31 Easy Dinner Ideas for Tonight

Looking for some quick dinner ideas for tonight? From casseroles to stews, these easy dinner recipes will quickly become your new favorites.

Even the best-laid plans can overlook important details. If you find yourself in a pinch, these quick dinner ideas will save the day!

Best Dinner Recipes to Make Tonight

Whether you have plenty of time to prepare a culinary feast or only a few minutes for a one-pot recipe, the list below has something for every time frame and budget.

Dinner is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast usually gets the credit, but it’s dinner we share with our friends and family.

So, make tonight’s dinner count by whipping up one of the following recipes. You won’t be disappointed!

 1. Tater Tot Casserole

The versatile potato is the perfect backbone for this delicious casserole.

In a pinch, frozen tater tots become a delicious meal that your whole family will love. Cheese, onion, and ham are the perfect toppings for crispy taters.

So serve up something scrumptious tonight with this one-dish wonder of a recipe.

2. Cottage Pie

Comfort food is the quintessential dinner time favorite, and cottage pie is a perfect choice.

Mashed potatoes, green peas, and ground beef are smothered in a delicious gravy.

Slice up this savory pie and please everyone’s palates in one fell swoop. This recipe has a little bit of everything mixed into one delicious dish.

Save this for cold winter nights or spoil your family in the summer. With this recipe, you can’t mess up.

3. French Bread Pizzas

Freshly made French bread is so easy to come by! Enjoy it plain, or dress it up with this recipe.

Homemade pizzas are delicious but can be so messy. This recipe cuts out the messy dough preparation and leaves only yummy toppings and sauce.

Each dinner guest can customize their own pizza pie to enjoy!

4. Meatloaf

Meatloaf has gotten a bad rep over the years, but not with this recipe! Serve up a flavorful, moist loaf and leave the dry cardboard-like texture in the past.

Chopped onions and crushed crackers make for a delicious meatloaf. This recipe is topped with a ketchup glaze that is just the icing on the cake.

Picky eaters will not have a problem gobbling this meatloaf up!

5. Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

Philly cheesesteaks are popular sandwiches, but have you ever thought of pairing the ingredients with pasta?

With this recipe, all of your favorite Philly flavors top hearty noodles for a meal that rocks.

Steak pieces and cheese sauce complement sauteed onions and mushrooms in a pasta toss that pays true homage to the original sandwich.

If you love Philly cheesesteaks, you’ll have to try this Philly cheesesteak pasta recipe!

6. Crescent Roll Chicken Casserole

Flaky and buttery crescent rolls join forces with juicy chicken pieces in this casserole. Nothing says home cooking like warm bread and poultry pieces.

This is a milder dish that screams childhood favorite in the making.

With only creamy crescents and chicken, even the pickiest eaters won’t find anything to complain about.

Join the clean plate club with this delectable casserole.

7. Beef Stew

Beef stew is a dinner classic, and for good reason. With savory vegetables and delicious beef chunks, a good stew goes a long way.

Make this your go-to for snowy nights. Imagine how excited your family will be to curl up with a bowl of beef stew after a long day of sledding.

The instant pot version is great for busy weekdays when you need something quick!

8. Pizza Quesadilla

Quesadillas are ideal when you need something in a pinch.

If you’re tired of traditional chicken and cheese, you can shake things up with these pizza quesadillas.

Savory marinara sauce and melted cheese are stuffed in a crispy tortilla along with your favorite pizza toppings. 

Does pineapple go on pizza? What about your pizza quesadillas?

9. Lo Mein

No, this isn’t takeout! These delicious lo mein noodles are made fresh in your very own kitchen.

The sweet and tangy sauce covers the noodles and broccoli for a delicious bite every time.

Noodles are so filling and will stick with you for the rest of the day. Luckily, this dish is simple to make and will only dirty up one dish.

Travel the world tonight with homemade lo mein.

10. No-Peek Chicken

Pop this in the oven and never think about it again. No-peek chicken is the kind of dish you whip up, pop in, and forget about until it is done.

This recipe results in delicious flavorful chicken that compliments any side dish. Scrape up what’s left in your fridge and have a meal you can be proud of.

Once the aroma of this dish is wafting your halls, you will be glad you chose this dish for tonight’s dinner.

11. Parmesan Crumbed Fish

Feeling fancy? How about making fish for dinner? This parmesan crumbed fish recipe is an elegant, restaurant-quality dish.

Fortunately, it’s super simple to make. I won’t tell if you don’t! Treat yourself tonight with this scrumptious dinner dish.

This is the kind of food you can light two candles and cut the house lights for.

12. Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

Spice up your life with this chicken chipotle pasta recipe! Pasta is a universal favorite, and this dish takes the cake!

Noodles are heated up with irresistible chipotle sauce. Be careful, don’t get caught licking the bowl clean.

If you are looking for something easy and flavorful tonight, look no further than this spicy chicken chipotle pasta.

13. Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups 

Sloppy Joes are a legendary weeknight meal. Who would have thought they could get any easier?

Simplify your weeknight go-to by making these biscuit cups instead of sandwiches.

They taste just like sloppy Joes, but are served in baked biscuit cups instead of on buns.

This saves you a mess to clean up and adds some exciting novelty for the little ones at your table.

14. Toad in the Hole

Did you think the toad in the hole was just for breakfast? Think again! This savory classic can be enjoyed any time of day.

This recipe offers great tips for getting that perfect “hole” effect. No more broken yolks here! Break into a loaf of bunny bread and get cooking.

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with those you love with this dinner recipe.

15. Chicken Curry

If you’re looking for flavor, look no further than this chicken curry recipe. Cumin, masala, and turmeric all come together to spice up this creamy curry dish.

This recipe is so versatile, you can use any vegetable you happen to have on hand. All of the ingredients take on the flavor of the roux.

Make up some simple naan to go on the side and enjoy!

16. Honey Garlic Salmon

Sweet or savory? Have both with this honey garlic salmon recipe! Dinner tonight will be everyone’s favorite for the week.

Flaky, fatty salmon is a prime cut of fish. It can be intimidating to make! With this recipe, you are sure to do your filet justice.

Sweet honey and savory garlic elevate this filet to the next level.

17. Baked Gnocchi

Doughy gnocchi balls are prime pasta for any night of the week. Their round shape lends a satisfying squish to each bite.

Dress up your gnocchi in this pasta bake. Baking your pasta gives the surrounding sauce a thicker texture. Making this one hearty dish.

Plate this pasta for a rich and satisfying meal.

18. Fried Chicken

Does this dish need an introduction? Fried chicken is a family favorite that doesn’t just come from drive-thrus.

Make your own with this easy to follow recipe. You are guaranteed crispy, juicy chicken pieces that withstand the test of time.

Hot or cold, fried chicken always takes first place.

19. Ham and Cheese Pockets

Hot pockets have gained popularity as a frozen food item, but you’ll have to try this homemade version!

Never microwave dinner again once you taste this simple to make, easy to eat ham and cheese pockets recipe. 

By using canned dough, you’ll be guaranteed a delicious meal in minutes.

20. Coconut Lentil Curry

Sweeten up your curry experience by using coconut milk as a base. The creamy milk easily takes on traditional curry flavor once you add in the spices.

Lentils make the perfect protein addition in this coconut curry. Forego traditional chickpeas for a superfood that is right at home in your curry dish.

You’d better double this recipe because you will want leftovers!

21. Chicken Pot Pie

Marie Callendar makes a good one, but with this recipe, yours will be better.

Chop up delicious chicken and mix in green peas and potatoes for a pot pie delight!

The best part of this recipe is the crust! Learn to make your own and never rely on frozen crusts again. Trust me, homemade is better.

22. Pork Posole

If you’re in the mood for comfort food, enjoy a large helping of this pork posole tonight. It may be hard to say, but it is easy to eat.

Fall apart pork steals the show in this saucy dish. Dig in!

23. Cioppino (Fisherman’s Stew)

Originating from small Italian fishing towns, this cioppino recipe is full of the rustic flavor of these small villages.

Comparable to beef stew, this fish stew is warm and hearty, the perfect thing to eat after a long day on the water.

Taste the countryside with a bowl of this delicious stew.

24. Mushroom Pasta

If you like mushrooms, you’ll love this mushroom pasta. There is something so classy about satisfying mushrooms and pasta mixed together.

This ingredients list is full of favorites like butter and cream to make this dish absolutely delectable. 

If you need something scrumptious in a pinch, mushroom pasta is the way to go.

25. Chili

Chili is no longer just for tailgates! It’s a warm and hearty soup that makes a delicious dinner just as well as it is great game day food.

Spicy chili beans with simmered bell peppers and ground beef is the perfect blend of comforting foods.

Boil up a pot and answer the age old question of, “Do noodles belong in chili?”

26. Baked Ravioli

Say goodbye to limp and soggy ravioli and hello to crisp and delicious baked ravioli instead.

This recipe yields cheese stuffed ravioli that hold up to the stresses of dips and sauces.

Fill homemade noodles with a well-spiced blend of cheeses and then let the oven work its magic.

27. Ramen Stir Fry

Ramen noodles are the fuel of college students. But this recipe will not leave you with dorm room blues!

Give ramen noodles a makeover with this ramen stir-fry! Blend up the sauce and toss in some veggies, and tonight’s dinner is ready to go!

Amp up your noodle game with this recipe!

28. Nachos

Have you ever met a bad plate of nachos? Me neither! Make a plate to share with the family tonight!

Set a strong base of cheese and beans, and then the possibilities are limitless. Top your nachos any way that pleases your palate.

29. Glazed Pork Chops

Step up your weeknight pork chops with this glazed pork chop recipe! This sweetened pork has a candy-like coating and savory center.

Brown sugar takes everyday household ingredients and transforms them into restaurant quality cuts of meat.

30. Carne Asada

Carne asada is a classic dinner recipe around the world! Serve it up plain alongside some rice or use it as a filling for tacos or gorditas.

This recipe yields plenty of tender, flavorful cubes of meat. Invite over the neighbors because there will be enough to share!

31. Burgers

Everyone loves a big, juicy cheeseburger and you can grill up your own with this recipe.

Take the party outside for an outdoor grill or use a skillet right on top of your stove.

Add a slice of cheese and make them into cheeseburgers, or serve up the patties as is.

Either way, you really can’t go wrong!