49 Weekday Dinner Ideas For People With Literally No Time

This creamy chicken penne pasta is the ultimate comfort dish, combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked penne in a rich, velvety sauce. With fresh spinach, juicy tomatoes, and a touch of Parmesan, every bite is hearty and satisfying.

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta

Spaghetti with garlic and oil is an Italian classic that proves simple can be delicious. With just a handful of pantry staples — olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, and spaghetti — you’ll have a flavorful meal ready in 20 minutes.

Recipe: Spaghetti With Garlic And Oil

This stir-fry is a quick, flavorful dinner that keeps things light and satisfying. The tangy lemon sauce balances tender chicken and crisp asparagus, with soy sauce adding depth. Serve it over rice or quinoa for a meal that's fresh and hearty.

Recipe: Lemon Chicken And Asparagus Stir-Fry

Veggie garlic noodles are a simple yet flavorful way to brighten up dinnertime. Tender noodles are tossed with a garlicky soy sauce blend and colorful veggies like carrots and snap peas for a meal that feels fresh and satisfying.

Recipe: Veggie Garlic Noodles

This creamy chicken piccata feels like a little slice of comfort on a plate, ready in no time. Tender chicken is cooked to golden perfection and coated in a rich, lemony sauce with just the right amount of zestiness from capers.

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Piccata

This one-pot taco spaghetti is like a hug in a bowl, mixing the best parts of taco night and pasta night into one dish. Juicy ground beef, zesty tomatoes, and taco spices come together with melty cheese for a meal that’s easy, comforting, and full of flavor.

Recipe: One-Pot Taco Spaghetti

Savor the taste of autumn with this hearty and delicious one-pan meal!

Recipe: One-Pan Autumn Chicken Roast

No fuss, all flavor! Dive into this easy and delicious ravioli "lasagna."

Recipe: Easy Ravioli “Lasagna”

Stir up some flavor with this easy beef and broccoli noodle dish.

Recipe: 20-Minute Beef And Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry

Dive into these BBQ Chicken Sliders. They are easy to make and impossible to resist.

Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders

Slurp-worthy and satisfying — dive into this delightful miso dumpling soup!

Recipe: Miso Red Curry Soup Dumpling Soup

Who knew Caesar salad could be so creamy and wholesome? Hummus is the real hero here. For an extra boost, try adding crispy chickpeas, premade falafel, or shredded chicken to make it even more satisfying.

Recipe: Hummus Caesar Salad

Easy cleanup, bold flavors — these fajitas are a weeknight winner!

Recipe: Sheet-Pan Steak Fajitas

Healthy meets hearty with this quick microwaved spaghetti squash and meatballs dish!

Recipe: Microwave Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs

These Pizza Bagels are a hit for all ages. They are quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious!

Recipe: Pizza Bagels

Indulge in a smoky twist on classic carbonara with spicy chorizo.

Recipe: Chorizo Carbonara

Savor the sweet and savory combo of miso and honey in this easy one-pan dish.

Recipe: One-Pan Miso Honey Salmon For Two

Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor — this tuna pasta is a weeknight winner!

Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Tuna Pasta

Wrap it up — and spice it up — with these delicious buffalo chickpeas.

Recipe: Buffalo Chickpea Wraps

Light and fresh, this zucchini linguine with pesto and prosciutto is a dinner delight! Use pre-cut zucchini noodles and store-bought pesto to get dinner on the table even faster. 

Recipe: Pesto And Prosciutto Zucchini Linguine

Make a big batch of this fried rice, and you've got lunch for the next day, too. Plus, fried rice is easy to customize — you can change it up by adding extra veggies or cuts of meat if you don't have any bacon on hand.

Recipe: Bacon And Egg Fried Rice

In just a few minutes, you can have sweet and zesty glazed salmon fillets with a side of lemon and garlic broccoli. Make a double batch, as this meal keeps well in the fridge for another day.

Recipe: Maple-Glazed Salmon

All of your favorite Italian flavors are chopped together in this hearty salad. Full of tender and bitter greens, hearty protein from salami and chickpeas, and flavor boosters like Provolone, pepperoncini, and a garlicky vinaigrette, it’s satisfying enough to stand alone.

Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad

Who said fast can't be fancy? Sear quick-cooking scallops, then make an easy pan sauce flavored with shallots, garlic, capers, and white wine. Serve with a simple side salad for a meal that's sure to impress.

Recipe: Scallops With Caper Pan Sauce

In just a couple of minutes more than it takes to boil the pasta, you can make a rich and buttery cacio e pepe sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles. Sauté some spinach while the pasta cooks to get your greens on the side.

Recipe: Cacio E Pepe

The addition of crispy bacon and creamy avocado makes a main dish out of classic Caesar salad. 

Recipe: Bacon Avocado Caesar Salad

This isn't just any tuna melt — the oil-packed tuna stays moist and succulent, while celery and sweet pickle relish provide a tangy crunch. Don't skimp on the cheese for the ultimate melty sandwich.

Recipe: Tuna Melt

Quick-cooking ramen noodles are tossed with a savory homemade sesame garlic sauce for a quick and easy dinner.

Recipe: Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles

This no-cook dish is packed with flavor, thanks to the spicy, creamy peanut sauce. Add some chicken or shrimp for more protein if you'd like!

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Zucchini Noodles With Spicy Peanut Sauce

What if you could have creamy homemade mac and cheese in less time than it takes to make the boxed version? This recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, thanks to the Instant Pot. 

Recipe: Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

This makes use of smart staples — frozen wontons, mixed veggies — and combines them in the most delicious way.

Recipe: 15-Minute Chicken Noodle Wonton Soup

This recipe uses thick garlic toast as the base, but you could also easily swap in French bread or anything similar.

Recipe: Easiest Garlic Bread Pizza

Fried rice is the OG easy dinner — and this veggie-forward version removes the most time-consuming aspect: cooking the protein. 

Recipe: Veggie Fried Rice

Quick, easy, and made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Recipe: Pasta Carbonara

Red curry paste can be found in the international section of most grocery stores in either cans or jars — but if you can't find it, you can also make your own.

Recipe: Thai Red Curry Ramen

Serve this chicken over rice, quinoa, or all by itself for a quick dinner that requires practically no clean up.

Recipe: Sheet-Pan Lemon Pepper Chicken

This flavorful beef is made entirely in one pan and takes no time at all. Serve it over cooked rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.

Recipe: Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls

Zucchini noodles can be found in the produce section of most well-stocked grocery stores. If unavailable, just slice your zucchini into planks and cut into thin matchsticks.

Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Pasta

Using store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own helps this summery salad come together in just 10 minutes.

Recipe: Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad

These slightly spicy noodles can be made in less time than it would take to place an order for delivery.

Recipe: Spicy Peanut Udon Noodles

Load these quesadillas up with your favorite pizza toppings for the ultimate last-minute dinner.

Recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas