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When you have to get food on the table fast you need your go-to easy dinner ideas. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, pork, seafood, or meatless meals, these quick dinners will become new family favorites. There are over 50 simple recipes and kid-friendly dishes. And they all have gluten free options too!
What should I make for dinner tonight?
Whether you’ve pulled a package of ground beef out of the freezer, want to make a simple chicken dinner, or literally need to make a no-cook meal because you really don’t have time, there are so many amazing recipes to make sure you get dinner on the table fast.
Here are some of our favorite easy dinner ideas to get food on the table fast. These methods and techniques help you make dinner in a snap!
- One pot meals or one skillet meals – there’s nothing better than a meal that comes together easily and you only have one pot or pan to wash. Make something hearty like Chicken Corn Chowder.
- Sheet pan meals or foil pack meals – toss everything on a pan, like this Italian Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner, or wrap it up in foil. Then pop it in the oven and you have a no-fuss meal with tons of flavor and, once again, easy cleanup. Maple Dijon Chicken in foil packets can even be tossed on the grill.
- Casseroles – casserole recipes sometimes take a little longer to cook in the oven, but prep time is usually fast. During this time, you can be taking care of other things while it bakes.
- Slow-cooker meals – sure these take a while to cook, but your hands-on time is usually minimal when you make dinner in your crockpot.
- Breakfast for dinner – scrambled eggs, pancakes, oh heck, even sometimes a bowl of cereal is always a family favorite and simple to make. This can easily be a 15-minute meal if you are really pressed for time.
- Instant Pot meals – those pressure cookers can do amazing things, especially when you forgot to defrost meat. This 8-Quart Instant Pot is perfect for family-size meals. I use it all the time!
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Key to finding gluten free recipes:
GF – gluten free recipe
GFO – recipe with gluten free option
50+ Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
Everybody is busy these days, but you still have to eat. Don’t let weeknight dinners get you down! Here you’ll find recipes that use chicken, plenty of beef and pork dinners, plus seafood like salmon, shrimp, and more. And, of course, we can’t forget vegetarian options for Meatless Monday and any night you want a plant-based option. Many are based on the different techniques and meal options mentioned above. Get ready to pick your favorite.
Quick Chicken Recipes
Winner winner, chicken dinner! Whether you start with boneless skinless chicken breasts, grab some drumsticks or thighs, have leftover chicken, or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store, this is always a versatile protein. But sometimes you just need some new ideas!
Easy BBQ Chicken Tostadas
GFEasy, cheesy, and covered in your favorite sauce, this is a family favorite you can whip up in minutes using leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
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Chicken Fried Rice
GFO, use tamari or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminosA dinnertime staple, this dish is faster, easier, and healthier than take-out, thanks to brown rice, shredded pre-cooked chicken, and colorful vegetables.
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Quick Chicken Curry
A few shortcuts give you simmered-all-day flavor in about 30 minutes. It's a fast way to enjoy all the aromatic deliciousness of a favorite Indian meal.
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Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
GFO, use a gluten free bun or on lettuce wrapsCombine your favorite spicy wing flavor and a classic kid-favorite dinner into one mouthwatering sandwich made with lean ground chicken for a healthy meal. An easy and versatile family favorite weeknight dinner with a hot sauce kick.
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Chicken Enchilada Skillet
GFIt’s the best part of the enchiladas. This is a cheesy keto dish that the kids can have in a tortilla or with rice if they aren’t eating low carb.
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Prosciutto-Wrapped Pesto Chicken Tenders
GFYou only need three main ingredients plus salt and pepper to make these flavorful chicken tenders. Whether you bak them in the oven or pop them in your air fryer, they are ready in no time.
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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
GFHearty, creamy, and delicious, this is cozy comfort food that will warm you up. Made with simple ingredients and naturally gluten free, your pressure cooker gives you slow-cooked taste with little time and effort.
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Mrs. A’s Skillet Lemon Chicken
GFO, make your own gluten free chicken tenders.Chicken is simmered in a creamy lemon herb sauce for a hearty main course that the whole family will fall in love with. It is fit for any special occasion, yet easy enough for a busy weeknight!
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Gluten Free Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Chicken
GFO, use gluten free pasta
A satisfying one-pot meal made right on the stove. Your basic macaroni and cheese gets a comfort food upgrade because it’s loaded with chicken, bacon, and, of course, plenty of cheese.
Honey Mustard Chicken Bites
GF
Kids and adults will love the sweet and tangy Dijon glaze. You only need a few simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes to make these the highlight of your meal.
Baked Chicken Tacos
GF
Made with crunchy hard taco shells filled with slow cooked salsa chicken and beans, oven baked with two types of cheese, and then loaded with your favorite taco fixings.
Baked Blackened Chicken
GF
An easy chicken recipe loaded with bold, New Orleans-inspired flavor! Homemade blackening seasoning transforms these chicken breasts into something truly amazing, with a delicious blend of Cajun-style herbs and spices.
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken
GF
Easy, fresh, and flavorful with only five main ingredients, and super versatile. You can make it a hearty comfort food meal by serving it over pasta. Or keep it light, gluten free, and low carb with cauliflower rice.
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
GFO, use tamari or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos
Let the pressure cooker do all the work for this sweet and savory teriyaki dish. So many versatile serving options, and it’s even great for meal prep.
BBQ Balsamic Baked Chicken Breasts
GF
Seasoned, tossed in the oven, then slathered with a savory homemade barbecue sauce that is so simple to make while the chicken bakes. This easy technique ensures you end up with flavorful, juicy chicken.More recipes for chicken:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup from That Skinny Chick Can Bake (GF) | Southwest comfort food cooked in your slow cooker for an easy dinner recipe on a busy day.
- 30 Minute 2 Ingredient BBQ Wings from Big Bear’s Wife (GF) | Proves that even wings can be one of your favorite easy dinner ideas.
- Chicken Mozzarella Pasta from 365 Days of Baking and More (GFO, use gluten free pasta) | A simple dish with pasta, chicken, sundried tomatoes, and a creamy mozzarella sauce.
- French Spaghetti from Simple Joy (GFO, use gluten free pasta) | A pasta and chicken dinner that can be made with a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, making it perfect for busy nights.
Simple Beef and Pork Recipes
Ground beef and different cuts of steak can be the start of so many meals from burgers and meatballs to steak bites and stir fries, plus so much more. And whether you choose chops or tenderloins or go with bacon or ham, pork is always a super flavorful option. I’m sure you’ll love these easy dinner ideas!
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
GF
A few shortcuts and streamlined preparation make this comfort food casserole a weeknight meal. The entire family will love the savory meat and veggie mixture and cheesy mashed potatoes topping. Cutting carbs? Try Keto Shepherd’s Pie.
Easy Beef Egg Roll Bowl
GFO, use tamari or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminosA family-friendly, quick and easy dinner made in a single skillet in less than 20 minutes. A healthy, deconstructed version of a favorite Asian takeout recipe! Serve alone for keto diets, or with rice or ramen noodles.
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Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins
GF
As tasty as a broccoli ham and cheese omelet, but in a much cuter package. Plus it’s a package that is totally acceptable to pick up and eat with your hands. You aren’t “scrambling” to make multiple omelets to get on the table at the same time for each member of the family.
Chili Lime Steak Bites
GF
Pack plenty of spicy and zesty flavor into tender pieces of sirloin steak. With only a handful of ingredients and in less than fifteen minutes you’ll have a fiesta for your mouth.
Gluten Free Beef Stir Fry
GFO, use tamari or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos
This is always one of the best Asian-inspired easy dinner ideas. It’s so simple but full of tone of bright, crisp-tender veggies.
Easy Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos
GFO with corn or gluten free tortillas
Simple and healthy, you don’t need any seasoning packets, and the pressure cookie does most of the work. Just grab some spices from the pantry and you’ll have a big batch to to double duty for salads, burrito bowls, or nachos later in the week.
Pan-Seared Cube Steak with Worcestershire Sauce
GF
So simple, this recipe, if you can even call it that, only takes minutes and a cast iron pan. Just grab some salt, pepper, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
Cottage Pie Baked Potatoes
GF
Everything you love about Shepherd’s Pie, but without the work of peeling or mashing potatoes. You can make everything else while your baked potatoes cook in the oven, microwave, slow cooker, Instant Pot, or air fryer.
Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes
GFO, use gluten free buns
Just minutes to make and you’ll have all the classic slightly sweet and tangy flavors and saucy deliciousness you love. A budget-friendly family favorite, it is almost as quick as using the stuff from a can.
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
GFO, use gluten free buns or serve another way
Fall-apart tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Flavored with garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, barbecue sauce and more, the sweet and savory goodness is out of this world.
Mexican Ground Beef Taco Skillet
GF
Southwestern spices, flavorful meat, hearty rice and beans, and plenty of cheese come together into a one pan meal that will turn any night into a fiesta. Just add your favorite taco toppings!
Philly Cheesesteak Twice-Baked Potatoes
GF
Ditch the bread and turn your basic baked potato into a satisfying meal. Stuffed with flavorful buttery beef, peppers, and onions, then topped with melty cheese and twice baked, that classic sandwich gets reinvented into an easy gluten free dinner the family will love.
Cheesy Hot Dog Taquitos
GF
Turn basic dogs into cheesy baked taquitos. You can even make them in your air fryer. The only question is whether to dunk them in salsa or guacamole.
Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham
GF
Coated with a thick, mouthwatering Dijon mustard and maple glaze. It has a sweet and tangy flavor that tastes incredible with salty, smoky ham. So quick to prepare and easy to make.
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
GFYou are sure to delight kids and adults with this combination of childhood favorites. This hearty sloppy joe casserole is the stuff of weeknight dinner dreams.
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Gluten Free Hawaiian Pizza
GFO, use gluten free pizza crust
If you have a pre-made crust or one in the freezer, you can make this kid-favorite pizza in a flash. The sweet and salty flavor is irresistible.
Air Fryer Hamburgers
GFO, use gluten free buns or lettuce wraps
Get ready to make perfectly juicy burgers in minutes without a trip to the drive-through. A healthier alternative to those fast-food cheeseburgers, but they are still moist and delicious, especially when you add all of your favorite toppings!
Banh Mi Salad
GFO, use gluten free soy sauce or tamariA fresh re-interpretation of the classic Vietnamese street food sandwich. You'll love the flavorful pork meatballs, crisp pickled veggies and simple dressing.
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Beefaroni
GFO, use gluten free pasta
Also known as chili mac or a million other names, this dish is perfect for weeknights because it only has a few ingredients, and kids gobble it up.
Easy Hunan Beef
GFO, use tamari or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos
Make a takeout favorite at home with this quick version of a Chinese dish that uses a few simple ingredients. In about 15 minutes you’ll enjoy a fresh and flavorful dinner.
Beef Souvlaki – Greek Steak Kabobs
GF
Fire up the grill (or grill pan) for a simple way to bring on Mediterranean flavors. With this basic recipe, you can customize your meal to be gluten free, low carb, or paleo based on your choice of side dishes.More beef and pork recipes:
- Smoky Tex Mex Sloppy Joes from Fake Ginger (GFO, use gluten free buns or on lettuce wraps) | Gives one of everyone’s favorite weeknight dinners gets a smoky, spicy twist.
- Easy Beef Sliders from Love Bakes Good Cakes (GFO, use gluten free buns or on lettuce wraps) | Mini burgers that only need a little time and effort.
- Beef Stroganoff Ravioli Skillet from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts (GFO, use gluten free pasta) | Gives the classic comfort food a new twist using beef ravioli.
- One-Pot Southwest Macaroni from White Lights on Wednesday (GFO, use gluten free pasta) | An easy dinner idea combining favorites of pasta and sloppy joes in one dish.
- Slow Cooker Meaty Marinara from Lemons for Lulu (GFO, use gluten free pasta) | Made with turkey sausage and ground turkey means all you have to do is boil the pasta after a busy day.
Quick Vegetarian Dishes
Whether it’s Meatless Monday or you are looking for more plant-based options, you can enjoy healthy and sometimes even more budget-friendly dinners that are still loved by everyone in the family.
Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
GF
Everything you love about traditional eggplant parm, and none of the stuff you don’t. There’s still all the veggie goodness, a flavorful sauce, and plenty of cheese. But you have none of the work and calories of breading and frying.
Gluten Free Stove Top Mac and Cheese
GF
It's a kid favorite that is so quick and easy, with only a handful of ingredients! Everything comes together as soon as the pasta is finished boiling, for a creamy and cheesy, family-friendly dinner.
Creamy Cauliflower Broccoli Cheese Soup
GF
Definitely better than Panera. A veggie secret makes that old favorite cheesy soup healthier but just as creamy.
Tomato Feta Spinach Frittata
GF
Light and fluffy, is a perfect quick and easy meal for busy days with only four ingredients and lots of veggies. Naturally gluten free, low carb, and meatless for a healthy breakfast for dinner.
Gluten Free Pizza
GF
Topped any way you like it, you'll love this super easy crust that tastes perfect, holds up really well, and comes together with only a few basic ingredients!
Spicy Sesame Noodles
GFO, use tamari or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminosThese sesame noodles are full of bold flavors that blend beautifully to make the perfect sweet and spicy dish. The natural ingredients make it so much healthier than the takeout version, since there are no preservatives and everything is fresh.
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Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
GF
This restaurant-style soup is rich, creamy, and super delicious. Enjoy this silky-smooth bisque made with fresh tomatoes right at home in under 40 minutes.
Best Homemade Vodka Sauce
GF, use gluten free pasta
Only slightly more work than opening a jar of sauce, but with a flavor that blows basic marinara away. Ready in less time than it takes to boil pasta.
Easy Falafel
GF
Bring the taste of the Mediterranean into your kitchen with only six ingredients. Healthier than the usual street food because it’s made in your air fryer, plus it is naturally gluten free and vegan without any special ingredients.
Mexican Sweet Potatoes with Pineapple Black Beans
GF
Baked sweet potatoes stuffed with delicious Mexican spiced black beans, pineapple, shredded cheese and tomatoes. It has delicious sweet heat flavors and you can keep it vegan or serve it with cheese and sour cream, or any of your favorite taco toppings.
Penne with Tomato Cream Sauce
GF, use gluten free pastaCreamy, delicious, and loaded with peas and prosciutto. This mouthwatering pasta recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, and elegant enough for a special meal.
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More meatless meals:
- Triple Grilled Cheese from Culinary Ginger (GFO, use gluten free bread) | Extra cheese always makes an easy dinner extra good.
- One Pot Spinach Artichoke Pasta from My Suburban Kitchen (GFO, use gluten free pasta) | Tastes like your favorite dip.
Fast Seafood Recipes
Seafood is so nutritious and many varieties of fish and shellfish cook super fast. But it can be intimidating for some people. So start with these easy recipes to get your feet wet, if you’ll pardon the pun.
Chili Lime Fish Stick Tacos
GFO, use gluten free fish sticks
Give your basic fish sticks an extra zing of chili and lime. Then pile them in taco shells with your favorite toppings. They are especially tasty with Mango Avocado Salsa.
BBQ Shrimp Quinoa Bowl
GF
Kids enjoy eating this healthy meal because of the barbecue sauce and cheese. The shrimp takes just minutes and is done while the quinoa cooks.
Lobster Cobb Salad
GF
A deliciously light and fresh warm weather dinner. It’s the perfect summer dinner recipe with its combination of seafood, vegetables, and let’s not forget the cheese, avocado, and, of course, bacon!
Shrimp Summer Rolls
GF
Succulent shrimp and cool, crisp veggies are tossed in a simple sauce and rolled up in rice paper wrappers. Serve with extra soy sauce or tamari, or even sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Chili Lime Shrimp
GF
Saucy shrimp that packs a serious punch of flavor. But you only need a few ingredients, one skillet, and less than ten minutes.
Maple Glazed Salmon
GFO, use gluten free soy sauce or tamari
A sweet and savory Asian-inspired marinade is a fish recipe that even the non-seafood eaters will love. Drizzle your perfectly broiled salmon with the flavorful sauce and serve it with broccoli and rice or cauliflower rice to make it a full meal.
Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad
GF
A fresh, flavorful, and filling. It’s the perfect summer meal, and this one even has a bit of a Mexican twist with grilled corn, Cotija cheese, and a spicy Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing. You’re going to be making this grilled shrimp salad all season long.
Honey Bourbon Shrimp
GFO, use gluten free soy sauce or tamari
Sweet, sticky, and savory, this super easy dish has everything you love. Pan-seared shrimp and veggies are quickly simmered in a simple richly-flavored sauce. It is a delicious 30-minute seafood dinner you can serve over rice, noodles, and more.More fish and shellfish recipes:
- Parmesan Crusted Tilapia from Taste and Tell (GF) | A simple fish dish that is done in 20 minutes. Even non-fish lovers enjoy that cheese.
- Lemon Garlic Baked Cod from Sweet C’s (GF) | Tons of lemon garlic butter flavor in just 20 minutes and one dish.
- Crab Cakes from Savory Simple (GFO, use gluten free cracker crumbs) | These might just be the best you’ve ever tried when they are broiled to perfection.
Hi,
I tried and made One Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce for the first time and it was very tasty. Thanks for sharing they are all great and delicious recipes for dinner. They are easy to make and quick for family and friends.
Cheers
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the spaghetti and meat sauce recipe, Natalie!
Hello Briaane, all these recipes are very useful for me. I am going to trying all your recipes today itself. Thank you for sharing the information.
Great recipe roundup! I’m on the hunt right now for tonights dinner thanks! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on FB! Have a great week!
Kim