Don’t Know What to Cook Tonight? Start With These 22 Recipes

Some nights, the hardest part of cooking is just deciding what to make. That’s where this list comes in, reliable, low-stress recipes that don’t require a second guess. They’re the kinds of meals you can fall back on when nothing sounds right but takeout isn’t the plan. Start here, and dinner tends to sort itself out.

Easy Creamy Baked Spaghetti

A close-up of a cheesy baked spaghetti casserole with tomato sauce and ground meat, topped with melted cheese and herbs, makes for one of those easy date night dinners—served with a fork lifting a gooey, delicious portion. — Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Whip up this creamy baked spaghetti for a fast, comforting dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a family-friendly meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Sauce

Peach-Glazed Pork Kabobs

Pork removed from a skewer on a platter. — Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

Juicy pork skewers get a sweet twist with fresh peaches. Quick to grill and bursting with flavor for a simple weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pork Kabobs With Sweet Peaches

Slow Cooker Pork & Sweet Potatoes

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Set it and forget it! Slow-cooked pork with roasted sweet potatoes delivers juicy, effortless weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork With Sweet Potatoes

Fast Shrimp Carbonara Dinner

A skillet of creamy shrimp carbonara. — Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy shrimp carbonara comes together in minutes for a weeknight win. Sweet corn and rich sauce make this dinner extra special.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara With Corn

Chicken Mushroom Pasta Quick Meal

A black plate holds a serving of pasta mixed with diced tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese—an inviting choice for easy date night dinners. A vintage-style fork rests on the side atop a gray tray set on a white, hexagon-tiled surface. — Rich And Creamy Chicken Mushroom Spaghetti. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy chicken mushroom spaghetti is ready in no time. Perfect for cozy, satisfying weeknight dinners your family will love.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Mushroom Spaghetti

Tangy Lemon Chicken With Dates

A baked chicken breast being removed from a serving platter. — Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This baked lemon chicken combines citrus tang with sweet dates. Easy to make but impressive enough for weeknight guests.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Tangy Baked Lemon Chicken

Apricot-Glazed Chicken Dinner

Chicken breasts in a skillet with apricot sauce. — Bone-In Chicken With Dried Apricots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet apricot glaze turns ordinary chicken into a weeknight favorite. Tender, juicy bites ready in minutes for any dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bone-In Chicken With Dried Apricots

Honey-Pecan Pork Chops Quick

A honey glazed pork chop on a plate with a knife and fork. — Pecan Pork Chops With Honey Glaze. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet honey and crunchy pecans make pork chops irresistible. Quick to prepare, these are sure to be a weeknight favorite.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pork Chops With Honey Glaze

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A close-up of a black bowl filled with seasoned chicken and vegetable casserole. The dish includes chunks of bread or biscuit-like pieces, carrots, green peas, and chicken, all garnished with fresh herbs. A fork is partially visible, resting on the rim of the bowl. — Chicken Pot Pie Casserole With Biscuit Crumbles. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

All your favorite pot pie flavors in one easy casserole. Flaky biscuits top tender chicken and veggies for a comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole With Biscuit Crumbles

Mushroom Pot Roast Slow Cooker

A plate of slow cooker pot roast with gravy, garnished with carrots, mushrooms, and potato chunks. A small dish of extra gravy lies in the background on a gray napkin. The meal is served on a white plate against a light blue surface. — Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender pot roast cooked with mushrooms and vegetables in the slow cooker. A hands-off dinner that delivers rich flavor every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

Oatmeal Meatloaf Made Easy

A close-up of a plate with slices of meatloaf, topped with a tomato-based sauce. The meatloaf is garnished with visible onion bits and is served with a fork and knife placed beside it. The plate is set on a textured surface and is part of a rustic table setting. — A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Moist oatmeal meatloaf with classic glaze is perfect for weeknights. Minimal prep and maximum flavor make dinner stress-free.
Get the Recipe: A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

One-Pan Maple Roasted Chicken

Two serving spoons removing a serving of maple chicken. — Roasted Maple Glazed Chicken With Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet maple glaze adds a special touch to roasted chicken. Pair with acorn squash for an easy, complete weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Maple Glazed Chicken With Acorn Squash

Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin Fast

A pork tenderloin sliced and covered in bbq sauce. — Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Smoky BBQ pork tenderloin is ready in minutes. Quick, flavorful, and perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Quick

Sliced chicken breasts on a bed of spinach on a plate. — Boursin Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy cheese stuffed chicken makes any weeknight feel special. Simple to prepare yet impressive enough for the family.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

One-Pot Chicken in White Wine

Weeknight Chicken In White Wine. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cook chicken in one pan with white wine for effortless flavor. Minimal ingredients make this perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Chicken In White Wine

Easy Weeknight BBQ Ribs in Minutes

Individual pork ribs on parchment paper. — Oven Baked Tender And Juicy Bbq Pork Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Bring summer flavors to your table any night of the week. These ribs are sticky, tender, and require minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Tender And Juicy Bbq Pork Ribs

Weeknight Herb-Crusted Roast Beef

Sliced Herb Crusted Beef Sirloin Tip Roast Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Turn any weeknight into a gourmet dinner with this herb-crusted roast. Juicy, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Beef Roast Everyone Loves

Quick & Juicy Stuffed Pork Chops

A stuffed pork chop on a plate covered in gravy. — Juicy And Tender Stuffed Pork Chops With Herbed Stuffing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Indulge in stuffed pork chops that are ready fast. Savory, tender, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pork Chops With Savory Twist

15-Minute Creamy Steak Dinner

Sliced steak au poivre topped with creamy peppercorn sauce on a white plate, with a black fork, vintage knife, mashed potatoes in a bowl, and extra sauce au poivre in a glass nearby, all set on a light gray cloth. — Turkey And Gravy Recipe (Beginner-Friendly). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Enjoy rich, creamy steak without the wait. This quick peppercorn dinner comes together in just 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Quick Steak Au Poivre With Creamy Sauce

Tropical Pineapple Pork Tenderloin

A platter of pork tenderloin with pineapple salsa. — Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet pineapple meets juicy pork for a weeknight twist. Fast, tropical, and full of flavor for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple Pork Tenderloin

Comforting Weeknight Beef Stroganoff

A serving of beef stroganoff with egg noodles. — Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Classic beef stroganoff made creamy with homemade mushroom sauce. Hearty, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Classic Beef Stroganoff From Scratch

Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner Made Easy

Ranch chicken on a sheet pan with carrots and potaotes. — Sheet Pan Chicken And Potatoes With Carrots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This effortless sheet pan chicken cooks in one go. Paired with carrots and potatoes for a family-friendly weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

25 Crockpot Dinners You Can Start and Forget About

A collage of four plates of comfort food, each featuring cooked meat with gravy or sauce, accompanied by vegetables like carrots and potatoes. The dishes appear hearty, with rich sauces and tender, shredded or bone-in meats.

These crockpot meals are perfect for when you’re taking it easy, simple to prep, comforting to eat, and ready when you are. Just set it, walk away, and let dinner handle itself while you focus on everything else (or nothing at all).
Grab it here: 25 Crockpot Dinners You Can Start and Forget About

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows