These easy weeknight dinners were created to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and stressed about cooking dinner at the end of a long day.
You never have to sacrifice flavor with these dinners. And all of these meal ideas help simplify your evenings and leave you with more time to relax and enjoy the time with your family.
Less Time in the Kitchen with Easy Weeknight Dinners
Whether you’re a busy parent, a working professional, or someone who doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these recipes are quick and delicious.
Peruse this list and find some recipes that sound good to you. Also let them inspire you to come up with some dishes on your own.
I’ve listed a combination of one-pan, slow cooker, and stovetop meals that are all easy and require very little cleanup. And since I’ve always been known for my frugal nature, they’re also budget-friendly.
Super Simple Meal Planning for the Week
Most of the time, you can plan ahead to make this process even easier. Create a master list as you read through the ingredients of the recipes that sound good to you. Check your pantry, fridge, and spice collection to see what you already have and cross those off the list.
If your family likes bread with every meal, you can buy it prepackaged. Or you can make a week’s worth of this easy southern-style cornbread that goes with each night’s meal.
For those of you who love sweet cornbread, try this moist cornbread recipe from Back to My Southern Roots.
Keep the cornbread sealed in an airtight container. I usually refrigerate mine and heat it in the toaster oven or air fryer when I’m ready to use it.
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Some of these dinners are quick and easy to throw together after you get home from your busy day. And others need assembly before you leave.
You’ll see a variety of cooking methods, from slow cooker to baked. All of them are easy and require very little time in the kitchen.
Chicken and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes Recipe
This chicken and gravy slow cooker dinner is easy to put together before you start your busy day. You’ll come home to a wonderful aroma that gets your taste buds ready for a fabulous meal! I love the fact that this is a comfort food that adds warmth and joy with every bite.
Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe with Beef
Also called hobo hubby casserole, this yummy casserole is perfect for those times when you need something quick, easy, and delicious! All of the ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store.
Crock Pot Garlic Tomato Roast Beef
Packed with flavor, this is one meal that my family enjoys often. Not only is it easy and delicious the first time around, it makes delicious leftovers that you can refrigerate or freeze for later. Just put it in an airtight container, and it should be good for another meal!
Best Frozen Burrito Casserole Recipe with Cheese
South-of-the-Border flavors come together in the most delightfully easy way with this yummy casserole. You only need a few convenient ingredients to create this fabulous dinner.
Best Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe
In addition to being a yummy food, pork tenderloins are often on sale. But even when they’re not, they are an inexpensive meat that keeps the meal budget friendly.
Low Carb Italian Beef and Cabbage Casserole Recipe
Whether you’re following a keto diet or you’re simply watching your carbs, check out this delicious Italian beef and cabbage casserole. I love the blend of flavors that give this a wonderfully rich taste.
Easy Crock Pot Lasagna
Save yourself the time and steps it takes to make a traditional lasagna. This version is made in the slow cooker in a fraction of the time, and it’s just as good!
Chili Con Carne – Slow Cooker Recipe
If your family likes chili as much as mine does, you’ll love this easy but delicious recipe! I love how it provides a full range of flavors that satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Best Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe
Once you try this yummy Mississippi pot roast, you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life. Easy to make, loaded with deliciousness, and oh-so filling, this comfort food will find a place on your regular dinner rotation.
One Pot Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta Recipe
You don’t have to do much to make this delicious yet easy dinner from Back to My Southern Roots. All you have to do is add the ingredients to your slow cooker, put the lid on it, and turn it on. Just a few hours later, you’ll have a meal that tastes amazing!
Easy Skillet Sloppy Joes Pasta
Allow your senses to travel back in time to your childhood, when sloppy joes were your favorite meal. This is an updated version that’s just as good … and it’s super easy!
Pork Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner
This wonderful skillet dinner cooks quickly from start to finish, and it satisfies on so many levels. It’s delicious, filling, comforting, and aesthetically pleasing with lots of colorful ingredients.
Creole Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
For a fabulous chicken dinner without the hassle, make this creole chicken sheet pan dinner from Julia’s Simply Southern. All of the flavors come together so wonderfully in this one-pan meal.
Meatless Stuffed Manicotti Recipe
Do you enjoy having a meatless Monday? Then make this wonderful stuffed manicotti casserole and watch the family’s faces light up!
Dutch Oven Pasta and Meatballs
The blend of convenient jarred sauces adds a unique twist to an all-time favorite at our house. It’s so easy to make you’ll wonder why you never made it before.
Salads to Go with Weeknight Dinners
Sometimes we enjoy a side salad, even with the simplest of meals. Here are some that are quick and easy to make or that can be made in advance:
Mason Jar Salad – As its name implies, this salad is assembled in a mason jar. I like to make a half dozen at once so they’ll be ready when needed.
Potato Salad – My mama’s potato salad is the best I’ve ever had. And when I bring it to potlucks, it disappears quickly. It’s that delicious!
Creamy Coleslaw – This coleslaw recipe couldn’t be any easier. It’s another salad that you can make in advance. Then you can serve it for several days.
Simplifying Weeknight Dinners
Weeknights don’t have to bring on more stress after a busy day. By simplifying your meals with these 10 dinner ideas, you can relax and enjoy your time off.