Figuring out “what’s for dinner tonight?” can feel like a daily puzzle. Let’s make it easier! To help you decide, let’s think about what kind of evening you’re having. Are you looking for speed, something seasonal, or maybe a healthy option? No matter your situation, we’ve got dinner ideas covered.
Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
When time is short and you need dinner on the table fast, these recipes are your weeknight heroes. Perfect for those evenings when work, school, or other commitments run late.
- Lentils with Crispy Sausages – A flavorful and satisfying meal that comes together quickly.
- Burrito Bowl – Customize your bowl with your favorite toppings for a fast and healthy dinner.
- Hatch Burgers – Elevate your burger night with these juicy and flavorful Hatch chili burgers.
- Old School Chicken with Lemon and Capers – A classic dish that’s both bright and comforting, ready in minutes.
- Chorizo Tacos with Avocado, Slaw, and Cilanto-Lime Yogurt – Spice up your Tuesday with these zesty and fresh chorizo tacos.
- Grilled Steak Tacos with Pickled Onions and Cilantro Pesto – Restaurant-quality steak tacos you can make at home in a flash.
- Basic Chicken and Rice – A comforting and simple dish, perfect for a no-fuss weeknight dinner.
- Quick Miso-Glazed Salmon – Impressive flavor in minutes with this umami-rich miso salmon.
- Sweet and Sour Mongolian Tofu Stir-fry – A vegetarian delight that’s both sweet, sour, and satisfyingly savory.
- Chicken Sausages with Kale and Baked Beans – A hearty and healthy one-pan meal that’s ready in no time.
- Tortilla Soup – Warm up with a bowl of comforting and flavorful tortilla soup.
- Shrimp with Feta – A Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s light, bright, and quick to prepare.
- Oven-Roasted Shrimp with Asparagus – A healthy and elegant dinner that’s incredibly easy to make.
- Fried Chickpeas on Pita or Naan with Yogurt Sauce – A flavorful vegetarian option that’s quick, easy, and budget-friendly.
- Top 10 Quick Dinners – Explore even more super-fast dinner ideas.
- Top 10 Side Dishes – Complete your quick dinner with a speedy and delicious side.
Summer Dinner Ideas: Savoring the Season
When summer arrives, you crave meals that are light, fresh, and full of seasonal flavors. These recipes capture the essence of summer dining.
- Spaghetti with Corn, Bacon, Basil – Sweet corn, smoky bacon, and fragrant basil make this pasta a summer staple.
- Salmon Salad – Grilled salmon takes this salad to the next level, perfect for a light yet satisfying summer meal.
- Scallops with Corn-Bacon Hash – A touch of indulgence with sweet scallops paired with a savory corn and bacon hash.
- Grilled Chicken For People Who Hate Grilled Chicken – Yogurt marinated chicken that’s incredibly tender and flavorful, even for grilling skeptics.
- Grilled Vegetables with Haloumi – Halloumi cheese adds a salty, satisfying bite to grilled summer vegetables.
- Five Summer Salads – A collection of vibrant salads featuring summer produce, from potato salad to snap pea salad.
Easy Dinner Solutions for Picky Eaters (and Tired Cooks)
Sometimes you need a dinner that’s both kid-friendly and requires minimal effort, especially when dealing with picky eaters. These recipes are designed to please everyone without added stress.
- Salmon Salad – Versatile and can be served in sandwiches, on crackers, or over greens to please different preferences.
- Deconstructed Taco Pizza (page 196, Dinner: The Playbook) – All the flavors of taco pizza, but easier to customize for individual tastes.
- Deconstructed Tortilla Soup (page 159 Dinner: A Love Storyy) – Let everyone build their own soup bowl, perfect for picky eaters.
- Spaghetti With or Without Clams – A classic pasta dish that can be simplified or elevated, depending on your family’s taste.
- Chili-Rubbed Chicken with Avocado, and Shredded Spinach – Mildly spiced chicken that pairs well with creamy avocado and mild spinach.
Sunday Dinner Ideas: Relaxed Cooking & Delicious Flavors
Sunday dinners are often a bit more relaxed, offering time to prepare something special while enjoying a glass of wine. These recipes are perfect for a leisurely Sunday meal.
- Braised Pork in Adobo with Polenta – Tender, flavorful braised pork with creamy polenta, a comforting Sunday supper.
- Chicken Mole – A richer, more complex dish that’s worth the extra time, perfect for a weekend project.
- Vegetable Tempura Bowl (page 178, Dinner: The Playbook) – Crispy, light tempura vegetables served in a flavorful bowl, a fun and interactive meal.
- Real Deal Pad Thai – Authentic Pad Thai flavors made achievable at home, a delightful Sunday dinner.
- Sweet and Sticky Pomegranate Chicken – A flavorful and visually stunning chicken dish with a sweet and tangy pomegranate glaze.
- Steakhouse-style Steak Salad – Bring the steakhouse experience home with a hearty and satisfying steak salad.
- Stromboli! – A fun and crowd-pleasing filled bread that’s perfect for a casual Sunday gathering.
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Slow-cooked pulled pork for flavorful sandwiches, great for a relaxed Sunday BBQ.
- Minestrone – A hearty and vegetable-packed soup that’s perfect for a cozy Sunday evening.
- Korean Short Ribs – Tender and flavorful Korean short ribs that are sure to impress.
- Fried Fish Nuggets with Chard – Crispy fish nuggets paired with healthy chard, a balanced and tasty Sunday meal.
Healthy Dinner Recipes: Light & Nutritious Options
If you’re looking to balance out richer meals or simply want a lighter, healthier dinner, these recipes are packed with nutrients and flavor without feeling heavy.
- Mongolian Tofu Stir-fry – Lean protein and plenty of vegetables in a flavorful stir-fry.
- Detox Soup (Avocado-Cucumber Soup) – A refreshing and light soup that’s perfect for a healthy reset.
- Shredded Asian Chicken Salad – A vibrant and flavorful salad with lean chicken and crunchy vegetables.
- Vegetable Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce – Fresh and light spring rolls packed with vegetables and served with a delicious peanut sauce.
- Salmon with Brussels Sprouts and Ginger-Scallion Sauce – Omega-3 rich salmon paired with nutritious Brussels sprouts and a flavorful sauce.
- Fish “Presents” – Baked fish with vegetables in parchment packets, a healthy and easy way to cook fish.
- Butternut Squash Soup with Walnuts, Chives, and Creme Fraiche (page 101, Dinner: A Love Story) – A creamy and comforting soup that’s packed with vitamins and nutrients.
- Curried Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Yogurt – A lighter take on chicken salad using yogurt instead of mayonnaise, served in a sandwich or over greens.
Pantry Dinners: Meals from Staple Ingredients
When your fridge is looking bare, these pantry-friendly recipes come to the rescue. Using common pantry staples, you can create delicious and satisfying meals.
- Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Spinach – Simple pantry ingredients transform into a flavorful and comforting pasta dish.
- Easy Chicken Noodle Soup – A classic comfort food made easy with pantry staples like chicken broth and noodles.
- Fried Chickpeas on Pita or Naan with Yogurt Sauce – Canned chickpeas become a star ingredient in this quick and flavorful pantry meal.
- Penne with Roast Tomato Sauce – Canned tomatoes form the base of a delicious and simple pasta sauce.
- Pizza with Asparagus and Onions – Use pantry staples like pizza dough and canned tomatoes, and add whatever veggies you have on hand.
- Beans on Toast – A surprisingly satisfying and budget-friendly meal using canned beans and toast.
- Avocado BLTs – Elevate the classic BLT with creamy avocado, using pantry bacon and bread.
- Waffle Iron Grilled Cheeses – A fun twist on grilled cheese using a waffle iron, utilizing pantry cheese and bread.
- Quinoa Salads with Vegetables – Quinoa and canned vegetables create a healthy and versatile pantry salad.
Dinner Party Ideas: Impressing Your Guests
Planning to have friends or family over? Find inspiration for entertaining with these delicious dinner party recipes.
- See Having People Over! – Explore a dedicated section for dinner party menus and tips.
When Cooking is the Last Thing on Your Mind
For those nights when you’d rather do anything but cook, even store-bought options can be a good choice.
- Storebought dinners that you can feel good about feeding your kids. – Ideas for healthy and convenient store-bought meals.
Still Searching for Dinner Inspiration?
If you haven’t found the perfect recipe yet, explore the complete recipe archive for even more ideas.
- Complete DALS Archive – Browse hundreds of recipes to find your ideal dinner tonight.
Note: This page will be continually updated with seasonal dinner ideas and recipes to help you answer the question “What to cook for dinner tonight?” year-round.
