33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (2024)

Sometimes you just need a go-to easy dinner recipe — one that's perfect for busy nights where you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, but still want something more substantial than, say, a PB&J.

So we rounded up some of our favorite easy dinner ideas, from customizable personal pizzas to a no-fuss stir-fry. Dinner will be ready in no time!

1. Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast

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tasty.co

This asparagus-stuffed chicken breast is an elegant-looking dish that's surprisingly easy to make. Stuffed with fresh asparagus and creamy Provolone cheese, it's perfect for busy nights but tastes like a labor of love!

Recipe:Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast

2. One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta

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tasty.co

There's no need to stress about weeknight dinner when you've got this One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta recipe is your back pocket. Tender penne pasta is simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with spinach and Parmesan for a dish that begs for seconds. Plus, leftovers (if there are any!) make a great lunch the next day.

Recipe:One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta

3. Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon

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tasty.co

Pan-seared salmon gets a flavor-boost from a tasty marinade of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. For even more flavor, the marinade is reduced to a sauce for drizzling over the cooked fish. Pair with steamed broccoli and white rice for a balanced meal.

Recipe:Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon

4. Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken

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tasty.co

Wrap up a chicken breast and your favorite fajita veggies and seasonings in a parchment packet for fool-proof cooking and easy clean-up. This recipe serves one, but can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week.

Recipe: Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken

5. The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast

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tasty.co

Let the slow cooker do the work of making dinner while you go about your day. This pot roast is super flavorful, thanks to the addition of a packet of dried onion soup mix. Serve the meat and veggies over egg noodles or rice.

Recipe: The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast

6. Veggie Garlic Noodles

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tasty.co

Get your veggies in with this delicious and quick noodle stir-fry. Green onions and garlic pack a flavor punch, while the brown sugar and soy tie everything together in a sweet and savory sauce.

Recipe: Veggie Garlic Noodles

7.

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tasty.co

It doesn't get easier than this: store-bought biscuits, frozen mixed veggies, and rotisserie chicken come together in a warming, hearty dish everyone will love.

Recipe:

8. Taco Soup

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tasty.co

Just dump and go with this easy taco soup recipe. Don't forget to dress it up with your favorite toppings!

Recipe: Taco Soup

9. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

tasty.co

This easy 30-minute pasta recipe transforms ingredients that you already have in your kitchen into a posh seafood dish you’ll want to serve at your next dinner party. And since the whole dish is made in a single pot, clean-up is easy.

Recipe: One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

10.

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tasty.co

Feel free to change up the protein or vegetables depending on what you have in your fridge. The simple sauce packs a flavor punch that will bring the dish together, no matter what.

Recipe:

11. Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas

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tasty.co

Pizza night is the best night — especially when everyone gets to build their dream slice. (Or three!)

Recipe: Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas

12. Easy Butter Chicken

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tasty.co

This simplified version of the Indian classic combines chicken, tomato sauce, and a slew of aromatic spices and herbs — all in one pot, for the simplest cleanup.

Recipe: Easy Butter Chicken

13. Upgraded Ramen

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tasty.co

It takes all of five minutes to fry some bacon + an egg. (Plus some green onions if you're feelin' fancy.)

Recipe: Bacon and Egg Ramen

14. Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne

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tasty.co

When you combine butter, garlic, flour, milk, and Parmesan in just the right way, you get a sauce that you'll want to put on everything.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne

15.

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tasty.co

The only thing better than one super easy dinner is being able to make *four* of them at once. This handy meal prep version means you can stash a few away for future Hungry You.

Recipe:

foodwithfeeling.com

It's packed with protein and fiber, and you can add toppings — like avocado or sour cream — depending on what's in your fridge.

Recipe: Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

17. Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli

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damndelicious.net

Chopping the beef into small pieces first means everything cooks through in about five minutes.

Recipe: Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli

18. Instant Pot Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

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thekitchn.com

The Instant Pot does all the hard work here — and you'll also get a healthy dose of fresh greens!

Recipe: Instant Pot Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

19. Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

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chelseasmessyapron.com

Line the sheet pan with parchment or foil for the quickest cleanup — then serve over rice, stuffed into a pita, or on its own.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

minimalistbaker.com

This vegan-friendly version swaps eggs for protein-packed chickpeas, and makes enough for four.

Recipe: Vegan Chickpea Shakshuka

21. Pesto Chicken Bake

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simplysissom.com

Doesn't get much easier than this, TBH.

Recipe: Pesto Chicken Bake

budgetbytes.com

These are super customizable — depending on your time or budget. Either stick to the inexpensive base: tortilla chips, black beans, canned tomatoes, and cheese, or upgrade with the works: jalapeños, pickled onions, sour cream, and anything else you might want.

Recipe: Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos

23. 10-Minute Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus

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gimmedelicious.com

Not an asparagus fan? The simple lemon and garlic sauce would work with whatever greens are in your fridge — like spinach, broccoli florets, or zucchini.

Recipe: One-Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus

24. Protein-Packed Veggie Bowl

tasty.co

This may look involved, but after a bit of prep — crisping chickpeas, roasting sweet potatoes — it's mostly just assembly.

Recipe: Protein-Packed Veggie Bowl

25. Tuna & Avocado Wrap

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eatyourselfskinny.com

Canned tuna gets a quick upgrade with hot sauce, Dijon, and green onions — piled into whole wheat tortillas. (You could also swap in bread, pita pockets, or just eat them as lettuce wraps.)

Recipe: Tuna & Avocado Wrap

27. Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Foil Packs

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thekitchn.com

You can make these in the oven or on the grill in just about 20 minutes — and thanks to the foil, cleanup is a total breeze.

Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Foil Packets

budgetbytes.com

The trinity of weeknight dinners: fast, cheap, and easy.

Recipe: Bowties & Broccoli

29. Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats

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skinnyms.com

These go from prep to plate in about 20 minutes. Keep the peppers whole, or slice them into bites (or "boats") to turn them into kid-friendly finger food.

Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats

30. Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos

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cookingclassy.com

This budget-friendly version takes pantry staples — like black beans and canned corn — and roasts everything on a sheet pan.

Recipe: Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos

familyfreshmeals.com

Heads up that this one does have to cook for a few hours, so you'll need to plan accordingly. But it's a true drop-and-go dinner — and basically makes itself.

Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

pinchofyum.com

Better than takeout — and better for you, too. For extra protein and fiber, swap in soba noodles.

Recipe: 15-Minute Lo Mein

33. Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

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fitfoodiefinds.com

The easy sauce — which includes soy sauce, garlic, and ginger — comes together quickly and packs a ton of flavor.

Recipe: Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

What's your go-to easy dinner? Tell us in the comments below!

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