10 Quick & Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Busy weeknights don’t have to mean boring dinners! These quick and easy recipes are perfect for anyone short on time but looking for something delicious. Whether you’re craving pasta, stir-fry, or tacos, each meal can be on your table in 20 minutes or less. Let’s get cooking!

1. Quick Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned.
2. Add bell pepper and broccoli, stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
3. Drizzle with soy sauce, season with salt and pepper, and serve over rice.

2. Easy Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over low heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté until garlic is golden.
3. Toss spaghetti in the skillet with garlic oil, season, and garnish with parsley.

3. 15-Minute Shrimp Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup chopped cabbage
• Salsa and lime wedges

Instructions:

1. Season shrimp with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Sauté shrimp in a skillet over medium heat until pink, about 4 minutes.
3. Serve in tortillas with cabbage, salsa, and a squeeze of lime.

4. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and cook until pasta is tender and water has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir, season, and serve.

5. Vegetarian Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 4 flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup black beans, drained
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• Salsa and sour cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Place cheese, beans, and corn on two tortillas, then top with remaining tortillas.
2. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until cheese melts and tortillas are golden.
3. Slice and serve with salsa and sour cream.

6. Salmon and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup green beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and lemon slices

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange salmon and veggies on a baking sheet.
2. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and top with lemon slices.
3. Bake for 15 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.

7. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb thinly sliced beef
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water

Instructions:

1. Cook beef in sesame oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add broccoli and soy sauce, stir-fry for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cornstarch mixture to thicken and serve over rice.

8. Garlic Butter Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and shrimp, sauté until shrimp is pink.
3. Season, garnish with parsley, and serve with a side of vegetables.

9. BBQ Chicken Flatbread

Ingredients:

• 2 flatbreads
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Spread BBQ sauce on flatbreads and top with chicken and cheese.
2. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
3. Garnish with green onions and slice to serve.

10. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Pita

Ingredients:

• 4 pita pockets
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix spinach, feta, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Stuff pita pockets with mixture and toast in a skillet until warmed through.
3. Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce.

Cooking Tips for Quick Weeknight Meals

• Prep in Advance: Chop veggies, marinate proteins, and measure out spices on the weekend.
• One-Pan Recipes: Limit cleanup with sheet pan and skillet meals.
• Focus on Versatile Ingredients: Choose items that work across multiple recipes, like chicken, beans, and veggies.

Conclusion

With these quick and easy recipes, dinner is no longer a struggle on busy weeknights. Try one tonight, and save yourself time without sacrificing flavor!