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The Passport Kitchen

20 Easy Weeknight Meals That Practically Cook Themselves

August 11, 2024 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Weeknight dinners are not easy to put together. It’s not like the weekend when we have some time to sit and make fancy and complicated meals. These easy weeknight meals are perfect for busy nights. 

Spicy Salmon Salad

Spicy Salmon Salad.
Image Credit: Mandi Of The Mountains.

This spicy salmon salad bowl is quick, delicious, and nutritious. It features canned salmon and pre-washed salad greens for an ideal weeknight meal. The Japanese-inspired flavors lend it an authentic sushi vibe!

Get the Recipe: Spicy Salmon Salad

Easy Spicy Gochujang Ramen Noodles Recipe 

Easy Spicy Gochujang Ramen Noodles Recipe (or with Udon).
Image Credit: The Fruity Jem.

This simple and spicy gochujang ramen noodle recipe is healthy and delectable. It offers flexibility as it can be prepared with either ramen or udon noodles. As the saying goes — what’s easy to make is easy to love!

Get the Recipe: Easy Spicy Gochujang Ramen Noodles Recipe 

Chickpea Shawarma Wraps Recipe

Chickpea Shawarma Wraps Recipe.
Image Credit: Modern Bites.

This chickpea shawarma wrap recipe is a deliciously spiced meal that the whole family will adore! It features simply seasoned chickpeas baked to perfection and served in a pita with your choice of fresh vegetable toppings.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Shawarma Wraps Recipe

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie.
Image Credit: Simply Stacie.

The Impossible Cheeseburger Pie is incredibly easy to make and delicious! This delightful recipe brims with a cheesy, beefy flavor that is universally adored.

Get the Recipe: Impossible Cheeseburger Pie

Stir-Fried Pork and Shiitake Noodles

Stir-Fried Pork and Shiitake Noodles.
Image Credit: Little NomadsRecipes.

Stir-Fried Pork and Shiitake Noodles is a sweet and spicy dish inspired by Korean flavors, resembling an Asian-style bolognese. It’s prepared with dried shiitake mushrooms, pork, ginger, garlic, and the distinctive Gochujang paste, all served atop udon noodles.

Get the Recipe: Stir-Fried Pork and Shiitake Noodles

Crockpot Cube Steak

Crockpot Cube Steak.
Image Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

Crockpot Cube Steak is the epitome of comfort food, providing an effortless and savory meal with steak that turns succulent and tender, bathed in a scrumptious gravy. Ideal when served atop mashed potatoes, white rice, or egg noodles, this simple yet delightful dish is a cherished family staple that gathers everyone around the dinner table.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cube Steak

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf.
Image Credit: Xoxo Bella.

For those who adore the taste of cheeseburgers and are fans of meatloaf, this incredible bacon cheeseburger meatloaf is a must-try. It combines all the robust, lively flavors of a classic cheeseburger into the ultimate meatloaf experience, creating an exceptional main dish.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Easy Teriyaki Beef Bowls

Easy Teriyaki Beef Bowls.
Image Credit: Begin With Balance.

These teriyaki beef bowls boast ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a swift, homemade teriyaki sauce, all atop a bed of piping hot rice.

Get the Recipe: Easy Teriyaki Beef Bowls

Turkey Quinoa One Pot Meal

Turkey Quinoa One Pot Meal.
Image Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

Enjoy this easy Turkey Quinoa One Pot Meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. Ready to serve in 20 minutes or less, it’s a hit with both kids and adults and is low in fat as well!

Get the Recipe: Turkey Quinoa One Pot Meal

Vegan Hamburger Helper

Vegan Hamburger Helper (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free).
Image Credit: Strength & Sunshine.

This one-pot Vegan Hamburger Helper offers a simple, homemade alternative to the classic boxed cheeseburger pasta. It’s gluten-free, allergy-friendly, and dairy-free, ensuring a hearty and flavorful cheeseburger macaroni that’s ready in just 20 minutes. As a budget-friendly dinner option for weeknights, it’s not only healthier and meatless but also protein-rich, making it a hit with both kids and adults.

Get the Recipe: Vegan Hamburger Helper

Easy Mozzarella Chicken

Easy Mozzarella Chicken (30 minute recipe).
Image Credit: Boulder Locavore.

Easy Mozzarella Chicken is a flavorful Italian recipe featuring tender chicken infused with Italian spices, smothered in marinara sauce, and topped with gooey melted mozzarella cheese. It’s possibly the quickest and tastiest dinner you’ll ever make, ready to serve in just 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe:  Easy Mozzarella Chicken 

Salmon Puttanesca 

Salmon Puttanesca (Italian Salmon Recipe).
Image Credit: Happy Honey Kitchen.

Baked Salmon Puttanesca is a delectable dish featuring fish in a tomato sauce enriched with olives and capers. This Italian-inspired salmon recipe can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a nutritious dinner on busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Salmon Puttanesca 

Hot Honey Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Hot Honey Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce.
Image Credit: Avocado Skillet.

Hot Honey Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce offers a delectable and nutritious option for taco enthusiasts. Accompanied by a cabbage slaw and a zesty cilantro lime yogurt sauce, these tacos boast an explosion of flavors that are sure to delight the palate.

Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.
Image Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

This rapid and creamy vegetarian pasta dish features sun-dried tomato pesto, brimming with the robust flavors of garlic, basil, and cheese. It’s designed for easy customization with any vegetables to craft your preferred variation.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Ten-Minute Miso Noodle Soup

Ten-Minute Miso Noodle Soup.
Image Credit: World Of Vegan.

This comforting bowl of miso noodle soup blends the savory depth of miso paste with the straightforwardness of noodles, complemented by a variety of fresh, nourishing ingredients. Ideal for hectic weekdays, it promises a delightful slurping experience in merely 10 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Ten-Minute Miso Noodle Soup

Easy Homemade Ham Salad

Easy Homemade Ham Salad.
Image Credit: Copy Kat Recipes.

Easy Homemade Ham Salad makes for an ideal classic spread. This homemade variant is more flavorful than any version you might find at the store.

Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Ham Salad

Delicious & Easy Ginger Beef

Delicious & Easy Ginger Beef.
Image Credit: Wok Your World.

This quick and simple Ginger Beef Recipe will wok your world. Comprising crispy, deep-fried beef, fresh, crunchy vegetables, and a savory sauce, this delicious dish is an ideal choice for lunch or dinner. 

Get the Recipe: Delicious & Easy Ginger Beef

Easy New Orleans-Style Skillet Barbecue Shrimp

Easy New Orleans-Style Skillet Barbecue Shrimp.
Image Credit: Little Black Skillet.

This BBQ shrimp recipe is the stuff of dreams. Succulent shrimp drenched in a rich sauce of butter, bold Cajun spices, ample garlic, Worcestershire, rosemary, lemon, and beer, all begging to be mopped up with chunks of crusty French bread. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Get the Recipe: Easy New Orleans-Style Skillet Barbecue Shrimp

Easy Chicken and Vegetable Bake Recipe

Easy Chicken and Vegetable Bake Recipe.
Image Credit: Cook Eat Go.

The Easy Chicken and Vegetable Bake is a dish that signals the arrival of fall for me. It’s a favorite because it requires minimal preparation and is cost-effective. Additionally, it fills the house with a wonderful aroma from the oven-roasted meal.

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken and Vegetable Bake Recipe

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs Dinner

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs Dinner.
Image Credit: The Feathered Nester.

These Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are succulent and bursting with flavor. You’ll appreciate this incredibly simple, dump-and-bake dinner for its minimal preparation and quick cooking time of under 30 minutes. Your entire family will adore this baked chicken and vegetable meal for its vibrant colors and delightful taste!

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs Dinner

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