Go Back

24 Simple Dinner Ideas

A collection of three different easy-to-make dinner recipes including pasta dishes, stir-fried meals, tacos, soups, and salads. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian, Mexican
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Pasta Dishes

  • 1 pound pasta (any type)
  • Olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 bunch Fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Grated

For Stir-Fried Meals

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell pepper, broccoli, carrots)
  • 1 pound chicken or tofu, cubed
  • 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Sesame oil

For Tacos

  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey)
  • 1 packet Taco seasoning
  • 8 pieces Tortillas
  • 1 cup Lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup Cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Salsa

For Soups

  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup beans (black or kidney)
  • 1 cup Corn, frozen or fresh
  • 1 teaspoon Spices (cumin, chili powder) to taste

For Salads

  • 4 cups Mixed greens
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup Cucumber, sliced
  • 1 large Avocado, diced
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil and vinegar for dressing

Instructions
 

Pasta Dishes

  • Boil water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
  • In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
  • Combine with pasta, basil, and top with Parmesan.

Stir-Fried Meals

  • Heat sesame oil in a pan. Add ginger and vegetables; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add chicken or tofu and cook until done. Pour in soy sauce and serve over rice.

Tacos

  • In a skillet, cook the ground meat with taco seasoning until browned.
  • Serve in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and salsa.

Soups

  • In a large pot, combine canned tomatoes, broth, beans, and corn.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.

Salads

  • Toss mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado in a bowl.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar before serving.

Notes

To keep your meals fresh, store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Most of these dishes can last 3-4 days. For soups, they can be frozen for longer storage. Prep ahead by chopping vegetables in advance.
Keyword Easy Meals, Healthy Dinner, Quick Recipes, Simple Dinner Ideas, Weeknight Dinners