Food & Cooking Recipes Dinner Recipes Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes 18 Easy Dinner Recipes for When You Don't Feel Like Cooking These quick, uncomplicated meals require minimal effort but deliver big flavor. By Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani is a New York City-based writer with 24 years of experience working in professional publishing and communication roles in addition to being a food writer for six years with MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on December 13, 2024 Close Photo: Jason Donnelly Some nights, the idea of cooking a full meal feels like too much, but that doesn’t mean you have to resort to takeout or skip dinner altogether. There are plenty of dishes that are both quick and filling, requiring minimal prep time and energy but delivering big on flavor. Whether you're in the mood for something light and fresh or a heartier meal, you'll find inspiration in these easy-to-make recipes. Think simple: a warm, savory bowl of soup or a delicious salad that’s both filling and healthy. For something a bit more indulgent, we've got speedy sandwiches or pasta dishes that are simple but never boring. With a few basic ingredients you likely already have in your pantry or fridge, you can whip up a comforting dish in no time. (You may even forget you didn't want to cook in the first place!) Our Pantry Shopping List Has All the Essentials Home Cooks Need 01 of 18 Grilled Gruyère Sandwich With Onion Jam Sidney Bensimon Tangy Dijon mustard, nutty Gruyère cheese, and sweet onion jam come together on toasted rye bread for a sophisticated twist on the classic grilled cheese. This 25-minute recipe is a perfect balance of rich, sharp, and savory flavors. View Recipe 02 of 18 Martha's Baked Potatoes Bryan Gardner Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these baked potatoes are indulgent and give you that steakhouse-quality experience at home. Customize with classic toppings like bacon, Cheddar, sour cream, and chives for a comforting, satisfying dish. View Recipe 03 of 18 Simple Chicken Noodle Soup A simple chicken noodle soup is as easy as it gets—just toss everything into a pot, simmer, and let the rich, flavorful broth come together. With tender vegetables and egg noodles, it’s a no-fuss recipe perfect for any day of the week. View Recipe 04 of 18 Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs Diana Chistruga These roasted chicken thighs are a wonder: simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and oh-so versatile. A quick marinade of olive oil and lemon juice sets the stage, while a honey-mustard glaze adds a delicious final touch. View Recipe 05 of 18 Linguine With Shrimp and White Wine Succulent shrimp meet linguine in a delicate sauce of garlic, white wine, and lemon, balanced by a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. This ready-in-20-minutes dish is light, vibrant, and effortlessly satisfying. View Recipe 06 of 18 Spinach With Orzo and Feta Tender spinach, tangy feta cheese, and fragrant mint combine with orzo for a fresh and satisfying Greek-inspired dish. Brightened with a splash of lemon juice and olive oil, it's ready in a flash. View Recipe 07 of 18 Parmesan Fried Eggs With Bitter Greens Ryan Liebe Shredded and crisped Parmesan forms a golden base for runny fried eggs, transforming them into a flavorful centerpiece. Served with a fresh mix of greens dressed in lemon and olive oil, this dish is quick, feels fancy, and hits the spot. View Recipe 08 of 18 Mashed-Avocado and Egg Toast Ngoc Minh Ngo Here's a handy recipe that combines creamy avocado and chopped hard-cooked egg for a wholesome topping on whole-grain toast. Finish it with a sprinkle of fresh chives, scallion, or red onion. View Recipe 09 of 18 Corn-Tortilla and Egg Scramble With crispy corn tortillas, sautéed onion, chile, and tomato, this Southwestern take on classic scrambled eggs is a winner. Top it with melted cheddar cheese and serve with salsa or hot sauce. View Recipe 10 of 18 Spaghetti With Garlic, Oil, and Chile Johnny Miller This terrific pasta dish pairs golden garlic and fresh chile with a silky Parmesan-infused sauce made from pasta cooking water. Topped with basil and more cheese, it's a quick, pantry-friendly meal ready in just 25 minutes. View Recipe 11 of 18 Pork Fried Rice Have leftover rice? Combine it with ground pork or turkey, fragrant ginger, and garlic, plus colorful vegetables (frozen are fine!) and scrambled eggs. Toss in soy sauce and rice vinegar for a classic anything-goes meal. View Recipe 12 of 18 One-Pot Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Bacon Jason Donnelly This easy pasta combines tender broccoli rabe, crispy bacon, and toasted walnuts for a dish that’s surprisingly rich. With everything cooked in the same pot, cleanup is a breeze, making it ideal for a quick, satisfying supper. View Recipe 13 of 18 Tomato, Scallion, and Cheddar Frittata Featuring sautéed scallions and grape tomatoes, lightly beaten eggs, and melted cheddar cheese, this is a versatile dish you can enjoy anytime. Bonus: the recipe is super flexible, so swap in whatever veggies or cheese you like. View Recipe 14 of 18 Red Beans and Rice This classic dish combines kidney beans, rice, cumin, and oregano for a comforting one-bowl meal. Add hot sauce, sliced avocado, a sprinkling of cheddar cheese, or even a dollop of sour cream if you have it. View Recipe 15 of 18 Quick Chickpea Curry Here's a fiber-rich dish that’s both meatless and low in sodium. Simmer the chickpeas with fragrant spices and enjoy them on their own or with rice or whole-wheat pitas. View Recipe 16 of 18 Easy Beef Tacos Bryan Gardner Enjoy Taco Tuesday any night of the week with this simple recipe. It includes ground beef, sautéed onions, garlic, and a hint of spice from chili powder and optional cayenne. The toppings can be as basic or elaborate as you like. View Recipe 17 of 18 White Bean and Tuna Salad A protein-packed salad comes together with cannellini beans, tuna, spinach, and green olives, all tossed in a simple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers, and save any leftovers for lunch the next day. View Recipe 18 of 18 Open-Faced Bell Pepper and Fontina Grilled Cheese Sang An A revised rendition of classic grilled cheese, this open-faced sandwich features broiled yellow bell peppers, fontina cheese, and a drizzle of white wine vinegar and olive oil. Use whatever cheese or veggies you've got on hand; just be sure to broil it to golden perfection, so the melted cheese bubbles over the topping. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit