We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community for their go-to easy dinner ideas — the ones perfect for busy nights where you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, but still want something more substantial than, say, a PB&J. Here are some of their picks, along with several of our favorites! 🍝
Advertisement
Advertisement
1. Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli
Slicing the beef into small pieces first means everything cooks through in about five minutes. Recipe here.
2. Black Bean–Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
It's packed with protein and fiber, and you can add toppings — like avocado or sour cream — depending on what's in your fridge. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
3. Bowties & Broccoli
The trinity of weeknight dinners: fast, cheap, and easy. Recipe here.
4. Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
Line the sheet pan with parchment or foil for the quickest cleanup — then serve over rice, stuffed into a pita, or on its own. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
5. Upgraded Ramen
It takes all of five minutes to fry some bacon + an egg. (Plus some green onions if you're feelin' fancy.) Recipe here.
6. Vegan Chickpea Shakshuka
This vegan-friendly version swaps eggs for protein-packed chickpeas, and makes enough for four. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
8. Ground Turkey Skillet with Green Beans
This recipe uses lean ground turkey as the base — but you could also swap in ground beef or chicken, tofu, or mushrooms. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
9. Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos
These are super customizable — depending on your time or budget. Either stick to the inexpensive base: tortilla chips, black beans, canned tomatoes, and cheese. Or upgrade with the works: jalapeños, pickled onions, sour cream, and anything else you might want. Recipe here.
10. 10-Minute Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus
Not an asparagus fan? The simple lemon and garlic sauce would work with whatever greens are in your fridge — like spinach, broccoli florets, or zucchini. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
11. Tuna & Avocado Wrap
Canned tuna gets a quick upgrade with hot sauce, Dijon, and green onions — piled into whole wheat tortillas. (You could also swap in bread, pita pockets, or just eat them as lettuce wraps.) Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
13. Scrambled Egg, Parmesan, and Asparagus Toast
Breakfast for dinner = always a good idea. Recipe here.
14. White Pizza with Pesto
The whole thing is ready in less time than it takes for delivery to arrive. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
15. Stuffed Bell Pepper Boats
These go from prep to plate in about 20 minutes. Keep the peppers whole, or slice them into bites (or "boats") to turn them into kid-friendly finger food. Recipe here.
16. Mac 'n' Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli
To save even more time, use store-bought rotisserie chicken. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
17. Chicken & Veggie Meal Prep Bowls
Cubing the chicken first means that everything cooks through really quickly. You can also make a double batch and have plenty of leftovers for the week ahead. Recipe here.
18. Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos
This budget-friendly version takes pantry staples — like black beans and canned corn — and roasts everything on a sheet pan. Recipe here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
19. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Heads up that this one does have to cook for a few hours, so you'll need to plan accordingly. But it's a true drop-and-go dinner — and basically makes itself. Recipe here.
20. 15-Minute Lo Mein
Better than takeout — and better for you, too. For extra protein and fiber, swap in soba noodles. Recipe here.
