17 dinner recipes that make cooking easy

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Everyone loves a good dinner, but not everyone loves the hassle of cooking it. That’s why having a handful of easy recipes in your back pocket can be a game-changer. Imagine throwing together a tasty meal without fuss, using things you probably already have at home. These 17 dinner recipes that make cooking easy are perfect for busy weeknights, letting you enjoy more time at the table and less time in the kitchen.

Close-up of meatballs covered in a rich, creamy yellow sauce, garnished with chopped green onions.
Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Pasta Primavera

A colorful Pasta Primavera salad with cherry tomatoes, asparagus, peas, and spinach in a blue bowl.
Pasta Primavera. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Imagine a rainbow of veggies tumbling over a hill of pasta – that’s Pasta Primavera for you, the superhero of weeknight dinners. It’s a dish that packs a nutritional punch while still satisfying those carb cravings. Twirl your fork around this garden of colorful vegetables and enjoy a dish that feels like springtime in Italy.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Beef Tacos

Three beef tacos filled with ground meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, and sliced red onions.
Beef Tacos. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Seize the day with the ultimate crowd-pleaser: Beef Tacos! It’s dinner time joy wrapped in a crunchy or soft shell, filled to the brim with savory beef and jazzed up with all your favorite taco fixings. Get ready for a hands-on meal where everyone gets to be the chef of their own taco creation – a guaranteed hit for a lively family affair!
Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos

Kung Pao Chicken

A close-up of a stir-fry dish featuring pieces of chicken, snap peas, red bell peppers, scallions, and black sesame seeds.
Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

If your palates are in search of a little thrill, let them leap into the exciting world of Kung Pao Chicken. Dial in the heat, toss in those crunchy peanuts, and stir-fry your way to a meal that echoes the lively essence of your favorite Chinese restaurant. It’s a feisty dish that delivers that peppery kick right to your table, showing you that making a takeout favorite at home is not just possible but absolutely delectable.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery.
Easy Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When life asks for simplicity with a hearty touch, turn to the undeniable classic – Easy Meatloaf Recipe. Juicy, flavorful, and so comforting, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm embrace from Mom. And the best part? The leftovers make for legendary sandwiches, giving this dish life beyond the dinner table!
Get the Recipe: Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Best Lemon Pasta

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese.
Best Lemon Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When your palate’s craving something to brighten the day, Best Lemon Pasta is like a little ray of sunshine in a bowl. It’s beautiful in its simplicity, with a perfect twist that upgrades the humble pasta to dazzling heights. Whether it’s a light lunch or a hassle-free dinner, this refreshing dish promises to leave a perky little spring in your step.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A serving of creamy chicken pot pie casserole with vegetables, lifted on a fork, with a flaky crust and garnished with herbs.
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Unwrap the coziness of a chicken pot pie, now reimagined into a Chicken Pot Pie Casserole that couldn’t be easier to make. It’s got every bit of the classic, savory goodness, but with the convenience of a casserole. It’s like stepping into a warm, inviting kitchen where each spoonful is a reminder of home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Close-up of two yellow bell peppers stuffed with a mixture of sloppy joe, black beans, and rice, topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with chopped parsley.
Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Looking for a guilt-free pleasure that dazzles the senses? Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers serve up a deliciously healthy twist on an old favorite. And thanks to the wonders of the air fryer, this dish is as easy to make as it is tasty. You’re not just making dinner – you’re making magic!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot

A bowl of Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot, served on a blue woven placemat with a spoon on the side.
Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

Looking for a spectacular quick-fix meal that brings the seaside right into your kitchen? Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot is the magical answer. It’s like taking a tropical vacation without leaving your home! A delicious blend of spices mixed with creamy coconut milk and juicy shrimp makes this a heartwarming dish for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot

Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

Close-up of a pasta dish with corn, bacon, and herbs, seasoned with a creamy yellow sauce.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Take a deep dive into a bowl of Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta, where tender chunks of chicken nestle up to sweet kernels of corn and are all lovingly blanketed by a velvety cream sauce. This pasta dish brings the ultimate comfort for those chilly evenings when all you want is to snuggle up with a nourishing, heart-warming meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

Copycat Smash Burger

Close-up of a copycat smash burger with lettuce, tomato, and a thick beef patty on a sesame seed bun.
Copycat Smash Burger. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Ever been hit by a late-night craving for your favorite fast-food burger? With this Copycat Smash Burger recipe, your kitchen transforms into the best burger joint. Discover the joy of smashing your patties and cooking up a storm, creating a burger that’s deliciously crispy on the outside and irresistibly juicy on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger

Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes

Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes topped with blue cheese, drizzled with ranch dressing, and garnished with green onions.
Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Revolutionize your baked potato game by adding the fiery spirit of buffalo wings with these Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes. It’s a spicy, hearty twist that transforms the humble potato into a mouth-watering centerpiece. Load up your fluffy potato with tangy buffalo chicken and all the trimmings, and watch as dinner becomes a flavor explosion that gets everyone pumped!
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes

Taco Casserole

A bowl of taco casserole topped with melted cheese, black olives, tomatoes, and green onions, with a creamy dip in the background.
Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Who doesn’t love the thrilling chaos of taco night? But let’s sprinkle a little magic and turn it into a Taco Casserole that brings all those beloved flavors together in one magnificent dish. It’s like a party in a pan! Each layer is packed with tangy and zing, ready to customize for a meal that’s just as fun to assemble as it is to devour.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Chicken Tamale Pie

A serving of chicken tamale pie topped with a dollop of sour cream and garnished with chopped herbs on a white plate.
Chicken Tamale Pie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Craving the comforting embrace of tamales without all the work? Say hello to Chicken Tamale Pie, your new best friend in the kitchen. This casserole is a fiesta of flavors, baking the rich and earthy notes of traditional tamales into an unbelievably easy to serve dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie

Penne Alla Vodka

Two bowls of penne alla vodka, with Parmesan by the side.
Penne Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fancy a whisper of gourmet without stepping a foot outside? Penne Alla Vodka invites you into a world where pasta is luxuriously coated in a silky, tomato-infused cream sauce. This classy dish is perfect for those intimate date nights or for wowing your dinner guests with your culinary prowess.
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka

Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Close-up of meatballs covered in a rich, creamy yellow sauce, garnished with chopped green onions.
Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Gear up for the big game or a super-fun family meal with Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs – the snack that scores a touchdown every time! These little powerhouses are dribbling with cheese and spice, cooked low and slow to absolute perfection. Just pop them in the slow cooker, and when it’s time to eat, you’ll have a winning dish that everyone will be cheering for!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Tamales

Two cooked tamales nestled in corn husks, with a bowl of fresh cilantro partially visible on the left side.
Tamales. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Ever thought of channeling your inner chef and diving into a fun-filled cooking project? Crafting Tamales from scratch might just be your next culinary adventure! Get ready to gather friends or family for a tamale-making extravaganza. Roll up your sleeves, spread that masa, and fold up a storm. The result? Incredibly tasty bundles of joy that are worth every moment spent.
Get the Recipe: Tamales

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

A dish of seasoned chicken breasts garnished with parsley, surrounded by carrots and potatoes in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

What if I told you that you could walk in the door to the enchanting aroma of dinner that’s ready to be devoured? Meet Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken – the culinary hero of busy lives. Just toss in the ingredients, let the slow cooker work its magic, and boom! You’ve got a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with almost anything.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

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