Easy Dinner Recipes

We’ve all been there—coming home after a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or just a packed schedule, finding the time and energy to cook can be a challenge. But don’t worry! Here are some easy dinner recipes that are both quick to prepare and incredibly delicious.

1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Veggies

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the chicken breasts on one side of a large baking sheet.
3. Arrange the potatoes and green beans on the other side.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and veggies, then sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
5. Place lemon slices over the chicken.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

This dish is not only simple but also packed with flavor. Plus, the one-pan approach makes cleanup a breeze!

2. 15-Minute Shrimp Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the shrimp, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
3. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
4. Assemble the tacos by placing shrimp, shredded cabbage, and avocado slices in each tortilla.
5. Squeeze lime juice over the top and garnish with fresh cilantro.

These shrimp tacos are light, fresh, and perfect for a quick dinner that feels special.

3. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until the garlic is golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic oil. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water.
5. Season with salt and stir in the fresh parsley.
6. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

This classic Italian dish is simple yet satisfying, perfect for those nights when you want something delicious without much effort.

4. Vegetarian Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 cups cooked rice
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add the broccoli, bell peppers, and carrot. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the veggies are tender-crisp.
4. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute.
5. Pour the sauce over the veggies, stirring to coat.
6. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with sesame seeds.

This colorful vegetarian stir-fry is not only quick to make but also packed with nutrients.

5. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 Italian sausages
• 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. On a large baking sheet, arrange the sausages, bell peppers, and onion slices.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sausages are cooked through and the veggies are tender.
5. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

This sheet pan dinner is hearty and flavorful, with minimal effort involved.

---

Cooking dinner doesn’t have to be a time-consuming chore. With these easy dinner recipes, you can enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without the hassle. Happy cooking!