After a longgg day at work or running errands, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner. That’s why it’s essential to have a repertoire of quick, easy, and delicious dinner meals that you can turn to on those busy weeknights. In this blog post, we will share 10 common dinner meals that are not only simple to prepare but also sure to please the entire family. From Italian classics to Asian-inspired dishes, these tasty recipes will make weeknight dinners a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
Spaghetti Bolognese:
A classic Italian pasta dish made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and spaghetti noodles. Often served with grated Parmesan cheese and garlic bread on the side.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is softened.
- Add the grated carrot, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Serve the Bolognese sauce over the cooked spaghetti noodles and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tacos:
A Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef, chicken, or fish, served in a hard or soft tortilla shell. Toppings may include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or chicken, or fish fillets
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 12 hard or soft tortilla shells
- Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa
Instructions:
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef, chicken, or fish until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and water to the skillet. Stir well and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the liquid has reduced.
- Warm the tortilla shells according to package instructions.
- Assemble the tacos by adding the cooked meat to the tortilla shells and topping with your choice of toppings.
Grilled or Baked Chicken:
Marinated or seasoned chicken breasts or thighs, grilled or baked until cooked through. Can be served with a variety of side dishes such as steamed vegetables, rice, or potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- For grilling: Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- For baking: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the chicken in a baking dish for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Meatloaf:
A mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings, baked in a loaf shape. Often served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, ketchup, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Press the meat mixture into a loaf pan or shape it into a loaf on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C). Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Stir-fry:
A quick and easy Asian-inspired dish made with thinly sliced vegetables and protein (such as chicken, beef, or tofu) cooked quickly in a hot pan with oil and a flavorful sauce. Often served over rice or noodles.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb protein (chicken, beef, or tofu), thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cups assorted vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, snap peas), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions:
- Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the protein and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the skillet and stir-fry the vegetables until crisp-tender.
- Return the cooked protein to the skillet. Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) and stir to combine.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles.
Pizza:
A versatile dish consisting of a yeasted dough topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Can be homemade or store-bought.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce and add your desired toppings.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Chili:
A hearty stew made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. Served with cornbread or over rice for a filling meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is softened.
- Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour, until the flavors have melded together.
- Serve with cornbread or over rice, and garnish with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
Fried Rice:
A popular Chinese dish made by stir-frying cooked rice with vegetables, protein (such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu), and seasonings like soy sauce and sesame oil.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked rice, preferably day-old
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ lb cooked protein (chicken, shrimp, or tofu), chopped
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- Heat 1 tbsp of the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
- Add the peas and carrots to the skillet and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
- Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs, then mix them with the vegetables.
- Add the cooked rice, cooked protein, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the skillet. Stir well and cook for a few more minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
Burgers:
Ground beef, turkey, or veggie patties cooked on a grill or stovetop and served on a bun with various toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and condiments.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or veggie patties
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, condiments)
Instructions:
- Preheat a grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat.
- Season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then shape it into 4 equal-sized patties.
- Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. If using cheese, add it during the last minute of cooking to melt.
- Toast the hamburger buns on the grill or griddle for about 1 minute, until lightly browned.
- Assemble the burgers by placing a cooked patty on the bottom half of each bun and topping with your choice of toppings.
Fish and Chips:
Battered and fried fish fillets, typically served with French fries (chips) and tartar sauce. A popular dish in the UK and other countries.
Ingredients:
- 4 fish fillets (e.g., cod, haddock, or halibut)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cold club soda or beer
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 cups frozen French fries
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and cook the frozen French fries according to package instructions.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the club soda or beer until a smooth batter forms.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 375°F (190°C).
- Dip each fish fillet into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Carefully lower the battered fish into the hot oil and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked fish to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the fish and chips with tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
These common dinner meals provide a variety of options to suit different tastes and preferences. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique versions of these classic dishes
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