Couldn’t we all use more easy dinners in our repertoire?

I see a lot of great recipes all over the internet, but I have to admit that I pass right by most of them because they’re just too time-consuming.

So, I’ve compiled a list of 10 easy dinners that you can throw together with little effort when you just don’t know what to cook.

Whether you’re tired of eating your usual go-to dishes or you don’t have the time to sort through the millions of recipes on the internet to find keepers, this list just may save dinner more than once in your house!

1. Barbecue chicken in the oven

Oven-baked barbecue chicken is always a hit with the whole family. Just whisk the sauce ingredients together in a baking dish, coat the chicken in it, pop it in the oven, and forget about it. It’s great with cheesy potatoes or rice and something green, like broccoli or green beans.

2. Balsamic chicken thighs

This recipe is so easy, you can even make it when you’re running on just three hours of sleep – ask me how I know! For this dish, you’ll quickly marinate chicken thighs in a mixture of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and brown sugar, and then you just toss it in the oven and forget it. They’re great with potatoes or rice and a salad.

3. Shrimp scampi

Shrimp cooks up fast, so I keep some in the freezer for those days when I don’t really have a good plan for dinner. It thaws in record time, and scampi comes together incredibly quickly. It’s hard to resist a meal that features butter, garlic, white wine and lemon juice, and you can boil some pasta to serve it over in the time it takes you to whip up the sauce. Here you go.

4. Cheesy broccoli gnocchi

Ever notice how most comfort foods take ages to prepare? Not so with this cheesy broccoli gnocchi. It gives you all that carby goodness you crave without too much effort thanks to store-bought gnocchi, and the broccoli helps you feel a little better about indulging!

5. Bean burritos

I always have canned beans and tortillas on hand because they’re great for emergencies. Season the beans with your favourite taco flavours and mix with shredded cheese. You could roll this mixture up in tortillas if you’re in a rush, or you can add other veg like corn or diced red pepper. Sometimes I pour enchilada sauce over it; sometimes I don’t. You could also serve it with salsa. Kid-friendly and flexible… what more could you ask for?

6. Hawaiian pizza

I love making pizza with my kids on the weekend, but it does take time to make your dough and roll it out. On weeknights, go easy on yourself and start with store-bought dough, then top with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sliced ham and chunks of pineapple for a fun twist on something everyone loves!

7. Niçoise salad

Don’t skip over this one if you think salad isn’t a meal – niçoise salad is loaded with tuna, boiled eggs, potatoes and green beans, so the name is a bit deceiving. Because it’s often served with each component arranged individually on the plate, picky eaters can easily avoid the ingredients they don’t like.

8. Easy glazed salmon

When “easy” is in the name of the recipe, you know it’s going to be effortless. This salmon has a simple yet flavourful glaze, and you can quickly prepare some couscous or quinoa and steamed vegetables while it’s in the oven for a well-rounded, unfussy meal.

9. Pasta marinara

Marinara sauce comes together quickly and can be used on the pasta of your choice for super easy dinners – and you can top with grilled chicken if you need a protein boost! Spaghetti with marinara is a classic, but it’s also good over stuffed pasta like ravioli or tortellini when you need something more filling.

10. Grilled pork chops

Pork chops are a nice change of pace when you’re tired of chicken, and they’re really easy to cook on the grill or in a grill pan. Use thicker ones for juicier results. They go with any side imaginable, so it will be easy to get your whole family on board!

Excited to integrate these ideas into a meal plan?

Let me teach you how. I’d also love to teach you the full process, from recipe selection right through to the planning process. And how to make it work, in a matter of minutes, every single week.
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