I hate complicated dinners, but these 11 were shockingly easy
After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is to wrestle with a complicated dinner recipe. That’s why I love simple meals that come together easily but still taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
These easy dinner recipes prove you don’t need fancy ingredients or extra steps to make something comforting and satisfying. Once you try them, you’ll see how stress-free dinner can really be.
1. Creamy Lemon Chicken
This skillet dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. The sour cream-based sauce stays light while still coating the chicken beautifully, and it works just as well spooned over rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Chicken
2. Crockpot Beef and Noodles
Let your slow cooker do the work while the chuck roast transforms into tender, shreddable beef. The dish is budget-friendly and perfect for meal prep, as the flavors improve the next day.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef and Noodles
3. Lemon Baked Fish
Baking fish with an herb breadcrumb topping gives you all the crispy texture of fried fish without the hassle. A quick broil at the end creates that golden crust, and you can use any white fish you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Baked Fish
4. Al Pastor Tacos
These tacos bring restaurant flavor without the all-day marinade. Ground pork with chipotle seasoning and pineapple comes together fast enough for busy weeknights, and the pickled shallots add a tangy bite that makes each taco feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Tacos
5. Balsamic Chicken
Everything roasts together on one sheet pan, so dinner and sides are ready at the same time. The honey-balsamic glaze caramelizes nicely on the chicken thighs while the potatoes get crispy around the edges.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Chicken
6. Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This cozy pasta dinner comes together in one skillet with mushrooms and plenty of garlicky Parmesan sauce. The rich flavors make it feel special enough for guests, but it’s simple enough to throw together on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Pasta
7. Pork Chops with Stuffing
Boxed stuffing mix and cream of mushroom soup keep the pork chops moist while baking. The dish has all the comfort food vibes without any complicated prep, and you can assemble it ahead of time if needed.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Stuffing
8. Pineapple Chicken
Sweet pineapple balances out the soy sauce in this quick stir-fry that beats takeout. The sauce gets nice and thick, clinging to every piece of chicken and bell pepper, and leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Chicken
9. Slow Cooker Chili
Fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles add a smoky flavor to this meaty chili that simmers all day. Serve it over hot dogs, scoop it onto nachos, or pair it with cornbread for an easy crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili
10. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
The extra sauce in this version means there’s plenty to soak into your rice. Slicing the beef thin helps it cook fast, and the whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
11. Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta
The pasta cooks right in the skillet with the sausage and tomatoes, so there’s no need to boil water separately. It’s the kind of hearty, comforting dinner that satisfies without requiring much effort or hard to find ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta
