17 irresistible weeknight wonders you’ll regret not making

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Before you resign yourself to another night of takeout or a sad bowl of cereal, take a deep breath! These 17 weeknight wonders will revolutionize your dinner routine and allow you to reclaim your weeknights.

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Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Creamy Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Creamy Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops drenched in a creamy mushroom sauce make for an irresistible weeknight wonder. Prep in the morning and be greeted by a heartwarming meal after a busy day, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pork Chops

Fish and Chips

Fish and fries on a metal tray with tartar sauce and lemon.
Fish and Chips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Air Fryer Fish and Chips recipe offers a crunchier, flakier take on a family classic, perfect for a no-hassle weeknight treat. It’s a healthier alternative to traditional frying, promising a satisfying dinner with less effort.
Get the Recipe: Fish and Chips

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta, easily crafted in your slow cooker, brings Italian flair to your weeknight routine. This simple, yet flavorful dish is a crowd-pleaser, ensuring a stress-free family dinner that tastes like a weekend treat.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Moroccan Chicken Thighs

Overhead view of a dish featuring roasted chicken thighs atop a bed of seasoned quinoa with chickpeas and raisins.
Moroccan Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken Thighs are a savory escape from the ordinary, ready in 30 minutes for a weeknight adventure. This one-pot meal is brimming with warm spices and provides a complete dinner with juicy chicken, quinoa, and chickpeas.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Chicken Thighs

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Walking Taco Casserole transforms a street food favorite into a weeknight casserole wonder, offering a fun and simple family meal. It’s the perfect dish to bring excitement to the dinner table without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Homemade Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, cheesy comfort that’s ideal for a cozy weeknight in. This easy recipe brings the restaurant favorite to your kitchen, ensuring a family-pleasing meal with familiar flavors.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy the southern charm of Cracker Barrel Meatloaf right at home. This dish is a comforting addition to your weeknight lineup, offering a familiar taste that your family will ask for repeatedly.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Come home to the warm embrace of Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken, a dish that combines ease with rich flavors for a weeknight meal that’s a guaranteed family hit. Just set it and forget it until dinnertime.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Rice Skillet is a swift, one-pan meal solution that infuses weeknights with the beloved flavors of tacos. Ready in a flash, it’s a dinner table victor that’s sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and sesame seeds.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let your slow cooker work its magic on Asian Spare Ribs, creating a weeknight masterpiece with a fusion of spices and sauces. It’s the kind of meal that elevates your regular dinner plan to something special.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

A wooden spoon is being lifted out of a stuffed bell pepper casserole dish.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a weeknight lifesaver, blending the classic dish’s flavors with the simplicity of a casserole. It’s a reliable hit that’s both nourishing and easy to prepare, perfect for any busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta

A close-up image of a fork lifting a piece of macaroni, over a plate full of macaroni in a creamy sauce.
Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This one-pot Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta is a creamy, flavorful break from the usual. It’s ready in under 30 minutes to rescue your weeknight dinner rush.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta

Beijing Beef

Beijing beef in a slow cooker.
Beijing Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Opt for a healthy, wallet-friendly version of Beijing Beef with this slow cooker recipe. It delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort, making your weeknight dinner both simple and special.
Get the Recipe: Beijing Beef

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting weeknight rendition of the Olive Garden specialty. It’s a simple way to enjoy a warm, family-friendly meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Chicken Parm Casserole

Baked pasta dish topped with melted cheese in a glass dish.
Chicken Parm Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken Parm Casserole is a straightforward, cheesy solution for a hearty weeknight meal. It’s a family-friendly dish that promises to be a regular request at your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Casserole

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs are an effortless path to a delicious weeknight dinner. With a mix of peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce, these ribs offer a flavor that’s hard to resist and will have your family eagerly awaiting mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a surefire way to turn basic ingredients into a comforting weeknight feast. It’s a flavorful dish that’s bound to become a regular in your family’s meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

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