We all have those days when we come home from work or school and just don't have the energy to spend hours in the kitchen. However, that doesn't mean we have to settle for unhealthy fast food or takeout. With these 5 easy dinner recipes, you'll be able to whip up a delicious and nutritious meal in no time, even when you're short on time.
One-pot pasta is a lifesaver when you're in a rush. Simply throw all the ingredients into one pot, and let it cook. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but it's also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables or meat you may have in the fridge.
To make one-pot pasta, you'll need:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 4 cups of water or broth
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of vegetables (such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms)
- 1 cup of protein (such as chicken or sausage)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Simply add all the ingredients to a large pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until the pasta is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Serve with grated cheese and enjoy!
Sheet pan fajitas are another easy dinner recipe that requires minimal cleanup. Simply chop up your vegetables and protein, toss them in some spices, and bake them in the oven. Serve with tortillas, salsa, and guacamole for a delicious Tex-Mex meal.
To make sheet pan fajitas, you'll need:
- 1 pound of protein (such as chicken, steak, or shrimp)
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the protein, vegetables, olive oil, and spices together on a sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until everything is cooked through. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Slow cooker chili is the ultimate comfort food, and it's incredibly easy to make. Simply chop up your vegetables and protein, throw them in the slow cooker, and let it do the work for you. Plus, it makes great leftovers for the next day.
To make slow cooker chili, you'll need:
- 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet, then add it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Serve with grated cheese and sour cream.
Stuffed sweet potatoes are a healthy and filling dinner option that's also incredibly easy to make. Simply bake the sweet potatoes, then stuff them with your favorite toppings.
To make stuffed sweet potatoes, you'll need:
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 1 cup of protein (such as black beans, shredded chicken, or ground beef)
- 1 cup of vegetables (such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms)
- 1/2 cup of grated cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until they're cooked through. Once they're done, slice them open and stuff them with your protein and vegetables. Top with grated cheese and enjoy.
Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a classic comfort food that's incredibly easy to make. Simply grill your sandwich, then heat up a can of tomato soup on the stove.
To make grilled cheese and tomato soup, you'll need:
- Bread
- Cheese
- Butter
- 1 can of tomato soup
Butter the bread and add cheese in between. Grill the sandwich on a skillet until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. Heat up the tomato soup on the stove and serve alongside the grilled cheese.
1. One-Pot Pasta
One-pot pasta is a lifesaver when you're in a rush. Simply throw all the ingredients into one pot, and let it cook. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but it's also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables or meat you may have in the fridge.
To make one-pot pasta, you'll need:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 4 cups of water or broth
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of vegetables (such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms)
- 1 cup of protein (such as chicken or sausage)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Simply add all the ingredients to a large pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until the pasta is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Serve with grated cheese and enjoy!
2. Sheet Pan Fajitas
Sheet pan fajitas are another easy dinner recipe that requires minimal cleanup. Simply chop up your vegetables and protein, toss them in some spices, and bake them in the oven. Serve with tortillas, salsa, and guacamole for a delicious Tex-Mex meal.
To make sheet pan fajitas, you'll need:
- 1 pound of protein (such as chicken, steak, or shrimp)
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the protein, vegetables, olive oil, and spices together on a sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until everything is cooked through. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
3. Slow Cooker Chili
Slow cooker chili is the ultimate comfort food, and it's incredibly easy to make. Simply chop up your vegetables and protein, throw them in the slow cooker, and let it do the work for you. Plus, it makes great leftovers for the next day.
To make slow cooker chili, you'll need:
- 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet, then add it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Serve with grated cheese and sour cream.
4. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Stuffed sweet potatoes are a healthy and filling dinner option that's also incredibly easy to make. Simply bake the sweet potatoes, then stuff them with your favorite toppings.
To make stuffed sweet potatoes, you'll need:
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 1 cup of protein (such as black beans, shredded chicken, or ground beef)
- 1 cup of vegetables (such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms)
- 1/2 cup of grated cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until they're cooked through. Once they're done, slice them open and stuff them with your protein and vegetables. Top with grated cheese and enjoy.
5. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a classic comfort food that's incredibly easy to make. Simply grill your sandwich, then heat up a can of tomato soup on the stove.
To make grilled cheese and tomato soup, you'll need:
- Bread
- Cheese
- Butter
- 1 can of tomato soup
Butter the bread and add cheese in between. Grill the sandwich on a skillet until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. Heat up the tomato soup on the stove and serve alongside the grilled cheese.
