I see you over there, tired of the same old dinner routine. You want something new, something delicious, something exciting. And to be honest, not much else is needed when you have simple recipes that are this utterly perfect.
This is for those of us who want our weeknight dinners to actually taste amazing without all the fuss.
1. Marry Me Chicken
Just one look at this dish and you know it’s something special. Seriously, it’s a showstopper! The chicken is so incredibly tender, and that sauce?
It’s a creamy, dreamy combination of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, and parmesan cheese that is just out of this world. The smell alone is enough to make you fall in love.
2. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is one of those meals that feels so fancy but comes together in a flash. We’re talking 25 minutes from start to finish! You don’t need anything crazy, either.
Just grab some linguine, butter, shrimp, parmesan, and a splash of white wine, plus a few herbs. It’s a total weeknight win.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Looking for the perfect side dish? These roasted veggies are it. They take a little bit of time, but trust me, they are so worth it. You can totally use whatever vegetables you have on hand, but I love sticking to the recipe.
That dressing is just incredible; it’s got a zesty kick that doesn’t overpower the earthy flavor of the vegetables. It’s a perfect combo.
4. Garlic Butter Rice
This is such a great side dish that plays well with almost any protein, but I think it’s especially amazing with baked chicken or fish.
It’s ready in about 20 minutes, and I bet you already have everything you need right in your kitchen. So simple and so good.
5. Tomato Bocconcini Flatbread
Okay, so this flatbread needs a little time to rise, so make sure you plan for at least an hour for the dough to do its thing. Besides the resting time, it only takes about 35 minutes to put together, and it is just SO beautiful!
The vibrant red sauce, the fresh white mozzarella, and those green leaves look absolutely gorgeous together. Slice it up and serve it with a glass of white wine for a perfect meal.
6. Grilled Flank Steak
Flank steak is just the best, isn’t it? So juicy and tender. And cooked this way, it could not be easier. The hardest part is making the marinade, which is actually super simple!
Just mix up some olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and rosemary.
Let that steak soak for a few hours, then throw it on the grill for about 10 minutes. Dinner perfection.
7. Caprese Grilled Filet Mignon (Filet Mignon with Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil)
These filet mignons are juicy, cheesy, and seasoned perfectly. Topped with tomato, basil, and mozzarella, they taste like they came from a five-star restaurant.
A little drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette over the top is all you need to finish it off. Absolutely divine.
8. Baked Salmon
You can have this nutritious and super tasty baked salmon on the table in under 30 minutes! It’s seasoned just right and is so unbelievably soft it practically melts in your mouth.
The lemon garlic flavor is delightful, and with only one carb per serving, it’s a dream meal for keto couples.
9. Tuscan Chicken
This Tuscan chicken has just seven carbs per serving, but the flavor is absolutely exploding! The chicken breast is perfectly tender and juicy, and the sauce is so creamy and garlicky.
If you’re a fan of sweet wine, this dish is amazing with a sparkling moscato.
10. Smoked Salmon Pasta
This pasta has everything you could ever want in a hearty and delicious dinner. We’re talking salmon, pasta, cherry tomatoes, and artichoke hearts.
You are going to love the smoky, garlicky flavor and how creamy that sauce is. It’s just so good.
11. Lemon Pepper Chicken
Lemon pepper chicken might not be the most exotic dish, but it’s a favorite for a reason. It’s so unbelievably convenient to make!
Besides the chicken, you just need some lemon juice, olive oil, and a few seasonings. Prep is 5 minutes, tops. Bake it for 30 minutes and serve it with a simple side salad. Done and delicious.
12. Steak and Potatoes Skillet
Let’s be real, anything with garlic butter is going to be good, and this steak and potatoes skillet is no exception. The potatoes are crispy, buttery, and loaded with garlic.
The steak is tender and juicy, with so much flavor in every single bite. It’s a classic for a reason!
13. Vegetable Pasta
This one-pot vegetable pasta is a fantastic choice for a vegetarian-friendly dinner. No matter which veggies you decide to throw in, the final dish is full of tomato and cheesy goodness.
It also gets a nice little kick from garlic, onions, and pepper flakes. And don’t forget the Italian seasoning; it’s what gives it that amazing taste and smell.
14. Garlic Butter Shrimp
Since we’re talking about how amazing garlic butter is, we have to mention this incredible garlic butter shrimp.
It’s every bit as tasty as the steak and potatoes, but with fewer carbs and calories! A total win-win.
15. Tomato Pasta with Butter Sauce
Whether you add the toasted bread crumbles or not, this pasta is just terrific. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that feels like something you’d get in an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
It might be a little drier than you’re used to, especially with the bread crumbles, but that doesn’t take away from its flavor one bit.
16. Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta
If you’re looking for a healthy pasta dish that’s packed with flavor, this is it. It’s a beautiful combination of grilled chicken and spaghetti noodles with asparagus, red peppers, and plenty of seasonings.
It’s a light yet satisfying meal, perfect for that romantic Lady and the Tramp moment, just with less mess.
17. Roasted Vegetable Salad with Sauce
For a colorful, beautiful, and vegetarian-friendly meal, you have to try this roasted vegetable salad. You can customize it with your favorite veggies or stick with the recipe’s potatoes, carrots, cabbage, broccolini, and red bell peppers.
The green sauce, made with avocados and parsley among other things, is absolutely delicious.
18. Greek Lemon Garlic Chicken Salad
This dish is just stunning and so full of flavor. My only issue is that it’s almost too pretty to eat! It does take a little bit of effort to assemble, but it’s 100% worth it, especially if you’re trying to impress someone.
The recipe suggests you can use store-bought tzatziki, but the homemade version has a much richer, fuller flavor.
19. Pasta With Meatballs And Tomato Sauce
The secret here is all in the homemade meatballs. They’re thick, perfectly seasoned, and absolutely mouth-watering. The sauce is pretty great, too.
You can serve the sauce and meatballs with any pasta you like, but I’m a traditionalist and always go for spaghetti.
20. Caprese Chicken Skillet
This skillet meal takes the classic Caprese salad to a whole new level. With boneless chicken breasts, red onions, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil, it’s the perfect summer dinner.
Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the sauce. That balsamic vinegar and honey mixture adds a huge amount of flavor.
21. Tomato Parmesan
Is there anything better than a hot bowl of soup on a cool night? This one is so thick and creamy, with a surprising depth of flavor from the tomatoes, parmesan, carrots, garlic, and onion.
Serve it with some thick, crusty bread, and you’ve got a complete meal that will keep you full all night long.
22. Shrimp Alfredo
I am a huge fan of pasta because it’s always so flavorful and incredibly easy to make. This shrimp alfredo takes about 30 minutes and only needs eight ingredients.
The alfredo sauce is rich, thick, and so creamy, and the shrimp has that perfect little crunch. If you love the shrimp alfredo at Olive Garden, this recipe will blow your mind.
23. Alfredo Pasta Sauce
This sauce is just so rich and creamy, loaded with butter, milk, and cheese. It’s one of the best homemade alfredo recipes I’ve ever tried.
Seriously, no matter what kind of pasta you toss this with, it’s going to be absolutely delicious.
24. Garlic Mushrooms
Garlic mushrooms are such a classic side dish, especially with steak. But these are so good, you’ll find yourself making them just to eat on their own.
Just make sure to find mushrooms that are all about the same size so they cook nice and evenly.
25. Browned Butter Lemon Pasta
This pasta is light, zesty, and just lovely, especially if you take a moment to make those pretty almond flowers for the top.
It’s definitely different from most pasta dishes you might be used to, and the flavor is hard to put into words. Let’s just say it’s wonderful, and you can make it in under 30 minutes.
26. Cinnamon Raisin Rice Pudding
What’s a dinner for two without a sweet dessert to finish things off? This one-pot rice pudding is a fantastic choice because it tastes amazing and is so easy to make.
I mean, who wants to spend a bunch of time on dessert after making dinner? All you need is milk, medium-grain rice, cinnamon, sugar, raisins, vanilla, and about 20 minutes. It’s that simple!