10+ Keep Dinner Recipes Easy and Delicious for Busy Nights

Dinner is an essential part of your day, but finding quick and easy recipes can be a challenge. Simple and delicious dinner recipes can help you save time, reduce stress, and still enjoy a satisfying meal with your family. With a variety of options available, you’ll never run out of ideas for nutritious and tasty dinners.

Whether you are cooking for one or feeding a crowd, having a go-to list of keep dinner recipes can make meal planning much easier. These recipes often require minimal ingredients and prep time, allowing you to enjoy more time with your loved ones.

One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is an easy and delicious meal that you can prepare in one pot. This recipe brings together tender chicken, bright lemon, and savory garlic for a comforting dish.

First, gather your ingredients. You’ll need chicken, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, minced garlic, and oil. This adds great flavor.

In a large pot, heat some olive oil. Sear the chicken until it’s golden brown. This step helps lock in the juices. After browning, you can add rice or veggies to the pot for a complete meal.

Let everything cook together so the flavors can blend. You’ll have a tasty dinner ready in no time. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and makes clean-up easy.

Ingredients

• Chicken (breasts or thighs)
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Herbs (like thyme or rosemary)

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs.
2. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
3. Sear chicken until golden brown.
4. Add rice or veggies and stir well.
5. Cook until chicken is done and everything is heated through.

2) Spicy Thai Basil Beef

Spicy Thai Basil Beef is a delicious and quick dish to prepare. It combines tender beef slices with aromatic Thai basil for a flavorful meal. You can enjoy this dish with rice or noodles.

To start, you’ll want to thinly slice your beef. This helps it cook quickly and remain tender. Gather fresh Thai basil leaves for that unique flavor.

In a hot wok or skillet, heat some oil. Then, cook the beef in batches. Remove it once it’s browned. Add garlic and chilies to the pan, stirring for a few minutes. Return the beef and mix everything together.

For extra flavor, you can add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of brown sugar. These ingredients balance the dish perfectly and create a rich sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) beef, thinly sliced
• 2 cups Thai basil leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 fresh chilies, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the beef thinly.
2. Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat (around 375°F / 190°C).
3. Cook the beef in batches and set aside.
4. Add garlic and chilies, stir for a few minutes.
5. Return the beef to the pan.
6. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar.
7. Mix well and serve with rice or noodles.

3) Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp

Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp is a delicious and easy dish you can whip up in no time. This recipe features juicy shrimp in a rich garlic and Parmesan cream sauce. The addition of spinach and sun-dried tomatoes adds great flavor and color.

You’ll love how quick it is to prepare. In under 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal at home. Pair it with pasta, rice, or a slice of crusty bread for a complete dinner.

This dish is also low in carbs, making it a healthy option for any night of the week. You can even customize it to fit your taste by adding other vegetables or spices.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Remove shrimp and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
5. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
6. Pour in heavy cream and add Parmesan.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Return shrimp to the pan and combine.
9. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!

4) Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers

Vegetarian stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and healthy meal option. You can easily customize them with your favorite ingredients.

To start, choose vibrant bell peppers. Cut them in half and remove the seeds. This is where the flavor will go!

For the filling, combine cooked rice, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Add spices like cumin and chili powder for an extra kick. You can also stir in some cheese for creaminess.

Once your filling is ready, stuff the pepper halves. Place them in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) until the peppers are tender, about 25-30 minutes.

This dish is perfect for meal prep or a family dinner!

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the bell peppers in half and remove the seeds.
3. In a bowl, mix rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices.
4. Stuff the mixture into the pepper halves.
5. Place in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until tender.

5) Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon is a simple and delicious recipe perfect for busy nights. You can prepare everything on one pan, making clean-up easy.

This dish combines flaky salmon with a tangy-sweet honey mustard glaze. You can serve it with seasonal veggies like asparagus or broccoli for a complete meal.

To make it, you’ll first coat the salmon with honey and Dijon mustard. Place it on a baking sheet with your chosen vegetables. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.

Enjoy the tasty flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen!

Ingredients

• 4 salmon filets
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Seasonal vegetables (e.g., asparagus, broccoli)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place salmon on a baking sheet and coat with the honey mustard mixture.
4. Arrange vegetables around the salmon.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

6) Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is a comforting dish that takes little effort. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want a tasty meal waiting for you.

You will start with beef stew meat. This cuts down on costs while still giving you a delicious flavor. Add diced onions and some mushrooms for extra taste.

You can mix in canned cream of mushroom soup for a creamy base. It pairs beautifully with egg noodles, making the dish even heartier.

This meal cooks well in your slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it. Just keep it on low for about 8 hours (or high for 4 hours) until the meat is tender.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 onion, diced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 package egg noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Place beef stew meat in the slow cooker.
2. Add diced onion, sliced mushrooms, and the can of cream of mushroom soup.
3. Pour in beef broth and stir well.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
5. Serve over cooked egg noodles.

7) Classic Margherita Pizza

Making a Classic Margherita Pizza at home is both fun and rewarding. This pizza highlights simple ingredients that create wonderful flavors.

You will need pizza dough, which you can make yourself or buy ready-made. The crust should be thin and crispy. For the sauce, use a no-cook tomato sauce spread evenly on the dough.

Next, layer fresh mozzarella slices on top of the sauce. Use about 6 ounces or 170 grams for a delicious topping. Fresh basil leaves add a fragrant touch and some flavor. Don’t forget a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

Bake your pizza in an oven preheated to 475°F (245°C) for about 10-12 minutes. The cheese should melt and the crust turn golden brown.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough
• ⅔ cup no-cook tomato sauce
• 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface.
3. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
4. Arrange mozzarella slices on top.
5. Add basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden.

8) Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli

Chicken Alfredo with broccoli is a creamy and delicious dinner option. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something quick yet satisfying.

To make this dish, start by cooking your choice of pasta. Add broccoli in the last few minutes of cooking. This keeps the broccoli bright and tender.

Next, sauté seasoned chicken in a pan until it’s golden brown. Combine everything in one pot with Alfredo sauce. The sauce brings all the flavors together.

This meal is comforting and will please everyone at your table. Enjoy it with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra kick!

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 ounces fettuccine or your favorite pasta
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• Parmesan cheese for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
2. Cook pasta in the pot following the package instructions.
3. Add broccoli to the boiling water during the last 4 minutes.
4. Drain the pasta and broccoli.
5. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
6. Sauté chicken until it cooks through, about 7-10 minutes.
7. Add pasta, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce to the skillet.
8. Stir to combine and heat through.
9. Serve warm, topped with Parmesan cheese.

9) Spicy Chickpea Tacos

Spicy chickpea tacos are a tasty and quick meal for any night. You can whip these up in about 20 minutes!

Start with canned chickpeas. Rinse and drain them, then toss them in a skillet with some olive oil, chili powder, and cumin. Cook until they are crispy.

Warm up some tortillas in another pan. Then, fill them with the spicy chickpeas and top with fresh avocado, red cabbage, and cilantro. A squeeze of lime adds a perfect touch!

These tacos are great for a satisfying dinner. You can also serve them with salsa or hot sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 can of chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Tortillas
• Avocado slices
• Red cabbage, shredded
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. Add chickpeas, chili powder, and cumin. Cook until crispy.
4. Warm tortillas in a separate pan.
5. Assemble tacos with chickpeas and desired toppings.
6. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

10) Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is a quick and delicious dish perfect for dinner. It takes only about 20 minutes to whip up, making it ideal for busy nights.

For this recipe, you’ll need shrimp, garlic, butter, and a splash of lemon juice. You can serve it over pasta, zucchini noodles, or just enjoy it on its own.

Start by cooking the shrimp in a skillet with melted butter and minced garlic. Cook until the shrimp turns pink, which should take about 1-2 minutes per side. Add lemon juice for brightness.

This dish is packed with flavor and perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat (375°F or 190°C).
2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 1-2 minutes per side.
4. Drizzle the shrimp with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.