40 Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Mondays (2024)

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You can never have too many quick dinner ideas! These recipes are made in less than 30 minutes and use ingredients you probably already have on hand.

1/40

Texas Tacos

I created this recipe by combining a bunch of ingredients I know my kids always like. It’s perfect for making ahead and I often keep the beefy mixture in a slow cooker on warm so the kids can simply stuff into taco shells after an afternoon of rigorous soccer practice. —Susan Scully, Mason, Ohio

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2/40

Basil Pork Chops

These tender, glazed chops get a kick from basil, chili powder and a little brown sugar. Serve with your favorite roasted veggies and you've got a super comforting meal bursting with flavor. —Lisa Gilliland, Fort Collins, Colorado

3/40

Fajita in a Bowl

Pull out the skewers and take a stab at grilling peppers, onions and corn for an awesome steak salad that’s all summer and smoke. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

4/40

Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan

Saucy chicken, melty mozzarella and crisp-tender broccoli—all in one pan. What could be better? —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri

5/40

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

6/40

Quick Pepperoni Calzones

This calzone recipe takes the Italian favorite to the next level with Parmesan and herbs sprinkled on top. —Shannon Roum, Waukesha, Wisconsin

7/40

Baja Pork Tacos

This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas

8/40

Asparagus Beef Lo Mein

This springtime beef lo mein recipe is as easy as it gets. Ramen noodles make it extra fun. —Dottie Wanat, Modesto, California

9/40

Delicious Oven Barbecued Chicken

A friend made this saucy chicken for us when we had our first child. I pared down the recipe to make it lower in fat and calories. Now it's a family favorite, and even the kids ask for this baked bbq chicken breast. —Marge Wagner, Roselle, Illinois

10/40

Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo

After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I came up with this shrimp Alfredo with broccoli version at home. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York

11/40

Baked Ham and Colby Sandwiches

This yummy ham sliders recipe is a winner with friends and family. Not only are the warm sandwiches a snap to prepare, but they smell so good when baking that no can resist them. They are a staple at our get-togethers. —Sherry Crenshaw, Fort Worth, Texas

12/40

My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

13/40

Smoked Gouda Veggie Melt

After a long day of teaching, I like to make these veggie-packed grilled-cheese sandwiches. My 8-year-old daughter is a big fan, too. —Charlie Herzog, West Brookfield, Vermont

14/40

Quick Chicken Piccata

Laced with lemon and simmered in white wine, this stovetop entree is super easy and elegant. Just add a side of veggies and bread to make it into a wonderful meal. —Cynthia Heil, Augusta, Georgia

15/40

Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash

This awesome recipe reflects my German roots. In the cooler months, nothing is as comforting as a hearty hash. Serve this versatile recipe as a side dish at a holiday meal or as a brunch entree over cheddar grits or topped with a fried egg. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, CO

16/40

Chorizo Burrito Bowls

I'm always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

17/40

Southwestern Beef and Rice Skillet

I like to serve this kicked-up skillet dish with warm flour tortillas and a side of guacamole. If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat! —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida

18/40

Easy White Chicken Chili

Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies. We use chicken and white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It’s soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

19/40

Sheet-Pan Chicken and Vegetables

This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

20/40

Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

A good friend made us this rich, comforting, creamy chicken noodle soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah

21/40

Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon

Pop these protein-packed brown sugar salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes, making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests. —Debra Martin, Belleville, Michigan

22/40

Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

This is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes fused into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio

23/40

Tuna Ciabatta Melts

Use any good crusty bread when compiling this tuna spread sandwich. Top with slices of crunchy cucumber or luscious tomato for extra freshness. —Barb Templin, Norwood, Minnesota

24/40

Easy Asian-Style Chicken Slaw

From the first time I made this chicken dish, I knew it was a winner—the bowl came back to the kitchen scraped clean. This one-dish wonder works every time in my house! —Bess Blanco, Vail, Arizona

25/40

Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes

Mom always managed to put a delicious hearty meal on the table for us and for our farmhands. This all-in-one comforting pork chops recipe reminds me of home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

26/40

Chicken Caesar Pizza

Dressed greens on top of warm pizza may sound a little strange but trust me, it's fantastic. —Tracy Youngman, Post Falls, Idaho

27/40

Quick Pork Chili

A dear neighbor gave me a pot of this delicious chili, and I asked for the recipe. The pork sausage is a nice change from the ground beef many chili recipes call for. —Janice Westmoreland, Brooksville, Florida

28/40

Asian Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is as tasty as the lettuce wraps found in national restaurants, but it's healthier! — Linda Rowley, Richardson, Texas

29/40

Sausage Spaghetti Spirals

My family loves this flavorful casserole with hearty chunks of sausage and green pepper. The recipe makes a big pan, so it's nicely sized for a potluck. —Carol Carolton, Wheaton, Illinois

30/40

Greek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls

This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It is short on ingredients but packs in so much flavor. For a hand-held version, leave out the rice and tuck the rest of the ingredients in a pita pocket. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas

31/40

Cajun Shrimp Skillet

There’s plenty of sauce with these shrimp—I always have some bread on the side to soak it up. Make the dish your own by using your favorite amber beer or flavorful broth. —Mark Oppe, North Pole, Alaska

32/40

Grilled Cheese and Mushroom Sandwich

Give your favorite grilled cheese sandwich a boost with the addition of earthy portobello mushrooms. This savory recipe takes this portobello mushroom sandwich into gourmet territory. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

33/40

Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce

My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona

34/40

Potato Kielbasa Skillet

No need to hunt through kielbasa and potato recipes, this smoky take steals the show as a hearty home-style, all-in-one meal. It's especially perfect on those cold late fall and early winter nights. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

35/40

Shrimp 'n' Noodle Bowls

Here's a quick meal that feels as if it came from a restaurant. Cooked shrimp, bagged slaw and bottled dressing reduce the time needed to get it on the table. —Mary Bergfeld, Eugene, Oregon

36/40

Turkey Biscuit Skillet

My mother always made this while I was growing up. Now I make it for my husband and kids. I cut the biscuits into smaller pieces so they will brown nicely on top. I also sometimes add mushrooms to this recipe because my family likes them so much. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa

37/40

One-Pot Spinach Beef Soup

My idea of a winning weeknight meal is this beefy soup simmering in one big pot. Grate some Parmesan and pass the saltines. —Julie Davis, Jacksonville, Florida

38/40

Favorite Baked Spaghetti

This baked spaghetti is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like such a special dinner and is so cozy for winter. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

39/40

Shrimp Ramen

A package of store-bought noodles will speed up assembly of this colorful shrimp ramen that's flavored with carrots and small shrimp. My mother passed the recipe on to me. It’s delicious and so quick to make on busy nights. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio

40/40

BLT Twice-Baked Potatoes

Two favorites go together in this hearty dish: BLTs and twice-baked potatoes. I like to serve these potatoes with grilled steaks or barbecued chicken. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois

Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills).Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.