11 Cheap & Easy Dinners for Hectic Nights

Photo of author

| Updated:

Tired of spending too much time and money on weeknight dinners? Look no further! We’re sharing 11 delicious and affordable meals that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, perfect for those busy nights.

Easy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground beef pasta skillet garnished with parsley.
Easy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef pasta recipe can be made in under 30 minutes with any pasta you have and tastes like it’s been simmered all day long on the stove. A true weeknight dinner superstar!

Easy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These easy chicken stuffed poblano peppers are packed with melted cheese, black beans and Mexican spices. They’re a low-carb, gluten-free meal with a decadent comfort food vibe.

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Keep dinner simple and let the slow cooker do all the work with this honey garlic chicken. With a sticky, sweet, addicting sauce and pieces of pineapple throughout, this will become a family favorite.

Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air fryer chicken leg quarters on a plate with broccoli and purple sweet potato fries.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These air fryer chicken leg quarters roast to perfection in under 25 minutes. With crispy skin, a mouthwatering spice rub and tender, juicy meat, you will love this easy dinner!

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Baked Gnocchi Skillet

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Gnocchi Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A one skillet meal with ground pork, crushed tomatoes, spinach and melted cheese. Baked on the stove top then finished under the broiler in under 30 minutes.

Baked Gnocchi Skillet

Burger in a Bowl

Burger bowl with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and special sauce.
Burger in a Bowl. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This burger in a bowl recipe includes a homemade special burger sauce. It’s got all the toppings and flavors of your favorite fast food burger with a healthier spin!

Burger in a Bowl

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken in a white skillet.
Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Looking for indulgence without the effort, this creamy chicken dinner is all that and more!

Cream Cheese Chicken

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

Creamy tomato tortellini soup made in the Instant Pot in a bowl.
Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This creamy tomato tortellini soup is made in no time thanks to pressure cooking – majorly creamy and cheesy with basil to brighten it up.

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Buffalo chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ultra-crispy air fryer buffalo chicken tenders are a healthier knock-off recipe for the deep fried restaurant version. No doubt this one will please the masses!

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables

Sheet pan tofu and vegetables with BBQ sauce on a plate.
Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This baked BBQ Tofu is combined with broccoli, peppers, sweet potatoes, a BBQ dry rub and your favorite BBQ sauce for the ultimate vegetarian sheet pan dinner!

Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables

Sweet Potato Hash

Sweet potato hash with poached eggs in a cast iron skillet.
Sweet Potato Hash. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This is a quick Mexican inspired sweet potato hash recipe with a spicy kick. Super simple and makes the perfect dinner in a pinch!

Sweet Potato Hash

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.