Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas for Every Night of the Week
Eating dinner is an important part of any day, especially during the week. But sometimes, you don’t have much time to plan out the perfect meal. That’s why the following are some quick and easy dinner ideas for every night of the week, so you can get a satisfying meal without spending all night in the kitchen.
Monday- Fish Fillet Foil Packs
A great way to have a delicious meal and still have time to enjoy the rest of the evening is to make a fish fillet foil pack. All you need is:
- 2 or 3 fish fillets
- Vegetables of your choice
- Salt and pepper
- Light colored liquid (ie- white wine, stock, or broth)
- Herbs and spices (optional)
- Aluminum foil
Simply place the fish fillets in the center of a piece of aluminum foil, top with vegetables (seasoned with salt and pepper if desired) and a light colored liquid. Then, wrap up the foil into a packet and either grill or bake it for about 20 minutes until the fish is cooked through. Add any herbs or spices for additional flavor and enjoy your meal!
Tuesday- Fajitas
This tasty dish is always a crowd-pleaser and is surprisingly easy to make. You will need:
- Fajita-style meat (beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp, whichever you prefer)
- Taco seasoning
- Tortillas, either small round or large
- Garlic, chopped
- Onion, chopped
- Sweet peppers, sliced
- Tomato, diced
- Shredded cheese (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Guacamole (optional)
Begin by marinating the meat in garlic, taco seasoning and a light colored liquid. Then, in a separate pan, cook the vegetables until they are tender. Next, heat up the tortillas and then assemble the fajitas. Serve with all the optional toppings, or whatever else your heart desires.
Wednesday- Baked Ravioli
Ravioli can be a lifesaver when you don’t have a lot of time between work and dinner. To make baked ravioli all you need is:
- Frozen ravioli
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded cheese
- Garlic, chopped
- Fresh basil, chopped
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread most of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish. Place the ravioli in the dish and top with the remaining marinara sauce, shredded cheese, garlic and fresh basil. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy!
Thursday- Slow Cooker Chili
Sometimes you just want an easy meal like chili but don’t have time to stand over the stove all day. That’s why slow cooker chili is perfect! You will need:
- Ground beef
- Chili powder
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Tomato paste
- Tomato sauce
- Beans (kidney, black, or pinto)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings such as shredded cheese and sour cream
Begin by browning the ground beef along with the chili powder, onion and garlic in a skillet. Once the beef is cooked through, transfer the mixture to a slow cooker and add in the tomato paste, tomato sauce and beans. Give it a stir, set the slow cooker to low heat and let it cook for 6-7 hours. Serve the chili hot with your favorite optional toppings.
Friday- Tacos
Tacos are always a great way to celebrate the end of the workweek! To make tacos you will need:
- Taco shells (hard or soft)
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Shredded cheese
- Lettuce, shredded
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Start by browning the beef with the taco seasoning in a skillet. Once it is cooked through, it’s time to assemble the tacos. Place the meat in the taco shells and top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and any other toppings you desire. Serve the tacos with sour cream and salsa, and then enjoy!
Saturday- Stir-Fry
This is a great way to get a meal full of vegetables with minimal preparation. You will need:
- Olive oil
- Garlic, chopped
- Onion, diced
- Your choice of vegetables (broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, etc)
- Stir-fry sauce
- Rice (cooked), or other grain of your choice
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook until they are tender. Then add the vegetables and stir-fry sauce and cook until the vegetables are tender. Serve over the cooked rice and enjoy a delicious meal.
Sunday- Fettuccine Alfredo
This is a timeless dish that is both delicious and easy to make. You will need:
- Fettuccine noodles
- Butter
- Cream
- Garlic, minced
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon juice (optional)
Cook the fettuccine noodles according to the package instructions. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cream, garlic, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Whisk the sauce until it is thick and creamy. Add a dash of lemon juice if desired. Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and toss to combine. Serve the fettuccine alfredo hot and enjoy!
Eating dinner is an important part of any day, especially during the week. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. By using the recipes provided in this article, you can have a delicious and satisfying dinner with minimal time and effort. Whether you prefer fish, tacos, chili, stir fry, or fettuccine alfredo, there’s something for everyone. So gather your ingredients and get cooking!
We hope this article has helped you find some new quick and easy ideas for dinner every night of the week. No matter what your schedule looks like, you can find ways to put a hot and delicious meal on the table. Bon appétit!
