Our easy dinner ideas are perfect for those times when you want to get a meal on the table without all the fuss and bother. But you just don’t want it to be easy; you want it to be delicious.
Whether it’s an easy weeknight dinner for your family or preparing a simple recipe for guests, these easy dinners can be prepared from start to finish in an hour or less.
We’ve pulled together a variety of options, from kid-friendly go-tos for the whole family to meals with a flair for the fancier side of life. Give yourself a break tonight and browse our top favorite easy dinner ideas!
Baked Chicken Legs
Tender and juicy baked chicken legs are the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight and an easy way to serve a flavorful, simple chicken dish your whole family will love. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to crispy perfection, it’s easier than ever to make chicken legs for dinner tonight.
If you love baked chicken, you might also want to try our baked chicken quarters recipe.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo is a rich, creamy pasta dish and a beloved Italian classic for a reason. Pasta night is always a good idea when you’re looking to serve a filling, quick, hot dish for the whole family. This delicious dish can be made in less than half an hour.
Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are a great way to serve seafood that everyone will love. With balanced flavors and textures, crab cakes are the perfect introduction to seafood for those who are just starting to delve in and are a classic favorite for everyone else.
Smothered Pork Chops
Smothered pork chops are great for an at-home date night, inviting a special guest over, or just trying something new. A classic comfort food, pork chops can be prepared in a variety of ways to take them from mundane to mouthwatering- and this recipe is our favorite!
If you love Southern cooking and smothered dishes, make sure to try our smothered cube steak recipe.
Chicken Milanese
Our Chicken Milanese recipe, featuring breaded chicken cutlets and just the right amount of herbs and spices, is a speedy dish that still displays restaurant-quality flavors and a flawless presentation. This is a great dish to transition younger kids into more sophisticated chicken recipes, making it perfect for all ages.
Steak Diane
Steak Diane is a steak medallion dish with a savory, creamy homemade sauce. I love this dish for dinner parties, but it’s also a great dish to celebrate at home. Date nights, birthdays, and special occasions will feel even more special with this delicious recipe.
Whatever the occasion, Steak Diane will make your dinner guests feel special and won’t take up your entire evening with prep work.
Ravioli and Shrimp Scampi
Created with ease and affordability in mind, my ravioli and shrimp scampi recipe has all the elements of a high-end restaurant dinner special and none of the fuss. A complete dinner in just one dish, you’ll love this recipe’s various flavors and beautiful colors- it’s a perfect quick weeknight meal.
Chicken Marsala
My wife can vouch for the fact that my chicken marsala recipe is unique and one of the best around. Don’t just take her word for it, though- try it yourself! Prepare chicken marsala tonight for a delectable, comforting chicken dish that will be on the table in less than half an hour.
Beef and Broccoli
Avoid the urge to order takeout and make your own flavorful beef and broccoli recipe at home! If you’re not a fan of broccoli, replace it with asparagus, sugar snap peas, diced cooked carrots, or whatever veggies you prefer. Serve with rice or rice noodles for a complete meal.
Penne alla Vodka
Penne alla Vodka is another easy pasta dish that will turn a simple weekday dinner into a delicious event. The best part is that it can be on your dinner table in about 30 minutes.
What sets this dish apart is the homemade sauce that’s so simple to make that you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner. Add chicken or shrimp for added protein, and even your picky eaters will love it.
Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Chili Fruit Sauce
Dinner doesn’t have to take hours to be as beautiful and delicous as our pork tenderloin with sweet chili fruit sauce is. The presentation alone makes this meal look like a sophisticated and time-consuming recipe, but in this case, looks are deceiving- this dinner is ready in about 30 minutes! Your taste buds and guests will hardly believe it.
Chicken Parmesan
My chicken parmesan recipe, loaded with delicious melted cheese, is going to be the absolute best chicken parm you’ve ever had! Chicken parmesan is a great dish for large groups, as making a huge pot of pasta is simple, and chicken can be prepared in larger batches. This is great for evenings when the whole family is home together.
Flounder Francaise
Don’t be intimidated by seafood recipes. Our Flounder Francaise, served with a restaurant-style lemon butter sauce, makes this dish perfect for a night at home with your special someone. Our easy step-by-step recipe is the perfect way to experiment with fresh flounder. It’s a favorite recipe of mine, and I know you’ll love it, too!
Beef Kofta Kabobs
Beef kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern dish of succulent meat skewers crafted with ground beef and an array of herbs and spices.
Are you bored with burgers? Here’s a delicious new way to use ground beef for a busy weeknight dinner! If you’ve wanted to venture outside of your comfort zone and try new cuisines, our easy step-by-step recipe is just what you’re looking for.
Fried Shrimp
Perfect as an appetizer and a main dish, fried shrimp is easier than ever with our classic restaurant-style recipe. Don’t settle for frozen when you can prep your own and elevate your dinnertime experience! Bonus: make your own dipping sauce to make it even better! We recommend mumbo sauce, bang bang sauce, and yum yum sauce. Lots of compliments will be coming your way.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Creamy, citrusy lemon ricotta pasta features fresh spinach for a unique and flavorful all-in-one dish. Mix up your pasta routine with these summery, fresh ingredients, which are far from boring. Pair with a glass of white wine for the adults at the table to give this dish the classic restaurant feel!
When you’re done making these delicious dishes, browse through the rest of my recipes for even more easy dinner ideas that your friends and family will love.
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