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19 Quick Dinners Perfect for Busy Nights

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Need a good dinner without a lot of work? These meals come together in about half an hour. You get tasty ideas like creamy pasta, crunchy chicken, and hearty beef dishes. They use simple steps and normal ingredients you might already have. This means you can make something really delicious without spending your whole evening in the kitchen.

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Sopa de Elote (Mexican Corn Soup)

Bowl of Sopa de Elote topped with cheese and Mexican crema.
Sopa de Elote. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Blended corn makes this soup creamy without using any cream. Sopa de Elote is topped with cheese for extra flavor.
Get recipe: Sopa de elote

Tahini Pasta

A close-up of creamy rotini pasta garnished with fresh basil leaves, served in a white bowl. The pasta looks rich and inviting, with a smooth, thick white sauce coating each piece.
Tahini Pasta. Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

A nutty sesame paste makes the sauce for this pasta rich and creamy. A bit of lemon makes the Tahini Pasta taste fresh.
Get the Recipe: Tahini Pasta

Bistec Ranchero (ranch-style beef)

Bistec Ranchero served on a decorative Mexican clay plate next to beans and rice.
Bistec Ranchero. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Thin beef simmers with peppers in a thick tomato sauce. You can scoop up your Bistec Ranchero with a warm tortilla.
Get the Recipe: Bistec Ranchero

Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli

A plate of cooked broccoli and golden-brown, glazed chicken topped with fresh parsley. The broccoli is vibrant green, contrasting with the savory, saucy chicken pieces.
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken and Broccoli. Photo by The Short Order Cook

The spicy chicken and broccoli roast together on one pan. Cleaning up after Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli is super easy.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli

Espagueti Blanco (White Sauce Spaghetti)

A plate of espagueti blanco topped with fresh parsley.
Espagueti Blanco. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This is a creamy Mexican pasta without any tomatoes. You can add chicken to your Espagueti Blanco for a fuller meal.
Get the Recipe: Espagueti Blanco

Almond Crusted Salmon

A plate with a piece of salmon topped with chopped nuts, a side of mashed potatoes, and spears of steamed asparagus.
Almond Crusted Salmon. Photo by Carmyy

A crunchy almond topping makes this fish really special. The Almond Crusted Salmon stays moist and bakes quickly.
Get the recipe: Almond Crusted Salmon

Mexican Picadillo

Mexican picadillo served on a white plate next to Mexican rice and chile pasado.
Mexican Picadillo. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This is a tasty mix of ground beef and potatoes in a savory sauce. You can serve Mexican Picadillo over rice or in warm tortillas.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Picadillo

Papas a la Mexicana (Mexican-Style Potatoes)

Two Papas a la Mexicana tacos served on a green plate and surrounded with bowls of potential toppings.
Papas a la Mexicana. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Potatoes get cooked with tomatoes and peppers in one pan. Papas a la Mexicana makes a great side dish or taco filling.
Get the Recipe: Papas a la Mexicana

Chicken Vodka Pasta

A close-up of a bowl filled with penne pasta covered in creamy tomato sauce, garnished with shredded cheese and fresh herbs. The pasta looks rich and flavorful, with a hint of green garnish adding a fresh touch. Another bowl of pasta is slightly visible in the background.
Chicken Vodka Pasta. Photo credit: Marcellina in Cucina.

Tender chicken sits in a smooth, creamy sauce with pasta. This Chicken Vodka Pasta feels fancy but is easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Vodka Pasta

Enfrijoladas (Bean Sauce Enchiladas)

A plate of enfrijoladas, topped with crumbled cheese and cilantro, is displayed on a wooden table. Nearby are bowls containing sliced jalapeños and crumbled cheese, with a keychain and cilantro leaves scattered alongside some pinto beans.
Enfrijoladas. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Soft tortillas are covered in a rich, creamy bean sauce. Then Enfrijoladas are filled with lots of melting cheese.
Get the Recipe: Enfrijoladas

Easy Korean Ground Beef

A wooden spoon scoops a mixture of cooked ground beef and fresh green beans, garnished with sesame seeds. The dish is seasoned and colorful, with vibrant green and rich brown tones.
Korean Ground Beef. Photo by Belly Full

This beef is a little sweet, salty, and spicy all at once. Enjoy Easy Korean Ground Beef over a bowl of rice.
Get the Recipe: Easy Korean Ground Beef

Tacos de Camaron (Shrimp Tacos)

Three shrimp tacos topped with jalapeno slices sitting on a wooden cutting board.
Tacos de Camaron. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Spicy shrimp go into warm tortillas for these quick tacos. Top your Tacos de Camaron with a simple, creamy sauce.
Get Recipe: Tacos de Camaron

Milanesa de Res (Breaded Beef Milanese)

Milanesa de Res served with avocado slices on top and potato fries on a glass plate
Milanesa de Res. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This is a thin, crispy piece of breaded beef that cooks fast. Serve your Milanesa de Res with a squeeze of lime.
Get the Recipe: Milanesa de Res

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

A glass bowl filled with tortellini salad. The salad includes cheese-filled tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil, and pesto sauce, creating a vibrant and colorful Italian-inspired dish.
Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

This pasta salad uses cheesy tortellini and fresh pesto sauce. Your Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is good warm or cold.
Get Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Crispy Pineapple Chicken

A plate of sweet and sour chicken with chunks of pineapple, sliced green onions, snap peas, and bell peppers, served over white rice. Two wooden chopsticks rest on the side of the blue plate.
Crispy Pineapple Chicken . Photo by Modern Honey

You get sweet pineapple and crispy chicken in a thick sauce. This Crispy Pineapple Chicken is great served over rice.
Get Recipe: Crispy Pineapple Chicken

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

A bowl filled with teriyaki chicken pieces, white rice, and topped with sesame seeds and green onions. Broccoli florets and edamame are arranged on the side. A fork rests on the edge of the bowl.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Love From The Oven.

This chicken cooks in a sweet and sticky sauce that gets thick right in your pan. Your whole family will love this Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe.
Get the Recipe: Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Close-up of grilled chicken skewers with red bell peppers and onions, garnished with fresh parsley. The skewers are glazed with a shiny, dark sauce, enhancing the vibrant colors of the vegetables and the golden-brown chicken.
Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs. Photo by Great Chicken Recipes

These kabobs cook fast with juicy chicken and crisp veggies. An Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs dinner is ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Close-up of a plate of rotini pasta mixed with ground meat, tomatoes, and sprinkled with grated cheese. Fresh basil leaves garnish the dish, and a fork rests on the side.
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo by Valerie’s Kitchen

The pasta, meat, and sauce all cook together in one pan. This Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is perfect for a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

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