10 Fast & Simple Dinner Ideas Perfect For Busy Weeknights

When you get home after a long day of work, finding the motivation to prepare dinner can be hard. It’s easier to grab takeout, order in, or reach for something simple like cereal or toast. But what if we told you that there are so many fantastic dinner ideas that are fast and simple, making them perfect for busy weeknights? You can have easy with delicious, and that’s what we’re getting into today. We’re sharing some fantastic dinner ideas you can whip up like nothing. So get ready for cravings, because these dinners will tease you until you cave and make it!

Easy Weeknight Dinners

1. Omelette

An omelette is an iconic staple, and it makes for a filling and nutritious dinner. It’s versatile, and you can have it as loaded or plain as you want. To make an omelette, all you need to do is whisk eggs and then put them in a nonstick skillet. Once it starts cooking, add cheese, veggies, and whatever else you want (ham, sausage, etc.) to half of the cooking egg. Fold the other side over to hug the fillings and finish cooking. Voila! Omelettes are hearty and packed with nutrition. You can’t go wrong with making one for dinner, and it takes only about 10 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a busy weeknight!

2. Rice Bowl

Rice bowls are versatile and can be made to suit your exact taste preferences. Simply make up your favourite rice (you could even meal prep the rice on Sunday before the week to make this even easier), and add in whatever you want. For example, you could add in chicken, peppers, hot pepper flakes, shrimp, a sprinkle of coconut flakes, etc. The sky is the limit with rice bowls! 

3. Shrimp and Salad

Shrimp is one of the easiest proteins to make. It takes just a couple of minutes, and they pair well with a juicy, crisp salad. Toss the shrimp in some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then pour them into a skillet over medium heat. They’ll cook up quickly, so make sure to supervise them. Chop up some vegetables and make a beautiful salad, and there you have it. Shrimp and salad is a fantastic meal that is loaded with nutrition.

4. One Pan Chicken and Vegetables

It can’t get any easier than one-pan anything, and one-pan chicken and vegetables is so delicious. All you need to do to make it is chop up your vegetables and a piece of chicken breast and lay them on a baking sheet spread apart (this allows for even cooking). Then roast them until they’re cooked (approximately 40 minutes, 20 minutes on each side). You can get creative with this one and explore various spices, herbs, and sauces too. 

5. Quesadillas

Quesadillas can be as simple or stuffed as you want. You can make this one even easier for yourself by having freshly chopped vegetables ready in the fridge for you to grab. Even just a simple cheese quesadilla with a side salad makes for a light and refreshing meal. To make a quesadilla, you need a tortilla and whatever you’re putting inside of it. Then fold it over and put it in the skillet to warm it up and allow the cheese to get melty. The result is delicious!!

6. Tacos

Tacos are fun, exciting, and pretty simple. To make them even easier, you could meal prep the ground beef on Sunday and then have tacos on Monday or Tuesday, so the meat is all ready for you and just needs heating up. But, even if you don’t do that, ground beef doesn’t take long to cook up. Top your tacos with your favourite vegetables and a sprinkle of cheese. Tacos are hearty and satisfying.

7. Stir-Fried Vegetables and Tofu with Rice

Stir-fried vegetables and tofu with rice is a perfect meatless meal. To make it, all you need to do is chop up your favourite stir-fry vegetables and tuna. Then drizzle them with soy sauce and toss them in a nonstick skillet. Add the rice when the vegetables start to get soft, and season however you like. Stir-fried vegetables and tofu with rice is very filling and makes a great dish for leftovers, which makes lunch and/or supper the next day even easier!

8. Soup and Sandwich

Reach for a can of your favourite soup and make a nice sandwich, and you have yourself a comforting and cosy dinner. It whips up in no time at all, and it’s filling. You can keep it simple, like grilled cheese and tomato soup, or step it up and make a fancy sandwich with a more substantial soup. 

9. Baked sweet potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes are simple and delicious. To make them, all you need to do is slice the sweet potato in half long ways and bake it. When they’re closer to being finished, you can add black beans, kidney beans, a sprinkle of cheese, sliced peppers, or anything else you fancy to the top for a loaded sweet potato experience.

10. Egg and Avocado Toast

Breakfast works any time of day, and busy weeknights aren’t an exception. Eggs are packed with nutrition and, when paired with avocado, taste even better. It’s easy to make egg and avocado toast, as all you need to do is smash an avocado and spread it on top of the toast, and then put your cooked egg atop. This simple dinner idea is filling and filled with nutrients and vitamins your body needs.

In the End

In the end, the most important thing is that you make yourself something after a busy day. Don’t reach for takeout each time, but rather learn a couple of quick and easy dinner ideas that can step up your dinner game without taking too much of your energy. Whether it’s an omelette, rice bowl, shrimp, quesadillas, tacos, soup, or sandwiches, these ten ideas can make dinner so much easier. Which one are you most excited to try?