10+ Super Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Evenings

After a long day, you might not feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Super quick and easy dinner recipes can save you time and help you enjoy a delicious meal without the stress. These simple recipes allow you to whip up a satisfying dinner in no time.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family, having easy meal ideas on hand makes a big difference. With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation, you can create tasty dishes that everyone will love. Embrace the joy of cooking with quick recipes that suit your busy lifestyle.

1) Instant Ramen with Veggies and Egg

Instant ramen is a great base for a quick meal. You can easily add veggies and an egg for extra flavor and nutrition. This dish can be ready in under 10 minutes!

Start by boiling water in a pot. Then, add the instant ramen noodles and cook them according to the package instructions. While the noodles cook, chop up your favorite vegetables.

Once the noodles are done, stir in the veggies and cook for another minute. Then, crack an egg into the pot and mix it thoroughly. Let it cook for a minute until the egg is soft and fluffy.

Serve hot and enjoy your tasty meal!

Ingredients

• 1 package of instant ramen
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (like carrots, peas, and bell peppers)
• 1 egg
• Soy sauce (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot.
2. Cook instant ramen noodles according to package instructions.
3. Chop your vegetables.
4. Add veggies to the noodles and cook for 1 minute.
5. Crack an egg into the pot and mix.
6. Cook until the egg is done, about 1 minute.
7. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper if desired. Enjoy!

2) Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

This grilled chicken salad is a tasty and refreshing meal. It pairs well with a sweet blueberry vinaigrette that you can make easily.

Start by cooking your chicken until it’s nice and golden. Then, toss it with fresh greens, creamy avocado, and crunchy walnuts for added texture. The blueberries not only add color but also a burst of flavor.

Drizzle your homemade blueberry vinaigrette on top for the perfect finishing touch. This salad is great for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch.

Ingredients

• 2 grilled chicken breasts
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

For the Blueberry Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup blueberry preserves
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp ground mustard

Cooking Instructions

1. Grill the chicken at 375°F (190°C) until fully cooked.
2. In a large bowl, mix the salad greens, avocado, walnuts, and blueberries.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
4. Slice the grilled chicken and place it on top of the salad.
5. Drizzle with blueberry vinaigrette before serving. Enjoy!

3) 15-Minute Microwave Meat Loaf

This quick and easy meat loaf is perfect when you’re short on time. You can have a delicious dinner ready in just 15 minutes using your microwave. It combines ground beef with simple ingredients for a comforting meal.

To make it, start with lean ground beef and mix in seasonings, breadcrumbs, and an egg. The microwave cooks it quickly while keeping it moist. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) ketchup
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) mustard
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until combined.
2. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a microwave-safe dish.
3. Microwave on high for 6-8 minutes or until cooked through.
4. Let it sit for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

4) Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Cheese

Spaghetti with tomato sauce and cheese is a classic dish that is both quick and satisfying. You can prepare this meal in just about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.

Start by boiling water and cooking your spaghetti according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, heat your favorite tomato sauce in a pan. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own if you prefer.

Once the spaghetti is ready, drain it and add it to the sauce. Mix well so every strand is coated. Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top. You can use mozzarella or parmesan for a delicious finish.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese (mozzarella or parmesan)
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a large pot.
2. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions.
3. In a separate pan, heat the tomato sauce.
4. Drain the spaghetti.
5. Mix spaghetti with the tomato sauce.
6. Add salt and pepper as needed.
7. Top with shredded cheese and serve.

5) Chicken Rice Bowl with Avocado

A Chicken Rice Bowl with Avocado is a simple and tasty dinner option. You can whip it up quickly, making it great for busy nights.

Start with cooked rice as your base. Add grilled chicken for protein and top it with fresh avocado slices. This adds a creamy texture that pairs well with the other ingredients.

Feel free to include other toppings like corn, tomatoes, or even pickled onions for extra flavor. You can customize it to your taste!

Ingredients

• Cooked rice (1 cup)
• Grilled chicken breast (1 piece)
• Avocado (1, sliced)
• Corn (1/2 cup)
• Cherry tomatoes (1/2 cup, halved)
• Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook your rice according to package instructions.
2. Grill the chicken until fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side (165°F or 74°C).
3. Slice the grilled chicken and avocado.
4. Assemble your bowl: add rice, chicken, avocado, corn, and tomatoes.
5. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

6) Garlic Lime Shrimp Skewers

Garlic lime shrimp skewers are a tasty and quick dinner option. They’re perfect for busy nights when you want something flavorful without a lot of fuss.

To get started, you’ll need fresh shrimp, lime juice, olive oil, and some spices. The marinade brings out a delicious flavor in the shrimp.

Simply thread the shrimp onto skewers, then cook them on a grill or stovetop. It’s that easy!

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour the marinade over the shrimp and toss to coat well.
3. Thread shrimp onto skewers, about 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
4. Preheat the grill to medium-high (about 400°F or 200°C).
5. Grill the skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are pink and cooked through.

7) Cheeseburger Pasta Delight

Cheeseburger Pasta Delight is a fantastic option for a quick dinner. It combines the flavors of a cheeseburger with pasta, making it a fun and tasty meal. This dish is easy to prepare and uses common ingredients.

You’ll need ground beef, pasta, and some cheese to create a creamy sauce. It cooks in one skillet, keeping cleanup simple. Plus, you can have dinner ready in about 30 minutes!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 12 oz (340 g) pasta
• 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
• 1 cup (240 ml) cheese (cheddar or American)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
3. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
4. Stir in the ketchup and cheese until melted.
5. Combine with the cooked pasta and enjoy!

8) Knockoff KFC Bowls

You can easily recreate tasty KFC Bowls at home. This quick meal combines crispy chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and corn. It’s perfect for busy nights.

Start by cooking your chicken until it’s golden brown. You can use either fried or baked chicken, depending on your preference.

Next, prepare some mashed potatoes and heat up frozen corn.

Layer everything in a bowl. Begin with the mashed potatoes, add the corn, and top it off with the chicken.

For extra flavor, you might want to add gravy or shredded cheese.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken (fried or baked)
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
• Optional: gravy and shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the chicken until golden brown.
2. Prepare mashed potatoes.
3. Heat the corn in the microwave or on the stove.
4. Layer mashed potatoes, corn, and chicken in a bowl.
5. Add gravy or cheese if desired.

9) Broccoli and Stilton Soup

Broccoli and Stilton soup is a delicious meal that is quick and easy to make. It’s perfect for a light dinner or lunch. You will enjoy the creamy texture and rich flavor.

To start, heat some oil in a pan. Then, sauté the onion for about five minutes. Next, add the broccoli florets and cook them for another five minutes.

Pour in the vegetable stock and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After that, blend the mixture until smooth. Then, stir in crumbled Stilton cheese for added creaminess.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 100g Stilton cheese, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes.
3. Add broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Pour in stock and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Blend until smooth.
6. Stir in Stilton cheese and season as needed.

10) Cheese Toasties with Tomato Soup

Cheese toasties paired with tomato soup make a warm and comforting dinner. This combo is not only easy to prepare but also delicious. You’ll love dipping your crispy, cheesy toasties in the rich tomato soup.

Start with your favorite bread and cheese. You can use cheddar for a classic taste. Grill the sandwiches until golden and crispy.

For the soup, you can use fresh tomatoes or canned ones for quick prep. Heat the tomatoes with some garlic and basil for added flavor.

Enjoy this simple meal any night of the week!

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bread
• 4 slices of cheese (like cheddar)
• 1 can (about 14 oz or 400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, then season with salt, pepper, and basil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, assemble cheese sandwiches and grill them until golden brown.

4. Serve the soup hot with the cheese toasties on the side.