Flavorful dinners don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. When you’re looking to get dinner on the table quickly on a busy weeknight, turn to simple recipes that pack big flavor. Here are 14 easy recipe ideas that come together in 30 minutes or less.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – Toss 1 pound of cooked pasta with 1 pound of shrimp, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup white wine, 3 tablespoons of butter, salt, and pepper. Cook the shrimp in a skillet with the garlic and wine, then toss with the pasta and butter. Serve with parsley and lemon wedges.
Black Bean Tacos – Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and sauté 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Add 2 (15-ounce) cans of black beans, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Mash some of the beans and cook until heated through. Serve the beans in tortillas or lettuce cups and top with salsa, avocado, cilantro, and Greek yogurt.
Pesto Chicken and Rice – Pound 4 chicken breasts to an even thickness and season with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside. Add 1 cup rice, 2 cups chicken broth, and 2 tablespoons of pesto to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, about 20 minutes. Serve the chicken over the pesto rice.
Quesadillas – Place 1/2 cup each of shredded cheddar cheese and black beans (drained and rinsed) on one half of a large flour tortilla. Top with salsa, diced bell peppers, corn, and cilantro. Fold the bare half of the tortilla over the filling and cook in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat, turning once, until the tortilla is lightly browned and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
Stir Fry Beef and Broccoli – Stir fry 1 pound of flank steak, cut into thin strips, in 2 tablespoons of peanut or canola oil. Remove and set aside. Add 3 cups of broccoli florets, 1 sliced bell pepper, and 2 tablespoons of grated fresh ginger to the skillet. Stir fry until crisp-tender. Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of broth or water. Bring to a simmer and return the beef to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is heated through. Serve over rice or noodles.
