The Best Weeknight Dinners of 2024

Simple Taco Soup

We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it’s a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma

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Chicken Fajitas

Sizzling chicken fajitas are super easy to make and full of flavor. The secret is in the skillet, which can go from stove to table for restaurant-quality presentation.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits is the kind of down-home comfort food that tastes great any time.

Cauliflower Soup

This is the cauliflower soup recipe we reach for on a cold winter day. It only takes 30 minutes to transform a head of cauliflower into a cheesy, creamy, ultra-comforting soup.

Tater Tot Casserole

Thanks to a few ingredients and easy prep, this cheese-smothered Tater Tot casserole will be a recurring star at your dinner table.

Slow-Cooker Chuck Roast

Packed with tender beef and vegetables and served in a rich gravy, this slow-cooker chuck roast is a hearty, delicious dinner any night of the week.

Favorite Baked Spaghetti

This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

Huli Huli Chicken

This huli huli chicken recipe will bring island flavor to your backyard. These grilled chicken thighs are marinated and finished with a sweet and savory sauce.

Cast-Iron Steak

You can enjoy a perfectly seared cast-iron steak any night of week at home. Read on to learn how to cook steak in a skillet in just about 10 minutes.

Easy Ground Beef Taco Salad

Every time I have to bring a dish to a party, friends ask for my taco salad. Even players on my son's football team ask for it. —Lori Buntrock, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Burrito Bake

This burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.

Slow-Cooker Short Ribs

It is easy to learn how to cook short ribs in a slow cooker. The slow-cooker short ribs become so tender that you can cut the meat with a fork! The beef short ribs cook in a rich braising liquid that doubles as a gravy when it comes time to serve.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Stuffed pepper soup is quicker and easier to make than regular stuffed peppers—yet it is just as delicious! If you love the classic comfort food, you'll love this variation.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Make this Thanksgiving dinner the easiest ever with our slow-cooker turkey breast recipe.

Italian Pasta Bake

Whether feeding a small army or just your very hungry family, this pasta bake recipe never fails to satisfy.

Clam Chowder

Enjoy a big bowl of award-winning clam chowder, a traditional favorite from the New England coast. It's creamy and chock-full of clams, potatoes, bacon and more.

Baked Tilapia

Your weeknight fish dinner doesn't get much easier or tastier than with this 20-minute baked tilapia recipe.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

This homemade version will change every opinion you ever had about cream of mushroom soup.

Baked Fish

This baked fish recipe is the opposite of fussy. Use fresh or frozen fillets for a quick and simple dish that pairs with almost anything for a perfect weeknight (or any night!) meal.

Chicken Pasta Casserole

This comforting chicken pasta casserole is a meal-in-one that contains protein-packed chicken, hearty penne pasta and tender vegetables layered with melty mozzarella cheese. If you prepare this casserole ahead of time, you can simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.

Pepper Steak

We live on the eastern edge of the Sand Hills here in Nebraska, where most folks are ranchers. This popular pepper steak recipe is tasty as well as colorful. —Carolyn Butterfield, Atkinson, Nebraska

Turkey Soup

Use up all those turkey leftovers, from the meat to the bones, in this comforting homemade turkey soup. 

Roast Beef and Gravy

This slow-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably easy. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa

Potato Soup

This easy homemade potato soup recipe is a staple side for steak dinners at home or an amazing comfort meal on a chilly day.

Dill Sauce for Salmon

Dill sauce for salmon is a classic pairing. The easy baked salmon is full of lemon flavor, and the tangy, creamy sauce brings the whole dish together.

Sloppy Joe Recipe

Who doesn't love a classic sloppy joe recipe? Customize your homemade sloppy joes by mixing in veggies or melting cheese on top.

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Corn Chowder with Bacon

Warm up on a cold winter day with corn chowder with bacon and potatoes. Our recipe is loaded with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes, smoky bacon and sweet corn in a rich and creamy broth. We also use a smart ingredient swap so the soup can thicken naturally without cornstarch or flour.

Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken

If you want to put something on the table that’ll give you time to spare on busy nights, give this delicious angel hair pasta with chicken a try. From start to finish, you’re only 20 minutes away from a vibrantly colored meal! —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

Sloppy Ottos

My version of sloppy joes comes from an old family recipe. Make these sandwiches even more German by stacking everything on a pretzel bun. —Jason Koren, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Southern Potato Salad

This easy southern potato salad recipe is an old-fashioned favorite that fits in perfectly at potlucks, luncheons, backyard cookouts and more.

Grilled Orange Chicken Thighs

This orangey chicken was the first meal I served my future husband. I chose it because it's easy, but he thought it was amazing and gobbled it up. We were married three months later, so I guess it worked. —Leah Harvath, Heber City, Utah

Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup

I was honored when my fireman son-in-law asked to add this recipe to their firehouse cookbook. You can prepare parts of this turkey soup ahead of time and then assemble when ready. Serve with crispy whole-grain crackers. —Carol Perkins, Washington, Missouri

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

Crockpot beef stroganoff is a comforting meal of slow-cooked beef, onions and mushrooms simmered until tender in a seasoned sauce made rich and creamy with a secret ingredient: condensed mushroom soup.

Hamburger Steak and Gravy

Old-fashioned hamburger steak and gravy is a great comfort food dish when you're looking to stretch your dollars. Serve the steaks with mashed potatoes and rolls for a complete meal.

Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Farmers Breakfast

This hearty combination of sausage, hash browns and eggs is just right for any breakfast. &mdash:Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan

Spanish Sausage Supper

The wife of a pastor shared her recipe for this colorful all-in-one skillet meal that she frequently brings to church dinners. Hearty chunks of smoked sausage and canned tomatoes with chiles add just the right amount of zip. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama

Broiled Chicken & Artichokes

My wife and I first made this chicken entree as newlyweds, and we have been hooked on it ever since. We make it almost weekly now. It's so simple and affordable, yet delicious and healthy. You can't beat that! —Chris Koon, Midlothian, Virginia

Jezebel Chicken Thighs

This easy-to-prepare, sweet and spicy chicken dish is a quick favorite that we make throughout the year. Tender and moist, it's a filling dish for busy weeknights. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisana

No-Fuss Pork Chops

These tender chops taste like sweet-and-sour pork but require little attention or time. I prepare them year-round, whenever I'm on a tight schedule but still want something scrumptious. —Sally Jones, Lancaster, New Hampshire

Blushing Penne Pasta

I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

Honey Lemon Schnitzel

These pork cutlets are coated in a sweet sauce with honey, lemon juice and butter. They're certainly good enough for company, but perfect for a quick weeknight meal, too. —Carole Fraser, North York, Ontario

Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

For a fast and flavorful dinner, look no further than this Spanish rice with ground beef—it's the ultimate one-skillet dinner when you only have 20 minutes to cook.

Lazy Lasagna

This five-ingredient lazy lasagna recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It captures all the flavor of traditional lasagna, but it’s ready to eat in only 30 minutes.

Ham & Veggie Casserole

I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Quick Sesame Chicken Noodles

I love playing around with different ingredients and spices in my stir-fry recipes. As my children get older, I have more evenings when I need to whip up dinner quickly, and this dish with chicken strips and ramen noodles fits the bill deliciously. —Heather Chambers, Largo, Florida

Sausage Pasta with Vegetables

I made this for our pastor one night. He loved it so much we nicknamed it “Jason’s Pasta.” It’s a sneaky way to get our kids to eat more veggies. —Suzie Foutty Mansfield, Ohio

Cola Burgers

A friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers. -Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania

Chicken Lo Mein

This tasty homemade chicken lo mein recipe is simple and full of umami flavor! It features lo mein noodles, a savory sauce and plenty of vegetables.

Chicken and Shrimp with Lemon Cream Sauce

My kids love this creamy pasta. Whenever I make it, I know that they will happily clean their plates. —Joe Milholland, Smelterville, Idaho

Easy Fried Rice

This easy fried rice recipe really captures the flavor of fried rice served in restaurants. Use leftover chicken for a satisfying meal that's simple to put together. —Lori Schweer, Mapleton, Minnesota

Zucchini Pie

Loaded with fresh zucchini and savory Parmesan cheese, no one can resist a forkful of zucchini pie. Pack in more vegetables and cheese as you see fit!

Monterey Spaghetti

I'm a working mother with two young boys. Our family leads a very active life, so I make a lot of casseroles. It's so nice to have a hearty side dish the kids will eat. Topped with cheese and french-fried onions, this tasty spaghetti casserole recipe is a hit at our house. —Janet Hibler, Cameron, Missouri

Firecracker Casserole

My husband and I love this southwestern-style firecracker casserole. The flavor reminds us of enchiladas, but the recipe doesn't require the extra time to roll them up. —Teressa Eastman, El Dorado, Kansas

Sun-Dried Tomato Linguine

At my house, this dish is known as Gus's Special Pasta. My oldest child claimed it as his own when he was 8, and I am always happy to oblige his request for this cheesy, garlicky, pungent meal. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana