85 Easy Dinner Ideas When You Don’t Know What To Cook
Are you stuck on what to make for dinner? Check out our collection of easy and delicious recipes, perfect for those nights when you’re fresh out of ideas.
From comforting casseroles, slow cooker recipes, and classic stovetop ideas to quick stir-fries and air fryer recipes, these dishes will help you whip up a tasty meal in no time.
Easy Crockpot Steak Bites Perfect For Busy Weeknights
Enjoy the tasty goodness of our mouthwatering Crockpot Steak Bites recipe. These tender and flavorful bites are a great choice for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Steak Bites Perfect For Busy Weeknights
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Discover a comforting and hassle-free meal with our Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti recipe. Perfect for a quick comfort food dinner the entire will love.
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Easy Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
Indulge in mouthwatering Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs, a delectable dish of tender, juicy pork that will leave you craving for more.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
Crock Pot Beef And Noodles
Try our easy Crock Pot Beef and Noodle recipe for a satisfying and comforting meal. Perfect for chilly nights or weekends.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef And Noodles
Million Dollar Casserole
Our Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the perfect dish for a cozy night in. This creamy, cheesy chicken casserole, topped with a buttery crunch, is easy to prepare and sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Casserole
New York Strip Steak with Green Beans and Mushrooms
Indulge in the satisfaction of a flawlessly seared New York strip steak, expertly paired with seasonal vegetables, for an exquisite dining experience.
Get the Recipe: New York Strip Steak with Green Beans and Mushrooms
Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan
If you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dinner the whole family will love, our Chicken Parmesan recipe is for you! Juicy, tender, and crispy breaded chicken is baked to perfection in flavorful tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese!
Get The Recipe: Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Peppers
Try our easy Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Peppers recipe for a quick, delicious dinner that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Peppers
Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole in the Slow Cooker
Try our Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole for a delicious dinner that everyone will love. Prep takes just 15 minutes, and your slow cooker will do the rest.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole in the Slow Cooker
Easy Air Fryer Salmon
Indulge in our simple Air Fryer Salmon recipe, perfect for busy days. Discover the scrumptious flavors of air-fried salmon.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon
Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak! Tender beef patties simmered in rich mushroom gravy with simple ingredients. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Smash Burger
Whip up a delicious Smash Burger in just 20 minutes! Crispy edges, juicy centers, and customizable toppings make them a family favorite.
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Hearty Bolognese Sauce You’ll Make Again and Again
Our Ultimate Bolognese Sauce recipe is rich, hearty, and easy to make. Perfect for family dinners, it’s sure to become a favorite!
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Easy Peasy Sesame Chicken Recipe
Try our savory Sesame Chicken recipe for a comforting and flavorful meal. Prepare it easily and enjoy the taste at home.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken
Easy Crock Pot Chicken And Stuffing
Indulge in comfort with this Chicken and Stuffing Crock Pot Casserole recipe. Layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and savory stuffing await! Easy, delicious, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken And Stuffing
15-Minute Savory Beef Bowl
Discover an easy twist on the classic Korean beef bowl recipe. This ground beef dish combines rich flavors of aromatic spices into a flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Savory Beef Bowl
Easy Crockpot Crack Chicken
Indulge in this Crockpot Crack Chicken recipe, featuring tender chicken, creamy Ranch, crispy bacon, and melted Cheddar. A delightful, family-friendly meal awaits!
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Crack Chicken
Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Indulge in mouthwatering Air Fryer Lobster Tails. Enjoy tender and flavorful lobster effortlessly at home.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Discover why Air Fryer Steak Bites are the next must-have in your meal rotation, combining simplicity with a burst of flavor in every bite. These steak bites are a blend of tender steak marinated in a rich mixture of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and spices, then air-fried to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
Try this delicious Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken recipe that is perfect for busy nights. It’s quick, flavorful, and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
Crockpot Beef & Sausage Chili
This Crockpot No-Bean Beef & Sausage Chili is hearty, flavorful, and packs just the right amount of heat. It’s perfect for everyday dinners and an excellent addition to your weekly meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef & Sausage Chili
Easy Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Enjoy our Cheesy Meatball Casserole, a blend of juicy meatballs, rich marinara, and gooey cheese. It’s a family favorite that’s easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Easy Baked BBQ Pork Chops
Indulge in the ultimate family comfort food with our mouthwatering baked BBQ pork chops recipe. Perfectly tender and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked BBQ Pork Chops
Honey Garlic Chicken
Throw out the takeout menu and whip up our delicious Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. Perfect for anyone looking for a flavorful and hassle-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken
Ham and Potato Casserole
Indulge in our hearty and filling ham and potato casserole, the perfect recipe for foodies craving a tasty weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole
Shrimp Lo Mein
Better than takeout, our easy 30-minute Shrimp Lo Mein recipe is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Enjoy the delicious combination of taste and texture. We toss succulent shrimp, tender noodles, and crisp vegetables in a savory soy-based sauce.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein
Slow Cooker Beef Teriyaki
Slow Cooker Beef Teriyaki is comfort food with juicy beef and flavorful teriyaki sauce mixed with sweet bell peppers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Teriyaki
TikTok Spaghetti
This TikTok Spaghetti is the comfort food dish you never knew you needed, taking your spaghetti night to the next level. Mixing the best of both worlds, it blends classic spaghetti with a rich duo of Alfredo and marinara sauces, all crowned by a generous layer of melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend indulgence, this dish is bound to become a household favorite.
Get the Recipe: TikTok Spaghetti
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe
Indulge in the flavors of Tuscan shrimp, a succulent and comforting dish simmered to perfection in a creamy sauce. Perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe
Thai Red Chicken Curry
Make our flavorful Thai Red Curry Chicken recipe for a quick and tasty one-pan dinner that your whole family will enjoy. It’s both easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Easy Thai Red Chicken Curry
Easy Mongolian Beef
Discover the ultimate comfort food with our homemade Mongolian Beef recipe. Tender beef slices coated in a sweet and savory glaze.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mongolian Beef
Marry Me Chicken
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our easy Mary Me Chicken recipe! Perfect for a romantic dinner that could end up with an “I DO.”
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Try our mouthwatering Stuffed Pepper Casserole! Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe is quick, easy, and loved by families.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Easy Crockpot Chicken And Rice
Try this Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe! It’s packed with tender chicken, flavorful rice, and veggies, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Chicken And Rice
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Our Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is made by combining sausages, bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce, resulting in a flavorful dish.
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Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Savor the comfort of creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and cheesy goodness in our delectable Twice Baked Potato Casserole.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Our easy one-pan Cajun Chicken Pasta is a surefire crowd-pleaser and delivers both spicy and creamy flavors in one simple pasta dish. Made with seasoned cajun chicken, satisfying penne pasta, and smooth cream cheese, this meal is simple to make yet delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta
German Krautfleckerl – Fried Cabbage Noodles
If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s both delicious and easy to make, look no further than this Krautfleckerl recipe. It features comforting egg noodles combined with savory bacon and ham, all rounded out with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: German Krautfleckerl
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Craving crispy, juicy chicken cutlets? This easy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets recipe delivers in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Frikadellen
Frikadellen are tasty, hearty burger-like patties often served on a roll with a side of mustard and Potato or Cucumber Salad.
Get the Recipe: Frikadellen
German Onion Pie With Bacon (Zwiebelkuchen)
Onion Pie is a traditional German dish. Made with an easy yeast dough loaded with a mouthwatering onion, bacon, egg, and cheese!
Get the Recipe: German Onion Pie With Bacon (Zwiebelkuchen)
Chicken Cacciatore With Pasta
Chicken Cacciatore is simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce with mushrooms and peppers, and this traditional dish makes a delightful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore With Pasta
Creamy Chicken Thighs
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs is a rich, creamy, flavorful dish that’s simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs
Paprika Chicken
This Paprika Chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner winner. Tender and juicy chicken smothered in a rich and creamy paprika sauce served over tender egg noodles! Every bite is loaded with sweet, peppery, and zesty flavors.
Get the Recipe: Paprika Chicken
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Dive into the cozy warmth of Chicken and Rice Casserole, a hearty dish perfect for any day of the week. This go-to casserole combines the rich flavors of rotisserie chicken, white rice, and a delightful medley of mixed vegetables. It’s ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for some home-cooked comfort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole
Pizza Casserole
Cheesy, meaty, and packed with flavor, our Pizza Casserole is a must-try and perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe is easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Ultra Cheesy Pizza Casserole
Hearty Old-Fashioned Potato Soup
Get cozy with this rich and creamy Old Fashioned Potato Soup. Made with tender potatoes, onion, bacon, milk, and broth. Simple and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Old-Fashioned Potato Soup
Chicken Sausage Pasta
Indulge in our flavorful Chicken Sausage Pasta recipe, a simple and satisfying one-pan dish perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage Pasta
Lasagna Soup
Quick and easy Lasagna Soup combines Italian sausage, pasta, and a trio of delicious cheeses for cozy comfort food.
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Easy German Chicken Schnitzel
Chicken Schnitzel is an easy twist on a classic German Schnitzel recipe. It’s got crispy on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Easy German Chicken Schnitzel
Ground Beef Stroganoff
If you’re looking for a yummy dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or require much time or effort, this flavorful Ground Beef Stroganoff is just what you need! Tender ground beef, sautéed onions, and mushrooms simmer in a deliciously rich, creamy 3-ingredient sauce.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff
Taco Tater Tot Casserole
This Taco Tater Tot Casserole combines ground beef with classic Mexican flavors and is topped with yummy cheese. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
Get the Recipe: Taco Tater Tot Casserole
The Best Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Classic Beef Stroganoff made with tender, juicy steak tips. Cooked in a mushroom cream sauce and served over buttery parsley egg noodles.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff
German Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy
Jagerschnitzel is classic German comfort food. Breaded pork cutlets (Schnitzel) topped with a rich, creamy mushroom bacon sauce.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy
French Onion Pasta
Our one-pot French Onion Pasta combines the hearty richness of classic French Onion Soup with the comforting flavors of a creamy pasta dish.
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Baked Meatballs
This baked meatball recipe is incredibly easy to make. Just 6 simple ingredients, and you’ll have a batch of tasty meatballs.
Get the Recipe: Baked Meatballs
Hawaiian Chicken
This quick and easy Hawaiian Chicken Dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re looking to make something the entire family will love but that doesn’t take up a lot of time, energy, or ingredients. Juicy chicken, pineapples, and bell peppers simmer to perfection in a delicious sweet, tangy, and savory sauce that will everyone reach for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken
Zucchini Boats
Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a great 5-ingredient dinner idea. Tender zucchini filled stuffed and baked to perfection in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Boats
Shrimp Carbonara
This Spaghetti Carbonara with Shrimp is pure comfort food, offering a heartwarming blend of creamy and savory in every bite. Made from everyday ingredients like spaghetti, eggs, Parmesan cheese, bacon, and a special addition of shrimp, this dish is as fulfilling as it is mouthwatering.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara
Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms in the Crock Pot
Discover a mouthwatering slow cooker recipe for creamy chicken and mushrooms that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms in the Crock Pot
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is the ultimate comfort food and is perfect for midweek dinners. Chunks of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and tender pasta combined with Ranch dressing and Alfredo sauce and topped with freshly shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Our easy Shepherd’s Pie is comfort food, perfect for feeding the whole family. Its hearty layers of ground beef, peas and carrots, and fluffy mashed potatoes make it a crowd-pleaser.
Get The Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie
Easy Cheesy Lazy Lasagna Recipe (4 Ingredients)
Our cheesy Lazy Lasagna is easy to make, perfect when you need a last-minute delicious comfort meal the entire family will love.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Lasagna Recipe (4 Ingredients)
Easy Cheesy Salmon Casserole Recipe
This is creamy, cheesy Salmon Casserole is a great recipe for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. And ready in less than one hour.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Salmon Casserole Recipe
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Discover how to make an easy, delicious Chicken Pot Pie Casserole, a hearty meal sure to become a family favorite.
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Easy Cheesy Beef And Bean Casserole
This easy cheesy beef and bean casserole is perfect for a quick, tasty, and satisfying dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Beef And Bean Casserole
Easy Sausage And Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Sausage and Hash Brown Casserole combines the biggest breakfast flavors into a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sausage And Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Pork Egg Roll In A Bowl
Pork egg roll in a bowl is a low-carb alternative to traditional egg rolls. This is an easy recipe with ground pork, veggies, and other flavors that will satisfy a craving for Asian food. I love this easy one-pan meal. If you want something quick and simple for a busy weeknight dinner, consider this 15-minute meal! It’s cheaper and healthier than takeout but every bit as tasty – maybe even more!
Get the Recipe: Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajitas
This simple Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajita recipe will soon become your new go-meal when life gets busy! Juicy shrimp, tender peppers, and onions flavored with a homemade fajita seasoning blend are cooked in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajitas
Italian Meatball Soup
Indulge in Italian Meatball Soup with Pesto, a perfect mix of juicy meatballs and pasta cooked to perfection, a rich broth seasoned with a pesto.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Classic German Beef Rouladen (Rinderrouladen)
Mouthwatering and tender Beef Rouladen (German Rinderrouladen) are filled with bacon, pickles, onions, and mustard.
Get the Recipe: Classic German Beef Rouladen (Rinderrouladen)
Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Tomato Relish
If you’re craving a quick beef recipe for dinner, you might like to make pan-roasted beef tenderloin medallions. Featuring the delicious flavors of cayenne, garlic, chilies, horseradish, and more, these seared beef medallions with tomato relish sauce are sure to tantalize your taste buds with this 30-minute meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Tomato Relish
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
This Two Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef Brisket will be a dinner home run. It’s tender and juicy and oh so easy!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry
General Tso Shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish that you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. It offers sweet, tangy, savory flavors and a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry
Puff Pastry Pizza
The whole family will love this easy puff pastry pizza, personalized with your favorite toppings! Thanks to the convenience of frozen puff pastry (no rolling required!), you’ll achieve a light and crispy crust that perfectly complements the flavorful toppings. This quick and delicious pizza is the ultimate kitchen shortcut, perfect for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pizza
Chicken Taquitos
Make homemade chicken taquitos with this easy taquitos recipe. Instructions include oven-baked taquitos, cooking taquitos in the air fryer, and stove-top fried taquitos. Homemade taquitos are easier than you think! Easy air fryer taquitos or oven-baked taquitos make a great weeknight meal or serve for Taco Tuesday.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taquitos
Sweet and Spicy Noodles
These Sweet and Spicy Noodles are an Asian-inspired, fast, easy weeknight dinner that can be ready and on the table in just 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Noodles
Mussels Marinara Recipe
This easy mussels marinara recipe is a delicious and affordable restaurant dinner at home! Ready in about 30 minutes, this classic Italian seafood dish can be served as an appetizer or a main dish over pasta.
Get the Recipe: Mussels Marinara Recipe
Chicken Stir Fry
This chicken thigh stir fry recipe is a big-time saver. It is quick and easy to prepare, rich in flavor, with a balanced proportion of protein and fibers. The chicken thighs are tender and juicy, with a hint of sweetness from the onion and carrot.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry
Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Skillet Dinner
When craving a quick and easy skillet dinner, this recipe for kielbasa and sauerkraut is the best. You need less than ten ingredients and only 30 minutes for a hearty kielbasa skillet dinner that feeds 3-4 people.
Get the Recipe: Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Skillet Dinner
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken And Broccoli
Sheet pan meals are meant to be simple, delicious, & easy to make. This recipe for sheet pan spicy buffalo chicken and broccoli is exactly that. Juicy bites of seasoned boneless skinless chicken breast with tender broccoli florets is a quick, no-fuss weekday dinner – ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken And Broccoli
Tuna Fried Rice
This is the best tuna fried rice recipe! Made with canned tuna, white rice, eggs, vegetables, and a delicious homemade fried rice sauce that you can make as spicy or mild as you like. This recipe is so easy to make and is ready in just 15 minutes. You will have a healthy meal on the table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Fried Rice
Honey Lemon Chicken
This Honey Chicken is tender chicken tossed in a skillet with butter, honey, garlic, fresh lemon juice, spices, and soy sauce. This Honey Lemon Chicken is a quick and easy 15-minute chicken dish.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Chicken
Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Toss that seasoning packet away and transform your instant ramen noodles into this delicious Chicken Ramen Stir Fry. Made with ground chicken, coleslaw mix, bell peppers, and a delicious homemade sauce, you will love this easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Butter Bean Stew
This easily made Butter Bean Stew is a great meat-free meal that is perfect for busy nights. It is a one-pot complete meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Butter Bean Stew
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.