Simple Dinner Ideas
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In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves strapped for time and need an easy dinner idea. This shouldn’t mean that we have to compromise on taste or nutrition. Simple dinner ideas are the saving grace for those busy weeknights.
With a combination of pantry staples and a dash of creativity, these uncomplicated recipes will prove that less is indeed more. So, take a break from the hustle and bustle, and delve into this treasure trove of simple dinner ideas that are both scrumptious and time-saving.
Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned cook looking to simplify your weeknights, these recipes are sure to become your go-to favorites. Bon appétit!
Simple dinner recipes
I love whipping up a meal with leftovers that takes only minutes, so if you have some leftover meat, check these ideas out:
- Easy Pork Chop Tacos
- Mexican Leftover Smoked Brisket Soup
- Leftover Pulled Pork Enchiladas
- Chicken Fried Rice with Leftover Chicken
Dinner is done and delicious when you have Mississippi Pork Roast simmering away in the slow cooker all day. Serve this incredible shredded pork for dinner on mashed potatoes or as Mississippi Pork Buns for the big game.
This Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe will blow you away with tender, juicy, flavorful pork!
These Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas are full of flavor and fun.
This creamy chicken taco spaghetti can be made in one pot for a quick and easy dinner idea that everyone will love.
This 3 ingredient marinade adds magnificent flavor to flank steak! Just marinate overnight and toss it on the grill! Easy as can be!
This Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Salmon cooks in just a few minutes but has flavor for days. It will be your new favorite salmon recipe and it’s so easy to make!
You need just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker to make this delicious, cream cheese chicken chili and hardly any effort. Just dump it all in the slow cooker, set it and forget it until dinner.
This Creamy Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken Taco recipe is easy to make and perfect for those busy nights you don’t have time to cook for the family. BONUS it is low carb/keto-friendly!
These Garlic Honey Ninja Foodi Chicken Thighs are easy and fast! And everyone will love them too.
With just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, these EASY and delicious Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos are an absolute lifesaver on busy nights! Enjoy them very simply, just rolled in tortillas … or create a festive taco bar featuring your family’s favorite toppings!
Kids love everything pizza and everything pasta so this pizza pasta bake is a proven winner! For more great pasta ideas that kids love, check out my homemade hamburger helper recipes that I use with my daycare kids every week!
Simple dinner ideas for kids
Most of us have had experiences with super picky eaters, so here are some tried and true favorites since I’ve seen all kinds of eaters in my 28 years of running a home daycare. I know picky eating for sure!
These Cheap Bean Burritos for Kids are a kid pleaser. They are one of my most popular daycare meals. And they are simple and easy to make. Kids love anything wrapped in a tortilla. And here are more tortilla ideas:
- Pepperoni Cream Cheese Roll Ups
- Leftover Meat Quesadillas
- Toaster Quesadillas
- Black Bean Quesadilla Recipe
This chicken spaghetti is a kid favorite too and it’s super easy to make as well.
Grab your favorite rolls or buns & make some this 3-ingredient Sloppy Joes recipe. This family favorite couldn’t be more delicious, easy, or economical. And the kids will love it!
Crispy and delicious Air Fryer Chicken Strips made healthier with air fryer cooking! Enjoy these flavorful tenders in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a quick and easy meal.
Pulled pork sandwiches are a crowd pleaser and a kid-pleaser. And not much is easier than pulled pork! And you can even make them ahead!
Healthy simple dinner ideas
We all want to make more healthy meals. These meals are packed full of nutrients and flavor too!
This one-pot curry lentil soup is easy to prepare and perfect for a quick dinner. It’s packed with a mix of economical and wholesome ingredients and is super delicious! Serve it as-is in a bowl or over rice to get even more meals for just pennies more!
Pan-grilled polenta (the kind that comes in a tube) is an easy and elegant 5-ingredient recipe that can be a dinner main dish or a hearty appetizer. It’s topped with a colorful combination of black beans, roasted red pepper, and spinach.
All you need is one pan and 30 minutes to make this simple sheet pan honey mustard chicken, broccoli and potatoes!
You need only 5 ingredients and twenty minutes to make this creamy, delicious pasta with salmon and spinach.
This Oven Baked Coconut Macadamia Fish Fillet recipe is a delicious recipe that is super simple, but fancy enough to impress company, and perfect for your low carb or keto lifestyle! The bonus is it can be made from start to finish in less than 30 minutes!
Get ready for a delicious meal that only requires one pot! This flavorful lentil curry is perfect for an effortless yet filling meal!
Chicken breasts just take minutes to make in the air fryer. And it imparts such a wonderful flavor while it cooks.
This instant pot turkey breast recipe is incredible and super simple to make.
