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The Passport Kitchen

21 Easy Weeknight Dinners That Will Make Your Night Super Easy

April 21, 2025 by Amanda Tyler Leave a Comment

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Why do we have to eat EVERY SINGLE day?

It’s exhausting to plan and cook meals every single day of the week. As someone who doesn’t eat takeout or store-bought food, cooking meals is a daily chore that can become overwhelming (even though I love cooking!).

These quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes will make your night super easy! Check out these recipes that you need to know about!

Ham Pasta

Image Credit: Moms Confession

Elevate a weeknight pasta dish with rich, flavorful ham and a hearty blend of spices. This simple recipe is an ideal way to reinvent your holiday leftovers.

Get the Recipe: Ham Pasta

Farofa-Topped Brazilian Mac and Cheese

Farofa-Topped Brazilian Mac and Cheese.

Image Credit: The Passport Kitchen.

This American-Brazilian mac and cheese mashup combines Southern-style mac and cheese with the quintessential Brazilian side dish, farofa, on top in place of the breadcrumbs.

Get The Recipe: Farofa-Topped Brazilian Mac and Cheese

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ground Beef Stroganoff.

Image Credit: Blessed Pursuit of Motherhood.

An easy comfort food that takes less than an hour to make! Stroganoff is a dish made with noodles, or sometimes even rice, with a sour cream sauce base, meat, and mushrooms.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff

 

Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole.

Image Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

This hearty Ground Beef and Rice Casserole combines ground beef, rice, and melted cheese for a delicious and comforting meal. It’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, and it will definitely become a family favorite!

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Prosciutto Pasta With Artichokes and Olives

Prosciutto Pasta with Artichokes and Olives.

Image Credit: Sungrown Kitchen.

This Mediterranean-inspired Prosciutto Pasta with Artichokes and Olives is bursting with fresh, bold ingredients! This simple sauce is ready in just 30 minutes and is loaded with juicy cherry tomatoes, basil, kalamata and green olives, garlic, red bell peppers, and lots of crumbled feta cheese.

Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Pasta with Artichokes and Olives

 

Cottage Cheese Marry Me Chicken

Cottage Cheese Marry Me Chicken.

Image Credit: Cottage Cheese Recipes.

When it comes to recipes that impress, Marry Me Chicken is one of those dishes that lives up to the hype. This cottage cheese marry me chicken recipe is a lighter take on the popular classic. It’s still quick and easy to make, tastes fancy, and super filling. 

Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Marry Me Chicken

 

Crispiest Fish Batter

Crispiest Fish Batter.

Image Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

This is a copycat recipe of the Long John Silver’s restaurant chain’s crispy fish batter. It has a remarkably crunchy crust, and the fish stays tender and juicy. It’s the best fish and chips can be made at home!

Get the Recipe: Crispiest Fish Batter

 

Santa Fe Chicken Recipe

Santa Fe Chicken Recipe.

Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

This Santa Fe Chicken Recipe is made with seasoned chicken breasts smothered in black beans, diced tomatoes, sweet corn, and yummy melted cheese. It’s an easy 30-minute one-skillet weeknight dinner loved by the whole family.

Get the Recipe: Santa Fe Chicken Recipe

 

Gluten-Free Tortellini Soup Recipe

Gluten-Free Tortellini Soup Recipe.

Image Credit: Simple and Fraiche.

This Gluten-Free Tortellini Soup is perfect for a cold winter day. It combines a velvety, creamy broth swirling with tender gluten-free tortellini, infused with aromatic herbs, sausage, and veggies. And it only takes 20 minutes to make!

Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Tortellini Soup Recipe

 

Easy and Juicy Thin Cut Pork Chops Recipe 

Easy and Juicy Thin Cut Pork Chops Recipe (no breading).

Image Credit: Munchy Goddess.

This thin-cut pork chops recipe is easy yet flavorful and juicy! Whip these up for a quick weeknight dinner for the whole family. These stovetop pork chops are ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish because there is no breading involved!

Get the Recipe: Easy and Juicy Thin Cut Pork Chops Recipe 

 

Old-Fashioned American Goulash

Old-Fashioned American Goulash.

Image Credit: Jennifer Cooks.

This old-fashioned recipe remains a great way to stretch simple ingredients, like one pound of ground beef, into a hearty meal for the whole family. Whether you haven’t had goulash before or recreating a childhood favorite, this dish is perfect for a hungry family on busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned American Goulash

 

Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya With Shrimp

Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya with Shrimp.

Image Credit: Goodley Living.

This Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya with Shrimp is a quick and flavorful take on the classic Creole dish. Loaded with smoky andouille sausage, tender chicken thighs, and juicy shrimp, it’s an easy one-pot meal that brings bold flavors to your table with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a comforting, hearty dish!

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya with Shrimp

 

Vegetarian Singapore Noodles (Vegetarian Mei Fun)

Vegetarian Singapore Noodles (Vegetarian Mei Fun).

Image Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

This recipe is a meat-free version of takeout-style Singapore Noodles. This Vegetarian Singapore Noodle recipe is made using stir-fried rice noodles, curry powder, some vegetables, and a touch of spicy red chili peppers. It’s a quick, easy option for meatless Mondays with the family.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Singapore Noodles (Vegetarian Mei Fun)

 

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta: Easy 20-Minute Dinner Recipe.

Image Credit: Grits and Pinecones.

This Creamy One-pan Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta is an easy-to-make 20-minute dinner recipe that combines tender rotisserie chicken, vegetables, and a zesty lemon-infused sauce with orzo pasta.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

 

Boursin Pasta 

Boursin Pasta - Tiktok Viral Recipe.

Image Credit: Chenee Today.

This is the Boursin pasta that went viral on TikTok. This Boursin cheese and tomato pasta is so easy, with the creamy Boursin pasta sauce made right in the pan!

Get the Recipe: Boursin Pasta – TikTok Viral Recipe

 

Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna.

Image Credit: Tessie’s Table.

If you’re craving lasagna but don’t have time for all the layering and baking, this 30-minute one-pan skillet lasagna will be your new best friend. It’s packed with rich marinara sauce, tender lasagna noodles, and cheesy goodness, all cooked in a single pan.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Lasagna

 

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls.

Image Credit: The Clean Happy Life.

These Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls are a delicious and easy to make dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a savory teriyaki sauce with fluffy rice, all in one pot for minimal cleanup.

Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls

 

Turkish Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)

Turkish Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe).

Image Credit: Frozen Bananas.

This Turkish Pasta is protein-packed, flavor-filled and easy to make! This recipe is inspired by Turkish manti (traditional Turkish dumplings). 

Get the Recipe: Turkish Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)

 

Quick And Easy Cacio E Pepe Pasta

Quick And Easy Cacio E Pepe Pasta.

Image Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

Only 5 ingredients are needed to make this delicious Cacio E Pepe Pasta tossed with fresh pepper, pecorino, and Parmigiano cheeses. Make this and you can have dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less.

Get the Recipe: Quick And Easy Cacio E Pepe Pasta

 

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.

Image Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

I love pasta, and once you taste this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta, it will be your family’s first choice too. This quick, creamy, vegetarian pasta recipe uses sun-dried tomato pesto and bursts with rich garlic, basil, and cheese! It is conveniently customizable with any veggies to create your favorite version.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

 

15-Minute Chicken Fried Rice with Egg 

15-Minute Chicken Fried Rice with Egg (Better Than Takeout!).

Image Credit: Nest and Nosh.

Chicken fried rice is the ultimate comfort food, and this version makes it super easy to put it together. Tender chicken, fluffy eggs, sweet peas and carrots, and crunchy green onions combine in a symphony of textures, all coated in a savory blend of soy sauce, rich butter, and nutty sesame oil.

Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Chicken Fried Rice with Egg 

 

Read More:

Woman taking baking dish with tasty rice casserole out of oven.

Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.

Check out these awesome recipes!

Like This: 30 Finger Foods and Appetizers to Make Every Day a Party

And This: 20 One-Bite Appetizers That Will Make You the Host With the Most

And This: 9 Casseroles Every Mom Should Make

 

Filed Under: Great Food

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