28 Quick Dinners to Make in February

Day 1: Penne alla Vodka

This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I have new friends over for dinner. Years later, they’ve asked me to make this penne alla vodka recipe again. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas

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Day 2: Pear 'n' Fennel Pork

Fresh fennel has a large bulbous base and pale green stems with wispy foliage. Often mislabeled as sweet anise, it has a sweeter and more delicate flavor than anise. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Day 3: Easy Salisbury Steak

This easy Salisbury steak recipe can be made in 25 minutes or made ahead and reheated with the gravy in the microwave. I often double the recipe and freeze a batch for busy nights. —Carol Callahan, Rome, Georgia

Day 4: Ground Beef Veggie Stew

This is a wonderful, hearty stew. I like that it’s filling enough to make a meal, and it’s good for you too! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Day 5: Thai Chicken Pasta

I try to buy fresh chicken when it’s on sale. I cook a big batch in the slow cooker, then cut it up and package it in small amounts suitable for recipes like this. When I want it, I just need to pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw. —Jeni Pittard, Canon, Georgia

Day 6: Stovetop Meat Loaves

Who says meat loaf has to bake in the oven for hours? For this convenient recipe, all you need is your stovetop and 30 minutes. It’s a quick, simple dish to make for one or two people. —Emily Sund, Geneseo, Illinois.

Day 7: Big Kahuna Pizza

A prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

Day 8: Pork Grapefruit Stir-Fry

For a refreshing change of pace, try this easy sweet-and-sour stir-fry. — Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah.

Day 9: Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous

Rich with goat cheese and tomato, this recipe works for a weeknight supper or an elegant company dinner—and is adjustable for number of people. —Toni Roberts, La Canada, California

Day 10: Saucy Mediterranean Chicken with Rice

The hints of Mediterranean flavor in this chicken dish make it a family favorite. —Tabitha Alloway, Edna, Kansas

Day 11: Breaded Turkey Breasts

A tasty crumb coating seasoned with Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs gives the turkey slices a delicious flavor. The thin turkey slices take just a few minutes on the stovetop, so be careful not to overcook them. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois

Day 12: Easy Chicken Alfredo

This dish’s classic sauce is almost as simple as opening up a jar but tastes so much better. The easy chicken Alfredo recipe can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Day 13: Pizza Potato Toppers

Not only is this recipe quick and easy to make, but it's an economical treat as well. I don't know of a more satisfying way to stretch a half pound of meat! —Sheila Friedrich, Antelope, Montana

Day 14: Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes

A few ingredients and 30 minutes are all you’ll need for this incredibly satisfying meal. A simple basil butter gives these steaks a very special taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Day 15: Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash

I grow spaghetti squash and herbs in my garden every year, so this recipe is the perfect way to use them up. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas

Day 16: Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

This ground beef stroganoff is one of the dishes my family requests most often whenever I ask what they’d like for dinner. It takes only minutes and it tastes great, so I always honor the request.—Julie Curfman, Chehalis, Washington

Day 17: Deviled Chicken Thighs

I make this dish when I invite my next-door neighbor over for supper. It's just enough for the two of us. The tasty chicken is tender and moist with a bit of crunch from the cashews. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Day 18: Satisfying Tomato Soup

After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn't puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario

Day 19: Broccoli Beef Braids

Each slice of this fast-to-fix golden bread is like a hot sandwich packed with beef, broccoli and mozzarella. —Penny Lapp, North Royalton, Ohio

Day 20: Saucy Mac & Cheese

I love the curly noodles in this creamy recipe. Cavatappi, also sold under the name cellentani, is a corkscrew pasta, but any type of spiral pasta will work. This dish is fun to make and looks so pretty topped with extra cheese and crunchy, golden crumbs. I like to add ground pepper to my serving. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Day 21: Hamburger Stir-Fry

Here’s a quick, easy hamburger stir-fry that uses ground meat instead of the traditional beef strips. It has a nice sauce and is different enough to feel like a treat for the taste buds! —Kathi and John Horst, Westfield, New York

Day 22: Spicy Chicken Enchiladas

Cooked chicken strips and canned enchilada sauce hurry along this zesty entree. I came up with this spicy chicken enchiladas recipe shortly after I got married. It’s a delicious dinner for two that’s easy to double for company. —Amy Dando, Apalachin, New York

Day 23: Tangy Beef Turnovers

My mom’s recipe for these flavorful pockets called for dough to be made from scratch, but I streamlined it by using crescent rolls. My children love them plain or dipped in ketchup — mustard works, too. —Claudia Bodeker, Ash Flat, Arkansas

Day 24: Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

My husband loves this orange chicken stir-fry, so we have it quite often. I’m delighted with the ingredients as we have six orange trees in our backyard. —Bunny Bronson, Lake Placid, Florida

Day 25: Peppered Pork with Mushroom Sauce

Using pre-seasoned pork tenderloin gives us flavorful, quick and satisfying meals without a big mess or leftovers. I have used all flavors of pork tenderloin for this recipe. Making the sauce doesn't take much extra time and results are well worth it. —Jolene Roszel, Helena, Montana

Day 26: Hearty Pita Tacos

You don't need to skimp on flavor when trying to eat healthy. Our 9-year-old daughter enjoys helping us make these tasty tacos, and likes eating them even more. —Jamie Valocchi, Mesa, Arizona

Day 27: Pasta Fagioli Soup

My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

Day 28: Pretzel-Crusted Catfish

I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a "keeper" in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey