Why is it that one can never have too much weeknight recipe inspo? đ Probably because it feels nearly impossible to plan quick, low-effort dinners that please everyone. Even before June, cooking for one or two people on weeknights sometimes felt like a huge challenge! (How do you cook for one without tons of leftovers?!) I thought it would be great to crowdsource some ideas from you all: the queens of great intel!
Below I think youâll find something for everyoneâfrom easy âno recipe recipesâ that can be just as easily made for 4 as they can for one, to recipes that are weeknight approved but impressive enough for Thursday night dinner guestsâeven some recipes that trick your kids into eating broccoli. đ
Keep reading for 20 reader-approved weeknight recipes to make this week! (And if you need more inspo after that, head over here!)
Broccoli pesto pizzas
Broccoli pesto pizzas are a great way to get in your veggies and can be made with either store-bought dough, or even quickerâthis recipe uses store-bought naan bread! Customize to your liking!
Store-bought polenta with toppings
Store-bought polenta (comes in a tube! A great pantry staple!) can be topped with roasted cherry tomatoes (you can roast them fast in the air fryer!), goat cheese, fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. (OR, skip the roasting altogether and make the tiktok marinated feta and just add diced tomatoes to the jar for a fresh bruschetta-like topping! Itâs SO GOOD.)
You can cut the polenta into rounds and either pan-fry it or grill like this recipe for a summery twist! No recipe needed thoughâtop with whatever you have on hand!
Cashew Thai Quinoa saladÂ
This recipe from Ambitious Kitchen is full of crunch, quinoa for protein (could always add rotisserie chicken for more!) and the ginger dressing sounds delicious!
Greek tortellini salad
Greek tortellini salad is a great thing to make ahead and stock in the fridgeâfor dinner or lunch!
Egg Roll in a Bowl
One of our weeknight favorites over hereâso much that I wrote my own post about it! Itâs so quick and easy, Iâll often even make it for weekday lunch!
Grilled salmon bowls
A very popular suggestion! You can make them as simple or as fancy as youâd likeâif your short on time, this TJâs salmon bowl idea is super fast and easy
Taco night
It doesnât get much easier than Ground turkey tacos. (Iâve riffed off this recipe before with great results!) Only thing you have to cook is the meat, and then fill your favorite store-bought tortillas with your favorite toppings!
Burger Salad
There are so many kinds of ways to make Burger Salad, but I love this classic variation! You can either make burger patties or skip it and just sautĂ© the ground meat (like you would a taco salad!) Itâs so easy and a nice way to mix things up from the weeknight taco salad rotation!
Chicken PitaÂ
Chicken pitas! Grill or roast chicken, stuff in a pita/naan and then add your favorite toppings! (No recipe needed, but this one looks great!)
Chicken Lettuce WrapÂ
Chicken lettuce wraps are a crowd pleaser! Lots of great recipes out there, but I love this one because it uses few ingredients! (Hint: for picky kids, just wrap in a flour tortilla instead of lettuce for an asian-inspired taco!)
Horitakiki salad with Greek chicken
Defined Dish Horitakiki salad with Greek chicken: Healthy and delicious! Easy enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough to serve to guests! Alexâs recipes never steer me wrong.
Naan PizzaÂ
Naan pizza with jarred pesto, red onion and prosciutto. Top with EVOO and dressed arugula! An easy, no-cook option that will impress even the meat lovers!
Sriracha Honey Glazed ShrimpÂ
Sriracha honey glazed shrimp only take 10 minutes. Easy to serve with steamed broccoli (you can even steam it in the microwave!) or sautéed veggies of your choice!
Buffalo Chicken Wraps :Â
Buffalo chicken wraps can be made lots of waysâthis recipe looks great, or you can grill the chicken! Can also skip the wrap and cut chicken into nuggets for littles!
Focaccia Pizza :Â
Focaccia pizza with store-bought bread sliced in half with sauce, mozzarella cheese, pesto and any other veggie. No recipe needed, but hereâs one if you prefer to follow a recipe!
One Pot Chicken Alfredo :Â
I love Cassyâs recipes because theyâre full of amazing shortcuts. I made her one pot chicken Alfredo pasta a couple weeks ago (literally dump ALL ingredients in one panâyep, including the dry pasta and the raw chickenâ cook, serve) and it was so easy. I actually didnât even bother baking it as her recipe calls forâI just made it on the stovetop and it was delicious!
Half Baked Harvest Hot Honey Mustard ChickenÂ
A couple of you suggested this delicious looking recipe! I will admit it definitely seems like a âwhen you have extra time on a weekdayâ recipe as itâs a bit more steps than I would typically take on a night where Iâm tired and need to get dinner on the table ASAPâbut it definitely looks worth the effort!
Ina Gartenâs Panzanella SaladÂ
Ina Gartenâs panzanella salad: Ina never steers me wrong, and it seems like you all agree! This salad can stand on its own or be the perfect side for quick grilled chicken or pork chops! (Bonus: you can make it ahead and itâs a great way to use up any stale bread!)
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Broccoli pesto pasta: Looks delicious, fast, and bonus: a way to trick your kid into eating vegetables. If you want to add a no-cook meat option, it would be super easy to add prosciutto! (Iâd crisp it up in the pan first and add it at the end just before serving!)
