22 Weeknight Dinner Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves

One-Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

This easy and flavorful chicken dish is perfect for busy weeknights, requiring minimal cleanup and simple preparation.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and thyme.
3. In a large oven-safe skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Add the garlic and lemon slices, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet, searing each side for 3-4 minutes.
6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Serve with pan juices drizzled on top.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Enjoy the rich and creamy flavors of this classic dish, effortlessly made in your slow cooker.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 onion, chopped
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Add beef, onion, and mushrooms to the slow cooker.
2. Pour in beef broth, seasoning with salt and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
4. Mix sour cream and flour, then stir into the slow cooker and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Serve over egg noodles or rice.

Sheet Pan Salmon with Asparagus

A healthy and quick dinner option, this sheet pan salmon is full of flavor and easy to prep.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Arrange salmon and asparagus on a sheet pan.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through.
5. Serve immediately.

Instant Pot Chili

This hearty chili cooks quickly in the Instant Pot, delivering robust flavors in a fraction of the usual time.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté and brown the ground beef with onion and garlic.
2. Add beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Seal the lid and set to high pressure for 15 minutes.
4. Quick release the pressure and stir before serving.

Coconut Curry Lentil Soup

This comforting soup is both nourishing and packed with flavor, making for an easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion until soft.
2. Add lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and curry powder.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
4. Season with salt and serve warm.

Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a comforting classic, and this version skips complicated steps for a quick assembly.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ziti according to package instructions.
3. In a baking dish, combine cooked ziti, marinara, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella.
4. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. Top with remaining mozzarella and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly.

Honey Garlic Shrimp

Quick and tasty, these honey garlic shrimp make for a delightful dinner paired with rice or veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Cooking method:

1. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
2. Marinate shrimp in the mixture for at least 15 minutes.
3. In a skillet, cook shrimp over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Serve with remaining marinade drizzled on top.

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

These stuffed shells are a cheesy, comforting meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook shells according to package directions.
3. Mix ricotta, spinach, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture and place in a baking dish.
5. Pour marinara sauce over, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake for 20 minutes.

Korean Beef Bowls

These quick Korean beef bowls are packed with umami flavor, perfect for a speedy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Cooked rice, for serving

Cooking method:

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil.
3. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Serve over cooked rice.

Fajita Chicken Breasts

These easy fajita chicken breasts are juicy and full of zesty flavor, perfect for a quick meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss chicken, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil and fajita seasoning.
3. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
4. Serve with tortillas, if desired.