Easy Dinner Ideas for Tonight (and every night!)
Looking for quick, easy dinner ideas for tonight? I have you covered with over 100 family-friendly dinner recipes that will keep the mealtime boredom at bay. Simple dinner ideas for those busy weeknights that are so much better and faster than ordering take out.
Easy Dinner Ideas
I know, we’ve all been there with the very same question…..what’s for dinner tonight? When my family asks that question immediately after breakfast I feel the anxiety begin to well up because it’s just one of those things that just never ends. Dinner…..every single night of the year.
Well, I’m here to help you, me and everyone else that wants that question solved for them with my list of dinner recipes for families everywhere. Anytime. Any day. Every day.
This list of dinners is kid friendly and kid approved so whether you have an army of littles living with you or you are living the single life, you will find some of your own favorites to add to your weekly meal plan. Let’s get started!
Quick Dinner Ideas
All of our favorite easy dinner recipes made in under 30 minutes because when life is busy, you don’t want to spend your spare moments slaving over a stove. These are our go-to family-friendly dinner recipes for busy weeknights!
Cheesy Taco Pasta gets 4 thumbs up from my kids because it’s irresistibly tasty. It gets 2 thumbs up from me because it’s insanely easy, made from scratch and one pan to clean!
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio sounds fancy pants but it’s the easiest pasta dinner and a favorite for my sauce loathing kids. It’s packed with flavor and on the table in just 10 minutes.
Not spicy at all Buffalo Chicken Pasta is another one pot pasta dinner idea I will always get behind. So flavor packed and on the table in just 20 minutes.
Salisbury steak is the ultimate ground beef dinner idea that’s cheap and quick. A reader favorite!
Looking for a cheap dinner idea? This easy Polish Haluski is a family favorite here. It doesn’t get better than fried cabbage, noodles and bacon.
Beef Dinner Ideas
Easy Beef Tips and Gravy is one of our favorite dinners because it’s hearty and quick!
Easy Cream Chipped Beef is the ultimate budge friendly dinner. Serve over toast, noodles or a pile of creamy mashed potatoes.
Beef Cabbage Soup is another budget dinner idea that’s super easy, family-friendly and great for freezer meals.
Mongolian Beef Stir Fry is always a great dinner idea for busy weeknights. This easy dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes!
The best Corned Beef and Cabbage takes a little more time but it’s still budget friendly and, oh, so, amazing.
Chicken Dinner Ideas
Chicken dinner recipes are very popular here and so I have a ton. Whether you’re looking for rotisserie chicken dinner ideas or chicken breast dinner ideas, there’s no shortage of choices to get you through the entire year.
A viral chicken dinner recipe, Marry Me Chicken is a favorite for more reasons that I can count. Cooked in a sauce you’ll want to drink with a straw, this easy chicken dinner idea will be on repeat every single week.
The easiest chicken Pot Pie recipe ever, this one cooks in one pot and has been a reader favorite for over 10 years.
Mexican Shredded Chicken is the meal prep dinner idea you’re going to use over and over again. So easy and can be used for tacos, burritos, bowls and more!
Minimal ingredients, this Adobo Chicken tastes like it’s been cooking all day with bright flavor you’ll crave.
This Baked Chicken Breast recipe has been one of the most popular recipes for years and for good reason. It’s quick, easy and so insanely juicy.
Easy Pork Dinner Ideas
Pork is another option for easy dinner ideas because it cooks quickly and is a lean option for a healthy dinner recipe.
Easy Moo Shu Pork recipe is stir fried for a quick dinner in minutes. One of our all time favorite take out copy cat recipes!
Who doesn’t like their dinner smothered with a savory gravy? These Smothered Pork Chops are so quick and easy, my kids always ask for seconds!
Slow Cooker Pork Loin with honey garlic sauce is easy to prep for a ready when you are dinner that’s melt in your mouth delicious. Budget dinner ideas are my favorite and this one tops the list!
Pork Posole has slow simmered flavor but doesn’t take much hands on time for a quick dinner idea that’s cheap and simple.
Pork Katsu is a simple dinner idea that’s fast, easy and is a frequent request by my entire family.
Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
Looking for some meatless dinner ideas? These easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes are family-favorites! The best part, vegetarian meals offer some of the best cheap dinner ideas ever.
This viral recipe is always a hit. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is fresh, easy and nutrient packed.
Easy, quick and budget friendly Black Bean Chili makes short work of common pantry ingredients.
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is quick, simple and creamy!
This Spinach Quiche is a great make ahead option for busy weeks. An easy dinner that can easily double as a quick breakfast option.
Easy, creamy, perfect Mushroom Risotto is the stick to your ribs dinner idea that you’ll want every week.
Seafood Dinner Ideas
While seafood may not be as budget friendly, it often makes for one of the most quick dinner ideas. Try to buy frozen seafood for the best bang for your buck.
Pick up a bottle of hot honey to use in this Honey Glazed Salmon recipe. Salmon cooks up quickly and is on the table in less than 20 minutes.
Tilapia is baked under a crust of tortilla chips making this recipe both tasty and cheap! We use the crumbs leftover from the game day tortilla chips.
Buttery Baked Cod is roasted on a sheet pan with vegetables for the healthiest and easiest dinner idea ever.
Easy Bang Bang Shimp Recipe is as good as the restaurant version and takes no time at all. The best quick dinner recipe for lovers of this fiery favorite.
Grab a can of tuna and make these easy Tuna Patties for a budget dinner recipe that will end up on the weekly menu.
Pasta Dinner Ideas
The best of the Cheap Dinner Ideas has to be pasta. Pasta is always pantry ready and can be made into a quick dinner or an elegant meal for entertaining.
Lovers of lasagna will swoon over this easy Ravioli Lasagna. Same great flavor without the fuss!
Also a great vegetarian option, this Bucatini all’amatriciana is economical and our favorite pantry recipe.
Just 10 minutes is all you need for this easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese! So easy and cheap.
Easy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a one pot pasta recipe that’s on the table in less than 30 minutes.
American Goulash is a great ground beef recipe that’s cooked in one pot. Family-friendly dinner idea that’s a go-to when time is tight.
If you’re still looking for even more ideas be sure to check out these healthy dinner options for 20 fresh, light meals you’re sure to love. We even have a ton of salad dinner ideas to keep things light and flavor packed.
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