8 Weeknight Dinner Ideas
There's no denying it: committing to a home-cooked dinner every night can sometimes feel like running a marathon. And, let's be real — after juggling work, exercise, and everything else life throws at us, deciding what's for dinner can feel like the last straw. Ah, gotta love those busy weeknights! We got you. At EveryPlate, we've cooked up a veritable feast of easy weeknight dinner recipes designed to save you time, money, and countless "what should we have for dinner?" debates. More time for Netflix? Yes, please.
From one-pot wonders to divine dinner ideas that'll revamp your weeknight dining, we've got you covered. You can say “byeee” to monotonous meals and hello to cuisine as wild as your favorite Spotify playlist. Trust us: this is the good stuff! So, roll up those sleeves, and let's get this dinner show on the road.
What Are the Benefits of Cooking Dinner at Home?
Cooking dinner at home has perks on perks, we promise. First off, it puts you in the driver's seat. You get to pick the ingredients and make sure your meal is packed with goodness while avoiding anything you don’t want.
Plus, it's a chance to relax and connect with your people (or your pets) after a long day. When you cook at home, you're the boss. You can add that extra kick of spice, toss in your favorite veggies, or try out new and exciting flavors.
Speaking of making it your own, cooking at home can also help you save some serious cash. Eating out can be expensive, but when you whip up your own dinner, you control your budget. Plus, you get to level up your cooking skills and explore new recipes along the way — maybe you’re the next foodie influencer, and you didn’t even know it.
So, put on that apron and get cookin'! Enjoy the benefits of taste, customization, and savings from cooking dinner at home. It's a real win-win situation.
1. Sweet Chili Chicken
Nothing says comfort food like chicken and sweet chili sauce in the same sentence. This recipe raises the bar and isn’t your average chicken dinner.
Here, juicy chicken is glazed with a sweet, spicy lime chili sauce. To bring it all home, it’s served over scallion rice with a side of spiced roasted carrots. The cook time is minimal, the cleanup is easy, and the result is all kinds of delicious.
Remember to serve with some greens on the side because, well, balance. You’d be chicken not to try it.
2. Quick & Crispy Black Bean Quesadillas
Say adios to the standard tortilla, cheese, and chicken game. These crispy, mouth-watering quesadillas are about to become your new best friend on the dinner table.
This one’s golden and crispy on the outside (thanks, olive oil!) and filled with Southwest chicken, veggies like green peppers, and multiple kinds of melty cheese. There’s even a spicy Southwest Crema on the side.
Plus, everything comes together in just 25 minutes; that’s faster than it took to sign into your old MySpace account — are we aging ourselves?
3. Cherry Meatballs (We Promise It’s Good)
Bring a slice of Italy to your dining table with this classic pasta dish (sans pasta).
Cherry cola, cherry pie, cherry brandy, cherry meatballs? We know, we know. But trust: These meatballs will blow your mind. It’s sweet (cherry jam), umami (soy sauce), and a little wild (ketchup).
Bonus points for those extra meatballs that can be repurposed for subs the next day!
4. Stovetop Cheesy Gnocchi
Gnocchi, those little Italian dumplings, make any meal feel a bit more upscale. I mean, c’mon. These are like little cheesy pillows — almost cozier than your favorite fuzzy socks and weighted blanket.
They’re tossed in a creamy, herby tomato and bell pepper sauce, then topped in crispy, melty, broiled mozzarella.
No judgment if you eat this alone on the couch watching The Golden Bachelor. Plus, who needs waitstaff when you have pajamas and your own streaming binge?
5. Thai Chili Lettuce Wraps
If you’re not on the lettuce wrap train yet, get ready. It’s like a taco met a salad, and they had only the best first date they’ve ever had — at least, that’s what they shared in the group chat.
Toss juicy bites of ponzu steak with sweet chili sauce for a sweet spice that will have you texting your bestie about the next dinner party (or Rot Girl Friday). Quick-pickled carrots and a spicy mayo drizzle make these lettuce wraps taste like a treat, even though the calories won’t say so.
It’s takeout flavor without the delivery charge and waiting game.
6. One Pan Beef Tacos
Taco-bout a game changer. These beef tacos are the answer to your busy weeknight prayers. One pan? Pre-portioned ingredients? That’s what we call Mexican food made eeeeeasy.
The melty cheese and meat come together in one pan while the tortillas are warmed in the microwave. And, as we always say: Time saved on dishes = time gained on watching all the Reels you could ever need (and probably don’t need).
7. Bacon & Tomato Tortellini
Yes, we said bacon. Hear us out.
We like to call this one Bring Home The Bacon Tortellini — it continues to make us giggle. These tender tortellini are tossed in a creamy tomato-y bacon-y sauce that will make you want to post every bite you take on the gram.
Say "Ciao!" to your run-of-the-mill weeknight meal, and hello to this Italian gem. Prepare to knock out these easy, cheesy pasta bowls in a speedy 15 minutes — it’s quicker and easier than your 10-step skincare routine, we promise.
Who said mozzarella is the only creamy option? Around here, we’re fans of the nostalgia and decadence of cream cheese. We promise you and your besties will be reaching for seconds until the pan is spotless.
8. Honey Mustard Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker
These tender, juicy pork chops doused in a tangy honey mustard sauce will have everyone at the table giving you an honorary James Beard Award. And when we say this is an easy weeknight dinner, we ain’t lyin’.
A little roasting, a little whisking, and you’ll forget you ever dreaded cooking dinner at home.
Does EveryPlate Offer Wholesome and Delicious Options?
We totally get it — finding time for home-cooked dinners can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. But EveryPlate is here to be your sous chef along the way. Meet our new recipe series: the Nutrish & Delish collection of low-calorie meals. We bring you tasty recipes that ring in at around 650 calories (or less) each week. You can keep an eye on your calories without sacrificing any of the flavor. At EveryPlate, we’re all about serving up variety and not getting stuck in a food rut. Say goodbye to the days of repetitive meals and eating the same old meals.
With our curated menu of weekly recipes, you'll explore tons of flavors and options. We've got everything from pork chops to chicken tacos and satisfying grain bowls. The possibilities are endless, and we've made meal “prep” a breeze. Our recipes are broken down into just six simple steps. We've got your back by delivering everything you need right to your doorstep. No more falling for those impulse buys that blow your budget and eat up all of your free time.