Ready to ditch the dinner déjà vu with some unique dinners that are surprisingly easy to whip up? These recipes are perfect for those times when you want something different without having to channel your inner Julia Child. Say goodbye to the same old meals and hello to dishes that are so simple, you’ll wonder if you missed a step.
![A bowl of creamy coleslaw with red and white cabbage, topped with green herbs, served with a fork.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Reuben-Bowls-2-1024x723.jpg)
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
![Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Stuffed-Bell-Pepper-Casserole.jpg)
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a one-pot weeknight dinner that’s easy enough for beginner cooks. No need to stuff vegetables; it comes together in just 45 minutes for a filling and flavorful family meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Baked Ravioli
![A close-up of a cheesy baked ravioli garnished with herbs, with a fork lifting a portion to show the melted cheese.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Baked-Ravioli.jpg)
Baked Ravioli is a great option for busy weeknights, offering the flavors of lasagna with much less effort. Using frozen cheese ravioli cuts down on prep time, and layers of marinara sauce and melted cheeses create an easy meal that comes together in 1 hour.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
![Grilled chicken pieces with a glossy glaze, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Grilled-Hot-Honey-Chicken-2.jpg)
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken combines sweet and spicy flavors for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend cookout. Ready in just 40 minutes, you’ll make a hot honey sauce, marinate the chicken for 15-30 minutes, then grill it while brushing with extra sauce. The hot honey sauce can be prepped in advance, making this dish even easier.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
![A dish of seasoned shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage slices, and potato chunks garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sheet-Pan-Shrimp-Boil-4.jpg)
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is a flavorful and filling dinner that’s easy to prepare and ready in under an hour. Combining baby red potatoes, corn, andouille sausage, shrimp, and lemon slices, all seasoned with Old Bay, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, the leftovers are just as good the next day.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Big Mac Salad
![A person holding serving spoons in a bowl of Big Mac salad.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bacon-Cheeseburger-Salad-rotated.jpg)
This Big Mac Salad is easy to make and packed with flavor, making it perfect for unique weeknight dinners. Start by cooking bacon until crispy and browning lean ground beef with salt and pepper. Combine chopped romaine, hamburger pickles, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, and cooked beef in a large bowl. Blend a copycat “Big Mac Sauce” with mayo, sour cream, pickles, pickle juice, sweetener, mustard, and onion powder, then mix into the salad. Chill for an hour and serve for a delicious, filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
![Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Roasted-Cubed-Butternut-Squash-With-Cauliflower-And-Bacon-rotated.jpg)
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is a hearty and healthy option for dinner. With butternut squash, cauliflower, red onion, bacon, and spinach all baked together, it’s a simple yet different choice to add to your weeknight meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Creamy Dijon Chicken
![A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Creamy-Dijon-Chicken-rotated.jpg)
This Creamy Dijon Chicken is a quick, one-pan meal that can be ready in 30 minutes. Seasoned chicken topped with a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crumbled bacon makes for a dish that’s both easy and sure to please everyone at the table on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Reuben Bowls
![A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Reuben-Bowls-rotated.jpg)
Reuben Bowls are a quick meal ready in just 30 minutes. Great for a fast dinner or make-ahead lunch, you’ll brown some deli corned beef, mix it with coleslaw or shredded cabbage and sauerkraut, melt Swiss cheese on top, and finish with homemade or store-bought Thousand Island dressing.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
![A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jalapeno-Popper-Chicken-Salad.jpg)
Try this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad for a meal that’s easy to make and packs a punch. It’s a fun take on jalapeño poppers and can be prepped ahead of time, making it perfect for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Keto Zuppa Toscana
![A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Keto-Zuppa-Toscana-rotated.jpg)
Keto Zuppa Toscana is a low-carb take on Olive Garden’s famous soup. Radishes replace the potatoes, mimicking their taste and texture. Even if you’re not following a low-carb diet, you’ll find this soup flavorful and satisfying. Ready in just 1 hour, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
![Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jalapeno-Popper-Chicken-Casserole.jpg)
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole features seasoned chicken thighs shredded and mixed with crispy bacon, cream cheese, hot sauce, and spicy jalapeños. Topped with shredded cheese and baked until golden and bubbly, it’s an easy and rich dinner option for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
![A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Philly-Cheese-Steak-Casserole.jpg)
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole brings a fun twist to the classic sandwich and can be made in under an hour. With sirloin steak, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese, this dish is a filling and easy dinner idea that’s perfect for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
![A crock pot of taco soup.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Crock-Pot-Taco-Soup-1.jpg)
This Crock Pot Taco Soup skips the beans and uses simple ingredients you probably already have. With just 20 minutes of prep, you’ll brown some ground beef, toss everything into the slow cooker, and let it cook. Garnish and serve for an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Sausage Curry
![Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sausage-Curry-1-rotated.jpg)
Sausage Curry is a one-pan recipe that’s great for weeknight dinners. It combines sausages and vegetables in a rich and creamy curry sauce, making it a simple yet different meal for the family.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Pollo Asado
![Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pollo-Asado-rotated.jpg)
Pollo Asado features chicken thighs marinated in cilantro, onion, orange juice, and lime juice. Cook the chicken on the grill, a grill pan, or in the oven for a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
![A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Poppers.jpg)
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers offer a quick way to enjoy flavorful bites with homemade ranch dressing. The poppers are baked in the oven for convenience, and the ranch dressing is easy to mix with pantry staples. Ready in under an hour, they’re perfect for a fun weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Meatza
![A pizza with meat and sauce on a plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Meatza-rotated.jpg)
Meatza is a ground pork crust pizza that’s a quick and easy swap for your regular pizza night. Grab some pizza sauce, mozzarella, and mushrooms — ingredients you may already have — and throw it all together with minimal fuss. It’s a low-maintenance, delicious weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Meatza
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
![A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hungarian-Mushroom-Soup.jpg)
Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a flavorful meal that comes together in one pot in just 45 minutes. With easy steps, it’s a great choice for weeknight dinners and is suitable for cooks of all skill levels.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs
![Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coconut-Curry-Thai-Turkey-Meatballs-rotated.jpg)
These Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs are packed with rich flavors and can be ready in just 30 minutes. With ingredients like ground turkey, coconut aminos, coconut milk, curry powder, and red curry paste, this recipe is great for a quick and different weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
![Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Chicken-Pot-Pie-Soup-1.jpg)
This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a hearty and creamy one-pot recipe that’s easy to make with simple ingredients. Ready in just 1 hour, it’s a comforting meal perfect for family dinners on weeknights. Serve it with a side of warm, crusty bread or a fresh green salad to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
![Cauliflower risotto in a pan.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cauliflower-Risotto.jpg)
This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a one-pot dish ready in just 30 minutes. Creamy and full of flavor, it’s a great choice for a weeknight dinner when you’re looking for something a bit different but still extra quick and easy.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms