5 Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
Simple meals you can get on the table in 30 minutes or less, even on your busiest days.
Five simple, family-friendly dinner ideas that don't take much time or many ingredients — perfect for those nights when you're short on time but still want a home-cooked meal.
Some nights you get home late, everyone is hungry, and cooking a big meal is the last thing you feel like doing. That's okay — here are five simple dinners that don't take much time or many ingredients.
1. Fried Rice With Whatever You Have
Leftover rice, a couple of eggs, and any vegetables in your fridge can become dinner in about 15 minutes. Just fry everything together in a hot pan with a splash of soy sauce.
2. Pasta With Butter and Parmesan
Boil pasta, toss it with butter, a good amount of grated cheese, and a splash of the hot pasta water. It sounds too simple to be good, but it always is.
3. Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
Put chicken pieces and chopped vegetables on one tray, drizzle with oil, season, and bake. One pan, barely any cleanup.
4. Quesadillas
Cheese between two tortillas in a hot pan for a few minutes a side. Add leftover chicken or beans if you have them.
5. Soup and Toast
A can of soup heated up with some toast on the side is a real dinner. There's no rule that says dinner has to be complicated.
The goal on a busy night isn't to impress anyone — it's just to get everyone fed with as little stress as possible. Keep a few of these ideas in your back pocket for the nights when you need them.