11 Easy Meals To Banish Dinner Chaos
Weeknight dinners don’t have to feel like an uphill battle when you’ve got the right recipes in your back pocket. This collection of easy meals takes the guesswork out of “what’s for dinner” with dishes that everyone will love.
From casseroles to sheet pan dinners, these dinner ideas prove that delicious doesn’t have to be complicated.
1. Italian Noodle Casserole
This hearty baked dish is pure comfort food, layering seasoned ground beef with egg noodles and a rich tomato base. You can assemble the whole thing ahead of time, then just slide it into the oven when hunger strikes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Noodle Casserole
2. Lemon Chicken Orzo
Everything cooks together in one skillet, which means the orzo soaks up all those citrusy flavors while you barely lift a finger. The spinach wilts right into the creamy sauce, giving you a complete meal that feels fancy but comes together so easily.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo
3. Sheet Pan Broccoli Beef
This is your answer to takeout cravings without the wait or expense. The marinade serves double duty as the finishing sauce, and cleanup is incredibly easy since everything cooks in one sheet pan.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Broccoli Beef
4. Instant Pot Chili Mac
Your pressure cooker becomes a weeknight hero with this delicious chili mac recipe that’s on the table in just 30 minutes. Make a big batch so you have plenty of leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili Mac
5. Teriyaki Salmon
Making homemade teriyaki sauce sounds intimidating, but this version comes together with pantry staples you probably already have. The oven does all the work while that restaurant-quality glaze develops naturally.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon
6. Baked Pork Chops
A quick sear locks in the juices, then the oven takes over with a garlic-rosemary butter sauce that keeps everything incredibly moist. The secret is pulling them out at exactly the right temperature, which guarantees success every time.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pork Chops
7. Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
Your slow cooker handles the heavy lifting while you go about your day, delivering fall-apart chicken that practically shreds itself. It’s the kind of meal that makes the house smell amazing and has everyone asking what’s for dinner before you even get home.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
8. Air Fryer Sausage, Green Beans, and Potatoes
The air fryer gives everything that crispy texture without any extra oil. No air fryer? No problem, the oven version works just as well for getting dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sausage, Green Beans, and Potatoes
9. Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Broccoli
The seasoned flour coating gives the chicken pieces the perfect amount of crispiness, while the homemade honey buffalo sauce adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the heat. Everything roasts together beautifully, so there’s no juggling multiple pans.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Broccoli
10. Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
All your favorite cheeseburger flavors get transformed into a cozy pasta dinner that’ll make everyone at the table happy. It’ll be your new favorite 30-minute recipe for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
11. Grandma’s Chicken Broccoli Casserole
This old-school casserole is exactly what you want when you need something dependable and satisfying. It’s brilliant for using up leftover chicken or rotisserie meat, and you can prep it completely ahead for those really hectic days.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Chicken Broccoli Casserole
