7 Quick & Easy Dinners for Busy Weeknights (8 Photos)

If you're exhausted after a long day at work and can't bear the thought of another bowl of plain pasta or frozen dumplings, here are 7 fast and simple dinner ideas. Best of all, they're absolutely delicious!







1. Bacon and Bean Skillet in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

200g canned white or pinto beans;

100g bacon;

250g tomato sauce (or 100g tomato paste);

olive oil, to taste.

Instructions:

Sauté the bacon and beans in olive oil, then stir in the tomato sauce, black pepper, and salt (feel free to add paprika and dried basil as well). Simmer gently for a few minutes until heated through.





2. Creamy Tuna and Spinach Pasta

Ingredients:

250g pasta;

100g canned tuna;

250g frozen spinach;

150ml light cream.

Instructions:

Cook the pasta according to package directions. In a skillet, thaw the spinach, then fold in the canned tuna followed by the cream. Simmer together for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper, and toss with the hot pasta.



3. Easy Vegetable Bake

Ingredients:

100g broccoli;

100g cauliflower;

150g button mushrooms;

1 cup green beans;

100g hard cheese (such as Cheddar or Gouda);

150ml milk;

6 eggs;

sunflower oil;

salt and pepper.

Instructions:

Break the broccoli and cauliflower into florets, slice the mushrooms, and trim the green beans. Grease a baking dish with oil and transfer all the vegetables and mushrooms into it. Whisk together the eggs, milk, a pinch of salt, and pepper, then pour the mixture over the vegetables. Top with shredded cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into portions.



4. Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms

Ingredients:

150g button mushrooms;

1 onion;

50g butter;

1kg lean ground beef;

4 tbsp all-purpose flour;

2 cups beef broth;

1 cup sour cream;

salt and pepper to taste;

400g egg noodles.

Instructions:

Boil the egg noodles in salted water, then drain. While the noodles are cooking, heat a large skillet and sauté the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat for about 5 minutes until tender; transfer to a bowl.

Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined. Pour in the beef broth and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly. Return the mushrooms and onion to the skillet, then stir in the sour cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until heated through without bringing to a boil. Serve the rich beef and mushroom sauce over a bed of egg noodles.



5. Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast;

1 pack fresh mozzarella;

1 avocado;

salt and pepper to taste;

200g mixed salad greens;

7-8 cherry tomatoes;

1/4 cup fresh basil.

For the dressing:

1 clove garlic, minced;

1 tsp dried basil;

1 tbsp Dijon mustard;

1 tbsp lemon juice;

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar;

1/3 cup olive oil;

salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, dried basil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until emulsified. Set aside.

Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and pan-fry for 5–6 minutes until cooked through. Halve the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and avocado. Arrange the salad greens in a bowl, top with all the prepared ingredients, and drizzle generously with the balsamic dressing.



6. Rice Stir-Fry with Chicken, Mushrooms, and Green Beans

Ingredients:

500g skin-on chicken fillets;

250g green beans, roughly chopped;

200g button mushrooms;

1 tbsp olive oil;

2 cloves garlic;

salt and freshly ground pepper.

Instructions:

Combine 1/2 cup of rice with 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 10–15 minutes until tender and all water is absorbed. Cut the chicken fillets into bite-sized pieces. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until crisp and golden brown (cooking skin-side down renders enough natural fat that extra oil isn't needed yet).

Add the green beans and thinly sliced mushrooms to the skillet along with a tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté for 5 minutes, then add the finely chopped garlic. Stir in the cooked rice, season with salt and pepper, and fry for another few minutes until the rice is heated through.



7. Simple Oven-Baked Salmon

Ingredients:

1kg salmon fillet;

salt and pepper;

2 onions;

2 tbsp olive oil;

fresh parsley;

juice of 1 lemon.

Instructions:

Rinse the salmon fillet, pat dry, season with salt and pepper, and rub with a little olive oil. Finely chop the parsley and slice the onions into half-rings. Toss the onions with a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon on a baking sheet, sprinkle with parsley, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and arrange the onions around the fish. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 20 minutes.