100 Worthwhile Dinner Ideas That Will Make Everyone Say, "Where Did You Get This Recipe?"

Weeknight dinner dreams are made of these.

Cooking a delicious meal doesn't have to require hours in the kitchen. Whether you're making something special for a date night or whipping up a big batch recipe for a family, these 30-minute meals will come in handy.

1. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Tasty / Via tasty.co

Get out of the kitchen and let your Instant Pot cook dinner for you. Just toss all of the ingredients together, seal the lid, and wait.

Recipe: Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

2. 15-Minute BLT Pasta Salad

Busy Budgeter / Via busybudgeter.com

Pick your favorite pasta shape, add cherry tomatoes, diced bacon, lettuce, and plenty of shredded cheese. Mix it all up with ranch dressing and dig in.

Recipe: 15-Minute BLT Pasta Salad

3. Trader Joe's Shrimp Stir-Fry With Cauliflower Rice

Hannah Loewentheil

This meal is as easy as one, two, three...quite literally. Frozen shrimp, Asian-inspired frozen veggies, and riced cauliflower is all you need.

Recipe: Trader Joe's Shrimp Stir-Fry With Cauliflower Rice

4. Chicken Hummus Naan Wraps

The Rising Spoon / Via therisingspoon.com

Whip up this lunch or dinner with naan, hummus, whatever veggies are in your fridge, and chicken breasts. If you want to make things even easier, use a store bought rotisserie chicken.

Recipe: Chicken Hummus Naan Wraps

5. Honey Soy Salmon

The Almond Eater / Via thealmondeater.com

This sweet and sticky glaze tastes amazing on just about any protein, but you'll love it on salmon with a side of your favorite veggie.

Recipe: Honey Soy Salmon

6. Creamy Tuscan Shrimp

Salt and Lavender / Via saltandlavender.com

Fancy shrimp dinner in 30 minutes? No problem. This shrimp is simmered in cream sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Garnish with some fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a bit of Parmesan.

Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Shrimp

7. Instant Pot Wild Mushroom Risotto

The View From Great Island / Via theviewfromgreatisland.com

On the stovetop or in the oven, risotto can take close to an hour, but thanks to your handy Instant Pot, this version is ready in a fraction of the time.

Recipe: Instant Pot Wild Mushroom Risotto

8. Chicken and Ramen Skillet

Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com

Turn instant ramen noodles into a stir-fry that rivals that of your favorite takeout spot.

Recipe: Chicken and Ramen Skillet

9. 15-Minute Easy Wonton Soup

Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

Always keep a package of your favorite frozen gyoza or wontons around for this easy, comforting, and no-fuss soup.

Recipe: 15-Minute Easy Wonton Soup

10. Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon

Spend With Pennies / Via spendwithpennies.com

Tired of the same old baked salmon recipe? Give this one a try. Salmon is topped with a mixture of panko bread crumbs, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and plenty of fresh herbs. Then it's baked until crispy on the outside but moist and flaky on the inside.

Recipe: Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon

11. Chicken Fried Rice

Natasha's Kitchen / Via natashaskitchen.com

You can swap the chicken for just about whatever protein is in your fridge from bacon or shrimp to tofu.

Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

12. Creamy Mushroom and Leek Chicken Breasts

Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

Tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy mushroom gravy with plenty of sweet leeks. Serve this dish with egg noodles or rice to sop up all the delicious sauce.

Recipe: Creamy Mushroom and Leek Chicken Breasts

13. Avocado Lime Salmon

Tasty / Via tasty.co

Say goodbye to boring salmon and hello to this version topped with rich and zesty avocado, red onion, cilantro, and lime salsa.

Recipe: Avocado Lime Salmon

14. Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Hannah Loewentheil

A Caesar salad kit and grilled or leftover chicken are tossed into wraps or tortillas for an easy lunch or dinner when you just don't feel like cooking.

Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

15. Easy Beef Enchiladas

Garnished Plate / Via garnishedplate.com

This filling meal comes together with just a handful of affordable ingredients: ground beef, jalapeño pepper, cream cheese, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and shredded Mexican cheese.

Recipe: Easy Beef Enchiladas

16. Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup

Simple Veganista / Via simple-veganista.com

This citrus-infused, vegetarian soup is comforting yet light, so it will warm you right up without weighing you down.

Recipe: Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup

17. Trader Joe's Spinach Artichoke Pasta With Chicken Sausage

Hannah Loewentheil

Slice and heat up chicken sausage, boil pasta, and toss everything in your favorite store-bought spinach artichoke dip. It's as easy as that...seriously.

Recipe: Trader Joe's Spinach Artichoke Pasta With Chicken Sausage

18. Spicy Shrimp Tacos With Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw

Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

Every element of these tacos tastes like perfection, from the crispy, spiced shrimp to the tangy, zesty slaw.

Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Tacos With Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw

19. Broccoli Rabe Pasta With Smoky Chickpeas

Savory Nothings / Via savorynothings.com

Never underestimate the combination of chickpeas and pasta. You can keep both ingredients right in your pantry for lazy nights when you're low on groceries and whip them up into a cozy meal. Add your favorite greens, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan, and call it dinner.

Recipe: Broccoli Rabe Pasta With Smoky Chickpeas

20. Teriyaki Shrimp With Broccoli

My Food Story / Via myfoodstory.com

If store-bought teriyaki sauce is all you've got, by all means go for it. But you'll never regret whipping up this sweet and spicy homemade version from scratch with soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes.

Recipe: Teriyaki Shrimp With Broccoli

21. One-Pot Parmesan Chicken Pasta

The Chunky Chef / Via thechunkychef.com

This dish is everything you love about chicken Parmesan, but it comes together in half the time in just one pot. In other words, it's a total game changer.

Recipe: One-Pot Parmesan Chicken Pasta

22. Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Recipe Runner / Via reciperunner.com

If you have ground beef in your fridge or freezer, turn it into an easy skillet dinner. Sauté it with your favorite veggies and a bunch of spices. For something more filling, serve over rice or your favorite grain.

Recipe: Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

23. Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Life Made Simple Bakes / Via lifemadesimplebakes.com

Diced chicken, celery, chestnuts, mushrooms, and garlic are tossed in ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and chili paste. Serve the chicken in butter lettuce cups sprinkled with cashews, carrots, and scallions.

Recipe: Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

24. Pork Tenderloin With Peanut Cilantro Sauce

Seasons and Suppers / Via seasonsandsuppers.ca

With the help of this sweet and savory Indonesian-inspired peanut sauce, you can turn pork tenderloin into a weeknight dinner that feels totally fancy.

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin With Peanut Cilantro Sauce

25. Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Taste and Tell Blog / Via tasteandtellblog.com

Serve these sautéed shrimp, onions, and peppers in tortillas or over a bed of rice like a burrito bowl.

Recipe: Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

26. Shrimp Scampi

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net

Take the frozen shrimp that's hiding in your freezer, and toss it with spaghetti in a simple white wine, lemon, and garlic sauce for a dinner that tastes restaurant quality.

Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

27. Gingery Kale Salad With Cashew Dressing

Minimalist Baker / Via minimalistbaker.com

Make a big batch of this salad dressing because you're going to want to use it all the time. It's made with nut butter, soy sauce, ginger, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce.

Recipe: Gingery Kale Salad With Cashew Dressing

28. Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs

Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

Cooking your meat and potatoes in foil packets not only eliminates any mess, but it keeps moisture in so that your food is perfectly tender.

Recipe: Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs

29. Sweet and Spicy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken

Chef Savvy / Via chefsavvy.com

If you don't love chicken, you can use this sweet and spicy honey Sriracha sauce to make anything from salmon to tofu.

Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken

30. White Chicken Chili

Averie Cooks / Via averiecooks.com

Cool nights call for big bowls of chili. This recipe, made with white beans and shredded chicken, will warm you right up and keep you feeling full.

Recipe: White Chicken Chili

31. 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net

This Chinese-inspired dish tastes just as good as takeout, but it's ready even faster.

Recipe: 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli

32. Parmesan Crusted Cod

Kim's Cravings / Via kimscravings.com

Start with any flaky white fish (or even salmon will do) and dredge the fillets in a mixture of Parmesan cheese, paprika, and parsley. Bake in the oven until golden brown.

Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Cod

33. Sweet Thai Chili Salmon Skewers

How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com

These salmon skewers call for simple ingredients, but the Thai flavors are incredible. Drizzle the cooked skewers with sesame oil, cilantro, sesame seeds, and Thai chili if you like a little kick.

Recipe: Sweet Thai Chili Salmon Skewers

34. Garlic Shrimp Ramen

Diethood / Via diethood.com

Those $2 instant ramen packages can actually go a long way toward a gourmet meal. Stir-fry the boiled noodles with some juicy garlic shrimp and voilà.

Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Ramen

35. Beef Bibimbap

The Girl on Bloor / Via thegirlonbloor.com

You can make these Korean-inspired rice bowls with pretty much whatever protein or veggies you have in your fridge. Or keep it totally vegetarian and top your bowl with a runny fried egg.

Recipe: Beef Bibimbap

36. Baked Eggs With Avocado

White on Rice Couple / Via whiteonricecouple.com

If you've never baked an egg in an avocado before, it's going to change your life. This version is sprinkled with crispy bacon, and it tastes incredible when it's spread on crusty bread or your favorite toast.

Recipe: Baked Eggs With Avocado

37. 30-Minute Beef Stroganoff

Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

There's nothing like this creamy, umami-packed stroganoff sauce, which is made with butter, onion, garlic, white wine, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, flour, and either sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.

Recipe: 30-Minute Beef Stroganoff

38. Chana Masala

Simpe Veganista / Via simple-veganista.com

Not only is this recipe quick and easy, but it's also the perfect way to add more plant-based meals into your dinner rotation.

Recipe: Chana Masala

39. Mahi Mahi in Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

Carlsbad Cravings / Via carlsbadcravings.com

If you're even the tiniest bit intimidated by the idea of cooking fish at home, this easy yet oh-so-flavorful mahi mahi will change your mind. You can use any firm fish in its place like swordfish, halibut, or even tuna.

Recipe: Mahi Mahi in Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

40. Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Tomatoes and Mozzarella

The Food Charlatan / Via thefoodcharlatan.com

Pro tip: Stop boiling your gnocchi. Instead, take your fresh or frozen gnocchi and spread it on a sheet pan drizzled with olive oil. Roast until the gnocchi is just golden brown with a deliciously crispy exterior.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Tomatoes and Mozzarella

41. Baked Chicken Caprese

Modern Honey / Via modernhoney.com

What could be more satisfying than tender chicken breast nestled in juicy tomato sauce beneath a layer of bubbly, melty cheese?

Recipe: Baked Chicken Caprese

42. Vegetarian Ramen With Tofu

Hannah Loewentheil

Don't scoff at cheap-flavored ramen noodles. Instead, turn them into a gourmet meal with just a few extra ingredients like firm tofu and soft-boiled egg.

Recipe: Vegetarian Ramen With Tofu

43. Tuna Niçoise

Chef de Home / Via chefdehome.com

If you can get your hands on tuna steaks, this medium-rare seared tuna tastes incredible. But you can always opt for something more accessible and affordable like canned tuna fish or salmon.

Recipe: Tuna Niçoise

44. Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Hannah Loewentheil

Toss thawed shrimp, tortillas, and veggies (like this super-convenient fire-roasted peppers and onion medley) on a sheet pan, and assemble your fajitas with some sour cream, guacamole, or pico de gallo for good measure.

Recipe: Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas

45. Thai Green Curry Tofu

Choosing Chia / Via choosingchia.com

This recipe calls for tofu, but you can use anything from shrimp to chicken in this creamy green curry and coconut milk–based dish.

Recipe: Thai Green Curry Tofu

46. Sheet Pan Chinese Tofu

Darn Good Veggies / Via darngoodveggies.com

There's no marinating required in this super-simple sheet pan supper. Just toss cubes of tofu, diced veggies, and cashews in the coconut and soy sauce, and then let it bake for 20–25 minutes.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Chinese Tofu

47. Chicken Ratatouille

Diethood / Via diethood.com

Classic ratatouille is delicious, but every now and then you might crave something a bit more filling. Enter: this riff on the French classic, which is made with lots of fresh veggies and chicken breasts in a single skillet.

Recipe: Chicken Ratatouille

48. Easy Taco Mac

Mae Bells / Via maebells.com

What happens when you combine cheesy mac 'n' cheese with meaty chili? Well, it's one of the best comfort food mash-ups of all time.

Recipe: Easy Taco Mac

49. Sriracha Shrimp and Zucchini Stir-Fry

Baker By Nature / Via bakerbynature.com

This stir-fry is tossed in a tangy and sweet mixture of brown sugar, soy sauce, Sriracha, ginger, and sesame oil. Load it up with whatever noodles, veggies, and protein you like best.

Recipe: Sriracha Shrimp and Zucchini Lo Mein

50. Vegetarian Meatballs

Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

No meat, no problem. These vegetarian balls are made with cauliflower, quinoa, or brown rice, flour, eggs, and spices. You can pan-fry them or bake them in the oven until golden, then serve with veggies, pasta, or your favorite grain.

Recipe: Vegetarian Meatballs

51. Chicken and Sausage Pasta

Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

Make a big batch of this pasta because the creamy, garlicky sauce gets even more delicious after a few days as it sits in the fridge.

Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Pasta

52. Pesto Minestrone Soup

Well Fed Soul / Via well-fedsoul.com

If you're not already adding a heaping spoonful of pesto to your soup, you're doing it wrong.

Recipe: Pesto Minestrone Soup

53. Grilled Steak Street Tacos

Joyful Healthy Eats / Via joyfulhealthyeats.com

Cooking steak for dinner doesn't have to be a huge to-do. Take these tacos, for example. Sliced fillet is grilled for about four minutes per side, and then it's served in corn tortillas with your favorite taco toppings.

Recipe: Grilled Steak Street Tacos

54. Shrimp Pasta Alfredo

My Gorgeous Recipes / Via mygorgeousrecipes.com

Bookmark this for your next date night. It tastes fancy but comes together in about 20 minutes.

Recipe: Shrimp Pasta Alfredo

55. Crispy Fish Tacos

Hannah Loewentheil

Use the Trader Joe's ingredients pictured above, or grab fish sticks, tortillas, and a crunchy salad kit from your favorite market. Just warm up the tortillas, toss the salad, cook the fish sticks, and assemble your tacos.

56. Baked Greek Shrimp and Orzo

Hannah Loewentheil

This family-friendly, four-ingredient meal feeds a crowd. Cook the orzo according to package directions, and thaw the shrimp. Then place everything in a baking dish topped with diced tomatoes and feta (or Trader Joe's antipasto mixture). Bake for about 10 minutes until everything is warm and the cheese is melted.

Recipe: Baked Greek Shrimp and Orzo

57. Chicken Bruschetta Quinoa Salad

Baker By Nature / Via bakerbynature.com

This is one of those recipes you can whip up with just a handful of simple ingredients, yet it tastes totally impressive. If you don't love quinoa, grab your favorite grain or pasta as the base.

Recipe: Chicken Bruschetta Quinoa Salad

58. Italian Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad

My Food Story / Via myfoodstory.com

You can start with any pasta at the base of this antipasto salad, but cheese-filled tortellini is absolutely next-level delicious.

Recipe: Italian Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad

59. Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini Skillet

iFood Real / Via ifoodreal.com

If you don't have chicken, go ahead and improvise. You can use any ground meat for this skillet meal or just load it with lots of vegetables. Together with black beans and melted cheese, whatever ingredients you use will taste so satisfying.

Recipe: Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini Skillet

60. 20-Minute Tomato Soup

Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

This homemade creamy tomato and basil blend is so incredibly easy. Top your bowl with anything from fresh herbs and grated Parmesan to pine nuts and croutons.

Recipe: 20-Minute Tomato Soup

61. Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Dash of Sanity / Via dashofsanity.com

This comforting soup calls for just six ingredients: chicken broth, ranch dressing, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with green chiles, taco seasoning, and frozen corn.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

62. 15-Minute Salmon and Avocado Rice Bowl

Set the Table Blog / Via setthetableblog.com

Sometimes you just want something simple and satisfying. These rice bowls are topped with salmon and drizzled with soy sauce and sesame oil, and they can be garnished with any of your favorite ingredients, like soft-boiled egg, crispy seaweed, scallions, etc.

Recipe: 15-Minute Salmon and Avocado Rice Bowl

63. Chinese Chicken Salad

Tastes Lovely / Via tasteslovely.com

Tired of the same boring old salads? Shake things up with this crunchy, creamy chicken and cabbage medley, which gets a flavor boost from canned mandarin orange, almonds, cilantro, and scallion.

Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad

64. Sausage and Creamy Cajun Orzo Skillet

Gal on a Mission / Via galonamission.com

This easy and super-nourishing meal comes together with orzo (or rice or any pasta), smoked sausage, peppers, onions, and cajun seasoning.

Recipe: Sausage and Creamy Cajun Orzo Skillet

65. Easy Thai Shrimp Soup

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net

Coconut milk and red curry paste make this Thai-inspired soup so decadent, you won't believe there's no cream involved. Go ahead and add any of your favorite vegetables like mushrooms, sweet potato, or bamboo shoots.

Recipe: Easy Thai Shrimp Soup

66. Pork Piccata

Platings and Pairings / Via platingsandpairings.com

Most picatta recipes call for chicken, but this one uses pork chops, which are pounded thinly, dredged in flour, and then pan-fried and served in a delightfully zesty garlic, wine, lemon, and caper sauce.

Recipe: Pork Piccata

67. Spicy Miso Soup With Gyoza and Bok Choy

Hannah Loewentheil

This soup starts with miso, vegetable, or chicken broth. Add frozen gyoza or wontons and steamed greens to turn it into a filling meal, plus a spoonful of chili oil for a little spice. 

Recipe: Spicy Miso Soup With Gyoza and Bok Choy

68. Ramen Carbonara

Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

This fancy ramen started with those $1 noodles. Discard the seasoning packet, and jazz it up with bacon, basil, corn, eggs, and plenty of Parmesan cheese. 

Recipe: Ramen Carbonara

69. Garlic Butter Pork Chops

The Forked Spoon / Via theforkedspoon.com

Fifteen minutes and a handful of basic ingredients like garlic, butter, olive oil, and thyme are all you need for this weeknight meal.

Recipe: Garlic Butter Pork Chops

70. 30-Minute Shrimp and Orzo With Sun-Dried Tomatoes