15 easy dinners to get you through Thanksgiving week without losing it

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Thanksgiving week is here, and the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours on dinner every night leading up to the big day. Enter these easy, no-stress dinners that get you fed without breaking a sweat. From skillet meals to sheet pan wonders, these recipes come together fast, leaving you with plenty of time (and energy) for holiday prep.

A white dish with chicken in a tomato sauce.
Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Jalapeño Chicken

Jalapeño Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This jalapeño chicken brings takeout-style flavors straight to your kitchen. Bite-sized crispy chicken pieces with jalapeño peppers, all coated in a sweet, salty, and sticky sauce, make this a bold, flavor-packed option to get through Thanksgiving week without fuss. Serve over rice for an easy meal that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pesto salmon is a quick, oven-baked dinner that needs only five ingredients and less than 25 minutes to make. Great for a busy week, it’s a simple way to get a healthy, flavorful meal on the table.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Salsa Chicken

A white dish with chicken in a tomato sauce.
Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Salsa chicken is a no-fuss, weeknight fix that’ll soon become a favorite. Tender chicken breasts bake with salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar, all ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a low-stress dinner during Thanksgiving week.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Brussels Sprouts Pasta

A bowl of pasta with bacon and brussels sprouts.
Brussels Sprouts Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This Brussels sprouts pasta is ready in 25 minutes with just six ingredients. Bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes give it a bit of a rich, hearty touch, making it a fast but impressive option for any night.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A skillet dinner of ground beef and cabbage, lightly inspired by Asian stir fry, delivers lots of texture and flavor. This 30-minute meal is a solid choice for easy dinners when you need something quick and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Bucatini cacio e pepe in a bowl with a gold fork and a pepper mill off to the side.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic Italian pasta with just five ingredients. This creamy, rich dish is a go-to for when you want something easy and economical without skimping on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Pecan Crusted Chicken

Pecan crusted chicken cut into slices on a plate with honey dijon sauce and green beans.
Pecan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pecan-crusted chicken, served with a honey dijon yogurt sauce, makes for a crunchy, flavor-packed meal that everyone will keep asking for. A perfect no-stress weeknight choice for Thanksgiving week.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground pork and purple cabbage stir fry in a white pan.
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Quick and easy, this pork and cabbage stir fry combines ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms with an Asian-inspired sauce. Great for those nights when you need something simple yet flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops

Pretzel crusted pork chop on a plate with broccoli and sweet potato.
Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Baked pretzel-crusted pork chops with a maple dijon sauce pack lean protein and crunch, making them an easy, healthy dinner to breeze through the week.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops

Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken

Maple mustard chicken breasts with brussels sprouts, squash and cranberries.
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Maple mustard chicken breasts are baked alongside Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries on one pan. It’s a simple, all-in-one dinner option perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken

Kung Pao Chickpeas

Kung pao chickpea dish in a bowl with rice and skillet off to the left.
Kung Pao Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Kung Pao chickpeas recreate the bold flavors of Chinese takeout with a plant-based spin. Quick to make and full of flavor, this one’s a great weeknight option with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef skillet recipe with melted cheese.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Taco seasoning takes this Mexican ground beef skillet from stovetop to table in 30 minutes. A flavorful, one-pan dinner that’s easy to whip up when you need a fast meal.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp skillet dinner with kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta.
Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This Greek shrimp skillet combines tomatoes, spinach, Kalamata olives, feta, and fresh oregano, all in under 30 minutes. A light yet flavorful option for a quick and easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef and sweet potato skillet.
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Southwestern-inspired, this ground beef and sweet potato skillet brings together flavors that everyone will love. A one-pan meal that’s also great for meal prep, keeping things easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli stir fry served with white rice on a white plate.
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Shaved beef with broccoli stir fry makes a fast, flavorful dinner with a sauce that rivals any takeout. Ready in minutes, this is a reliable choice to keep dinner simple and quick.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

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