20 Hot Dishes to Bring Some Spice to Your Weeknight

These spicy recipes are perfect for when you want a tasty meal without a lot of fuss. You can always adjust the heat to make it milder but still keep all the great flavor. They are also really simple to put together and won’t leave you with a huge mess to clean up afterwards.

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry

A bowl of red creamy curry with shrimp garnished with cilantro leaves, served on a black plate. A piece of flatbread is on the side, and a golden lid is partially visible in the foreground. — Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry. Photo by Tiffin and Tea

Tender shrimp are cooked in a sauce full of warm spices in this Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry, which is great for piling on top of rice or scooping up with flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry

Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales

Pork and Nopales in chile colorado sauce served on a white plate. — Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales features really soft pork that is covered in a tasty red sauce, making each bite better than the last with its amazing mix of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales

Spicy Gochujang Tofu (Vegan Korean Crispy Tofu Recipe)

A close-up of spicy Korean chicken garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, served on a bed of white rice. One piece of chicken is being picked up, showing its crispy texture and vibrant red sauce. — Spicy Gochujang Tofu. Photo by Someone Feed Seb

For a bold Korean chili sauce that coats every piece, try Spicy Gochujang Tofu, which gives you crispy tofu with a kick that is both sweet and a little bit spicy.
Get the recipe: Spicy Gochujang Tofu

Chicharron en Salsa Verde (pork rinds in green sauce)

Pork rinds cooked in green sauce sitting in an oval clay bowl. — Chicharron en Salsa. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

For a quick and flavorful meal, puffy pork rinds soak up a tangy green sauce in Chicharron en Salsa Verde until they become perfectly soft and chewy for tacos or rice.
Get the Recipe: Chicharron en Salsa Verde

Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla is a dish where plump shrimp are tossed in a seriously spicy and devilishly good sauce that is much easier to make than you might think.
Get Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Easy Vegan Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Two bowls of noodle soup garnished with greens, red chilies, lime slices, and mushrooms on a light surface. Surrounding items include fresh herbs, chilies, mint, garlic, and spices. Chopsticks rest on the bowls, and a red napkin is nearby. — Vegan Pho. Photo credit: Happy Kitchen

Vegan Pho is a light and healthy take on a classic noodle soup, filled with fresh herbs and spices for a meal that is both gluten-free and low in fat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Pork Chile Rellenos

A stuffed Pork Chile Relleno, drizzled with Mexican crema, served on a white plate. — Pork Chile Relleno. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Pork Chile Rellenos are a must-try for an authentic meal, featuring roasted peppers that are stuffed with seasoned pork and lots of bold, delicious flavors.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chile Rellenos

Huevo en Salsa (Eggs in Salsa)

Huevo en Salsa served on a plate next to pinto beans and pickled jalapenos. — Huevo en Salsa. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Huevo en Salsa is a simple dish where eggs are gently cooked in a warm and slightly spicy tomato sauce that is perfect for eating with soft, warm tortillas.
Get the recipe: Huevos en Salsa

Crock Pot Lamb Curry

A bowl of yellow rice and curry garnished with herbs sits on a colorful paisley-patterned cloth. Two forks lie beside it. A small bowl of yellow rice and a bowl of fresh cilantro are placed nearby on a wooden table. — Crock Pot Lamb Curry. Photo by The Roasted Root

Crock Pot Lamb Curry is packed with flavor and becomes incredibly tender after cooking all day, making it perfect to serve over a bed of fluffy basmati rice.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Lamb Curry

Pambazo Sandwich

The Pambazo Sandwich is a bold and flavorful meal where soft bread is dipped in a chile sauce and then filled with spicy chorizo and potatoes for an amazing taste.
Get Recipe: Pambazo

Salsa Verde Pork Chops

A blue and white flower-patterned plate holds a juicy, cooked pork chop topped with herbs. The plate also contains a serving of steamed white rice, green broccoli florets, and sliced fresh green jalapeños. — Chuletas en Salsa Verde. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Juicy pork chops are cooked right in a tangy and herby green sauce for Salsa Verde Pork Chops, making a fresh and easy dinner that is far from boring.
Get the Recipe: Chuletas en Salsa Verde

Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and tofu in a wok, garnished with sesame seeds. The dish includes spaghetti noodles, broccoli, sugar snap peas, and onions, and is seasoned with a flavorful sauce. Chopsticks rest on the side of the dish. — Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles. Photo by The Sassy Foodie

Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles combine chicken with a spicy, sweet, and sour peanut sauce for a dish that is ready in just minutes and packed with fresh ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

Red Beef Pozole

Red Beef Pozole is a rich and satisfying Mexican stew that is made with tender pieces of beef, hominy, and a deep red chile broth that is full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Red Beef Pozole

Rigatoni Arrabbiata

A plate of rigatoni pasta topped with a rich, red tomato sauce. The pasta is garnished with chopped herbs, adding a touch of green. The dish is served on a white plate, set on a rustic wooden table. — Rigatoni Arrabbiata. Photo by Marcellina Cucina

Rigatoni Arrabbiata is a classic pasta dish that brings the heat with its spicy tomato sauce, making it a quick and super satisfying meal for any night.
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni Arrabbiata

Chicken in Creamy Poblano Sauce

A plate with white rice, steamed broccoli, and chicken covered in a creamy green sauce speckled with corn kernels, perfect for those exploring spicy recipes. — Poblano Chicken. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Chicken in Creamy Poblano Sauce is the perfect mix of juicy chicken and a rich, smoky sauce made from roasted peppers, creating a comforting and delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pollo en Crema Poblana

Crispy Aloo Pakora – Potato Bajia – Tiffin And Tea

A plate filled with vibrant orange fritters, possibly Indian pakoras, served on a brown, round dish. The fritters appear crispy and are piled on each other, filling the plate. — Crispy Aloo Pakora. Photo by Tiffin And Tea

Potato Pakoras are the ultimate crispy snack, with soft and spiced potatoes wrapped in a crunchy chickpea batter that is perfect for dipping in sauce.
et Recipe: How to make Crispy Aloo Pakora – Potato Bajia

Panela Cheese and Poblano Peppers (Queso con Chile)

Queso con Chile served in a decorative blue plate next to pinto beans and a cactus salad. — Queso con Chile. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Queso con Chile is a simple yet comforting dish that brings together soft panela cheese and a rich tomato-chile sauce for a warm and tasty experience.
Get the Recipe: Queso con Chile

Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

A bowl of roasted potatoes seasoned with spices and garnished with chopped green herbs. A black spoon is resting in the bowl. The bowl is placed on a patterned tablecloth next to a plate of lemons. — Spicy Lebanese Potatoes. Photo by A Cedar Spoon

Spicy Lebanese Potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, then tossed in a bold mix of coriander, paprika, and a touch of cayenne pepper.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

Chipotle Carne Asada

Chipotle Carne Asada is full of smoky flavors from the chipotle peppers and features tender grilled meat that is perfect for stuffing into tacos or burritos.
Get Recipe: Chipotle Carne Asada

South Indian Chicken Curry

A plate of curry chicken and yellow rice garnished with fresh herbs. The dish is served on a black plate with slices of naan bread in the background, placed on a red cloth. — South Indian Chicken Curry. Photo by: Pain The Kitchen Red

South Indian Chicken Curry is a creamy and fragrant dish that is loaded with lots of traditional spices, creating a mildly spicy and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: South Indian Chicken Curry