10 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Nights

It’s 6 pm on a busy weeknight, and you have no idea what to make for dinner. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. But fear not! We have compiled 10 quick and easy dinner recipes that are perfect for those nights when you need a delicious meal on the table in no time. From pasta dishes to stir-fries, these recipes are sure to become staples in your dinner rotation.

1. One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients:
– 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
– 8 oz fettuccine pasta
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. In a large pot, cook chicken over medium heat until browned.
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
4. Cook until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.
5. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Cooking tip: Feel free to add vegetables like broccoli or peas for an extra boost of nutrients.

2. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
– 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
– 2 cups broccoli florets
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 2 tbsp brown sugar
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp cornstarch
– 1/4 cup water
– Sesame oil for cooking

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, cornstarch, and water.
2. Heat sesame oil in a large pan and add steak. Cook until browned.
3. Add broccoli and sauce mixture to the pan. Cook until broccoli is tender and sauce has thickened.
4. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Cooking tip: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for added color and flavor.

3. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients:
– 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 8 oz spaghetti
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– Zest of one lemon
– Juice of one lemon
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Parsley for garnish

Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil and add garlic. Cook until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
4. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
5. Toss cooked pasta in the pan with the shrimp mixture.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

4. BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients:
– 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
– 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– 4 large flour tortillas
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup chopped red onion
– Cilantro for garnish

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix chicken and BBQ sauce.
2. Divide the chicken mixture between two tortillas.
3. Top with cheese, red onion, and the remaining tortillas.
4. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy.
5. Cut into wedges, garnish with cilantro, and serve hot.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add jalapenos for a spicy twist.

5. Caprese Chicken Skillet
Ingredients:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 2 cups cherry tomatoes
– 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
– 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
– Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:
1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken until browned and cooked through.
3. Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they start to burst.
4. Top chicken with mozzarella slices and cover until melted.
5. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with basil.
6. Serve hot.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add a splash of white wine to the skillet for extra flavor.

6. Veggie Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
– 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, etc.)
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1 tbsp honey
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp cornstarch
– 1/4 cup water
– Sesame oil for cooking

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, cornstarch, and water.
2. Heat sesame oil in a large pan and add vegetables. Cook until tender.
3. Add sauce mixture to the pan and cook until thickened.
4. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add tofu or chicken for added protein.

7. Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients:
– 8 oz spaghetti
– 1/2 cup pesto sauce
– 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
– 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
– Basil for garnish

Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a bowl, toss cooked pasta with pesto sauce and sun-dried tomatoes.
3. Top with grated parmesan cheese and basil.
4. Serve hot.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein.

8. Taco Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
– 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 packet taco seasoning
– 1 cup cooked rice
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– Sour cream for serving
– Chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Add taco seasoning and stir.
3. Mix in cooked rice.
4. Fill each bell pepper half with the beef mixture and top with cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and peppers are tender.
6. Serve hot with sour cream and cilantro.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add black beans or corn for added texture.

9. Lemon Garlic Salmon
Ingredients:
– 4 salmon fillets
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– Zest of one lemon
– Juice of one lemon
– 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions:
1. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add garlic. Cook until fragrant.
3. Add salmon fillets and cook until browned on each side.
4. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley.
5. Serve hot.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.

10. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Ingredients:
– 8 oz spaghetti
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– Red pepper flakes to taste
– Parsley for garnish

Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
3. Add red pepper flakes for heat.
4. Toss cooked pasta in the pan with the garlic oil.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Cooking tip: Feel free to add shrimp or clams for a seafood twist.

In conclusion, these 10 quick and easy dinner recipes are perfect for busy nights when you need a delicious meal in a hurry. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, these recipes are sure to become favorites in your household. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, stir-fry, or something in between, these recipes have got you covered. So don’t stress about dinner tonight – whip up one of these recipes and enjoy a homemade meal in no time. Bon appétit!
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