10 Simple and Delicious Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
From quinoa bowls to grilled skewers, these easy dinner recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. Quick, healthy, and delicious, check out our top 10 easy dinner ideas on www.flavoredmeals.com
Are you looking for quick and easy dinner recipes to make for your family? Look no further! Here are 10 delicious dinner ideas that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. From pasta dishes to chicken and vegetable stir-fries, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, they’re all made with healthy ingredients so you can feel good about what you’re feeding your family. For more healthy recipes, visit www.flavouredmeals.com
Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, and onions)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Add the vegetables and garlic to the skillet and stir-fry for another 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables and stir until everything is well coated.
- Cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. spaghetti or your favourite pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 5–7 minutes, until they start to burst.
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the tomato and spinach mixture.
- Toss everything together and add the Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
Baked Salmon with Lemon and Herb
Ingredients:
- 4 6-oz. salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs.
- Brush the mixture over the salmon fillets.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. In a large skillet, sauté the sweet potato over medium heat until tender, about 8–10 minutes.
- Add the black beans and corn to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese.
- Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Place a spoonful of the sweet potato mixture onto each tortilla and roll it up tightly.
- Place the enchiladas seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the enchiladas are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chicken until browned on both sides.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the broccoli and garlic to the skillet and cook until the broccoli is tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet and coat with the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Coconut Curry Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 can coconut milk
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat the coconut oil.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the curry powder and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the coconut milk, vegetable broth, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and basil)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then brush the herb mixture over the chicken.
- Grill the chicken for 6–8 minutes per side, or until cooked through
Mushroom and Thyme Quinoa Pilaf
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring the quinoa, vegetable broth, and olive oil to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and cover.
- Cook for 18–20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- In a separate skillet, sauté the onion, mushrooms, and garlic until the mushrooms are tender, about 8–10 minutes.
- Stir in the thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir the mushroom mixture into the cooked quinoa.
Baked Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- Place the salmon on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through.
- In a small bowl, mix together the avocado, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Serve the salmon with the avocado salsa on top.
Grilled Vegetable and Halloumi Skewers
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound halloumi cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into cubes
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into cubes
- 1 red onion, cut into cubes
- 1 zucchini, cut into cubes
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the halloumi, bell peppers, onion, and zucchini onto skewers.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, olive oil, oregano, and salt and pepper.
- Brush the skewers with the garlic mixture.
- Grill the skewers for 8–10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the halloumi is browned.
These are just a few easy dinner recipes that you can try at home. For more healthy and delicious recipes, visit www.flavoredmeals.com for inspiration and ideas. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a fancy dinner party dish, there’s something for everyone. So, fire up the stove and get cooking!