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These 10 Recipes Will Make Weeknight Dinners A Breeze
Fall is right around the corner, and with it comes the return of back-to-school routines, extracurricular activities and the need for easy dinners that are not only wholesome, but delicious.
From sheet pan dinners to one-pot meals, weeknights just got a whole lot less stressful. The best part? Each of these recipes makes enough for leftovers, which means lunches and leftovers are one less thing to think about.
Check ‘em out below.
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for ideas and inspiration for your next gathering.
CRISPY CHICKEN SHEET PAN DINNER
Buttery potatoes, balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts and crispy, panko-breaded chicken. Does it get much better?
We love this simple sheet pan recipe for two reasons: it’s quick, easy and delicious AND the leftovers make for great grab-and-go lunches.
PANANG COCONUT CURRY WITH SHRIMP
If you’ve never had Panang curry paste before, it’s a type of red curry from Thailand that packs a tangy spice. It’s a welcome addition to this dish, complementing the fresh veggies and delicate flavors of the shrimp.
Done in under 30 minutes (color us impressed!), this makes an easy weeknight dinner that can be enjoyed all week long.
CARNE ASADA FAJITAS
We’re all about Taco Tuesdays, especially when it means munching on juicy, tender steak and bright, crisp veggies tossed in a homemade marinade.
While this one takes a bit of prep (the meat needs to marinate for at least an hour to overnight), the final dish comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings like avocado, sour cream and cheese, and you’ve got an easy weeknight meal that’s a fiesta of flavor.
CHICKEN POT PIES
We all remember those frozen chicken pot pies from a bakery-turned-restaurant that shall remain nameless (IYKYK). While those are jam-packed with nostalgic flavors, there’s nothing quite like the real thing.
And since making pie crust from scratch isn’t what we consider “easy,” feel free to swap out for the store-bought stuff! All that’s left is mixing up the filling—a delicious combination of juicy chicken breast and sweet veggies in a creamy, belly-warming broth—and baking until they reach that beautiful golden brown.
FALL ONE POT MEAL
We believe that adding butternut squash to a recipe is the easiest way to make any dish feel cozy. But with succulent chicken thighs and warm, nutty farro, it doesn’t really get much cozier than this one pot meal.
Perfect for chilly, rainy days, this recipe makes for quick, comforting weekday lunches. Simply divide the leftovers into your favorite leak-proof containers and enjoy.
SHEET PAN ROASTED VEGGIES AND CHICKPEAS
Protein + fiber + healthy fats = everything you need for a wholesome, satisfying and easy weeknight meal.
Not only does this quick sheet pan meal provide you with a satiating variety of macronutrients, but this one is also easily customizable depending on your cravings. Looking to up the protein? Add some steamed salmon or grilled chicken. Or, add in more of your favorite seasonal veggies to keep this fresh and exciting.
CRISPY SHEET PAN GNOCCHI WITH VEGETABLES
Gnocchi is secretly our favorite pasta, so this easy sheet pan recipe is definitely one we’ll be making week after week.
Vibrant and colorful thanks to the healthy additions of bell peppers, tomatoes and red onions, this dish is great on its own or paired with grilled chicken or shrimp. You can also swap out the store-bought gnocchi for a sweet potato variety for added fiber and calcium.
HAWKER-INSPIRED ONE PAN CHICKEN AND ORZO
If you’re unfamiliar with the term “hawker,” it’s the term used to describe street food vendors seen in the open-air food markets of Asia and India.
Taking inspiration from these cuisines, this recipe utilizes global ingredients such as Shaoxing wine (a traditional Chinese cooking wine), Persian cucumbers, and Thai chili peppers, to name a few. Once the chicken is done marinating, this delicious one pan meal comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it a world-class winner in our books.
LEMON HERB COD WITH CRISPY GARLIC POTATOES
45 minutes is all you need to make this easy, elegant and endlessly satisfying one pan meal.
Flaky cod is baked to perfection atop a bed of crispy, buttery, garlicky potatoes and topped with a lemon slice, adding a touch of brightness. It’s simple, quick and an excellent choice for those nights when you want a delicious meal with as little fuss as possible.
Round it out with a simple arugula salad and dinner (and lunch!) is handled.
INSTANT POT SHORT RIBS WITH MASHED POTATOES AND ROOT VEGETABLES
Multicookers are to weeknights what slow cookers are to Sundays: a match made in culinary heaven!
And this one is perfect for those cozy weeknights when you want something comforting without having to plan ahead. With its combination of savory meat, creamy mashed potatoes and nutty root veggies, this recipe is just screaming to be enjoyed on a rainy night snuggled up under a blanket.
Get the Instant Pot Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes and Root Vegetables recipe!
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for ideas and inspiration for your next gathering.
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