10 Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes

When you come home after a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes that are perfect for those busy nights when you need to get a meal on the table fast. These recipes are not only delicious, but they also come together in under 30 minutes, making them a great option for those nights when you’re short on time.

1. One-Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
– 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
– 1 bell pepper, sliced
– 1 onion, sliced
– 1 packet fajita seasoning
– Tortillas, for serving

Instructions:
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken, bell pepper, and onion to the skillet.
3. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken and vegetables and cook until the chicken is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
4. Serve the chicken fajitas with warm tortillas.

2. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Ingredients:
– 8 oz spaghetti
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– Red pepper flakes, to taste
– Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:
1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Toss the cooked spaghetti in the garlic and oil mixture.
4. Serve the spaghetti aglio e olio with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

3. Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients:
– 4 salmon fillets
– 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
– Green onions, sliced, for garnish
– Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil.
3. Brush the teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets.
4. Bake the salmon for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. Garnish the salmon with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

4. BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients:
– 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
– 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 4 large flour tortillas
– Cooking spray

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the BBQ sauce.
2. Place a tortilla on a flat surface and spread a quarter of the chicken mixture over one half of the tortilla.
3. Sprinkle a quarter of the shredded cheese over the chicken.
4. Fold the tortilla in half to form a quesadilla.
5. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.
7. Cook the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
8. Serve the BBQ chicken quesadillas with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream and salsa.

5. Greek Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
– 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
– 1 cucumber, diced
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
– 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
– 1/4 cup Greek dressing

Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and olives.
2. Drizzle the Greek dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
3. Serve the Greek chicken salad chilled.

6. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
– 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 2 tbsp brown sugar
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp ginger, grated
– 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
– 2 tbsp vegetable oil
– Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Add the sliced flank steak and marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the marinated flank steak and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4. Return the broccoli to the skillet and toss with the beef.
5. Serve the beef and broccoli stir-fry over cooked rice.

7. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients:
– 8 oz spaghetti
– 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– Zest and juice of 1 lemon
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:
1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 3 minutes.
4. Toss the cooked spaghetti with the shrimp, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

8. Veggie Fried Rice
Ingredients:
– 2 cups cooked rice
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and bell peppers)
– 2 eggs, beaten
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp sesame oil
– Green onions, sliced, for garnish

Instructions:
1. In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the mixed vegetables and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the beaten eggs to the other side.
3. Scramble the eggs until cooked through.
4. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables and eggs.
5. Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice and toss to coat.
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until warmed through.
7. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

9. Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground turkey
– 1 packet taco seasoning
– 1/2 cup salsa
– Lettuce leaves, for serving
– Toppings of your choice (such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and avocado)

Instructions:
1. In a skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
3. Spoon the turkey mixture into lettuce leaves and top with your favorite toppings.

10. Margherita Pizza
Ingredients:
– 1 pre-made pizza crust
– 1/2 cup marinara sauce
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– Fresh basil leaves, torn
– Cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Spread the marinara sauce over the pizza crust.
3. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
4. Top with torn basil leaves and cherry tomato halves.
5. Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

These 10 quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes are perfect for those busy nights when you need to get a meal on the table fast. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal in no time. So next time you’re short on time but still want a tasty dinner, give one of these recipes a try!
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