Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (2024)

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (1)

Weeknight cooking doesn't have to stressful, especially when there's tons and tons of uncomplicated dinner recipes out there for you to try. We're talking about Baked Feta Pasta, Spicy Chilli Garlic Noodles, Chickpea Stuffed Peppers and more! From one-pot wonders to fuss-free pasta dishes, we've rounded up 40 super-simple quick dinner ideas for you to give a go.

Looking for more easy recipes? We've got 50+ easy dinner recipes as well as 40+ gloriously cheap dinner recipes.

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1

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (3)

These get coated in Parmesan and plenty of spices for the perfect crust, and the quick cooking time in the air fryer ensures they don't dry out. It's dinner in an instant.

Get the Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe.

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2

Baked Feta Pasta

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (4)

Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break the internet? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius!

Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.

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3

Chicken Alfredo

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (5)

Oh, chicken alfredo: it's the classic pasta we just can't seem to get enough of. Of course there are tons of jarred pasta sauces you can buy, but making alfredo from-scratch is actually so easy.

Get the Chicken Alfredo recipe.

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4

Chilli Con Carne

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This is a chilli recipe that you can make on a weeknight in under an hour. Lots of other recipes call for simmering for at least an hour, sometimes even more! The reality of that is tough, so we've perfected this chilli to be done in just 40 minutes.

Get the Chilli Con Carne recipe.

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5

Courgette Salad

This courgette salad is so easy to throw together, and best of all, there's no cooking required! Yep, those courgette ribbons are served raw, tossed with sun-dried toms and goat's cheese, and a pumpkin seed dressing which although optional is a MUST in our opinion.

Get the Courgette Salad recipe.

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6

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Penne

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With a super-light cream sauce, this spinach and roasted red pepper penne is addictive.

Get the Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Penne recipe.

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7

Dan Dan Noodles

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (9)

Can't find Chinese black vinegar in your local grocery store? No problem! Instead, use a mixture of 3 tbsp. water, 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar, and 1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar.

Get the Dan Dan Noodles recipe.

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8

Perfect Fried Rice

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (10)

Fried rice is a dish we turn to again, and again because it's not only super easy to make, but also SO adaptable based on what ingredients are hanging out in your fridge.

Get the Perfect Fried Rice recipe.

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9

Spicy Chilli Garlic Noodles

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The sauce for this dish comes together in less time than it takes for your noodle water to boil. This dish is easy, fast, and spicy. Adjust the chilli garlic sauce as you like, but we love the sweet heat of this dish as is.

Get the Spicy Chilli Garlic Noodles recipe.

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10

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (12)

All the spicy, garlicky flavours of your favourite falafel sandwich get deconstructed and stuffed inside bell peppers. It's a vegetarian version of a hearty classic we're putting in regular rotation.

Get the Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers recipe.

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11

Baked Cod

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (13)

The best thing about cod is that it is a bit of a blank slate and can be seasoned/flavoured however you want. In this dish, we pair it with tomatoes and fresh thyme, but it could just as well with smashed olives and oregano.

Get the Baked Cod recipe.

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12

Balsamic Basil Chicken

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This is the perfect weeknight dinner. After marinating the chicken, everything — including the veggie side! — comes together in one pan in less than 30 minutes. Call it another chicken dinner win!

Get the Balsamic Basil Chicken recipe.

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13

Chicken Carbonara

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (15)

When you're looking for something comforting and carb-y, nothing fits the bill like a good carbonara. This version adds a bit of protein by way of sautéed chicken breasts, making it the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner. No fettuccine on hand? Spaghetti, linguine, or capellini would all be great instead. Happy slurping!

Get the Chicken Carbonara recipe.

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14

Chicken Fajitas

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Fajitas are the perfect weeknight dinner. Minimal prep and minimal cook time means these can be on your table FAST.

Get the Chicken Fajitas recipe.

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15

Chicken Chow Mein

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (17)

Chow mein is our go-to for all types of meals, from an easy dinner to a serious hangover. We love the kick this recipe gets from fresh ginger, but if you're not a fan, skip it.

Get the Chicken Chow Mein recipe.

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16

Chicken Tacos

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These chicken tacos are loaded with all the best spices.

Get the Chicken Tacos recipe.

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17

Classic Stuffed Peppers

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The bell pepper is an excellent vessel for stuffing meat, rice, and, of course, cheese. It's strong enough to hold its shape in the oven, and the flavour is subtle enough to go well with just about anything. This is our favourite recipe but the customisation options are endless.

Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.

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18

Chorizo & Cod Traybake

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (20)

This easy chorizo and cod traybake is so delicious. The added extra step of the herb crumb is crucial in my opinion. Dipped into the chorizo oil gives this cod an added layer of deliciousness.

Get the recipe.

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19

Coriander Lime Grilled Salmon

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This grilled salmon recipe is extremely easy and incredibly quick—the whole thing comes together in just 25 minutes.

Get the Coriander Lime Grilled Salmon recipe.

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20

Creamy Three-Cheese Spaghetti

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This ultra-creamy and cheesy spaghetti can be yours in just 15 minutes.

Get the Creamy Three-Cheese Spaghetti recipe.

Quick Dinner Ideas = The Best Weeknight Dinner Meals (2024)
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