14 Cooking Recipes for Dinner: Easy, Delicious Meals to Make Tonight

If you’re stuck in the “what’s for dinner?” rut, this list of 14 cooking recipes for dinner is here to save the day (and your evening appetite). Each recipe is simple, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends. Let’s get to the good stuff!

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1. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This crowd-pleasing dish features juicy chicken breasts simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. It’s perfect over pasta, rice, or even mashed potatoes. Add steamed broccoli or green beans for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Stir in cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until thick.
5. Return chicken to skillet, coat in sauce, and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve over pasta or rice.

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2. Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Salmon

Healthy and hands-off, this recipe calls for fresh salmon fillets roasted with lemon slices, garlic, and herbs. Toss in your favorite seasonal vegetables, like asparagus or bell peppers, for a one-pan meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Pro Tip: Line the sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian herbs
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups chopped veggies (asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon and veggies on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Top the salmon with lemon slices.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

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3. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Skip the takeout! This quick and easy stir-fry brings together tender beef strips and crisp broccoli in a savory soy-garlic sauce. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles for a complete dinner in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup beef broth

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic, sugar, and broth. Set aside.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan over high heat. Sear the beef until browned, remove and set aside.
3. Add broccoli and a splash of water. Cook until tender.
4. Add sauce and beef to the pan. Cook 3–5 minutes until thickened.
5. Serve over rice.

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4. Cheesy Baked Ziti

This comforting pasta bake is loaded with marinara sauce, gooey cheese, and zesty Italian seasoning. It’s ideal for feeding a hungry family and even better as leftovers the next day.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 lb ground beef or sausage
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
2. In a skillet, brown the meat and drain the excess fat.
3. Mix pasta with meat, marinara, ricotta, and seasonings.
4. Pour into a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

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5. BBQ Chicken Tacos

Shredded rotisserie chicken meets smoky BBQ sauce in this fun twist on taco night. Top with coleslaw, avocado, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a meal that’s ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup coleslaw mix
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Ranch dressing (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken with BBQ sauce in a pan and warm over low heat.
2. Fill tortillas with chicken, coleslaw, avocado, and drizzle with ranch.
3. Serve immediately.

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6. Vegetable Coconut Curry

This creamy curry is perfect for meatless Monday or anyone craving bold, spicy flavor. Made with coconut milk, curry paste, and a rainbow of veggies, it’s warming, satisfying, and vegan-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, peas)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and garlic in coconut oil until soft.
2. Stir in curry paste and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add coconut milk and vegetables. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Serve with rice.

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7. One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Fewer dishes, more flavor. Chicken thighs are seared and simmered with rice, garlic, onion, and seasonings in one pot. It’s comfort food at its finest with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt, pepper, paprika

Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Brown chicken in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté onion and garlic. Add rice and broth.
4. Return chicken to pot. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes until rice is cooked.

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8. Stuffed Bell Peppers

These colorful bell peppers are filled with a hearty mix of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese. They’re baked until bubbly and tender—perfect for meal prep or freezing.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Brown meat and mix with rice, tomato sauce, and seasoning.
3. Fill peppers with mixture. Top with cheese.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes until peppers are tender.

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9. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This Italian classic uses just a few pantry staples—garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and spaghetti—for a fast, budget-friendly dinner that’s loaded with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and parsley

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of the water.
2. In a pan, heat oil and sauté garlic until golden.
3. Add red pepper flakes, then toss in pasta and reserved water.
4. Season with salt and garnish with parsley.

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10. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Sticky, sweet homemade teriyaki sauce coats juicy chicken served over rice with steamed broccoli, carrots, or edamame. It’s better than takeout and quicker, too.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup steamed broccoli
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken in a pan until browned.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and garlic. Pour into the pan.
3. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
4. Serve over rice with broccoli.

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11. Classic Meatloaf

Good old-fashioned meatloaf made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and a ketchup glaze. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix all ingredients and form into a loaf.
3. Place in a baking pan and top with extra ketchup.
4. Bake for 45 minutes or until cooked through.

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12. Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Light, lemony, and luscious—this dish is ready in just 20 minutes. Succulent shrimp are sautéed in garlic butter and tossed with pasta and parsley for a gourmet-feeling weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 lb spaghetti
• Parsley, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic.
2. Add shrimp, wine, and lemon juice. Cook until shrimp is pink.
3. Toss with pasta and garnish with parsley.

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13. White Chicken Chili

A creamy twist on traditional chili, this version uses white beans, shredded chicken, green chiles, and a touch of cream cheese for richness. It’s cozy and perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 2 cans white beans, drained
• 1 can green chiles
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1 tsp cumin

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté onion. Add chicken, beans, chiles, broth, and cumin.
2. Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in cream cheese until melted.
3. Serve with toppings like cheese or tortilla strips.

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14. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

These flavorful vegetarian tacos are packed with roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned black beans, and a zesty lime crema. Healthy, filling, and colorful—they’re always a hit.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 can of black beans, drained
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt, tortillas, lime crema

Instructions:

1. Roast sweet potatoes with oil and spices at 400°F for 25 minutes.
2. Warm black beans. Assemble tacos with potatoes, beans, and toppings of choice.

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Conclusion

These 14 cooking recipes for dinner prove that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make a satisfying meal. From one-pot wonders to flavorful global favorites, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a family, these recipes will keep dinner fresh, fun, and stress-free.

Ready to cook? Bookmark this list or share it with a friend who needs dinner inspiration tonight!