Back-to-school madness is kicking in, and as we brace ourselves for busier schedules, we’re also looking for easy meals we can rely on throughout the week. From crowd-pleasing chicken ideas to quick-and-easy pastas, we’ve rounded up a month’s worth of weekday dinners to get you through September.
1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Spaghetti aglio e olio is beyond easy to make and will satisfy your pasta cravings in under 20 minutes. This recipe from Love & Lemons gets an added boost of veggies from lacinato kale.
2. 15-Minute Sheet Pan Lemon Pepper Chicken
Reduce the dirty dishes with this recipe from Averie Cooks. Tender, juicy chicken breast, red onions, and green beans cook simultaneously in this one-pan wonder.
3. Kimchi Fried Rice
This fried rice from Damn Delicious can be made faster than it takes delivery to arrive! Loaded with crunchy kimchi, mushrooms, carrots, kale, and a fried egg, it’ll surely be a weeknight favorite!
4. Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon
This one-skillet salmon from Half-Baked Harvest is just as impressive as it is easy to prepare! In under 30 minutes, you can pull together this garlicky, creamy dish. Serve with crusty bread or over steamed rice to sop up the delicious sauce.
5. Orange Chicken with Smashed Cucumber Salad
Thanks to John Soules Foods’ crispy orange chicken, this 30-minute dinner doesn’t get easier. The ready-to-eat tender white meat chicken pieces are crispy and tossed in an addictive sticky glaze. Here, Goodtaste pairs them with a fresh smashed cucumber and orange salad and steamed brown rice.
6. Baked Cheesy Chicken Tacos
This Goodtaste original makes taco night even easier with a family-style casserole featuring John Soules Foods’ pre-seasoned and ready-to-eat chicken fajita strips. The one-pan dinner can be customized with whatever toppings you’re craving (or have on hand in your fridge!).
7. Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are one of our go-to, low-key, delicious weeknight meals. In this Goodtaste recipe, we cook up a simple protein, like these baked chicken meatballs, and then lay out crisp lettuce cups with as many toppings as you please. The DIY dinner makes it fun for the whole family to create their own wrap.
8. Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Kale
Soup season is just around the corner, and this easy creamy soup from The Modern Proper is a must in your rotation. The 30-minute soup has all the flavors of a cozy pasta dinner, with savory chunks of Italian sausage, tortellini, and a rich tomato broth.
9. Sheet Pan Fish-and-Chips
There are countless reasons you should be indulging in fish-and-chips, especially during the week! Our own Goodtaste spin on this meal is everything you love about the classic English pub fare, but it’s healthier, less messy, and so much easier. Plus, our kitchen hack will make sure your fish is extra crispy!
10. Spice-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Broccoli and New Potatoes
This Goodtaste one-pan meal will be a hit with the whole family. The almighty baking sheet meets quick-cooking pork tenderloin and veggies. Dinner will be on the table in half an hour.
11. Skirt Steak with Grilled Pineapple Chow
Skirt steak is a great inexpensive cut of beef that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal! Bon Appétit says you can make the chow with just about any fruit, and while you can substitute another pepper for the traditional Scotch bonnet, we highly recommend you bring the heat.
12. Honey-Garlic Shrimp with Scallions
This umami-rich shrimp dinner from Food & Wine is ideal for weeknight cooking. The slightly sweet honey-garlic marinade doubles as a finishing sauce for the shrimp.
13. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta with Balsamic Basil Sauce
Tangy balsamic, fresh basil, blistered tomatoes, and tender chunks of chicken make up this stress-free dinner from Carlsbad Cravings. It cooks up in just 15 minutes and can be customized with additional veggies such as bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, and spinach.
14. Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
Not only does this Cajun sausage and rice skillet come together in one pan, it’s also budget-friendly! It’s smoky and spicy—and the leftovers are just as good too.
15. Lentil Taquitos with Avocado Crema
These taquitos are crunchy without the added fat from deep-frying. Crisp them in the oven at a high temp or pop in the air fryer! Chocolate for Basil uses lentils here for a meat-free dinner, but black beans or chickpeas would be good too.
16. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a weeknight staple! Get creative with the stuffing by going Mediterranean and Tex-Mex. Downshiftology shares their tip for adding even more flavor: Pre-bake the peppers!
17. Cheesy Pizza Pinwheels
Everyone loves pizza night, and these pinwheels from Kitchn will be a hit with all diners! You can use store-bought dough if you’re in a pinch or make your own. We have a basic recipe here.
18. Chopped Rotisserie Chicken Salad
This hearty salad is perfect for when you don’t know what to make but want something healthy and filling … in 20 minutes! The Wooden Skillet shares a delicious cashew butter dressing that makes the perfect topping for crisp veggies and easy shredded rotisserie chicken.
19. Chickpeas with Braised Summer Vegetables and Basil
Use up your last bits of fresh summer vegetables for this dish from PureWow. If you have an Italian grocery store nearby, pick up a jar of chickpeas instead of using canned. Theo Randall, the recipe developer, says they are much tastier and perfectly cooked already, so less time for you!
20. Braised Rotisserie Chicken with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Kale
Rotisserie chicken is one of our favorite food hacks from the grocery store, and this recipe from Epicurious gives it a fancy face-lift. Cheat your way to a slow-cooked braise with bacon, garlic, wine, chicken stock, and aromatics that add an oomph to the store-bought ingredient.
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