Whether you serve soups, stir-fries, and pastas, these 50 scrumptious weeknight dinner ideas will make sure everyone at the table feel satisfied!
Preparing dinner daily can be a chore, especially if you don’t know what to cook.
To help you out, we’ve listed 50 amazing weeknight dinner ideas that you can add to your meal routine.
These dishes will certainly add excitement to your dinner table, and can answer the daily question, “what’s for dinner tonight?“
These recipes are easy to whip up, and they are perfect for when you come home after a stressful and tiring day.
You no longer need to fret or scratch your head as these recipes will make your life easier and happier, and you can spend more quality time with your friends and family, or whatever else you like to do, instead of spending hours in the kitchen.
They are fun, mouthwatering, and delicious, and each of them will be a guaranteed hit when you serve them at your next weeknight get-together.
From beef and pork to chicken and seafood, these weeknight dinner ideas are truly incredible, and they always turn up delicious and bursting with flavors.
You can also make authentic Asian and Western cuisines from the comfort of your kitchen, and you can prepare restaurant-quality dishes without having to go out.
Check out #4 if you’re into stir-fries
Thai Beef & Broccoli is an easy-to-make, flavorful weeknight meal made with red curry paste, coconut milk, brown sugar, broccoli, beef, and fish sauce.
It is a delicious twist on a classic beef and broccoli dish, plus it is gluten-free.
The One-Skilled Sausage & Peppers recipe is the best way to feed a hungry crowd.
It is made with bell peppers, Italian sausage, onions, and rice, and these flavors are a certified winning combination.
The vibrant colors make the meal more appetizing too, plus it is hearty and tasty.
These Asian Noodle Bowls are scrumptious, hearty, and do not take a long time to prepare.
The zucchini, rice noodles, peanuts, onions, garlic, and eggs are swimming in a sauce filled with an authentic Asian flavor.
It is a combination of Pad Thai and Lo Mien.
The sauce itself is made with brown sugar, garlic, chili, ginger, and cilantro, so each bite is a wonderful explosion in your mouth.
Although it has a lot of ingredients, it is easy to cook.
Another thing that makes this dish amazing is that it is customizable.
This dish calls for carrots, broccoli, flank steak, onions, and snow peas.
For the sauce, it is made with a thickened beef broth flavored with red pepper flakes and soy sauce.
5. Taco Pie
Treat everyone to a Mexican feast on a weeknight by serving this decadent Taco Pie.
It is made with seasoned ground beef underneath a bed of cheesy and creamy toppings that are baked to perfection.
Aside from being flavorful and rich in ingredients, this Taco Pie is also quick to make.
You can serve the Taco Pie as is, or you can tweak it by adding guacamole, salsa, and sour cream on top.
The Flatbread Taco Pizza is the stuff of dreams.
The thin crust is loaded with refried beans, taco meat, onions, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, and salsa.
You can easily prepare this dish, which is as good as the regular thick-crust pizza you normally order.
This Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie is fantastic comfort food.
Cheeseburgers are perfect as is, but this recipe takes it to a whole other level by transforming them into a pie.
It is a sinful meal that is sure to please both kids and kids at heart.
This dish is loaded with cheese and seasoned ground beef.
It is baked to perfection, giving the crust and golden crisp.
Thanks to Bisquick, the pie comes rich and flavorful.
Beef Taco Soup is everything that you love in a taco but soup style.
The seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and beans are simmered in a rich broth.
The soup is a feast for both the eyes and the mouth.
You can eat the Beef Taco Soup as is, or you can satisfy your appetite by pairing it with garlic bread.
If you want something light for your weeknight dinner, then this Rotisserie Chicken Salad is perfect for you.
Made with grapes, celery, almonds, and chicken coated in a creamy dressing, this salad has the flavors, colors, and texture you will undoubtedly love.
If you want something heavier, then serve this salad as a sandwich filling.
These Chicken & Black Beans Enchiladas are guaranteed to be your new favorite dish.
The shredded chicken and melted cheese are stuffed inside a tender tortilla, smothered with rich enchilada sauce, and sprinkled with more melted cheese.
What makes this dish so tasty is the sauce which is flavored with onion powder, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano.
It is a drool-worthy sauce to blanket tasty enchiladas.
11. Turkey Burgers
These Turkey Burgers are leaner than regular burgers, so you can eat them without the guilt.
Turkey makes a fantastic alternative for those who are not a fan of beef.
These burgers are just as flavorful and juicy as the regular ones as it is flavored with ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Tuscan Ravioli Soup is creamy and cheesy.
It is made with Italian sausage, cheese-stuffed ravioli, and spinach swimming in a thick tomato broth.
This Italian-inspired soup is a certified crowd-pleaser as it is meaty, cheesy, and hearty.
The Chicken & Rice Noodle Stir Fry is a fantastic Asian dish that will knock your socks off.
The vermicelli noodles, also known as rice noodles or rice sticks, are thin and almost transparent.
They are used in Asian cuisine, including this tasty dish.
The vermicelli noodles are stir-fried with bean sprouts, chicken, and scallions.
Cheeseburger Soup is madness, but you will certainly love it.
It is the ultimate comfort food, as one spoonful will warm your heart, soul, and tummy.
It is perfect for a rainy and cold weeknight.
It is loaded with potatoes, cheese, and ground beef, and it is topped with parsley, croutons, and bacon.
15. Toad In The Hole
The name itself may not be appetizing, but the dish is mouth-watering.
Toad In The Hole is a classic English meal made with pork sausages in a Yorkshire pudding and topped with gravy.
It is a savory and satisfying dish.
16. Lasagna Cups
Lasagna is a delicious Italian dish, but it is tedious to make.
Luckily, these Lasagna Cups are easy to make, and they are just as good.
This dish gives you all the goodness of classic Italian comfort food, minus the effort.
This innovative dish uses wonton wrappers instead of pasta and turkey instead of ground beef.
The ingredients are doused in Bechamel sauce, making it ultra-creamy, meaty, and cheesy.
Spice up your weeknight dinner with Shrimp & Pineapple Stir-Fry.
This heavenly dish is loaded with bell pepper, carrots, bok choy, asparagus, and sugar snap peas.
The ingredients are simmered in a thick pineapple and soy sauce.
This dish is tasty and filling.
If you want to impress your family, let the Fettuccini Alfredo do its magic.
The pasta swims in a thick, cheesy, and creamy sauce and is flavored with parmesan cheese and garlic.
This dish is simple, but it is irresistible.
Steak Fajitas Bowls are not the typical fajitas.
It is made with tender and juicy steak mixed with sautéed vegetables resting on a bed of Spanish rice.
It is one heavenly bowl that is versatile and easy to make.
You can even tweak the Steak Fajita Bowl by adding more toppings to complete the meal.
20. No Peek Chicken
The No Peek Chicken is the easiest way to win the hearts of your family and friends.
It is made with mushroom soup, rice, celery soup, and chicken, this dish is insanely addictive.
All you need is to combine all of the ingredients of this dish and let the oven do the rest.
21. Chicken Tostadas
Chicken Tostadas are made with guacamole, Rotisserie chicken, and salsa that are put on top of a crispy corn tortilla.
It has bright flavors and contrasting textures, and each bite will take you to paradise.
What makes this recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner is that it does not require any cooking at all.
You can just toss the ingredients in tortillas and serve them.
22. Black Bean Chili
Black Bean Chili is a fool-proof way to turn your frown upside down.
This recipe is made with ground beef and black beans that are seasoned with chili powder and cumin.
The ingredients are swimming in thick tomato-based soup, making it a soul-satisfying meal.
This Maple Glazed Salmon has an interesting flavor as the rich salmon is marinated with maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
This dish requires few ingredients, yet it still makes for a spectacular meal.
If you are a fan of Grilled Cheese Sandwich, you will certainly love this Italian version of the dish.
This version is loaded with cheese, and it has a sweet and tangy taste thanks to the marinara sauce.
25. Pork Chops
Pork Chops with mushrooms and shallots are flavorful and juicy, made with Dijon sauce that is perfect for your next weeknight dinner.
The addition of shallots and mushrooms will make you fall in love with this recipe.
Chicken Piccata Meatballs is a cross of lemony chicken piccata and tender, pan-seared meatballs.
You can serve these meatballs over spaghetti or rice.
The Instant Pot Corn Chowder is made with corn, potatoes, bacon, cheese, and more.
It is a creamy and hearty dinner that is full of savory flavors.
Thanks to the crispy bacon bits and juicy corn kernels, this chowder is tasty and filling.
This Stuffed Spaghetti Squash dish is cheesy and makes for real comfort food.
It has chicken sausage, ricotta, and marinara sauce that balances the sweetness and tangy flavor of the dish.
Beef Stroganoff has tender pieces of beef and mushrooms served in a savory cream sauce.
It is one of those comforting dishes that is paired with noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
This version of Beef Stroganoff hits all the right notes as the ground beef is cooked with onions, mushrooms, and noodles in one pot, then held together by a creamy sauce.
Taco Pasta Casserole is cheesy and satisfying.
Made with pasta shells, ground beef, taco seasoning, salsa, and cheese, you can adjust the recipe to your liking.
The Beef Burrito Skillet combines corn, enchilada sauce, ground beef, and tortillas into a delicious meal.
The tortillas soften during the process and take on a soft texture that helps make the dinner a slam dunk.
32. Chicken Parmesan
This Chicken Parmesan recipe is perfectly savory, tender, robust, cheesy, and comforting.
This dish is easy to prepare, as all you’ll need is a jar of spaghetti sauce, cooked pasta, and breaded chicken tenders.
Mix everything together, and you’ll have a delicious dinner that you can serve with bread or rice.
You only need three ingredients to make these crispy and tasty Air Fried Catfish Nuggets.
Prepare fish fry batter, canola oil, and catfish nuggets.
After frying, serve it with ketchup or dressing, and enjoy this dish with rice or mashed potatoes.
Sweet & Sour Pork is an amazing way to liven up your dinner.
The tender pork is cooked with juicy pineapple chunks and bell peppers, creating a sweet and tangy sauce.
35. Dill Pickle Soup
Dill Pickle Soup is perfect for busy weeknights.
It is easy and quick to prepare, and it provides you with a satisfying and hearty meal.
This soup is savory and creamy and can help warm you up.
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry comes together effortlessly, and the result is delicious.
Make this tasty dish whenever you want something satisfying and easy to make.
Serve this stir-fry with brown rice or cauliflower rice.
37. Dan Dan Noodles
This Dan Dan Noodles recipe tastes similar to your favorite take-out joint.
The best part of this Dan Dan Noodles recipe is that you can choose whether you want to make it with chicken, turkey, ground beef, or whatever meat you like.
Chicken Saltimbocca is a dish made with thin chicken breast cutlets that are wrapped in sage and prosciutto.
It is then cooked in butter wine sauce and topped with cheese.
There is so much flavor, and it matches perfectly with potato gratin and roasted brussels sprouts.
39. Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp is a decadent weeknight dinner idea with a sweet and tangy sauce.
The recipe calls for baking and not frying, so the dish is oil-free and tender.
The Chicken Pesto Pasta is a classic dish for a good reason.
The herby flavor of the basil pesto adds flavor to the pasta’s sauce, and the chicken breasts are so tender that you would want another serving.
Ginger Garlic Pork Noodle Soup is delicious, warm, and comforting.
It is the perfect weeknight dinner that is filled with flavor and complexity.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken is marinated in a paste that includes spices and Scotch bonnet peppers.
It is then slowly smoked over long pimento wood sticks to bring out its flavors.
This dish smells and tastes so good that you will not be satisfied with just one serving.
This BBQ Grilled Pork Tenderloin dish is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner or cookout.
It combines olive oil, pork rub, and BBQ sauce, resulting in a sweet and spicy tenderloin that is succulent and juicy.
44. Mac & Cheese
Mac & Cheese is a classic, and it is a go-to recipe if you want something quick and delicious for dinner.
Mix the cooked pasta with cheese, butter, pepper, and salt, and you get a filling meal.
This soup is a family favorite recipe and is an amazing weeknight meal.
This dish is also great for days when you don’t want to cook but still want something homemade.
These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are delicious vegetarian main course options.
These fork-tender zucchini have all the flavors of the Mediterranean and make for a great dinner for days when you want something different.
This casserole combines rice and broccoli with a creamy cheese sauce.
It is then covered in more cheese and crushed potato chips before being baked.
The dish is extra creamy, cheesy, and just downright tasty.
This Pineapple Fried Rice is studded with juicy, sweet pineapple and delicious spam.
It is a flavorful and easy dish that is perfect for family dinners and get-togethers.
Garlic Butter Steak Biters are juicy, tender, and succulent.
This homemade dinner is easy to prepare.
With a cut of tender steak and buttery garlic sauce coating each piece, these beef bits will be a crowd favorite.
Pesto Bruschetta Chicken is filled with tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella, and balsamic drizzle.
If you are into Italian cuisine, this dish will be your next favorite.
Table Of Contents
The bottom line
Getting dinner ready on weeknights can be a struggle, and it can be difficult when juggling work and other schedules.
In order to avoid ordering takeout or giving in to boxed meals is by try out the reliable and quick meals we’ve listed.
From pasta and rice to pork chops to chicken, your selection is endless.
Weeknight Dinner Ideas
Whether you serve soups, stir-fries, and pastas, these 50 scrumptious weeknight dinner ideas will make sure everyone at the table feel satisfied!
Ingredients
- Thai Beef & Broccoli
- One-Skillet Sausage & Peppers With Rice
- Asian Noodle Bowls
- Beef Stir-Fry With Shredded Vegetables
- Taco Pie
- Flatbread Taco Pizza
- Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie
- Beef Taco Soup
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Chicken & Black Beans Enchiladas
- Turkey Burgers
- Creamy Tuscan Ravioli Soup
- Chicken & Rice Noodle Stir Fry
- Cheeseburger Soup
- Toad In The Hole
- Lasagna Cups
- Shrimp & Pineapple Stir-Fry
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Steak Fajita Bowls
- No Peek Chicken
- Chicken Tostadas
- Black Bean Chili
- One Pan Maple Glazed Salmon
- Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Pork Chops
- Chicken Piccata Meatballs
- Instant Pot Corn Chowder
- Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Boats
- One-Pot Weeknight Beef Stroganoff
- Taco Pasta Casserole
- Beef Burrito Skillet
- Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fried Catfish Nuggets
- Sweet & Sour Pork
- Dill Pickle Soup
- Sesame Chicken & Snow Pea Stir Fry
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Chicken Saltimbocca
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Ginger Garlic Pork Noodle Soup
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken
- BBQ Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Mac & Cheese
- Chicken & Rice Soup
- Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice With Spam
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Pesto Bruschetta Chicken
Instructions
- Pick one or more options from our list of Weeknight Dinner Ideas here!
- Start creating your new favorite dish.
- Share and comment! Did you make any changes to make it even better?