What’s For Dinner? 30+ Easy Weeknight Meals To Have On Repeat

“What’s for dinner?” It’s the unending universal question, whether you’re feeding a big family, just a couple, or (like me) are flying solo. Last Thanksgiving I was chatting with one of my cousins (who has two toddlers and a hungry Tongan hubby), and we were commiserating about it.

I threw out a couple of suggestions for recipes to shake up their weekly meal plans, and she suggested I do a whole post on my favorite easy weeknight meals…the TRUE go-to’s that I make on repeat and always know they’ll be crowdpleaser. Or a…ME-pleaser, as the case may be.

So that was the impetus for this post. I’ll note up front that I totally understand that a lot of these may feature more meat than many bigger families may be able to afford regularly.

I’m just one person, and I strongly prioritize quality animal proteins in my diet, as they make a huge difference in my overall health. And honestly I’m not a big casserole or “one pot” meal person. But you’ll find a bit of everything on this list.

30+ Dinner Ideas For Your Weekly Meal Plan

I make a lot of these (especially in the first part of the list) at least once a month, and sometimes more…only because, realistically as someone who lives alone, I only truly cook dinner like twice a week and then live on leftovers and scavenging.

Spicy Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs

These did the unthinkable—they made it into my rotation on the very first try. When I tell you I make these seriously almost every week, you gotta know how crazy that is. The main thing limiting me is whether I can get my hands on chicken thighs.

They are SO fast and easy, and the sweet-and-spicy flavor combo is absolute perfection.

Hot Honey Lime Chicken with Coconut Rice

This is a newer recipe, but has worked its way up to a two-way tie with my sweet-and-spicy ones above. Again, super easy and fast, PACKED with flavor, and makes awesome leftovers. I’ve made it both with chicken breasts and thighs…both work well, but the latter definitely makes better leftovers as it stays moist.

Also, this easy coconut rice has become a staple all on its own…usually leftover rice is kind of depressing, but the fat from the coconut milk separates the grains and keeps them from getting gummy. It re-heats really well.

How to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

 This is technically more of a technique rather than a “recipe”, but I definitely make it at least once a week. You can mix up the spices but I especially love the “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning. I buy my salmon filets in bulk from Sizzlefish.

I throw this in one side of my two-drawer air fryer, roast some veggies in the other side…and voila, a full healthy meal in less than 15 minutes! (Let’s be honest, when I have homemade sourdough in the freezer, that baby’s comin’ out too!)

Roasted Vegetable & Farro Salad with Creamy Shallot Dressing

This can be a hearty vegetarian meal, but I always add some grilled chicken for more protein. It’s got such a range of textures, with the chewy farro, crunchy roasted vegetables, and creamy, tangy dressing. It’s also super flexible based on the exact vegetables you have on hand…I consider it a “clean out the fridge” type of meal.

I have a few other delicious grain-and-veggie salads (usually using barley or farro) on the site if that’s up your alley, including this one with a balsamic dressing, this one with a lemon-tahini dressing, and this lentil and butternut squash version.

Apricot Balsamic Rosemary Chicken

I love when a recipe can feel both super simple and also like you could pass it off as a fancy dinner party meal. Like many of the recipes here, it can be made with chicken thighs or breasts, but I love the flavor that thighs bring (plus it’s easier to pan-sear or grill them without drying them out).

The sauce is stupidly simple, a blend of sweet apricot jam and tangy balsamic, with a hint of fresh rosemary. Throw a coconut rice together with some roasted veggies, and you have a bangin’ easy weeknight meal.

Delicious & Easy Walnut-Crusted Chicken

Like the one above, this feels fancy but is really quite easy—a perfect weeknight meal. All we have to do is dredge the chicken in a simple spiced walnut and flour coating, and drizzle the final product in a delicious tangy honey mustard sauce. (Trust me, the sauce makes the dish!)

I will note that this dish is not quite as great as leftovers just because the coating gets soggy (though…honestly, I still eat them).

Amazing & Easy Chicken Shawarma

The first time I made it, I was first blown away by how amazing my house smelled, and then the flavor punch it packed. This has become a family staple, because it makes a lot and then you can pile it on top of hummus, pitas, rice, salads, or whatever else floats your boat.

I also have this different (grilled) shawarma recipe that uses a different spice profile.

The Crispiest Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

Forget needing to eat out, these super easy chicken strips get so crispy with the help of a dredging, a spiced panko coating, and our good buddy the air fryer! Even the pickiest kid will be a fan. One note, they do need to rest for 30 minutes after getting coated and before air frying (to make sure the coating sticks).

I have an even healthier gluten-free version if panko doesn’t work for you.

Healthy Honey Sesame Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

I’m not the world’s most dedicated meal prepper—HA, I’m honestly way too lazy for it—but I make an exception for this meal. I have a more indulgent sesame chicken recipe, but if you’re looking for a healthier dinner option that also makes great leftovers for lunch, this is your jam.

I do a simple jasmine rice and then top it with whatever roasted veggies I need to use (though I do recommend carrots and red peppers) with some green onions for garnish!

Lebanese Hushwee (Spiced Ground Beef)

This fragrant, spiced ground beef is full of warming spices like cinnamon and allspice, savory onions, and golden toasted pine nuts. It’s pure comfort food, and incredibly easy to make. I love throwing it on a subtle (crazy easy) turmeric rice for an easy meal that everyone loves.

Or…Spiced Beef or Lamb Kofta

This Turkish-inspired spiced beef (or lamb) is the same type of dish as the hushwee, just going in a slightly different spice direction. It’s just as delicious, and is also great on turmeric rice, hummus, or (my current favorite) a half a roasted sweet potato.

Salmon & Quinoa Power Bowl with Lemon Feta Avocado Salsa

 MMMMMMM. Man, this is one of my favorite light summer meals! It’s quick, healthy, and basically punches you in the face with all sorts of flavors.

What’s great is that it’s simply a handful of components, so you can make the quinoa to have on hand and reheat, cook the salmon fresh in the air fryer (which takes like 10 minutes), and while it’s cooking you can throw the quick avocado-feta salsa together. Bing bang boom.

Viral Tiktok Hot Honey Beef Bowl

This is my version of the recipe that’s been going viral on social for months…I’ve been making a version of it (sans honey) for over a year, and absolutely love it…it’s a perfectly balanced meal, crazy easy to make, and delish.

Chicken Massaman Curry

This is one of my favorite comfort food dishes, whether I find a great Thai place or make it myself. The star is the warm, slightly spicy, super fragrant curry sauce, which makes you forget just how many veggies it packs in.

It’s maybe a tiny bit more work (mostly chopping veggies) but not hard and pretty hands off once you get past the beginning, makes amazing leftovers and makes quite a lot.

Mexican Meat & Beans

You want to talk about a TRUE weekly meal plan? This easy Mexican meat and beans has been on it my entire life. I think you could ask my mom on any random day whether she has some of this in the fridge, and the answer will be yes. And for most of my adult life that’s been true of me as well. I seriously ate this practically every night for like two years at one point.

What’s great about this (besides it being delicious), is how fast and easy it is to make, how healthy, and how versatile…we make taco salad, nachos, soft tacos (with fried tortillas), chili and cheese omelets, and more.

Sweet Potato, Spinach, & Goat Cheese Frittata

I have a LOT of frittata recipes on here, all sorts of combos of veggies, meats, and cheeses. They’re a great “clean out the fridge” kind of meal as well as a good higher-protein vegetarian option if needed. Normally I’d say they’re a cheap meal, but…sheesh, with egg prices today that’s no longer the case.

This particular frittata has a delicious sweet potato “crust” along with tangy goat cheese and fresh herbs.

Fire up the grill!

When it comes to easy weeknight meals, grilling can’t be ignored. In fact, I keep my grill in my garage and use it year-round (with the door open, obvs), because grilling is so easy, healthy, and minimizes cleanup. I have a grilling guide (especially for first-timers), and here are a few of my favorite grilling recipes to get you started.

• Dynamite Grilled Chicken
• Balsamic & Honey Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma
• Maple Citrus Grilled Salmon
• Tomato Grilled Chicken with Barley Corn Salad

Don’t forget the sides! Doing veggies on the grill is great because there’s no cleanup. These cheesy rosemary sweet potatoes to gorgonzola potatoes are two carb-y must-haves. And if you want *actual* veggies, I’ve got a grilled eggplant with goat cheese and balsamic, or grilled zucchini with lemon salt.

If you can eat gluten (or have access to good GF pizza dough), grilled pizza is also a super easy—and DELICIOUS—dinner option. You can either use my easy homemade dough (which can be made ahead), and I have a guide to grilling pizza (including a couple different techniques.

Toppings are totally flexible, but here are a few to get you started:

• Grilled Margherita Pizza
• Amazing, Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Grilled Zucchini & Corn Pizza With Marinated Feta

All the pastas!

Kind of like grilling, this is a bit of a no-brainer and endlessly versatile. I often use pasta recipes as a fridge cleanout, combining whatever meat and veggies I have on hand, along with a delicious sauce (I’m partial to goat cheese myself, not a huge red sauce fan).

Here are a few of my faves, plus all my pasta recipes if you want to browse.

• Beef & Zucchini Pasta with White Wine, Oregano, & Creamy Goat Cheese
• Melty Cheesy Zucchini Baked Pasta
• Giovanna’s Pasta con Pesto
• Pasta With Roasted Peppers, Sausage, & Goat Cheese
• Pasta with Spinach, Tomatoes, & Feta
• Baked Pasta with Broccolini, Kale, & Sausage

Other easy weeknight meals that make more

I don’t personally make these quite as often ONLY because I’m one person and they make a lot of leftovers.  But if you’re feeding a family, these should definitely be part of your regular rotation!

Healthy Copycat CPK Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

This delicious copycat recipe (from an iconic California Pizza Kitchen recipe) is healthier and oh-so-easy. It makes a ton so you have plenty of leftovers as well.

Baked Whole Wheat Penne with Summer Veggies & Beef

This is packed with veggies but feels so indulgent! It’s a great way to use all those excess zucchini and tomatoes in summer, but you could swap in other veggies as desired.

Pakistani Kima

I can’t vouch for this being authentically Pakistani, but I *can* attest that it’s delicious, filling, healthy, and easy.

Mom’s Famous Lasagna

I love this lasagna and basically refuse to accept any others. You can keep your ricotta. Keep your fancy homemade marinara. This is where it’s at. I’d make it more often but have learned that I will have to eat leftovers twice a day for two weeks to finish it 🙂 So it’s great for a dinner party or family.

Balsamic Beef

I…really don’t like traditional roast (pot roast, Yankee pot roast, whatever you call it). You know, the one with potatoes and carrots and a bay leaf? But I can get on board with this flavorful alternative, and it’s such an easy “set it and forget it” crockpot meal.

Mom’s Baked Potato Soup (vegetarian)

I’m very much on the record about soup not being a meal. I do somewhat make an exception for this hearty, delicious soup (especially when topped with bacon and cheese). It’s another easy crockpot meal as well!

Easy Sesame Chicken

If you’re in the mood for something a bit more indulgent (and still crazy easy), this sesame chicken is on the table in less than a half hour, and is a total crowdpleaser (I also have a delicious Mongolian chicken if you want something a bit different).

So hopefully this helps give you lots of new ideas for tried-and-true easy weeknight dinners!

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