Dinner collage.

The 15 Easiest Dinners You’ll Ever Make

Dinner doesn’t need to be stressful when you have simple, reliable recipes ready to go. This collection includes easy meals like taco spaghetti, Cajun shrimp, one-pan garlic chicken, and more.

These truly are some of the easiest dinners you’ll ever make! There’s something here to please everyone without spending hours in the kitchen.

1. Taco Spaghetti

Close up shot of taco spaghetti.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

This fun fusion dish combines two family favorites into one satisfying meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The creamy taco-flavored sauce makes regular spaghetti night feel like a fun twist that kids and adults will love.

Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti Recipe

2. One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies

Chicken with veggies on a tray.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

Everything is tossed in a garlic butter mixture before being roasted together on a single sheet pan until golden and tender. Cleanup is minimal since there’s only one pan to wash.

Get the Recipe: One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies

3. Mississippi Pot Roast

A close up shot of pot roast.
Photo Credit: Amanda’s Cookin

This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal that transforms budget-friendly chuck roast into fork-tender comfort food. Just add everything to the crockpot and let it work its magic while you go about your day.

No slow cooker? There are also directions for cooking this dish in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

4. Cajun Shrimp

A bowl of cajun shrimp and rice.
Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals

When you need dinner fast, this flavorful dish comes to the rescue in minutes. The bold Cajun flavors make it versatile enough to serve over rice, with pasta, or in tacos.

Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Recipe

5. Chicken Tostadas

Chicken tostadas on a tray.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits

Everyone at the dinner table can customize their tostadas exactly how they like them. Using rotisserie chicken makes them incredibly quick to put together for busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Tostadas

6. Creamy Pea Pesto Tortellini

A close up shot of pesto tortillini.
Photo Credit: Life as a Strawberry

Store-bought shortcuts make this restaurant-quality pasta ridiculously simple to pull off on busy nights. It’s a great way to use up frozen peas you have on hand.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pesto Tortellini

7. Three Bean Chili

Three bean chili close up shot.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

This hearty chili practically cooks itself while filling your house with the most amazing aroma. Ground beef and sausage simmer with three types of beans and seasonings for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly nights.

Get the Recipe: Three Bean Chili

8. Sticky Chicken

A close up shot of sticky chicken.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

Just toss everything in one pan and let the magic happen as the water reduces into a sweet-savory glaze. This budget-friendly recipe turns inexpensive drumsticks into something special that your family will request on repeat.

Get the Recipe: Sticky Chicken

9. Oven Pork Chops

A close up shot of baked pork chops.
Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings

Bone-in pork chops are seasoned and baked in the oven until juicy and tender. This hands-off cooking method ensures perfectly cooked meat without any guesswork, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without the fuss.

Get the Recipe: Oven Pork Chops

10. Chicken Penne Alfredo

Chicken penne alfredo in a pot.
Photo Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

This delicious pasta combines cooked chicken with penne noodles in a rich Alfredo sauce. It comes together quickly and appeals to even the pickiest eaters with its mild, comforting flavors.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Penne Alfredo

11. Butter Bean Curry

A close up shot of bean curry.
Photo Credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum

This warming curry proves that plant-based meals can be incredibly satisfying and full of flavor. It comes together quickly using pantry staples and tastes like you spent hours developing the complex flavor.

Get the Recipe: Butter Bean Curry

12. French Dip Sliders

A close up shot of sliders.
Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

These crowd-pleasing sliders use a clever shortcut with store-bought French onion soup for both cooking and dipping. They’re perfect when you need to feed a group without spending hours in the kitchen.

Get the Recipe: French Dip Sliders

13. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and peppers on a a sheet pan.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

This hands-off dinner lets the oven do all the work while you handle other things. It takes just five minutes to prep this easy sheet pan sausage meal.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

14. Cottage Pie

A slice of cottage pie on a plate.
Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings

Nothing is cozier than a generous helping of cottage pie. Best of all, it takes just 10 minutes to prep, and then you can sit back and unwind after a long day while it’s cooking in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Cottage Pie

15. Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Chicken casserole on a plate.
Photo Credit: Amanda’s Cookin

The name says it all: this creamy chicken casserole tastes expensive but requires minimal effort to make. Using rotisserie chicken and a buttery cracker topping, it’s pure comfort food that delivers on both flavor and convenience.

Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

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