When weeknights get hectic, dinner shouldn’t add to the stress.
These nine easy dinner recipes are your saviour for busy weeknights.
No fancy steps, no long prep, just quick, tasty meals that get the job done.
Make dinner simple and stress-free!
9 Easy Dinner Recipes For Busy Weeknights
Here are nine recipes to make your busy weeknights tasty and stress-free.
Pick one, grab ingredients, and enjoy a homemade meal that feels like a treat!
Also, here’s a handy table with each dish’s prep time, cook time, and servings.
| Dish Name | Prep Time | Cook Time | Serves |
| 1. One-Pot Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta | 10 minutes | 20 minutes | 4 |
| 2. Slow-Cooker Mongolian Beef | 10 minutes | 6 hours | 4 |
| 3. Creamy Shrimp Udon | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 2 |
| 4. Easy Fish Tacos | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 4 |
| 5. Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 |
| 6. One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta | 10 minutes | 20 minutes | 4 |
| 7. Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 2 |
| 8. Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry | 15 minutes | 10 minutes | 4 |
| 9. Sheet Pan Steak and Rainbow Veggies | 10 minutes | 25 minutes | 4 |
Recipe 1 – One-Pot Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Creamy comfort meets easy cleanup in this cheesy pasta dish that’s a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and let it sizzle for 1 minute until it smells amazing.
Step 3: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then toss in the pasta. Bring it to a boil, lower the heat, and mix for 15-20 minutes, stirring now and then, until the pasta is soft.
Step 4: Mix in Parmesan cheese, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with chopped parsley before serving hot.
Chef’s Tip: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little kick.
Recipe 2 – Slow-Cooker Mongolian Beef
Let your slow cooker work while you enjoy tender beef with sweet-savoury vibes!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs flank steak, sliced thin
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Step 1: Coat the sliced steak with cornstarch in a bowl and give it a good toss.
Step 2: In your slow cooker, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and water.
Step 3: Add the coated steak, stir it up, and cook on low for 4-5 hours until tender.
Step 4: Sprinkle with green onions and serve over fluffy rice.
Chef’s Tip: For a thicker sauce, stir in a slurry of 1 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp water 30 minutes before it’s done.
Recipe 3 – Creamy Shrimp Udon
Silky noodles and juicy shrimp come together in this cosy bowl, ready in a flash!
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz udon noodles
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook udon noodles as per the package, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add shrimp, and cook until pink, about 3 minutes. Take them out and keep warm.
Step 3: In the same skillet, cook garlic for 1 minute, then pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Mix for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper, then toss the noodles and shrimp. Mix well and serve warm.
Chef’s Tip: Swap shrimp for chicken or tofu if you’re adventurous.
Recipe 4 – Easy Fish Tacos
Bright, fresh, and oh-so-tasty, these tacos bring the beach vibes to your table in no time!
Ingredients
- 1 lb white fish (tilapia or cod), cut into strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss fish strips with olive oil, chilli powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Spread the fish on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until flaky and cooked.
Step 3: Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave for a few seconds.
Step 4: Build your tacos with fish, cabbage, and salsa, then serve with a squeeze of lime.
Chef’s Tip: Add a spoonful of sour cream or mashed avocado for extra yum.
Recipe 5 – Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast
Simple ingredients turn into a fancy-looking dinner that’s secretly super easy!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 12 asparagus spears, trimmed
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast with a sharp knife.
Step 2: Stuff each pocket with three asparagus spears and a bit of mozzarella, then secure with toothpicks.
Step 3: Brush the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked. Remove toothpicks and serve hot.
Chef’s Tip: Broil for the last 2 minutes to get that golden, cheesy top.
Recipe 6 – One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta
Take a mini trip to Italy with this rich, veggie-packed pasta made in one pot!
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add pasta and sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in enough water to cover. Cook for about 10 minutes until pasta is tender.
Step 3: Stir in spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan, cooking for 2-3 more minutes until creamy.
Step 4: Season with salt and pepper, give it a good stir, and serve right away.
Chef’s Tip: Try whole wheat pasta for a nutty flavour and extra fibre.
Recipe 7 – Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon
Sweet, sticky salmon that’s healthy and fast; perfect for a feel-good dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl.
Step 2: Lay salmon fillets on a lined baking sheet and brush with half the glaze.
Step 3: Bake for 12-15 minutes, brushing with the rest of the glaze halfway through.
Step 4: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with veggies or rice.
Chef’s Tip: Let the salmon sit in the glaze for 30 minutes beforehand for a bolder flavour.
Recipe 8 – Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry
This stir-fry is your weeknight dinner MVP: fast, colourful, and crunchy!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
Step 1: In a bowl, mix chicken with soy sauce and oyster sauce until coated.
Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken, and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Toss in garlic, bell pepper, broccoli, and carrot, stir-frying for 5-7 minutes until veggies soften.
Step 4: Spoon over cooked rice and dig in.
Chef’s Tip: Switch up the protein with shrimp or tofu for a fun twist.
Recipe 9 – Sheet Pan Steak And Rainbow Veggies
One pan, big flavours; this steak and the veggie combo make cleanup a breeze!
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak (sirloin or ribeye)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F; season steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 2: Toss veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them on a sheet pan.
Step 3: Nestle the steak among the veggies and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping the steak halfway.
Step 4: Let the steak rest for 5 minutes, slice, and serve with the colourful veggies.
Chef’s Tip: Drizzle a little balsamic glaze over the veggies for a sweet-tangy finish.