10 Unbelievably Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights

10 Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights: We all know the struggle of coming home after a long day and needing to whip up a quick meal. But even when time is short, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition. With these unbelievably easy recipes, you can prepare delicious dinners in no time, perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family, these dishes will become your go-to options for stress-free meals.

Here are 10 simple, yet delicious recipes that will make your weeknights easier and tastier.

1. One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

Why It’s Easy:

This pasta dish comes together in a single pot, meaning fewer dishes and less cleanup. The flavors of garlic, tomatoes, and fresh spinach combine beautifully for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

How to Make It:

1. In a large pot, add pasta, diced tomatoes (with juice), garlic, and vegetable broth.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes).
3. Stir in the spinach until wilted.
4. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Pro Tip: Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or some grilled chicken for extra protein.

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Why It’s Easy:

Using just a sheet pan, you can make a whole meal with minimal prep and cleanup. Toss the ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and dinner is ready!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
• 3 bell peppers (sliced)
• 1 red onion (sliced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• Tortillas, salsa, and guacamole for serving

How to Make It:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. On a sheet pan, toss the chicken, peppers, and onion with olive oil and fajita seasoning.
3. Spread everything out in an even layer and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Serve with tortillas, salsa, and guacamole.

Pro Tip: Use pre-cut vegetables or frozen fajita mixes to save even more time.

3. 15-Minute Stir-Fry

Why It’s Easy:

A quick stir-fry is perfect for using up leftover vegetables and proteins. The secret is a simple sauce that adds loads of flavor in minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, etc.)
• 1 lb protein (chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

How to Make It:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook your protein until done, then set aside.
2. In the same pan, add garlic and vegetables, stir-frying for 5-7 minutes.
3. Return the protein to the pan, and stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
4. Serve with rice or noodles.

Pro Tip: Pre-mix the sauce to save time, and use frozen veggies for an even quicker meal.

4. Egg Fried Rice

Why It’s Easy:

This quick dish is perfect for using up leftover rice. Ready in just 10 minutes, egg fried rice is a satisfying and customizable meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked rice (preferably cold)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

How to Make It:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large pan and add the beaten eggs. Scramble them and set aside.
2. In the same pan, add the rice and peas, stirring until heated through.
3. Stir in soy sauce and scrambled eggs, cooking for another 2 minutes.
4. Garnish with green onions.

Pro Tip: For added protein, toss in cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu.

5. Caprese Quesadillas

Why It’s Easy:

This Italian-Mexican fusion is simple yet flavorful, featuring melty mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil in a crispy tortilla.

Ingredients:

• 4 flour tortillas
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 2 tomatoes (sliced)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, and fresh basil.
3. Top with another tortilla and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving, if desired.

Pro Tip: Add a protein like chicken or prosciutto for a heartier version.

6. One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp

Why It’s Easy:

This elegant yet simple shrimp dish cooks in one pan and takes less than 15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Lemon wedges for serving

How to Make It:

1. Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Toss in the shrimp and paprika, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
4. Serve with lemon wedges and a side of rice or vegetables.

Pro Tip: Add a handful of spinach or serve over pasta for a complete meal.

7. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Why It’s Easy:

With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a creamy and comforting pasta dish on the table in 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast (sliced into strips)
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 jar Alfredo sauce
• 12 oz pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil

How to Make It:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, adding the broccoli in the last 3 minutes of cooking.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken until golden brown.
3. Drain the pasta and broccoli, then toss with the Alfredo sauce and cooked chicken.

Pro Tip: Use a homemade Alfredo sauce for a fresher flavor, or add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

8. Vegetable Soup with Tortellini

Why It’s Easy:

This hearty soup requires minimal chopping and uses store-bought tortellini for a quick, satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag cheese tortellini
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

How to Make It:

1. In a large pot, bring vegetable broth and diced tomatoes to a boil.
2. Add the tortellini and vegetables, cooking until the tortellini is tender (about 8 minutes).
3. Season with Italian seasoning and serve hot.

Pro Tip: Serve with crusty bread for a comforting meal.

9. Turkey and Avocado Wraps

Why It’s Easy:

These wraps are fresh, healthy, and ready in just 5 minutes—perfect for a quick meal on the go.

Ingredients:

• 4 whole-wheat tortillas
• 1/2 lb deli turkey slices
• 1 avocado (sliced)
• Lettuce and tomato slices
• 2 tbsp hummus or mayonnaise

How to Make It:

1. Spread hummus or mayonnaise on each tortilla.
2. Layer with turkey, avocado, lettuce, and tomato.
3. Roll up the tortillas and serve.

Pro Tip: Add a slice of cheese or bacon for extra flavor.

10. Pesto Zoodles with Cherry Tomatoes

Why It’s Easy:

For a low-carb and gluten-free option, this pesto zoodle dish is both light and refreshing, while being super quick to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 3 zucchinis (spiralized into noodles)
• 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• Parmesan cheese for garnish

How to Make It:

1. In a large pan, sauté the zoodles for 2-3 minutes until tender.
2. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and pesto, cooking for another 2 minutes.
3. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Pro Tip: Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.

Easy Recipes

With these 10 easy recipes, you’ll never have to stress over what to cook on busy weeknights again. From one-pan wonders to quick stir-fries, these meals are delicious, simple, and perfect for anyone short on time. At StarAvis.com, we believe that great food doesn’t have to take hours, and these recipes prove it!