By Maike Corbett | Published: November 21, 2023 | Modified: November 21, 2023
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If you're looking for easy dinner ideas, you're in the right place! We've gathered 43 easy comfort food dinners you can cook in 45 minutes or less. There are no fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just good, hearty meals your family will love.
Shrimp Lo Mein (Easy 30-Minute Dinner)
Better than takeout, our easy 30-minuteShrimp Lo Meinrecipe is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. We toss succulent shrimp, tender noodles, and crisp vegetables in a savory soy-based sauce.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein
Creamy Chicken Thighs
Our cast iron creamy Chicken Thighsis a rich, creamy, flavorful dish that's simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. Imagine perfectly baked chicken thighs served in a rich and creamy garlic and lemon sauce.
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Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Welcome to a new spin on a classic! ThisChicken Pot Pie Casserolecombines the familiar taste of your favorite comfort meal with the ease of a casserole.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Pizza Casserole/
Our Pizza Casserole has all the delicious flavors of Meat Lover's Pizza combined into the comfort of a hearty casserole. It's a blend of meat, cheese, and pasta. Easy, quick, and delicious - a dinner winner.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole
Dirty Rice And Sausage
This TikTok Spaghetti is the comfort food dish you never knew you needed, taking your spaghetti night to the next level. Mixing the best of both worlds, it blends classic spaghetti with a rich duo of Alfredo and marinara sauces, all crowned by a generous layer of melted cheese.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Rice And Sausage
Frikadellen
Frikadellen are the perfect meat patties that offer comfort and flavor in every bite. Using staple ingredients like ground beef, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce, this recipe is an all-around winner.
Get the Recipe: Frikadellen
Easy Shepherd's Pie
Our easy Shepherd's Pie is comfort food, perfect for feeding the whole family. Its hearty layers of ground beef, peas and carrots, and fluffy mashed potatoes make it a crowd-pleaser.
Get The Recipe: Easy Shepherd's Pie
Instant Pot Pork Chops
These Instant Pot pork chops will remind you just why you bought your Instant Pot. Seriously, boneless pork chops are perfect for cooking in there, and this garlicky, sweet, and spicy sauce is beautiful with the falling-apart tender meat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Chops
Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan
If you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dinner the whole family will love, our Chicken Parmesan recipe is for you! Juicy, tender, and crispy breaded chicken is baked to perfection in flavorful tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese!
Get The Recipe: Chicken Parmesan
Lasagna Soup
Cozy up with a bowl of Lasagna Soup—a one-pot wonder that combines Italian sausage, pasta, and a trio of cheeses. Simple and delicious, it's the perfect comfort food!
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Our easy one-pan Cajun Chicken Pasta is a surefire crowd-pleaser and delivers both spicy and creamy flavors in one simple pasta dish. Made with seasoned cajun chicken, satisfying penne pasta, and smooth cream cheese, this meal is simple to make yet absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta
German Krautfleckerl - Fried Cabbage Noodles
If you're on the hunt for a dish that's both delicious and easy to make, look no further than this Krautfleckerl recipe. It features comforting egg noodles combined with savory bacon and ham, all rounded out with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: German Krautfleckerl
TikTok Spaghetti
This TikTok Spaghetti is the comfort food dish you never knew you needed, taking your spaghetti night to the next level. Mixing the best of both worlds, it blends classic spaghetti with a rich duo of Alfredo and marinara sauces, all crowned by a generous layer of melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend indulgence, this dish is bound to become a household favorite.
Get the Recipe: TikTok Spaghetti
Ground Beef Stroganoff
If you're looking for a yummy dinner that doesn't skimp on flavor or require much time or effort, this flavorful Ground Beef Stroganoff is just what you need! Tender ground beef, sautéed onions, and mushrooms simmer in a deliciously rich, creamy 3-ingredient sauce.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff
Hawaiian Chicken
This quick and easy Hawaiian Chicken Dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you're looking to make something the entire family will love but that doesn't take up a lot of time, energy, or ingredients. Juicy chicken, pineapples, and bell peppers simmer to perfection in a delicious sweet, tangy, and savory sauce that will everyone reach for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken
Paprika Chicken
This Paprika Chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner winner. Tender and juicy chicken smothered in a rich and creamy paprika sauce served over tender egg noodles! Every bite is loaded with sweet, peppery, and zesty flavors.
Get the Recipe: Paprika Chicken
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Dive into the cozy warmth of our Chicken and Rice Casserole, a hearty dish perfect for any day of the week. This go-to casserole combines the rich flavors of rotisserie chicken, white rice, and a delightful medley of mixed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole
Shrimp Carbonara
Our Spaghetti Carbonara with Shrimp is a comforting and hearty meal, blending creamy and savory flavors. In our kitchen, we use simple ingredients like spaghetti, eggs, Parmesan cheese, bacon, and of course, shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara
Sausage Alfredo Pasta
Creamy Sausage Alfredo Pasta is a quick and versatile dinner recipe that is on the table in under 30 minutes! Noodles are tossed in a hearty, cheesy alfredo sauce and sausage for an easy, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Alfredo Pasta
Pork Egg Roll In A Bowl
Pork egg roll in a bowl is a low-carb alternative to traditional egg rolls. This is an easy recipe with ground pork, veggies, and other flavors that will satisfy a craving for Asian food. I love this easy one-pan meal. If you want something quick and simple for a busy weeknight dinner, consider this 15-minute meal! It’s cheaper and healthier than takeout but every bit as tasty – maybe even more!
Get the Recipe: Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajitas
This simple Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajita recipe will soon become your new go-meal when life gets busy! Juicy shrimp, tender peppers, and onions flavored with a homemade fajita seasoning blend are cooked in just 20 minutes. This delicious, effortless dish is great any night of the week and super fun for parties.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajitas
Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Tomato Relish
If you’re craving a quick beef recipe for dinner, you might like to make pan-roasted beef tenderloin medallions. Featuring the delicious flavors of cayenne, garlic, chilies, horseradish, and more, these seared beef medallions with tomato relish sauce are sure to tantalize your taste buds with this 30-minute meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Tomato Relish
General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry
General Tso Shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish that you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. It offers sweet, tangy, savory flavors and a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry
Puff Pastry Pizza
The whole family will love this easy puff pastry pizza, personalized with your favorite toppings! Thanks to the convenience of frozen puff pastry (no rolling required!), you’ll achieve a light and crispy crust that perfectly complements the flavorful toppings. This quick and delicious pizza is the ultimate kitchen shortcut, perfect for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pizza
Smash Burger
A big juicy smash burger is calling your name with its jagged edges and browned crust piled high on a toasted bun! You can make these crazed burgers on a griddle or in a cast iron pan in around 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Smash Burger
Chicken Taquitos
Make homemade chicken taquitos with this easy taquitos recipe. Instructions include oven-baked taquitos, cooking taquitos in the air fryer, and stove-top fried taquitos. Homemade taquitos are easier than you think! Easy air fryer taquitos or oven-baked taquitos make a great weeknight meal or serve for Taco Tuesday.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taquitos
Sweet and Spicy Noodles
These Sweet and Spicy Noodles are an Asian-inspired, fast, easy weeknight dinner that can be ready and on the table in just 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Noodles
Mussels Marinara Recipe
This easy mussels marinara recipe is a delicious and affordable restaurant dinner at home! Ready in about 30 minutes, this classic Italian seafood dish can be served as an appetizer or a main dish over pasta.
Get the Recipe: Mussels Marinara Recipe
Chicken Stir Fry
This chicken thigh stir fry recipe is a big-time saver. It is quick and easy to prepare, rich in flavor, with a balanced proportion of protein and fibers. The chicken thighs are tender and juicy, with a hint of sweetness from the onion and carrot.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry
Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Skillet Dinner
When craving a quick and easy skillet dinner, this recipe for kielbasa and sauerkraut is the best. You need less than ten ingredients and only 30 minutes for a hearty kielbasa skillet dinner that feeds 3-4 people.
Get the Recipe: Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Skillet Dinner
Skillet Taco Gnocchi
Are you looking for a new easy dinner recipe with just a few ingredients? This Easy Skillet Taco Gnocchi is one of my new favorite quick ground beef dinners to make. Just six ingredients, loaded with flavor, and perfect for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Taco Gnocchi
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken And Broccoli
Sheet pan meals are meant to be simple, delicious, & easy to make. This recipe for sheet pan spicy buffalo chicken and broccoli is exactly that.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken And Broccoli
Tuna Fried Rice
This is the best tuna fried rice recipe! Made with canned tuna, white rice, eggs, vegetables, and a delicious homemade fried rice sauce that you can make spicy or mild.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Fried Rice
Caprese Pasta
This Caprese pasta uses ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil to create a tasty pasta dish based on the delicious flavors of a Caprese salad. This 30-minute recipe is served warm for an easy, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta
Honey Lemon Chicken
This Honey Chicken is tender chicken tossed in a skillet with butter, honey, garlic, fresh lemon juice, spices, and soy sauce. This Honey Lemon Chicken is a quick and easy 15-minute chicken dish.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Chicken
Turkey Burger
These easy and juicy turkey burgers on the stove are the perfect go-to dinner. Made without egg or breadcrumbs, they're deliciously flavored with simple seasoning, and you can whip them together in less than 30 minutes (gluten-free and low-carb).
Get the Recipe: Turkey Burger
Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry
This tomato egg stir-fry recipe is Chinese comfort food at its best. It needs only a few simple ingredients and is ready in minutes. Serve it the traditional way, as a quick dinner stir-fry on white rice, or spoon it into soft rolls for a satisfying brunch.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry
Greek Yogurt Pasta
This Greek Yogurt Pasta is a quick, easy, and frugal dish. The unexpected use of Greek yogurt makes this much healthier than pasta with a heavy cream sauce.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Pasta
Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Toss that seasoning packet away and transform your instant ramen noodles into this delicious Chicken Ramen Stir Fry. Made with ground chicken, coleslaw mix, bell peppers, and a delicious homemade sauce, you will love this easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Hamburger Casserole
This hamburger casserole is a delicious family feast or potluck addition everyone loves. It’s loaded with beef, cheese, BBQ sauce, mushrooms, and pasta. It all combines to create an easy dish satisfying even the heartiest eaters.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole
Butter Bean Stew
This easily made Butter Bean Stew is a great meat-free meal perfect for busy nights. It is a one-pot complete meal on the table in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Butter Bean Stew.
Southern Chicken Pot Pie
Southern Chicken Pot Pie is the best one-pan meal to come out of a skillet in a long time. The puff pastry crust tops off a rich, creamy filling that bakes in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Pot Pie
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Make the most mouthwatering and easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe with only 5 ingredients in under 30 minutes! The family will wonder why you haven't made this sooner as they lick their plates clean & kiss bottled teriyaki sauce goodbye.
Get the Recipe: Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
