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50+ Easy Weeknight Dinners

By: Samantha Skaggs Published August 13, 2025

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Whether they boast quick prep, few ingredients, minimal clean-up, or all of the above, these delicious Easy Weeknight Dinners are speedy and effortless enough for the busiest evenings! And whether you make them in one pot on the stove, pop them quickly in the oven, or take a hands-off approach using a slow cooker or Instant Pot, they're all made with real ingredients and absolutely delicious!

The Best Easy Weeknight Dinners, 4 photo collage including one pot dinners, slow cooker recipes, instant pot recipes, and more.

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I don't know about you, but quick and easy weeknight dinners are at the top of my list when it comes to the most useful recipes in my arsenal. Because more often than not, our evenings are busy! And I'm tired. 🙂

So today, I've rounded-up my very EASIEST dinner recipes in one handy-dandy collection! Whether they're lightning fast to make, or only require a few ingredients, or have minimal clean-up, or all of the above, these recipes will help you get dinner on the table with the least possible time and effort.

As a bonus, they're 100% tasty AND made with real ingredients!

(And in case you'd like to save this post for easy future reference, you can PIN IT HERE!)

  1. BEEF + BEAN BURRITOS
Beef and Bean Burritos cut in half on plate.
Beef and Bean Burritos
Beef and Bean Burritos are easy to make in under 20 minutes and deliciously satisfying, stuffed with a mixture of lean ground beef, refried beans, taco seasoning, salsa, and cheese. Add your favorite garnishes inside or on top, including diced avocado, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, sliced black olives, queso, sour cream, and so much more!
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  1. CHICKEN ORZO BAKE
Chicken Orzo Bake in baking dish with wooden spoon and on plate.
Chicken Orzo Bake (Dump-and-Bake Casserole)
Chicken Orzo Bake is an easy, dump-and-bake casserole loaded with cooked chicken, mushrooms, baby spinach, garlic-and-herb Boursin cheese, and orzo pasta. Best of all, this recipe is combined directly in the baking dish for no extra dishes to wash!
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  1. SKILLET SLOPPY JOE TATER TOT CASSEROLE
Aerial view of Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole in skillet.
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a quick, easy, family-pleasing weeknight dinner recipe that's made in just one pan!
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  1. ONE-POT SPAGHETTI
One Pot Spaghetti
One Pot Spaghetti is quick and delicious, with only one pot to wash for a family-pleasing dinner. In fact, it's such an easy spaghetti recipe that you'll never make it any other way again!
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  1. BAKED PANKO CHICKEN
Panko Chicken, showing panko crusted chicken breast baked and served with veggies.
Easy Baked Panko Chicken
Panko Chicken is a quick and easy dinner recipe, featuring chicken breasts crusted with Parmesan and Panko then baked until tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside!
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  1. HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES
Closeup of Sloppy Joe recipe that's easy and the best, made with a homemade sloppy joe sauce, piled on a bun on a plate with sides.
The VERY BEST Sloppy Joe Recipe
This Sloppy Joe recipe is delicious, quick, and easy to make. A scrumptious, from-scratch sloppy joe sauce made with real ingredients puts it over the top. Hundreds of rave reviews agree that this recipe can't be beat!
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  1. TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
Stovetop Tuna Noodle Casserole From Scratch in white serving bowl.
Tuna Noodle Casserole from Scratch
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a quick, easy, from-scratch dinner recipe loaded with tuna, egg noodles, peas, and a creamy, cheesy, homemade white sauce for tuna casserole without soup!
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  1. EASY BAKED GNOCCHI
Baked Gnocchi close-up in pan.
Easy Baked Gnocchi
Baked Gnocchi is an easy, one-pot dinner recipe brimming with lean ground beef, a creamy and flavorful tomato sauce, tender gnocchi, baby spinach, Italian herbs, and plenty of cheese!
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  1. EASY FRIED RICE
Easy Fried Rice in skillet, aerial view.
Easy Fried Rice - A Quick Recipe to Use Up Leftovers!
Easy Fried Rice is a one-pot, quick and simple, weeknight dinner recipe using basic ingredients and leftovers including rice, eggs, veggies, and your favorite protein, from diced ham to rotisserie chicken to ground beef and more!
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  1. BROCCOLI CHEESE ORZO WITH CHICKEN
Broccoli Cheese Orzo with Chicken in a white bowl with a spoon and broccoli scattered on table
Broccoli Cheese Orzo with Chicken (or leftover turkey or ham)
Broccoli Cheese Orzo is a quick, simple, balanced meal that comes together in one pot using leftover chicken (or turkey or ham)!
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  1. SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is brimming with chicken, beans, & corn and topped with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and grated cheddar, making it a warm, hearty, effortless crock pot meal that's perfect for a chilly day!
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  1. GROUND BEEF + BROCCOLI
Ground Beef and Broccoli close-up over rice.
15-Minute Ground Beef & Broccoli (Easy + Healthy)
Ground Beef and Broccoli is a flavorful, easy, healthy ground beef recipe that quickly comes together in 15 minutes in just one pan. It’s a must-try dinner the next time you’re wondering what to make with ground beef!
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  1. CHEESY CHICKEN + RICE CASSEROLE
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole being served as a dump and bake recipe.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (One Dish Dump-and-Bake!)
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is loaded with chicken, rice, broccoli, cheese, and alfredo sauce for an easy, comforting, dump-and-bake dinner that can be mixed directly in the baking dish before popping in the oven!
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  1. TURKEY MEATLOAF MUFFINS
Aerial view of Turkey Meatloaf Muffins on plate with broccoli and mashed potatoes.
Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Turkey Meatloaf Muffins are juicy, flavorful, quick to make, and egg-free & gluten-free, with a tender texture and a yummy barbecue sauce glaze!
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  1. SLOW COOKER MEATBALL SUBS
Crockpot Meatball Subs on plate.
Easy + DELICIOUS Crockpot Meatball Subs
Crockpot Meatball Subs effortlessly come together in the slow cooker for flavorful, saucy, cheesy sandwiches that the whole family will love! With just a few simple ingredients, this meatball sub recipe is homemade, easy, and delicious!
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  1. BBQ CHICKEN SOUP
Aerial close-up of BBQ Chicken Soup.
BBQ Chicken Soup
BBQ Chicken Soup is an easy, delicious soup recipe that comes together quickly and tastes just like BBQ chicken pizza!
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  1. CAPRESE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA
Caprese French Bread Pizza
Bursting-with-flavor Caprese French Bread Pizza is brushed with garlic-infused olive oil, layered with fresh mozzarella and thinly-sliced tomatoes, and baked until bubbly before getting finished off with ribbons of basil and a balsamic reduction!
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  1. SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP
Sausage Tortellini Soup in white pot with wooden spoon.
Sausage Tortellini Soup (Easy, Creamy, Flavorful!)
Sausage Tortellini Soup is creamy and flavorful, loaded with Italian sausage, artichoke hearts, cheese tortellini, fresh baby spinach, and more for a hearty, comforting soup recipe that’s easy to make on the stove or in the crock pot!
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  1. EASY CHILI MAC
Chili Mac recipe in skillet topped with melted cheese.
Chili Mac
Chili Mac is a quick, easy, family-friendly dinner recipe featuring ground beef, beans, pasta, and cheese in a zippy tomato sauce made in just one skillet!
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  1. SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS
Aeriel view of Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos on white plate.
Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos are easy to make with just SIX simple ingredients. This flavorful, versatile recipe for shredded chicken tacos is both delicious and effortless, since the slow cooker does all of the work!
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  1. ONE-POT TACO PASTA
Taco Pasta in skillet.
Taco Pasta
Loaded with ground beef and pasta, flavored with taco seasoning and salsa, and studded with black beans and corn, this cheesy Taco Pasta quickly comes together in just one pot!
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  1. SLOW COOKER ROOT BEER PULLED PORK
Root Beer Pulled Pork recipe served on buns with slaw.
{Tasty + EASY} Root Beer Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork is quick and effortless to throw in the crock pot for an easy, make-ahead, family-pleasing dinner that's also perfect for game day, parties, or potlucks!
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  1. EASY TOMATO SOUP
Easy Tomato Soup recipe, aerial view garnished in pot.
Easy Tomato Soup (5 Simple Ingredients)
This simple soup is creamy, delicious, and amazingly quick and effortless to make with just five basic ingredients: tomato purée, cream, basil, garlic salt, and pepper!
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  1. EASY CARBONARA
Carbonara Recipe aerial view on fork in pan.
Easy Carbonara Recipe (with Bacon or Pancetta)
This Carbonara recipe is a quick and easy version of the classic, made with simple and accessible ingredients for a flavorful dinner that’s on the table in under 30 minutes!
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  1. BAKED HALIBUT
Baked Halibut on platter with lemon garlic butter, fresh lemons, and parsley garnish.
Baked Halibut (with Lemon Garlic Butter)
Baked Halibut is drenched in a simple and flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce and oven baked until flaky for an easy dinner that’s on the table in under 20 minutes!
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  1. HOMEMADE "SHAKE 'N BAKE" CHICKEN NUGGETS
Aerial view of Homemade Chicken Nuggets on a plate with sides.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Homemade Chicken Nuggets are made the QUICK AND EASY way, with a copycat "shake and bake" method yielding effortless, tasty nuggets that are a hit with kids and adults alike!
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  1. PORCUPINE MEATBALLS
Porcupine Meatballs spooned onto plate.
Porcupine Meatballs (Quick, Easy, From-Scratch)
Porcupine Meatballs are a quick and easy retro classic, with simple ingredients including ground beef and rice in a creamy, from-scratch tomato sauce!
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  1. ASIAN GROUND BEEF + RICE SKILLET
Asian Ground Beef and Rice recipe in pan with wooden spoon.
Asian Ground Beef and Rice (Easy + One Pan!)
Asian Ground Beef and Rice is one of the quickest and easiest Asian ground beef recipes, requiring a simple list of real ingredients, only one pan, and under 30 minutes from start to finish. If you’re searching for tasty ground beef and rice recipes, look no further!
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  1. SHEET PAN CHICKEN SAUSAGE + APPLES
One of the best and easiest chicken apple sausage recipes baked on a sheet pan.
Sheet Pan Chicken Apple Sausage Recipe (with Apples)
This Sheet Pan Chicken Apple Sausage recipe is an easy, family-pleasing dinner featuring chicken apple sausage and sliced apples glazed in maple syrup!
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  1. MEATLOAF MUFFINS
Meatloaf Muffins with missing bite and sides on plate.
Meatloaf Muffins (Quick, Easy, DELICIOUS!)
Meatloaf Muffins with flavorful BBQ glaze make an easy, yummy, family-favorite dinner. As a bonus, thanks to muffin pans, this mini meatloaf recipe cooks in a fraction of the time compared to regular meatloaf!
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  1. TORTELLINI LASAGNA SOUP
Bowl of Tortellini Lasagna Soup.
Tortellini Lasagna Soup
20-Minute Tortellini Lasagna Soup is a flavorful stovetop recipe featuring ground beef, herbs, and Parmesan in a marinara-based broth!
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  1. SLOW COOKER FRENCH DIP
Dipping a Slow Cooker French Dip sandwich into au jus.
Slow Cooker French Dip
This Slow Cooker French Dip recipe features succulent beef cooked in the crock pot in a flavorful broth, served on toasty rolls with melted cheese and extra au jus for dipping!
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  1. LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP
Aerial of Loaded Baked Potato Soup in two bowls.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup (Stovetop, Slow Cooker, or Instant Pot)
Loaded Baked Potato Soup is a smooth and creamy soup made on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot and then garnished with a variety of tasty traditional baked potato toppings, from sour cream and shredded cheese to crispy bacon and green onions!
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  1. CHEESY BEEF TACO SKILLET
Taco Hamburger Helper on plate with side salad.
Homemade Taco Hamburger Helper
Taco Hamburger Helper is a quick, easy, one-pan copycat recipe made with just FIVE real, all-natural ingredients in under 30 minutes!
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  1. INSTANT POT EGG ROLL IN A BOWL
Instant Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl ~ a hearty, healthy, delicious recipe of egg roll "filling" without the wrapper, that effortlessly comes together in mere minutes in the pressure cooker! | FiveHeartHome.com
Instant Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl
This delicious Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe is a hearty, healthy meal of egg roll "filling" without the wrapper, and it effortlessly comes together in mere minutes in the Instant Pot!
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  1. CHICKEN BURGERS
Chicken Burger Recipe on wooden board with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and burger sauce.
AMAZING Chicken Burgers
Chicken Burgers are moist, juicy, and loaded with flavor…plus this chicken burger recipe is super quick and easy to make in the oven!
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  1. EASY BAKED TORTELLINI
Beef Tortellini with ground beef and cheese on serving spoon.
Easy Baked Tortellini (Beefy, Cheesy, AMAZING!)
Baked Tortellini is loaded with cheese tortellini, ground beef, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese for an effortless pasta dinner that the whole family will love!
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  1. INSTANT POT GERMAN LENTIL SOUP
Instant Pot German Lentil Soup.
Instant Pot German Lentil Soup
Instant Pot German Lentil Soup is a savory, hearty pressure cooker recipe with wholesome lentils, healthy carrots, and the option of adding sausage or ham!
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  1. SLOW COOKER BBQ CHICKEN
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken scooped out of bowl.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (Easy + Versatile)
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken takes minutes to throw together in the crockpot and yields flavorful, succulent, saucy BBQ pulled chicken that’s delicious in sandwiches, on salads, over nachos, on pizza, and so much more!
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  1. BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS
Baked Turkey Meatballs on platter with lemon and parsley garnish.
Baked Turkey Meatballs (Easy, Healthy, Flavorful!)
Baked Turkey Meatballs are tender, juicy, flavorful, and easy to make using simple ingredients for a tasty 30-minute dinner! Greek yogurt and lean ground turkey keep them light, and baking is a healthier, less messy way to cook them.
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  1. LOADED MEXICAN CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
Mexican Cornbread Casserole on plate with limes.
Loaded Mexican Cornbread Casserole (Easy + Flavorful!)
Mexican Cornbread Casserole is an easy, comforting dinner featuring a layer of taco-seasoned ground beef mixed with salsa, black beans, corn, and olives, and topped with green chile cheddar cornbread!
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  1. SKILLET PASTITSIO
Pastitsio Recipe in a skillet with a wooden spoon.
Easy Pastitsio Recipe
This Easy Pastitsio recipe is a 30-minute, one-pan dinner of creamy, flavorful Greek lasagna -- loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, pasta, and Greek yogurt!
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  1. SLOW COOKER HAM + BEAN SOUP
Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup in white bowl with spoon.
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is a hearty, wholesome, comforting crock pot recipe featuring creamy white beans that's perfect for using up leftover ham!
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  1. CHEESEBURGER PIE
Aerial view of Cheeseburger Pie without Bisquick.
Cheeseburger Pie without Bisquick
Impossible Cheeseburger Pie without Bisquick is a wholesome, from-scratch twist on the classic recipe featuring seasoned ground beef, grated cheddar cheese, and a homemade topping made with whole wheat flour!
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  1. INSTANT POT TERIYAKI CHICKEN
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken on plate with rice and broccoli.
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken (Easy + From-Scratch)
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken is a quick, easy pressure cooker recipe featuring chicken thighs in a sticky-sweet homemade sauce. Serve this teriyaki chicken recipe over rice or quinoa or shred it as a sandwich filling!
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  1. CHILI SEASONING
Chili Seasoning in jar and used to make chili recipe.
Chili Seasoning
Make your own Chili Seasoning in bulk to have on hand any time you want to whip up a quick pot of chili! Not only does it taste great, but since you control the ingredients, there are none of the icky preservatives that can be found in store-bought mix.
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  1. OVEN BAKED SALMON
Oven Baked Salmon with Garlic and Parsley on plate with asparagus.
Oven Baked Salmon with Garlic and Parsley
Oven Baked Salmon with Garlic and Parsley is a flavorful, delicious recipe that comes together in a flash, to impress company or as an easy weeknight dinner!
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  1. SLOW COOKER HONEY BALSAMIC PORK LOIN
Crock Pot Pork Loin with balsamic glaze on platter.
Crock Pot Pork Loin with Honey Balsamic Glaze
Crock Pot Pork Loin is a moist, juicy, effortless slow cooker dinner featuring a tangy, sweet and savory, honey balsamic glaze that's impressive enough for company!
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  1. SLOW COOKER CHICKEN SLOPPY JOES
Close-up of Chicken Sloppy Joes sandwich on plate.
Slow Cooker Chicken Sloppy Joes (with a Tasty Homemade Sauce!)
Chicken Sloppy Joes combine juicy shredded chicken with a quick, homemade sloppy joe sauce for messy, yummy sandwiches that effortlessly come together in the crockpot and are sure to please the entire family!
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  1. SKILLET LASAGNA
Skillet Lasagna close-up in pan.
30-Minute Skillet Lasagna (Easy + AMAZING)
Skillet Lasagna is a quick, easy, and scrumptious 30-minute dinner recipe that comes together in just one pan with bowtie pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, and three kinds of cheese!
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  1. FRENCH BREAD TACO PIZZA
French Bread Taco Pizza sliced on cutting board
French Bread Taco Pizza
French Bread Taco Pizza features refried beans, salsa, taco meat, and cheese layered on a French bread crust, baked until piping hot, and then topped with cool, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, and sour cream!
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  1. SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF
Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff in shallow white bowl.
Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff features tender chunks of beef and hearty mushrooms in an all-natural sour cream sauce for an easy, comforting, slow cooker dinner made with real ingredients!
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  1. SLOW COOKER SHREDDED BEEF
Shredded Beef Tacos Crock Pot on platter and plate of tacos.
Crockpot Shredded Beef Tacos
Crockpot Shredded Beef Tacos are mouthwatering, infused with flavor, and effortless to make in the slow cooker. The Mexican shredded beef is not only delicious in tacos, but it’s also perfect for nachos, burritos, sandwiches, and so much more!
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  1. TACO (TEX-MEX) SLOPPY JOES
Taco Sloppy Joe sandwich on a plate with grape tomatoes on side
Taco Sloppy Joes
Taco Sloppy Joes are jazzed up with salsa, taco seasoning, black beans, and corn in this zesty twist on the classic dinner sandwiches!
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  1. SLOW COOKER GERMAN LENTIL SOUP
Slow Cooker German Lentil Soup with Sausage | {Five Heart Home}
Slow Cooker German Lentils with Sausage
Lentils, sausage, carrots, and a flavorful broth simmer the day away in this hearty, comforting, slow cooker soup.
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  1. MEXICAN MEATLOAF MUFFINS
Mexican Meatloaf with Taco Seasoning
Mexican Meatloaf Muffins
Mexican Meatloaf Muffins are simple to make, quick to cook, and full of zesty flavor from homemade taco seasoning and salsa!
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  1. INSTANT POT CHICKEN TACOS
Aerial view of Instant Pot Chicken Tacos on plate.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos boast a tender, flavorful filling, equally delicious in burrito bowls and effortlessly made in the pressure cooker!
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  1. PIZZA QUESADILLAS
Aerial view of sliced Pizza Quesadillas.
The Best Pizza Quesadillas
Pizza Quesadillas (Pizzadillas) are stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni and dipped in a flavorful homemade pizza sauce for a fun, quick, and easy meal!
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I hope this collection of my easiest, tastiest, family-friendliest dinner recipes makes it a snap to get dinner on the table, even on the busiest of nights!

And be sure to save, bookmark, or pin this round-up...I have plans to add plenty more of my favorite easy weeknight dinners as I share them. 🙂

Easy Weeknight Dinners made with real ingredients, horizontal collage.

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