Ever opened your fridge to find a lonely carrot, a half-empty milk carton, and a jar of olives and thought, “It’s a dinner puzzle”? Well, fret not! Our guide to 17 quick dinners is your savior on those ‘almost-empty fridge’ nights. With a little creativity and these foolproof recipes, you’ll whip up something wonderful that will make you feel like a kitchen wizard!
Copycat Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito
Imagine it’s late and you need something filling and the kitchen’s nearly bare. You’ve got some rice and chicken and you’re craving that Taco Bell zing without stepping out. With some simple spices and wraps, you can recreate the Cantina Chicken Burrito right in your own home. This wrap brings a hint of fast food magic to your dinner table, leaving you pleased and full.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito
Chinese Chicken Salad
So the fridge looks empty, and you want a meal with a little crunch without a grocery trip. Whip out that last bit of chicken and some greens, and boom, you’re halfway to brilliant Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s all about tossing together what you’ve got for a refreshing, no-fuss dinner. No need for takeout menus; you’ve got this one in the bag.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers
If you’re yearning for Italian without the ingredients for a full-on pasta feast, don’t worry. Grab some of that leftover sausage and a few peppers, and you’ve got the makings of Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. Easy to whip up and without the fuss of a traditional dish, it’s your ticket to an Italiano dinner with minimal grocery needs. Trust me, it feels like a cozy meal at the local trattoria.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers
Salmon Pasta Salad
On days when you’re low on groceries but still want something light yet filling, think about that can of salmon sitting there. Pair it with some pasta and a few pantry staples, and you’re all set for Salmon Pasta Salad. This dish is a simple, no-frills approach to a wonderful and unexpected dinner, best for a relaxing night in. Plus, it saves you a trip to the store and comes together in a snap.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad
Diner Style Salisbury Steak
Longing for that diner vibe without leaving your kitchen or having a full pantry? Whip up an easy variation of a Diner Style Salisbury Steak with just a few pantry regulars. You’ll surprise yourself with a hearty meal that requires little, but delivers a lot in comfort. This might just become your go-to for those near-empty fridge evenings.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken
There are times when a bare fridge leads you to improvise and still hit the jackpot. That’s when Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken comes into play, easily turning simple ingredients into a restaurant-style dish. It’s enjoyable to create and more so to eat, especially when you’re working with just the tail end of your week’s groceries. It’s a clever way to satiate your restaurant cravings in your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken
Ground Beef Fried Rice
Got some ground beef and leftover rice? Then you’re golden for whipping up a quick Ground Beef Fried Rice. It’s perfect for those moments when you want something different and the fridge is almost bare. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those odds and ends, transforming them into a meal that punches above its weight.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Fried Rice
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Think a decadent sandwich is out of reach with just a few items left in the fridge? Not so, especially when you’re eyeing that last bit of roast beef. The remarkable Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich is your answer to a tangy, juice-dripping dinner experience without the hassle of a full grocery haul. You’ll enjoy how uncomplicated yet utterly filling this homemade classic can be.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Whoever said an almost empty fridge can’t yield some magic hasn’t tried the air fryer yet. Pop those last few ground turkey bits into the air fryer and get ready for scrumptious Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs. These meatballs are a clever move for a quick meal that feels both healthy and hearty. Perfect for when you’re craving something homemade but straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Cheeseburger Casserole
When you’re in the mood for comfort food but the fridge is glaring back empty, don’t fret. Even with a few ingredients, a Cheeseburger Casserole can be thrown together, echoing the flavors of your favorite burger joint. It’s a dish that’s as comforting as it is uncomplicated to prepare. You’ll be surprised at how a sparse kitchen still holds the secrets to a filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Even if you only have a few things left in your kitchen, a well-seasoned steak can make your evening special. A simple yet flavorful Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter can do justice to those last cuts of meat waiting in the freezer. It’s proof that simple ingredients can lead to extraordinary meals without any fancy shopping list. A steak night doesn’t get easier or more filling than this.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
Picture this: you’ve got shrimp and not much else, but you still want a dinner that feels somewhat gourmet. Toss them on the grill and in no time, you can enjoy Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp right at home. Light, simple, and aromatic, this dish lets you utilize what little you have for a dinner that tastes like much more. It’s the ideal mix of easy and fancy for a near-bare kitchen situation.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
Montreal Smoked Meat Hash
Sometimes, creativity shines when options seem limited. That’s when something like Montreal Smoked Meat Hash comes to the rescue, turning basic items into a hearty, comforting dish. It’s everything you need after a long day when a simple yet filling meal is on your mind. And who doesn’t enjoy the chance to transform leftovers into a delicious new creation?
Get the Recipe: Montreal Smoked Meat Hash
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Running low on supplies doesn’t mean you can’t whip up something that screams summer in the Mediterranean. Grab those last few shrimp and pair them with orzo for a refreshing Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. It’s simple, quick, and brings a touch of sophistication to your dining table—even when it feels like you’re scraping the barrel. A perfect pick-me-up when you want to avoid the grocery lines.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Evening hunger can strike hard, especially when the fridge is barely holding on. Take that last pack of gnocchi, team it with sausage and whatever greens you have, like broccoli rabe, and make something special. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe might just be your new favorite for easy yet hearty dinners. It’s a foolproof way to end your day on a high note with little fuss.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Don’t let a near-empty kitchen scare you away from a flavorful seafood dinner. With a handful of shrimp and some basic pantry items, a Garlic Shrimp Scampi can come to life. It’s an uncomplicated dish that comes together quickly and doesn’t skimp on flavor. This is the kind of dinner that can rescue any weekday slump with ease.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on the Blackstone Griddle
Fancy a bit of spice and everything nice with the last bit of pork and some green beans? Fire up your Blackstone Griddle for a zippy Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans dish. This simple concoction will transport your taste experience without needing a full fridge. Plus, it’s easy on the effort but big on the flavors, exactly what’s needed to spice up a routine dinner session.
Get the Recipe: Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on the Blackstone Griddle