Tired of takeout? These 19 weeknight meals will save your bacon

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Dinnertime during the week can feel like a battle. You’re tired, everyone’s hungry, and there’s never enough time. This collection of recipes is here to reduce your stress level with easy recipes everyone loves. From cheesy classics to flavorful international options, all these meals are quick, easy, and perfect for getting a delicious dinner on the table, fast.

Image shows Canned Chicken Salad on a single Ritz cracker with a sleeve of Ritz crackers in the background.
Canned Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Image shows a lasagna roll up on a white plaet.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the long prep time of lasagna. These roll-ups are cheesy, delicious, and ready in minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Image shows a closeup of chicken egg roll in a bowl in a blue enameled cast iron pot.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Craving takeout but short on time? This chicken dish has all the flavor you love in a bowl, with no takeout wait. This deconstructed egg roll is a perfect dinner everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Caprese Panini

Image shows a sliced caprese panini on a wooden board with the melted cheese oozing out.
Caprese Panini. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This quick panini brings together classic Italian flavors – melted cheese, fresh tomatoes, and basil – in a delicious and easy sandwich. If you enjoy a caprese salad, you’ll love this sandwich, too.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini

Honey Glazed Chicken

Honey glazed chicken on a blue plate.
Honey Glazed Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Sweet, sticky, and ready in no time, this honey glazed chicken is a perfect weeknight meal that your family will love. It’s a great kid-friendly dinner that adults enjoy just as much.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken

Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Image shows baked cheesy chicken enchiladas in a blue Pyrex casserole.
Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Short on time? Use rotisserie chicken to whip up these cheesy enchiladas in just a few steps. They’re flavorful and sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Shortcut Chicken Salad

Image shows a Canned Chicken Salad sandwich on a wooden table.
Shortcut Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Need a super fast dinner? You can be eating in five minutes with this refreshing chicken salad. With no cooking required, it’s perfect for a quick meal when you just can’t wait to eat.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad

Italian Meatball Soup

Image shows A bowl of italian meatball soup with a basil leaf on top.
Italian Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Hearty meatballs and savory broth make this classic Italian soup a comforting and satisfying choice for a busy weeknight. It has just enough veggies to make you feel good about serving it, and plenty of other delicious flavors to ensure even your kids will love this dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup

Cashew Chicken

Image shows Cashew chicken on a white plate garnished with carrots and snow peas.
Cashew Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and a flavorful sauce make this popular Chinese dish a delicious and quick weeknight option. You can get this on the table faster than delivery will arrive, and it’s so much cheaper, too.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Pesto Salmon

Image shows Salmon with pesto and rice on a blue plate.
Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Salmon bathed in flavorful pesto creates a healthy and delicious meal in no time. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight and a great way to get everyone to enjoy eating seafood.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs

Image shows Hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough on a baking sheet.
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Fun, easy, and perfect for lunchboxes, these bagel dogs are a surefire crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike. They’re easy to make and so much more fun than traditional hot dogs in their buns.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs

Creamy Pea Pasta

Image shows Creamy Pea Pasta in an enameled cast iron pot.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This creamy and flavorful pasta dish is loaded with peas and comes together quickly, making it a perfect choice for a meatless Monday or any busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Image shows Chicken tortellini soup in a ceramic enameled pot with a wooden spoon stirring it.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Leftover chicken and tortellini get a new life in this flavorful soup. It’s comforting, satisfying, and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Image shows a closeup of a spoon holding some Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole with the full skillet behind it.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This hearty casserole is a one-pot wonder. Packed with ground beef, fluffy rice, and melty cheese, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal for a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Poached Orange Salmon

Image shows a spoon drizzing orange sauce over a salmon filet in a blue dish.
Poached Orange Salmon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This easy salmon recipe is packed with flavor. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner yet fancy enough for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Image shows an overhead shot of Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells with a small plate holding one and the rest of the pan next to it.
Cheesy Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Dive into cheesy goodness with these stuffed shells. They’re vegetarian, easy to make, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Cacio e Pepe

Image shows a plate with cacio e pepe in a neat pile topped with shaved parmesan cheese.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This cheesy pasta dish may sound fancy, but it’s incredibly simple to make. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a perfect choice for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Image shows A bowl of lentil soup with a spoon in it.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Hearty and healthy, this lentil soup is packed with protein and flavor. The Instant Pot makes it a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Kefta Kebabs

Image shows kefta kebabs stacked on a white tray.
Kefta Kebabs. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the boring burgers! These flavorful kebabs are easy to make and sure to be a hit for a quick weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs

Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Image shows a wooden spoon holding a scoop of Mexican skillet quinoa with the full pot behind it.
Mexican Skillet Quinoa. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This one-pot Mexican quinoa dish is packed with protein and flavor. It’s easy to make and perfect for a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa

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