33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (2024)

Sometimes you just need a go-to easy dinner recipe — one that's perfect for busy nights where you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, but still want something more substantial than, say, a PB&J.

So we rounded up some of our favorite easy dinner ideas, from customizable personal pizzas to a no-fuss stir-fry. Dinner will be ready in no time!

1. Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast

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tasty.co

This asparagus-stuffed chicken breast is an elegant-looking dish that's surprisingly easy to make. Stuffed with fresh asparagus and creamy Provolone cheese, it's perfect for busy nights but tastes like a labor of love!

Recipe:Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast

2. One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta

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tasty.co

There's no need to stress about weeknight dinner when you've got this One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta recipe is your back pocket. Tender penne pasta is simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with spinach and Parmesan for a dish that begs for seconds. Plus, leftovers (if there are any!) make a great lunch the next day.

Recipe:One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta

3. Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon

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tasty.co

Pan-seared salmon gets a flavor-boost from a tasty marinade of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. For even more flavor, the marinade is reduced to a sauce for drizzling over the cooked fish. Pair with steamed broccoli and white rice for a balanced meal.

Recipe:Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon

4. Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (5)

tasty.co

Wrap up a chicken breast and your favorite fajita veggies and seasonings in a parchment packet for fool-proof cooking and easy clean-up. This recipe serves one, but can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week.

Recipe: Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken

5. The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (6)

tasty.co

Let the slow cooker do the work of making dinner while you go about your day. This pot roast is super flavorful, thanks to the addition of a packet of dried onion soup mix. Serve the meat and veggies over egg noodles or rice.

Recipe: The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast

6. Veggie Garlic Noodles

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tasty.co

Get your veggies in with this delicious and quick noodle stir-fry. Green onions and garlic pack a flavor punch, while the brown sugar and soy tie everything together in a sweet and savory sauce.

Recipe: Veggie Garlic Noodles

7.

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tasty.co

It doesn't get easier than this: store-bought biscuits, frozen mixed veggies, and rotisserie chicken come together in a warming, hearty dish everyone will love.

Recipe:

8. Taco Soup

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tasty.co

Just dump and go with this easy taco soup recipe. Don't forget to dress it up with your favorite toppings!

Recipe: Taco Soup

9. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

tasty.co

This easy 30-minute pasta recipe transforms ingredients that you already have in your kitchen into a posh seafood dish you’ll want to serve at your next dinner party. And since the whole dish is made in a single pot, clean-up is easy.

Recipe: One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

10.

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tasty.co

Feel free to change up the protein or vegetables depending on what you have in your fridge. The simple sauce packs a flavor punch that will bring the dish together, no matter what.

Recipe:

11. Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (12)

tasty.co

Pizza night is the best night — especially when everyone gets to build their dream slice. (Or three!)

Recipe: Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas

12. Easy Butter Chicken

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tasty.co

This simplified version of the Indian classic combines chicken, tomato sauce, and a slew of aromatic spices and herbs — all in one pot, for the simplest cleanup.

Recipe: Easy Butter Chicken

13. Upgraded Ramen

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tasty.co

It takes all of five minutes to fry some bacon + an egg. (Plus some green onions if you're feelin' fancy.)

Recipe: Bacon and Egg Ramen

14. Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (15)

tasty.co

When you combine butter, garlic, flour, milk, and Parmesan in just the right way, you get a sauce that you'll want to put on everything.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne

15.

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tasty.co

The only thing better than one super easy dinner is being able to make *four* of them at once. This handy meal prep version means you can stash a few away for future Hungry You.

Recipe:

foodwithfeeling.com

It's packed with protein and fiber, and you can add toppings — like avocado or sour cream — depending on what's in your fridge.

Recipe: Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

17. Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli

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damndelicious.net

Chopping the beef into small pieces first means everything cooks through in about five minutes.

Recipe: Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli

18. Instant Pot Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

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thekitchn.com

The Instant Pot does all the hard work here — and you'll also get a healthy dose of fresh greens!

Recipe: Instant Pot Veggie-Packed Mac 'n' Cheese

19. Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

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chelseasmessyapron.com

Line the sheet pan with parchment or foil for the quickest cleanup — then serve over rice, stuffed into a pita, or on its own.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

minimalistbaker.com

This vegan-friendly version swaps eggs for protein-packed chickpeas, and makes enough for four.

Recipe: Vegan Chickpea Shakshuka

21. Pesto Chicken Bake

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simplysissom.com

Doesn't get much easier than this, TBH.

Recipe: Pesto Chicken Bake

budgetbytes.com

These are super customizable — depending on your time or budget. Either stick to the inexpensive base: tortilla chips, black beans, canned tomatoes, and cheese, or upgrade with the works: jalapeños, pickled onions, sour cream, and anything else you might want.

Recipe: Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos

23. 10-Minute Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (21)

gimmedelicious.com

Not an asparagus fan? The simple lemon and garlic sauce would work with whatever greens are in your fridge — like spinach, broccoli florets, or zucchini.

Recipe: One-Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus

24. Protein-Packed Veggie Bowl

tasty.co

This may look involved, but after a bit of prep — crisping chickpeas, roasting sweet potatoes — it's mostly just assembly.

Recipe: Protein-Packed Veggie Bowl

25. Tuna & Avocado Wrap

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eatyourselfskinny.com

Canned tuna gets a quick upgrade with hot sauce, Dijon, and green onions — piled into whole wheat tortillas. (You could also swap in bread, pita pockets, or just eat them as lettuce wraps.)

Recipe: Tuna & Avocado Wrap

27. Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Foil Packs

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thekitchn.com

You can make these in the oven or on the grill in just about 20 minutes — and thanks to the foil, cleanup is a total breeze.

Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Foil Packets

budgetbytes.com

The trinity of weeknight dinners: fast, cheap, and easy.

Recipe: Bowties & Broccoli

29. Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (24)

skinnyms.com

These go from prep to plate in about 20 minutes. Keep the peppers whole, or slice them into bites (or "boats") to turn them into kid-friendly finger food.

Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats

30. Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos

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cookingclassy.com

This budget-friendly version takes pantry staples — like black beans and canned corn — and roasts everything on a sheet pan.

Recipe: Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos

familyfreshmeals.com

Heads up that this one does have to cook for a few hours, so you'll need to plan accordingly. But it's a true drop-and-go dinner — and basically makes itself.

Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

pinchofyum.com

Better than takeout — and better for you, too. For extra protein and fiber, swap in soba noodles.

Recipe: 15-Minute Lo Mein

33. Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

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fitfoodiefinds.com

The easy sauce — which includes soy sauce, garlic, and ginger — comes together quickly and packs a ton of flavor.

Recipe: Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

What's your go-to easy dinner? Tell us in the comments below!

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    33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make (2024)

    FAQs

    What to make for dinner when unsure? ›

    • 1Mid-week lamb ragu. Turn lamb sausages into hearty ragu in this delicious 30 minute meal.
    • 230-min crispy beef and shiitake noodles. ...
    • 3Minute steaks with broccolini & cannellini bean. ...
    • 417-minute spiced lamb cutlets with couscous salad. ...
    • 5Speedy shepherd's pie. ...
    • 6Beef stroganoff. ...
    • 7Lamb kofte with beetroot hummus. ...
    • 8Lamb korma.

    What can I make for dinner if I have no ideas? ›

    33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make
    • Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast. tasty.co. ...
    • Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon. tasty.co. ...
    • The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast. tasty.co. ...
    • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. ...
    • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
    • Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas. ...
    • Upgraded Ramen. ...
    • Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli.
    May 16, 2024

    What should I eat if I am unsure? ›

    If you want something hot, salty, soft, smooth, and bland you might opt for potato soup or a grilled cheese sandwich. Or, if you want something cold, sweet, solid, and crunchy, you might choose an apple or some peanut brittle.

    What to eat when you are confused? ›

    Eat a variety of vegetables and stick with leafy greens, cucumbers, celery, peppers and other non-starchy vegetables, while limiting starchy vegetables (like potatoes, winter squash, and sweet potatoes) to half a cup. Vegetables are a great source of vitamins and fibre.

    What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

    What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
    • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
    • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
    • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
    • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
    Jan 11, 2023

    What is the easiest thing to cook for dinner? ›

    Best, Easy Dinner Recipes For A Family
    • Sheet Pan Olive Bar Chicken. ...
    • Five Spice Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner. ...
    • Sheet Pan Quesadilla with Jalapeño Ranch. ...
    • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. ...
    • Crock-Pot Chicken Taco Meat. ...
    • Mango Chutney Chicken Sheet Pan. ...
    • Old Bay Shrimp and Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner. ...
    • Za'atar Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.
    Jun 10, 2024

    What is a good dinner that everyone would like? ›

    30 Quick And Easy Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos. tasty.co. ...
    • Easy Sheet Pan Southwestern Dinner. tasty.co. ...
    • Garlic Broccoli Shrimp Stir-Fry. ...
    • Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa. ...
    • One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta. ...
    • 20-Minute Beef and Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry. ...
    • Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry. ...
    • Baked Spaghetti.
    May 6, 2024

    What is a mans favorite dinner? ›

    No two guys are alike, but most share a love for hearty, full-flavored meals. Burgers and pizza. Meals cooked over fire. Meats made with beer.

    What are some normal dinners? ›

    Old-Fashioned Weeknight Dinner Recipes You Can Always Rely On
    • 01 of 31. New Tuna Casserole. ...
    • 02 of 31. Mama's Fried Chicken. ...
    • 03 of 31. Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. ...
    • 04 of 31. Beef Stroganoff. ...
    • 05 of 31. Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole. ...
    • 06 of 31. Ham Noodle Casserole. ...
    • 07 of 31. Chicken Fried Steak. ...
    • 08 of 31. Old-Fashioned Meatloaf.
    Jun 22, 2023

    How to decide what to have for dinner? ›

    LISTEN TO YOUR GUT FEELING

    Allow yourself to gravitate towards the dishes that instantly have your attention as they scroll by you at the restaurant or online in the restaurant's photo gallery. If not, you can skim through the menu to spot ingredients you love. But remember to always stick with the theme.

    How do you survive an awkward dinner? ›

    Family Dinner Survival Guide
    1. TIP ONE: Stick to people you know.
    2. TIP TWO: Do not share your controversial opinions.
    3. TIP THREE: Pets are your saviors.
    4. TIP FOUR: Silence your phone.
    5. TIP FIVE: Always like the food.
    6. TIP SIX: Respect even the dumbest rules.
    7. TIP SEVEN: Follow what adults tell you to do.

    What to make for dinner when you're out of food? ›

    11 Pantry Staples Recipes: What to Make When There's No Food in the House
    • Penne Puttanesca.
    • Crispy Hash Browns with Sunny Side Up Eggs.
    • Warm Sweet Potato, Corn, and Black Bean Salad.
    • Creamy Chickpea Tomato Curry (Chana Masala)
    • Tangy Tuna and White Bean Wraps.
    • Mighty Meatless Four Bean Chili.
    May 3, 2024

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