey butter chicken garnished with parsley on plate. — Honey Butter Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This chicken recipe uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful main dish. It’s quick to prepare and works well for weeknight dinners. Most of the time is spent cooking, leaving you free to handle other tasks. It’s an easy way to make a comfort food favorite with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of a stack of seasoned, grilled chicken drumsticks, with one drumstick partially eaten, revealing moist, cooked meat inside. A lemon wedge and herbs are visible in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Cooking drumsticks in the air fryer keeps prep minimal and cleanup quick. They’re ready in a fraction of the time compared to baking. The recipe uses everyday ingredients you likely already have. It’s a practical choice for a fuss-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Personal Pizza

Close-up of a pepperoni pizza slice being lifted, showing melted cheese and tomato sauce. — Personal Pizza. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Personal pizzas are quick to prepare and cook, making them perfect for busy evenings. You can customize them with whatever toppings you have on hand. Using a prepared crust cuts down on prep time. They’re a simple way to make dinner without much planning.
Get the Recipe: Personal Pizza

Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

A bowl of pasta with shrimp and tomatoes. — Shrimp and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This pasta dish is ready in about 20 minutes and uses basic ingredients. The shrimp cooks quickly, making it perfect for weeknights. It’s easy to prepare and works well for both small and large servings. This is a dependable choice for a fast, home-cooked dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

Crab Pasta

A close-up of spaghetti twirled on a fork with bits of crab meat and herbs, with more pasta and a dish in the blurred background. — Crab Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crab pasta comes together quickly and makes a comforting meal without much effort. The recipe uses simple ingredients and short cooking times. It’s great for when you want seafood without an involved process. Cleanup is minimal, keeping it weeknight-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Crab Pasta

Air Fryer Tuna Melt

A grilled cheese tuna sandwich is cut in half on a plate. — Air Fryer Tuna Melt. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This tuna melt is made in the air fryer for a fast, no-fuss meal. It uses pantry staples and is ready in under 15 minutes. The cleanup is quick, with minimal dishes to wash. It’s perfect for days when you need a warm meal without much time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Melt

Ground Pork Tacos

Two pork tacos on a white plate with lime wedges. — Ground Pork Tacos. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These tacos are quick to prepare and use simple, affordable ingredients. Cooking takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. They’re easy to customize with whatever toppings you have. It’s a practical choice for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Tacos

Salmon Pasta Alfredo

This creamy pasta combines salmon and a simple Alfredo sauce for a hearty meal. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it weeknight-friendly. The preparation is straightforward with minimal cleanup. It’s an easy way to include seafood in your dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Alfredo

Cheeseburger Casserole

This casserole combines classic cheeseburger flavors into an easy, baked dinner. It’s quick to assemble and the oven does most of the work. It’s filling enough for the whole family and reheats well. It’s a dependable option for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Creamy Chicken Curry

Chicken curry with rice. — Creamy Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This curry comes together quickly with simple ingredients. The cooking process is straightforward, making it great for weeknight dinners. It’s hearty and pairs well with rice or bread. It’s a no-fuss way to bring variety to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Curry

Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

These salmon bites are wrapped in bacon for a quick, flavorful main dish. They cook fast and require minimal preparation. The recipe uses only a handful of ingredients. It’s a practical way to make seafood more filling without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce

Grilled scallops with a lemon, mint, and Pinot Grigio sauce. — Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

These scallops cook in minutes and are paired with a simple sauce for extra flavor. The preparation is minimal, making them perfect for a quick dinner. They work well alongside pasta, rice, or vegetables. It’s a good option for when you want seafood without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce