90+ Dinner Ideas That Solve the Question of What to Cook Tonight

updated Aug 7, 2023

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Credit: Maria Siriano
Sheet Pan Honey-Dijon Chicken and Vegetables

It doesn’t matter whether you meal prep or not: The question of what to cook for dinner persists night after night, and week after week. Sometimes the answer is easy and obvious, while other nights, despite a full fridge and pantry, you are completely and utterly stumped on what to make.

To offer some fresh inspiration, we rounded up more than 90 tried-and-true weeknight dinner ideas we find ourselves coming back to again and again. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meals, a kid-approved meal everyone will enjoy, something that feels healthy, a recipe to put that pack of chicken to work, or a meat-free main, there’s a recipe for every dinnertime situation. Here are more than 90 dinner ideas that offer something for everyone.

Quick Dinner Ideas for Two

Since most recipes are written to serve at least four people, it can feel tricky when you’re cooking for two — especially if you’re not into leftovers. Each of these dinners makes just enough for two people or uses a technique that makes it easy to scale down the recipe.

1 / 13

Herbed Gnocchi and Mushrooms

A generous splash of white wine creates a light sauce for this herb-flecked pasta — while the bottle’s open, you might as well pour two glasses to enjoy.

2 / 13

Instant Pot Salmon

Just 10 minutes and 3 ingredients stand between you and this fast and fancy salmon dinner for two.

3 / 13

Garlic Scape Pesto

Stretch this easy and flavorful green pesto out for a couple of great weeknight dinners for two. Toss into pasta one night, serve it with grilled or roasted vegetables, meat, and fish the next.

4 / 13

Michael Natkin's Spicy Stir-Fried Zucchini

Served over a bowl of rice or noodles, this saucy stir-fry makes a nice, light dinner for two. I like to bulk it up with some cubes of crispy tofu, browned ground meat, or shredded rotisserie chicken.

5 / 13

Pork and Broccoli Rice Bowls

Opting for Broccolini instead of broccoli is a great choice for these rice bowls, as it usually comes in a smaller bunch that’s perfectly sized for two.

6 / 13

Chicken Parm and Pasta Skillet

Store-bought conveniences are often the secret to success when cooking just for two. Here, frozen breaded chicken breast saves you the hassle of frying up cutlets to make a downsized version of comforting chicken Parm.

7 / 13

Honey Garlic Shrimp

This fresh, bright stir-fry is sweet and aromatic but definitely fiery, thanks to a generous pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve it over cooked rice or quinoa to make it a complete meal.

8 / 13

Skillet Cod with Lemon and Capers

This simple skillet fish dinner is easy to halve to serve two. It’s one of those meals that feels fancy yet happens to be pretty much effortless.

9 / 13

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll-Ups

Take all the creamy, rich goodness of chicken Alfredo, roll it into lasagna noodles, and you have a dinner that will cure just about anything the day brought. It makes lasagna possible for two people without a giant baking dish’s worth of leftovers — and on a weeknight, at that.

10 / 13

Stovetop Skillet Pizza

This skillet pizza is sized to serve two people perfectly. Pair it with a simple salad, red wine, and your favorite show on Netflix.

11 / 13

Easy Fig & Prosciutto Flatbreads

Fancy enough for dinner party appetizer but easy enough for a date-night in, these fig and prosciutto flatbreads are easy decadence.

12 / 13

Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry (Gai Pad Khing)

When the temptation to order takeout strikes, reach for this recipe. It’s arguably faster and definitely rivals anything you could order in.

13 / 13

Lemon Thyme Chicken Thighs

This is more technique than recipe, which means you can cook as many or as few chicken thighs as you need and things will turn out great.

Healthy Dinner Ideas

No matter what healthy means to you, this lineup of feel-good dinners has a little something for everyone. And best of all, they’re easy enough to pull off on a weeknight.

1 / 19

Sheet Pan Halloumi with Burst Tomatoes, Summer Squash, Preserved Lemon, and Mint

This colorful sheet pan dinner is packed with a wholesome mix of flavorful Mediterranean ingredients.

2 / 19

Crispy Tofu Bowl with Caramelized Fall Veggies

In this hearty vegetarian grain bowl, crispy caramelized butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and protein-packed tofu are tossed in a savory-sweet glaze and piled onto warm brown rice.

3 / 19

Sonoran Hot Dogs

Mexican-inspired bacon-wrapped hot dogs in a paleo-friendly butter lettuce leaf bun.

4 / 19

Crispy Skillet Salmon with Mustardy Cabbage

Crispy-skinned salmon fillets sit on top of a bed of savory sautéed cabbage in this easy skillet dinner.

5 / 19

Herby Chicken Grain Bowl with Feta Dressing

Feta dressing upgrades this hearty and refreshing grain bowl.

6 / 19

Easy Sheet Pan Chili Garlic Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli

This easy sheet pan supper is flavored with a combination of soy sauce and ginger and amped up with just one simple addition: chili garlic sauce.

7 / 19

Herby French Lentil Salad with Carrots, Goat Cheese, and Pistachios

This satisfying lentil salad is the ultimate make-ahead option for lunch. Carrots and pistachios lend crunch and color, while crumbles of goat cheese provide creaminess with every bite.

8 / 19

Easy Crustless Quiche

Quiche can absolutely be dinner and this easy recipe proves it.

9 / 19

Parmesan Chicken and Kale Sauté

This one-skillet dinner feels both wholesome and special, and is quick and easy enough to pull off any night of the week.

10 / 19

Easy 5-Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon

Five ingredients and about 15 minutes are all you need to pull off this wholesome meal.

11 / 19

5-Ingredient Black Bean Veggie Burgers

These vegetarian black bean veggie burgers are made with pantry staples and are ready in 30 minutes.

12 / 19

Cold Ramen with Quick-Pickled Mushrooms, Celery, and Ginger

Pickled vegetables and chewy ramen noodles combine for a mighty yet simple cold noodle salad.

13 / 19

Orzo Skillet with Shrimp and Feta

Tomato-y orzo meets sweet shrimp, salty feta, and fresh mint in this Greek-inspired skillet dinner.

14 / 19

Mediterranean White Bean Soup

This hearty vegetarian white bean soup is packed with wilted spinach and Parmesan.

15 / 19

Easy Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

From a cilantro-lime yogurt topping to smoky roasted veggies, this naturally gluten-free meal is a lighter take on hearty enchiladas.

16 / 19

Easy Juicy Turkey-Veggie Meatloaf

This turkey meatloaf is packed with good-for-you veggies that ensure it doesn't cook up dry. Get ready for a crowd-pleaser the whole family will love.

17 / 19

Easy Sheet Pan Greens and Beans

This family-friendly sheet pan is nothing short of a miracle meal.

18 / 19

The Best Chicken Zoodle Soup

This one-pot wonder brings chicken soup together with fresh zucchini and carrot noodles for a soothing yet fresh take on the classic.

19 / 19

Broiled Salmon with Lemon, Herbs and Mustard

Topped with Dijon mustard and fresh herbs, all you need is 10 minutes to bring this salmon to the table.

Family Dinner Ideas

Not only are these weeknight favorites quick and easy to bring to the table, but also big and little eaters alike will gobble them up.

1 / 17

Dotted with your choice of toppings and garnishes, eggplant pizza is saucy and cheesy - and doesn't require pizza dough.

2 / 17

This Japanese-style cabbage pancake is made with cabbage, carrots, scallions, and eggs.

3 / 17

Mini meatloaves cook in half the time of a full-sized meatloaf. They're a cinch on busy nights, and provide ample time to put together a side dish.

4 / 17

This quick 5-ingredient pasta dinner is filled with broccoli, Greek yogurt, and cheese that's made in just one pot.

5 / 17

Almond-Crusted Chicken Fingers with Yogurt-Herb Dip

Breading the chicken in almond flour means these tenders are also gluten-free.

6 / 17

Cheeseburger Dumplings

Untraditional in every way, these dumplings combine the best of two worlds: delicate dumplings and juicy cheeseburgers, complete with special sauce.

7 / 17

Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls

Veggie burrito bowls are a one-stop shop, delivering the best part of a burrito — the filling! — with tender brown rice, smoky pinto beans, and fresh veggies, all topped with a dollop of citrusy sour cream.

8 / 17

5-Ingredient Baked Potato Soup

Spoiler: No baked potatoes are required for this soup. Just one freezer shortcut will get you from done to devoured in less than 30 minutes!

9 / 17

Open-Faced Pizza Burgers

Big and little eaters alike will adore this beefed-up riff on English muffin pizzas.

10 / 17

Chickpea Nuggets

These meatless nuggets are guaranteed to surprise both you and your kids.

11 / 17

Let your kids have fun making the rainbow for this veggie-packed pizza.

12 / 17

Sheet Pan Crispy Salmon and Potatoes

This sheet pan supper will show you just how quick and simple it can be to get a salmon dinner on the table any night of the week.

13 / 17

5-Ingredient Enchilada Casserole

Easy weeknight enchiladas are within reach, thanks to a grocery store shortcut.

14 / 17

Broccoli and Cheese Risotto

This one-pot dinner feels a bit special for the adults, but it’s also satisfying for the kids.

15 / 17

Juicy Turkey Meatballs

If you're worried turkey meatballs will be dry, we've found the solution.

16 / 17

Huevos Rancheros Tacos

Pile cheesy scrambled eggs, roasted red peppers, and black beans and you've got a kid-friendly dinner made in minutes.

17 / 17

Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Veggies

This one-pan dinner of roasted gnocchi and vegetables doesn't even require you to boil the dumplings.

Dinner Ideas with Chicken

I know how it goes: You’ve got a pack of chicken breasts or thighs sitting in the fridge that need to be cooked tonight, and you’re totally stumped on what to make. These recipes are the inspiration you need to solve your dinner dilemma.

1 / 15

Chicken Scallopini

Chicken scallopini is simple, straightforward, and thanks to the bath of buttery lemon-white wine sauce, is far, far greater than the sum of its parts.

2 / 15

Jalapeño Popper Chicken

All the spicy, cheesy, gooey components of the classic bar snack come together in this easy weeknight dinner.

3 / 15

Pineapple Chicken

Serve this sweet and savory chicken stir-fry over steamed rice for a meal that’s better than takeout.

4 / 15

Lemon-Sumac Roasted Chicken

This recipe is an ode to crispy skin. And the first step to getting perfectly crispy skin in every bite is to spatchcock the chicken.

5 / 15

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

For the crispiest chicken tenders, look to the air fryer.

6 / 15

Life-Changing Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

These chicken thighs are impossibly juicy thanks to a stovetop-to-oven cooking method and a garlic butter drizzle. Plus they boast the crispiest, crackliest skin. Bonus: you only need five ingredients to make them.

7 / 15

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Chicken

This creamy Parmesan garlic mushroom chicken skillet is inspired by cream of mushroom soup, and comes together in 30 minutes.

8 / 15

One-Pan Chicken and Rice with Olives and Lemon

This weeknight-friendly chicken and rice dish cooks all in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze. It's also extremely adaptable based on what's in your pantry.

9 / 15

Slow Cooker Salsa Pulled Chicken

Our best recipe for shortcut salsa chicken in the slow cooker.

10 / 15

Coconut Milk Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Learn how to cook a whole chicken in coconut milk with fresh basil and ginger for a luscious but easy dinner.

11 / 15

Instant Pot Weeknight Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowls

The key to perfecting these comforting bowls is layering the ingredients in your Instant Pot with the rice on top.

12 / 15

Juicy Chicken Meatballs

All the qualities we admire in a classic meatball — the crisp brown exterior, the tender interior, herby and fragrant with garlic — can be found in chicken meatballs, too.

13 / 15

Sheet Pan Honey-Dijon Chicken and Vegetables

When you smother chopped chicken breast, crispy potatoes, and tender broccoli in a sweet and tangy honey-mustard sauce, you know you’ve got something good on your hands.

14 / 15

Easy Bruschetta Chicken

Juicy chopped tomatoes, sweet basil, and tangy balsamic are stirred into bruschetta then spooned over seared chicken breast for a quick weeknight dinner.

15 / 15

Feta-Brined Chicken Breast with Rosemary

Feta cheese does magical things to boneless chicken breast. It not only flavors the meat, but also gives it juiciness, so as it roasts in the oven it still remains full of flavor.

Dinner Ideas for Tonight

When the clock is ticking and I need to figure out what to cook for dinner in just a few hours, my strategy is sticking with one of the following: recipes with no more than a handful of ingredients, that call for basic pantry staples, that require a minimal amount of cookware, or that come together in 20 minutes or less. Each of these recipes checks at least one of those boxes.

1 / 19

Quick Chicken Parmesan

Frozen chicken tenders are the secret to serving cozy chicken Parmesan on any night of the week.

2 / 19

Anchovy Carbonara

This ultra creamy (and weeknight-friendly!) pasta carbonara swaps guanciale for tinned anchovies.

3 / 19

The Ultimate Trader Joe's Grilled Cheese

This over-the-top sandwich is made with three Trader Joe's ingredients: Focaccia with Tomato and Parmesan, Cheddar & Gruyère Mélange Cheese, and Zhoug Sauce.

4 / 19

5-Ingredient Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Low-carb shrimp lettuce wraps are crisp, crunchy and need just 5 ingredients.

5 / 19

5-Ingredient Sausage, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup

This hearty 5-ingredient soup is a fun way to turn that pack of chicken sausage lingering in the fridge into dinner. The recipe calls for lacinato kale, but any hearty green will do here.

6 / 19

Avocado and Cucumber Arugula Salad

Feel free to turn this vibrant salad into a meal by topping it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.

7 / 19

3-Ingredient Baked Caesar Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are smothered in your favorite creamy Caesar dressing and baked until golden, then showered with snowy Parmesan before heading under the broiler to get nice and bubbly.

8 / 19

Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Use a sheet pan and a few store-bought shortcuts to make a large format quesadillas to feed the whole table.

9 / 19

Four-Can Pantry Salad

A quick and easy salad made with pantry ingredients you might already have on hand.

10 / 19

One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Tomato Pasta

For such a short ingredient list, this 20-minute pasta dish is bursting with bold flavors, thanks to fire-roasted tomatoes and smoky andouille sausage.

11 / 19

One-Pot Tomato Chickpeas and Orzo

This is the kind of dinner you make when you get home late and are greeted by a nearly empty fridge. The result is a creamy, one-pot pantry dinner that's almost reminiscent of risotto yet is firmly its own.

12 / 19

Broccolini, Chicken Sausage, and Orzo Skillet

Turn chicken sausage, quick-cooking orzo, and Broccolini into an easy one-skillet pasta dinner with this weeknight-friendly recipe.

13 / 19

Easy, Creamy Beef and Shells

If you grew up loving Hamburger Helper, you're going to love this quick and easy from-scratch version of cheesy beef and shells.

14 / 19

Ground Beef Taco Casserole

This recipe is everything you love about classic ground beef tacos baked into an easy casserole, then topped with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheddar.

15 / 19

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

With the help of a few store-bought shortcuts, taco night comes together in just 15 minutes.

16 / 19

Green Goddess Skillet Chicken and Veggies

A bottle of herby green goddess dressing from Trader Joe's plays both the marinade and the sauce in this colorful chicken and radish skillet.

17 / 19

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

As with all of the best Italian recipes, this one is far, far greater than the sum of its parts.

18 / 19

One-Skillet Salsa Pork Chops

Pork chops are simmered in chunky salsa that's punched up with a splash of balsamic, so each bite is just the right balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.

19 / 19

10-Minute Black Bean Tacos

Even on the nights you feel like you just don't have it in you to cook, you can still manage these tacos. Trust me.

Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

Whether it’s a dinner pasta, something saucy, tacos, a one-bowl meal, or sheet pan dinner you crave, we’ve got a veggie-packed, meat-free dinner idea for you.

1 / 13

Tuscan Sheet Pan Gnocchi

This easy 3-ingredient sheet pan dinner features crispy potato gnocchi, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and wilted baby spinach.

2 / 13

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Black beans and brown rice keep these weeknight-friendly stuffed peppers packed with protein, so they're guaranteed to fill you up.

3 / 13

Sweet Potato Curry

This quick Thai red curry is filled with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and baby spinach that's made creamy with coconut milk.

4 / 13

Weeknight General Tso's Tofu

Inspired by the Chinese food favorite, this at-home version packs in a whole lot more veggies for a feel-good meal.

5 / 13

Vegetarian Kale Taco Salad

There's so much going on in this taco salad, your fork will have trouble deciding where to go next.

6 / 13

Roasted Mushroom and Poblano Tacos

This quick and easy recipe for vegetarian tacos is filled with roasted portobello mushrooms and poblano peppers and topped with creamy goat cheese.

7 / 13

BBQ Tofu Salad Bowls

On the nights I'm craving salad for dinner but also want a meal that's warm & comforting, these BBQ tofu & roasted vegetable bowls hit the spot.

8 / 13

Kimchi Fried Rice with Extra Greens

Use whatever leafy greens you have handy for this flavorful fried rice.

9 / 13

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

This vegan mac and "cheese" uses butternut squash as a substitute for cheese. Nutritional yeast also helps it feel more cheesy and it gets a spicy kick from chipotles in adobo.

10 / 13

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Chili is a thick, hearty one-pot meal best cooked low and slow, so put away the Dutch oven and plug in the slow cooker for this vegetarian number.

11 / 13

Slow Cooker Lentil and Mushroom Bolognese

In this "meaty" vegetarian alternative to classic bolognese, baby bella mushrooms and protein-packed green lentils stand in for ground beef.

12 / 13

One-Pot Eggplant Caponata Pasta

All the tangy, sweet, and savory elements of the classic Sicilian eggplant dish of tomatoes, olives, capers, and more come together in this flavor-packed one-pot pasta.

13 / 13

Sweet Potatoes with Chickpea Tomato Sauce

Here's one more reason to bake a couple sweet potatoes at the beginning of the week. Spoon spice-kissed saucy chickpeas over the top, and you've got a comforting, wholesome dinner that's ready in no time.

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