7 Easy Dinner Recipes

After a busy day it can seem like one more thing to do on an already busy schedule. The good news is, dinner doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few normal ingredients and cooking techniques, you can create delicious home-cooked meals without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

Some of these easy meals to cook for dinner include chicken stir-fry, vegetable pasta, rice bowls, quick soups, and more flexible recipes. Whether you’re cooking for one, prepping meals for your family, or looking for new ideas for weeknight meals, these options can help make dinner a little easier.

Why Make Easy Meals for Dinner?

Simple dinner recipes can make cooking every day easier. They typically feature fewer ingredients, less preparation and basic kitchen equipment. This is especially helpful when you don’t have a lot of time after work, school or other daily responsibilities.

Cooking at home allows you to control ingredients, portion sizes and seasoning. Use whatever vegetables you have, change recipes to suit your taste, and make extra for another meal.

A balanced dinner can be made up of vegetables, a source of protein and carbohydrate such as rice, potatoes or whole grains. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on ingredients to make a satisfying meal.

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7 Easy Dinner Recipes To Make

1. Stir Fry Chicken & Vegetables

   

If you want dinner on the table fast, a chicken and vegetable stir-fry is a practical choice. It’s a combination of protein and colorful vegetables and goes well with rice or noodles.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 chicken breast, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1-2 tsp of soy sauce
• Black pepper and garlic to taste.

How to prepare:

Heat oil in a pan and cook garlic for few seconds. Add chicken and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Add the vegetables and stir-fry until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. Season with soy sauce and black pepper.

Serve with rice or noodles as a complete meal. If you want a meat free version, you can replace chicken with tofu or beans.

2. Pasta with Garlic and Vegetables

   

Vegetable pasta is one of the most versatile easy dinner recipes, as you can adapt it to whatever produce you have on hand.

Ingredients: –

• 2 cups cooked pasta
• 1 cup chopped veges
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 T extra virgin olive oil
• grated cheese if you like a little

How to do it:

Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a pan and cook the garlic for a short time. Mix  chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms or zucchini.

Add the drained pasta and cook until the vegetables are tender. Incorporate a splash of pasta water, if needed, to keep things moist. Mix black pepper and grated cheese to your liking.

Include chickpeas, beans or cooked chicken for extra protein. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover vegetables before they spoil.

3. Egg Fried Rice With Vegetable

   

Egg fried rice is a delicious way to use up any leftover rice for a quick home-cooked dinner. It only needs a few ingredients and can be customized to suit your taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice, cooled
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 1 tbsp oil (for cooking)
• Add a splash of soy sauce

How to:

In a pan heat the oil and scramble the eggs. Add the vegetables and cook until they are tender. Add rice and soy sauce and stir until everything is heated through.

For food safety, refrigerate leftover rice promptly and use rice stored properly. Don’t leave cooked rice at room temperature for long periods of time.

Add tofu or chicken or extra veggies to make this meal more substantial.

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4. One Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup

   

Lentil soup is a warm dinner that combines plant-based protein, fiber and veggies. Everything in one pot also means less washing up.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rinsed lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 chopped carrot
• 1 tomato, diced
• 4 cups water or low sodium broth
• Cumin, garlic, black pepper

How to do this

Add the ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil. Add water as needed. Simmer over reduced heat until the lentils are tender. The cooking time will depend on the type of lentils you use.

Taste the soup and season to your taste. Serve with whole-grain bread or rice, if desired.

You can make extra and store in fridge for a quick lunch or dinner later in the week.

5. Baked Chicken with Potatoes and Veggies

   

For a dinner that takes little attention while cooking try baked chicken with potatoes and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• Pieces of chicken
• Potatoes, diced
• Carrots or broccoli
• a bit of olive oil
• garlic, paprika, pepper, black

How to make it

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the chicken, potatoes and vegetables on a baking sheet. Add a little oil, season with garlic, paprika and black pepper.

Cook until vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through. Ensure the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) on a food thermometer.

Cutting the potatoes into even sized pieces means they’ll cook more evenly. This meal is also easy to change with seasonal veggies.

6. Chickpea and Vegetable Rice Bowl

   

This chickpea rice bowl is an easy vegetarian dinner made with inexpensive pantry staples. Chickpeas – plant-based protein and fiber. Vegetables – color and variety.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked rice 1 cup
• 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas
• Chopped Tomato and Cucumber
• Green leafy veg
• Lemon Juice & Olive Oil

How to perform it:

Add the rice to a bowl with the chickpeas, vegetables and greens. Sprinkle with lemon juice and olive oil and season with black pepper.

Serve the chickpeas cold, or warm with some garlic and spices before adding to the bowl. For a different texture, use brown rice or another whole grain.

This recipe is useful when you want a simple meal that doesn’t require a lot of complicated cooking steps.

7. Fast Bean and Vegetable Tacos

   

Bean and Veggie Tacos — These are an easy dinner to make and everyone can make their own.

Ingredients:

• Small tortillas.
• 1 cup cooked black or kidney beans
• Bell peppers and onions, chopped
• Cumin & Paprika
• Serving: Lettuce, tomatoes, yogurt plain

How to make:

Cook the peppers and onions in a pan until soft. Add the beans, and season with cumin and paprika. Heat the tortillas according to the directions on the package, then spoon the bean mixture into them.

Top with lettuce, tomatoes or plain yogurt. Add avocado or grated cheese if desired.

This recipe is easily adaptable to suit your own tastes – you can swap the beans for cooked chicken or tofu

Tips for Making Easy Dinner on Busy Days

These easy meals to cook for dinner can be even easier if you plan ahead.

plan a few meals ahead: Before you go shopping, decide on three or four dinner recipes.

Have pantry staples: Stocking up on rice, pasta, lentils, canned beans and basic seasonings can help you whip up meals without making a special trip.

Prepare vegetables in advance: Feel free to wash and chop up any vegetables you fancy and keep them safe in the fridge.

Use leftovers wisely: Turn leftover cooked chicken, vegetables or rice into another meal, while following food safety guidance.

Opt for versatile recipes: Stir-fries, soups, rice bowls and pasta dishes can be prepared with a variety of ingredients depending on what you have on hand.

Aim to include a variety of vegetables, sources of protein and carbohydrate sources in all of your meals throughout the day. Your specific needs may depend on your activity level, preferences, and health conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some simple meals to make for dinner?

You could go for a chicken stir-fry, vegetable pasta, egg fried rice, lentil soup, or chickpea rice bowls. Most recipes call for common ingredients and simple cooking techniques.

I’m running out of time, what can I make for dinner?

Egg fried rice, or chickpea bowl, or vegetable pasta. Properly stored prewashed vegetables, canned beans and cooked grains can reduce preparation time.

How to eat healthy on a budget for dinner?

Plan meals around affordable ingredients such as lentils, eggs, beans, seasonal vegetables, rice and oats. Purchasing ingredients that can be used in more than one recipe may also help to reduce waste.

Can I cook dinner ahead of time?

Yep. You can prepare vegetables, portion ingredients or cook up suitable dishes in advance. Put perishable food in the fridge right away and heat leftovers all the way through before you eat them.

How can I make my dinners more healthy?

Add protein, vegetables and a carbohydrate like rice, potatoes or whole grains. Adjust the ingredients and portions to suit your appetite and individual needs.

Summary

Finding easy meals to cook for dinner shouldn’t be hard. Simple homemade options include chicken stir fry, vegetable pasta, egg fried rice, lentil soup, baked chicken, chickpea bowls and bean tacos.

Begin with what you love, keep a few essentials on hand and select recipes that work with your schedule. With a little planning, cooking dinner can be a more manageable part of your everyday schedule.