Recipes

Food

Cooking

Travel

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Passport Kitchen

31 Easy Recipes for Dinner When You Don’t Know What to Make

January 17, 2025 by Amanda Tyler Leave a Comment

Share on

Hey! What’s for dinner tonight?

Every single night, dinner has to be made.

Every single day, that question comes up, and more often than not, the answer is “I DON’T KNOW!”. If that sounds like you, then these easy recipes for dinner are for you!

Easy Lentil Bolognese

Easy Lentil Bolognese (Vegan).
Image Credit: By the Forkful.

This vegan red lentil bolognese is a firm favorite for a healthy weeknight meal for a family!

Get The Recipe: Easy Lentil Bolognese (Vegan)

Mushroom Carbonara With Pancetta

Mushroom Carbonara With Pancetta .
Image Credit: The Six Figure Dish.

Have a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour with this homemade mushroom carbonara with pancetta. This quick pasta recipe will surely become a family favorite.

Get The Recipe:  Mushroom Carbonara With Pancetta 

Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs

Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs.
Image Credit: Christian Guzman.

Authentic albondigas are made with raw meatballs from scratch, but if you’re in a hurry, you can quickly use frozen meatballs instead. It’s a quick budget- and a kid-friendly recipe for meatball soup.

Get The Recipe: Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs

Tastiest Ever One Pot Beef Stroganoff

Tastiest Ever One Pot Beef Stroganoff.
Image Credit: Kidgredients.

Quick and easy to make, this delicious beef stroganoff is a family favorite. It’s full of veggies and flavor!

Get The Recipe: Tastiest Ever One Pot Beef Stroganoff 

Chicken Taco Rice

Chicken Taco Rice.
Image Credit: Kidgredients.

One pot and deliciously simple, this chicken taco rice makes taco night fun, yummy, and healthier! The perfect weeknight family meal. when you’re in a hurry.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Taco Rice

Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese

Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free).
Image Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

This super-easy homemade Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese is a gluten-free and allergy-free recipe that will blow your mind. This healthy and dairy-free version of the classic is still ultra-creamy but secretly veggie-packed, kid-friendly, and contains no nuts or soy. It’s comfort food that’s quick enough for any weeknight dinner!

Get The Recipe: Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese 

Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole

Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free).
Image Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

A super easy dump-and-bake meatless meal for the family! This Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole is a healthy, hearty, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-free dinner. Dairy-free, creamy, and zesty, you can make this casserole recipe beforehand. It is freezer-friendly and a comforting weeknight meal everyone will love!

Get The Recipe: Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole 

Vegan Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas)

Vegan Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas).
Image Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

This easy recipe for Vegan Butter Chicken is a plant-based version of the classic Indian dish that’s completely dairy-free and made with chickpeas. These healthy Indian butter chickpeas are gluten-free and allergy-free, marinated in creamy yogurt and fragrant spices and finished in a single skillet with a tomato-based sauce in just 10 minutes.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas)

Quinoa “Mac” & Cheese

Quinoa “Mac” & Cheese.
Image Credit: Hungry Hobby.

Don’t be fooled; just because quinoa is swapped for traditional pasta, this is the creamy, incredibly cheesy mac and cheese of your childhood dreams. It is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Get The Recipe: Quinoa “Mac” & Cheese 

Skillet Butter Bean Recipe With Pizza Cheese & Spinach

Skillet Butter Bean Recipe with Pizza Cheese & Spinach.
Image Credit: Kitchen Skip.

An easy, fast dinner made from canned butter beans, pizza cheese, baby spinach, and a garlicky tomato sauce.

Get The Recipe: Skillet Butter Bean Recipe with Pizza Cheese & Spinach 

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe.
Image Credit: Fun Money Mom.

This Sheet Pan Chicken And Veggies recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner for busy moms. It’s an easy-to-make meal that’s so full of flavor that your whole family will be begging for seconds!

Get The Recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe

Coca-Cola (Or Pepsi) Chicken Thighs Recipes

Coca-Cola (or Pepsi) Chicken Thighs Recipes.
Image Credit: Fluxing Well.

With just four ingredients, this simple cola chicken recipe couldn’t be easier. Serve it with rice, making a budget-friendly, hearty meal for a family.

Get The Recipe: Coca-Cola (or Pepsi) Chicken Thighs Recipes

Homemade Dirty Fries

Homemade Dirty Fries.
Image Credit: My Morning Mocha.

Dirty fries are a tasty dinner recipe perfect for the whole family. Chips loaded with cheese and other ingredients are easy to make and taste great.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Dirty Fries Recipe

Vegetarian Stroganoff

Vegetarian Stroganoff.
Image Credit: The Jam Jar Kitchen.

This delicious vegetarian mushroom stroganoff is a quick and easy dinner, perfect for a meatless Monday or any day of the week. 

Get The Recipe: Vegetarian Stroganoff

Skillet Chicken & Biscuits

Skillet Chicken & Biscuits.
Image Credit: Spend With Pennies.

This is an easy dinner that the whole family loves. You can use a 1/2 a rotisserie chicken in this dish (and freeze the other half of the chicken in a Ziploc bag for next time) You know I love meals that you can put in the freezer for later.

Get The Recipe: Skillet Chicken & Biscuits

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

One Pan Mexican Quinoa.
Image Credit: Vegan Huggs.

This One Pan Mexican Quinoa is a hearty, flavor-packed meal that is a breeze to make. It’s a weeknight winner that takes about 30 minutes on the stove, and you’ll only have to clean one pan!

Get The Recipe: One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Vegan Tortilla Soup

Vegan Tortilla Soup.
Image Credit: Vegan Huggs.

This Vegan Tortilla Soup is a hearty, Mexican-inspired meal that the whole family will love. It’s full of flavor and can be customized with various delicious toppings. It takes just 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes on the stove!

Get The Recipe: Vegan Tortilla Soup

Italian Sausage and Potatoes

Italian Sausage and Potatoes.
Image Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

For an easy weeknight meal, try this tasty Italian sausage and potatoes. Sweet Italian sausage, baby yellow potatoes, sweet bell peppers, and red onions are cooked on a sheet pan for easy prep and clean-up.

Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Italian Sausage and Potatoes

Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe (quick, easy, 5 ingredients!).
Image Credit: Easy Wholesome.

To put these chicken leg quarters together, you only need five ingredients and five minutes. This recipe is ridiculously easy, and the result is way more flavorful and delicious than you would imagine.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe 

Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole Bake

Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole Bake (Vegetarian Friendly).
Image Credit: Homebody Eats.

You can make a delicious twist on Mexican food even if you have minimal ingredients in your fridge and pantry! This dish only takes 30 minutes and is a crowd-pleaser.

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole Bake

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza Grilled Cheese.
Image Credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

This Pizza Grilled Cheese is a super easy recipe for kids to make themselves! It’s super easy and super cheap to make, plus you’ll start helping the kids learn how to cook and take care of themselves. 

Get The Recipe: Pizza Grilled Cheese

Fresh Tomato Pasta

Fresh Tomato Pasta (15 Minute Recipe!).
Image Credit: Food Folks And Fun.

This Tomato Basil Pasta recipe is excellent for busy weeknights. The heat from the pasta warms the rest of the dish. Fifteen minutes is all you need, folks. Now, who doesn’t love that?!

Get The Recipe: Fresh Tomato Pasta

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos.
Image Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

These Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos are my go-to weeknight dinner. They’re juicy, flavorful, and so easy to make.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos 

Open Face Tuna Melts

Open Face Tuna Melts (no mayo).
Image Credit: Food Meanderings.

These quick and easy Open-faced Tuna Melts are made with cream cheese, no mayo, and a little kick from the jalapenos and are the perfect last-minute dinner or lunch. But, of course, you can make them ahead and reheat them, so they’re also perfect for lunch. 

Get The Recipe: Open Face Tuna Melts 

Chicken Sweet Potato Bake

Chicken Sweet Potato Bake.
Image Credit: Confetti And Bliss.

Chicken sweet potato bake is a yummy and flavorful sheet pan dinner. Cooked with apples and rosemary, it’s fragrant, juicy, and delicious. This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients. Get dinner on the table fast with this 1-pan meal.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Sweet Potato Bake

Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Udon Noodle Stir Fry.
Image Credit: Emily Fabulous.

This Udon Noodle Stir Fry recipe is quick, easy, and delicious! Made with fresh veggies, thinly sliced beef, and a homemade stir-fried sauce that is sure to become a family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Udon Noodle Stir Fry 

Spicy Moroccan Ground Beef Pie

Spicy Moroccan Ground Beef Pie.
Image Credit: Scotch & Scones.

Moroccan Ground Beef and Potato Pie features ground beef and hash brown potatoes seasoned with a Moroccan-inspired spice blend. Add a homemade pie crust for a dinner your family will love!

Get The Recipe: Spicy Moroccan Ground Beef and Potato Pie

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe.
Image Credit: The Anthony Kitchen.

Your favorite Chinese restaurant is going to miss you. But, with this Easy Chicken Chow Mein Recipe, you’ll make dinner in far less time than it takes to get take-out delivered to your doorstep.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas.
Image Credit: All Nutritious.

These Mexican chicken fajitas are so fun to make! It’s a healthy meal you can quickly assemble for the whole family.

Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner.
Image Credit: All Nutritious.

This Greek sheet pan dinner is a super easy Mediterranean meal you can make for the whole family. It’s easy, nutritious, and full of flavors.

Get The Recipe: Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Instant Pot Taco Pasta

Instant Pot Taco Pasta.
Image Credit: Corrie Cooks.

You can make one of the most popular Instant Pot pasta recipes in less than 10 minutes. A kid-friendly one-pot meal that tastes great!

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Taco Pasta 

 

Filed Under: Great Food

Previous Post: « 15 Most Iconic Street Foods in the World, According to TikTok
Next Post: 11 Chicken Pasta Recipes to Make for a Yummy Dinner »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • This State Has the Best Food in the US
  • 20 Egg Recipes That Will Make You Rethink Breakfast Forever
  • 19 Creative Cottage Cheese Recipes You’ll Actually Love
  • Remember These? 15 Food Traditions That Have Disappeared Over Time
  • 13 Beautiful Macaron Recipes You Are Going To Love

Recent Comments

  • Leszek on 13 Reasons Eating Out Is Unhealthier Than You Ever Imagined
  • Jennifer T Tammy on 21 Cheap, Easy Appetizers That Anyone Can Make (And Are Really Good)
  • Eleanor on 20 Heirloom Recipes Passed Down Through Generations
  • Supriya Kutty on Mango Slushy Recipe
  • anusha sangaraju on 20 Ridiculously Delicious Indian Food Recipes You Must Try at Home

Footer

Categories

  • Food
  • Cooking
  • Great Food

Links

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy

Email

amanda@thepassportkitchen.com

Copyright © 2026 The Passport Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme