5 Easy Weeknight Recipes to Simplify Your Dinner Routine

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Busy weeknights can make preparing dinner feel like a daunting task. To help ease the burden, we’ve compiled five quick, delicious, and family-friendly recipes that will have dinner on the table in no time. These dishes use simple ingredients and require minimal prep work, making them perfect for hectic schedules.

1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups baby carrots
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• 4 medium potatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Arrange chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper over everything. Toss to coat.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

2. 15-Minute Shrimp Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
3. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Toss in vegetables and soy sauce, stir-frying for another 5 minutes.
5. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

3. Creamy Tomato Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until creamy.
5. Toss cooked pasta in the sauce and garnish with basil.

4. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers click for sheet pans

Ingredients:

• 4 Italian sausages
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place sausages, bell peppers, and onions on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until sausages are cooked through.

5. Quick Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 8 taco shells
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• ½ cup diced tomatoes
• Sour cream and salsa, for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add taco seasoning and a splash of water. Cook until well combined.
3. Assemble tacos by filling shells with beef, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.
4. Serve with sour cream and salsa on the side.

Conclusion

With these five easy recipes, you can create delicious weeknight meals without the stress. They’re versatile, quick to prepare, and sure to please the whole family. Enjoy your time at the dinner table instead of the kitchen!