5 Fast and Easy Dinner Recipes!

We all need fast and easy dinner recipes for the weeks that seem completely slammed. With kids’ sports, work, and house chores, cooking can seem like the last thing you want to do. I love to stockpile these incredibly quick and delicious recipes to have on hand for when life gets busy. The recipes and cooking process are all listed out for you so you can quickly make a grocery list for next week!

1. Cheeseburger Meatballs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Use your hands or a cookie scoop to form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re browned and cooked through.
5. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2. Chinese Pork Fried Rice

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and scramble until cooked through, then remove and set aside with the pork.
3. Add the frozen peas and carrots to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they are heated through. Add the green onions, garlic, and ginger and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
4. Stir in the chilled rice and soy sauce, breaking up any clumps of rice and stirring until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
5. Finally, add the pork and eggs back to the skillet and stir everything together until it’s heated through and evenly distributed.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked white rice, chilled
• 1/2 pound boneless pork chops, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

3. Baked Feta Pasta

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. In a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Use a spoon to gently stir everything together.
3. Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the cheese has softened and become golden brown.
4. While the dish is baking, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente.
5. Once the cheese and tomato mixture is finished baking, remove it from the oven and stir everything together until it forms a sauce.
6. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the sauce, tossing everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
7. Sprinkle with fresh torn basil leaves and serve.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. cherry tomatoes
• 8 oz. block of feta cheese
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 10 oz. pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

4. Yummy Chicken Tacos

Quick side note, these tacos are my favorite of the 5 fast and easy dinner recipes because they’re simply SO GOOD!!

Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the spice mixture onto the chicken breasts, making sure they are evenly coated.
4. Add the olive oil to the skillet, then add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
6. Heat the tortillas in the microwave or on a hot skillet until warm and pliable.
7. To assemble the tacos, place a few strips of chicken onto each tortilla, then add your desired toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 small tortillas
• Toppings of your choice (such as diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, and sour cream)

5. Baked Pesto Chicken Meatballs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
4. Bake the meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
5. Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Quick & Easy Chow Mein Dinner

Here’s an extra fast and easy dinner recipe for you that I’m insanely in love with! Check it out here and be sure to tell me if you love it as much as I do!!

As always, let me know if you try any of these easy and fast dinner recipes!