Need fresh recipe inspiration? The following list of tried-and-true recipes will breathe new life into your weekday menu planning!
The details may be different, but everyone seems to be busy. Who couldn’t use an extra hour or two each day to catch up with that never-ending to-do list?
Simple, reliable, great-tasting recipes are what help me get dinner on the table each night. (And good leftovers!)
With that goal in mind, we’ve compiled a collection of easy, home-cooked meals that we (and our regular readers) return to again and again. It’s every day stuff, not too fussy. At the same time, many of the following recipes are worthy of guests.
For example, the slow roasted chicken will rival your favorite rotisserie chicken and is so very easy, yet it’s elegant too. Friends will be thrilled if you serve them flavor-packed sheet pan fajita bowls or Gruyere Dijon turkey burgers, and I’ve brought the broccoli salad to countless potlucks and team dinners over the years. (The bowl is always scraped clean and people request the recipe!) Similarly, fall slaw is a weeknight go-to around here that has also been a staple on many readers’ holiday tables.
But again, the emphasis here is on easy, everyday meals. To that end, there are lots of advance prep options and meals that can be stashed in the freezer. (Hello baked meatballs and chicken and wild rice soup!) From pasta, fish, and beef to plant-based options and breakfast fare (breakfast for dinner anyone?), there’s a little something for everyone.
To that end, I hope some of our every day favorites soon become your everyday favorites and make the daily lift of getting meals on the table feel a little bit lighter.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls
Customizable chicken fajita bowls are simple to make with a convenient sheet pan approach and are sure to become a weeknight favorite.
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Perfectly Broiled Salmon
Perfectly cooked salmon with a golden crust is endlessly versatile and can be on your plate in less than 10 minutes, start to finish.
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Cheater Macaroni and Cheese
This shortcut recipe is ideal when you’d prefer not to clean messy pots and pans. You don’t even have to precook the noodles!
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Easy Zucchini & Ground Beef Dinner
Six basic ingredients form the foundation of this one-skillet meal, which comes together quickly for a family-friendly dinner on even the busiest of weeknights.
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Gruyere Dijon Turkey Burgers
Dijon mustard and Gruyere cheese take ground turkey to new heights in these juicy, flavor-packed burgers that cook quickly on the grill or stovetop. Enjoy on a bun or as a salad topper. The uncooked patties freezes beautifully, so I often make a double batch and freeze half for future meals.
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Budget Sushi Bowls (with canned tuna)
Eating well on a shoestring budget is easy with these flavor-packed bowls, which conveniently rely on canned tuna. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal or packable lunch!
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Speedy Cherry Tomato Sauce
A versatile summertime staple, this quick and easy sauce is a delicious way to use an abundance of cherry or grape tomatoes. It will even make the most of off-season cherry tomatoes and takes only 15 minutes.
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Jen’s Incredible Baked Meatballs
These tender, flavorful baked meatballs have been a family and reader favorite for many years. Hundreds of readers have called them the best meatballs ever! Serve with spaghetti and tomato sauce.
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One Pan Spanish-Style Chicken & Rice
This all-in-one meal is a weeknight favorite that’s loaded with filling protein, satisfying carbs, healthy vegetables and lots of great flavor.
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Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
The simplest of ingredients meet a flavor-packed sauce for a prep-ahead meal that’s destined to become a weeknight favorite!
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Parchment Packet Chicken
This zero-cleanup technique delivers tender, juicy chicken and is perfect on its own yet especially helpful for all those recipes calling for precooked chicken. Works with one chicken breast or many and offers endless flexibility with flavors.
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Crunchy Chicken Wraps with Peanut Dressing
Crunchy slaw and protein-rich chicken are bathed in a peanutty dressing then rolled into a handy wrap in this Asian-inspired meal that is sure to become a family favorite.
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Chicken Alfredo
Lighter than the traditional Alfredo but equally irresistible, this flavorful pasta dish comes together easily with minimal ingredients. Plus, there are options to add favorite vegetables and vary the protein.
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Simple Salmon in Foil (grill and oven options)
A short list of everyday ingredients makes this quick-cooking salmon recipe shine. The simple foil packet locks in flavor and moisture–and makes cleanup a snap!
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Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
Exceptional flavor and versatility are the hallmarks of this vibrant salad, which makes a meal out of virtually any protein, from chicken and pork to salmon, shrimp, steak, and burgers.
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Super Crunchy Oven Fried Drumsticks
Crispy, crunchy, and no fryer needed! Perfect for family dinners, packed lunches, and more because they may be served warm, cold or room temperature－and note the helpful advance prep options!
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My Favorite Broccoli Salad
Perfect for an easy dinner side, or a satisfying lunch, this tried-and-true rendition of the classic broccoli salad can be assembled in advance in minimal time and varied according to preferences.
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Steak Bites
Lightning fast cook time and exceptional flavor may just earn these easy steak bites a spot on the weekly dinner rotation. Round out the meal with rice and a vegetable of choice.
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Baked White Rice
Baked rice is easy, foolproof, and hands off. Plus, it works with white and brown rice – the only thing that changes is the cooking time.
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Sautéed Shrimp & Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto & Parmesan
This wholesome, one-pan meal can be on the table in 15 minutes. For a quick meal another night, swap the shrimp with chicken.
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Pasta with Speedy Baked Cherry Tomato Sauce
An irresistibly easy way to use an abundance of cherry tomatoes, this flavorful recipe relies on a short list of pantry staples and makes a super satisfying, versatile meal.
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Tuna Pasta Salad
Fresh, filling, and endlessly adaptable, this vibrant pasta salad is ideal for packed lunches, picnics, and potlucks and is equally perfect as a simple, family-friendly weeknight meal.
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Aunt Peggy’s Turkey Chili
Quick, easy, and super satisfying, this flavorful chili is a go-to on busy nights and reheats beautifully. This recipe is quick and easy chili at its best. As an option, serve over the perfectly baked potatoes below!
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Easy Egg Taco
Protein-rich tacos require just three basic ingredients and provide a speedy meal solution whenever needed. A satisfying alternative to fast food that tastes great any time of day!
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Pizza Chicken
The flavor of pizza adds excitement to this family friendly chicken dinner – and just like regular pizza, you can choose your toppings.
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Spanish-Style Chickpeas
Pantry staples come together lightening quick in this plant-based meal that’s equal parts flavorful, satisfying, and budget friendly!
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Yakisoba Noodles
Yakisoba is a Japanese stir fry with a noodle base, lots of veggies, and a speedy sauce that’s salty-sweet and a little bit tangy. A kid favorite!
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One Pan Teriyaki Salmon & Vegetables
One shortcut ingredient adds ease and loads of flavor to this heart-healthy, veggie-rich dinner that cooks in a single pan. Our families gives this meal high marks!
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Unstuffed Pepper Skillet Dinner
This family-friendly, one-pan meal brings all the great flavors of the traditional preparation with a fraction of the work.
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BBQ Tofu Bowls
Easy to customize with grains and vegetables of choice, these colorful, plant-based bowls are equal parts nourishing and delicious. (With convenient meal prep option!)
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Pasta with Sausage and Shortcut Broccoli Pesto
Thanks to a somewhat unconventional method of preparation, a generous serving of broccoli goes almost undetected in this filling, flavorful meal that is ready in about 20 minutes.
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Roasted Veggie Pesto Pasta
Quite possibly my favorite pasta, which I make on repeat, this satisfying meal is nourishing comfort food at its best. And packs in the veggies!
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Tuscan Lentil Soup
A hint of sausage supplies smoky, savory flavor in this one-pot soup, which is packed with plant-based protein, colorful veggies and satiating appeal. Wholesome comfort food at its best!
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Zucchini Noodles Made Easy
This simplified method of creating zucchini noodles yields wide ribbons that require nothing more than a quick sear and a sprinkle of salt and pepper – yet they serve as a fine foundation for a plethora of other toppings too.
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One Pan Tex-Mex Quinoa
Pantry staples make this filling, flavorful, plant-based meal a weeknight win – and there’s no need to pre-cook the quinoa!
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One Pot Stovetop Chicken & Rice
One Pot Stovetop Chicken & Rice is creamy comfort food that’s a breeze to whip up! For complementary color and flavor, I like to serve sliced tomatoes or a simple salad on the side.
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Parmesan Baked Flounder with Lemon Dill Sauce
Lemon, garlic, and a crispy crumb topping turn mild flounder into a dinnertime superstar. Easy enough for weeknight meals yet special enough for company.
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Easy Roasted Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Sausage, peppers, and onions are tossed with simple Italian seasonings and then roasted to perfection for an easy meal that can be enjoyed over rice, pasta, or as the best sausage sandwiches.
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Pasta with Escarole, Sausage, and Beans
The classic Tuscan pairing of beans and greens meets sausage and pasta for nourishing comfort food the whole family will enjoy. And it comes together in 30 minutes!
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Curried Shrimp with Tomatoes
Quick to cook and loaded with flavor, this one-pan meal is delightful served over rice, polenta, or with a piece of crusty bread.
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Fall Slaw
A bag of slaw mix offers a convenient shortcut in this crisp, wholesome, seasonal salad. The easy vinaigrette is loaded with flavor and can be used in a variety of meals as a sandwich and burger topper or a side!
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Egg Scramble in a Cheddar Hash Brown Crust
The tastiest, 3-ingredient crust makes an irresistible frittata crust and a super satisfying meal out of simply scrambled eggs.
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Cottage Casserole with a Kick
Homemade hearty breakfasts are a great start to a big day. This all-in-one meal is as satisfying as it is easy! The ingredients mix up in a single bowl and may be prepared a day in advance.
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Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties
Ground pork and a short list of spices create a healthy alternative that tastes just like sausage and can be used in make-ahead breakfast sandwiches below or as a breakfast side on its own!
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Perfectly Baked Potatoes
This basic technique guarantees potatoes with crisp, flavorful skins and light, fluffy insides every time. Enjoy them as a side with butter or sour cream or stuff with your favorite add-ins like the chili above!
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No-Bake Energy Bites
Chewy granola bar meets cookie batter in these easy-to-make bites, which include whole oats and a whopping half cup of heart-healthy flax meal. Works as a grab-and-go breakfast or snack!
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