60 Weeknight Dinners You Haven’t Tried Yet
Updated: Sep. 17, 2020These change-of-pace meals make busy evenings a snap. Best of all, they're ready in 30 minutes!
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Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac
I've been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, chicken, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate! I use rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon when I'm pressed for time. —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, Oregon 2 / 60
Quick Apricot Chicken
This simple apricot chicken is one of my favorite dishes. Everybody just loves it and leftovers are always just as good the next day. For variation, I’ve used pork instead of chicken and added additional ingredients like pineapple, mandarin oranges, snow peas and broccoli. –Vicki Ruiz, Twin Falls, Idaho
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Chili-Topped Cornbread Waffles
My daughter inspired this cornbread waffles recipe. Everyone in my family loves chili except her, so we had an idea—cornbread waffles topped with chili and all the fixings! It was a hit. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas 4 / 60
Pulled Pork Parfait
I tried a version of this meaty parfait at Miller Park, home of my favorite baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. I take it up a notch by layering in corn and creamy mac and cheese, so it truly is a full barbecue meal you can take on the go. —Rachel Seis, Senior Editor, Taste of Home Magazine 5 / 60
Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts
These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into a quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois 6 / 60
Po'Boy Tacos
I intended to make tostadas, but I misread a couple of ingredients and had to use what I had on hand. I put my own twist on a po'boy recipe and ended up with something even better. —Cynthia Nelson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 7 / 60
Cheeseburger Quesadillas
I created these fun cheeseburger quesadilla mashups in honor of my family's two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa 8 / 60
Bratwurst Burgers with Braised Onions
This burger is a fun mashup of a bratwurst with onion and peppers, chicken-fried steak and a beef burger. The best of three dishes, bratwurst burgers are guaranteed to be family-pleasing. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California 9 / 60
Vietnamese Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches
My version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich combines the satisfying flavor of chicken sausage with tangy vegetables pickled in rice vinegar. Stuff the ingredients in a hoagie bun and lunch is ready to go! —Angela Spengler, Niceville, Florida 10 / 60
Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pizza
I combine two all-time favorites in this recipe: pizza and BLT sandwiches. I brought this fun mashup to a ladies lunch and was met with lots of oohs and aahs. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin 11 / 60
Mushroom and Brown Rice Hash with Poached Eggs
I made my mother's famous roast beef hash healthier by using cremini mushrooms instead of beef, and brown rice instead of potatoes. It's ideal for a light main dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia 12 / 60
Asian Salmon Tacos
This Asian/Mexican fusion dish is ready in minutes—perfect for an on-the-run-meal! If the salmon begins to stick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and continue cooking. —Marisa Raponi, Vaughan, Ontario 13 / 60
Vegetable, Steak and Eggs
Low-carb doesn't have to mean skimpy—here's a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida 14 / 60
Stir-Fried Scallops
Scallops meet mild tomato in this sublime stovetop supper. Try serving the saucy mixture over rice or angel hair pasta, and garnish with cilantro if you like. —Stephany Gocobacki, San Rafael, California 15 / 60
Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles
This tangy shrimp is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don't have a spiralizer, use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois 16 / 60
Moroccan Flatbreads
My family loves these tacos with Middle Eastern seasoning lots of vegetables. Ground turkey or beef may be substituted for the lamb. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois 17 / 60
Cumin Quinoa Patties
These easy burgers taste amazing, and the quinoa gives them a hearty texture. They’re a delicious vegetarian option that you really have to try. Pan-frying them adds a perfect crunch that takes them to the next level. You can make the mixture for this healthy quinoa recipe ahead of time—it freezes very well. Enjoy! —Beth Klein, Arlington, Virginia 18 / 60
Pork Veggie Stir-Fry
Even kids find this colorful combo of vegetables, pork strips, seasonings and peanuts very appealing. Serve it over rice for a main dish that needs no sides. —Laurel Reisinger, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 19 / 60
Tex-Mex Chicken Strips
I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida 20 / 60
Meat Loaf Muffins
Serve these tangy meat loaf muffins for dinner or slice them up for a take-along sandwich lunch. They're just as flavorful after freezing. —Cheryl Norwood, Canton, Georgia 21 / 60
Lemon-Batter Fish
Fishing is a popular recreational activity where we live, so folks are always looking for ways to prepare their catches. My husband ranks this as one of his favorites. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan 22 / 60
Lemony Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta
This delicate dish tastes so bright with a touch of lemon and tender sauteed scallops. Serve with crusty whole grain bread, and you have an impressive dinner that comes together in a flash. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey 23 / 60
Pressure-Cooker Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
I live in Georgia but I appreciate the tangy, sweet and slightly spicy taste of Carolina vinegar chicken. —Ramona Parris, Acworth, Georgia 24 / 60
Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash
This awesome recipe reflects my German roots. In the cooler months, nothing is as comforting as a hearty hash. Serve this versatile recipe as a side dish at a holiday meal or as a brunch entree over cheddar grits or topped with a fried egg. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, CO 25 / 60
Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa
To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas 26 / 60
Zucchini & Sausage Stovetop Casserole
Gather zucchini from your garden or farm stand and start cooking. My family goes wild for this wholesome casserole. We like our zucchini grated, not sliced. —LeAnn Gray, Taylorsville, Utah 27 / 60
Hearty Vegetable Beef Ragu
This recipe is healthy yet satisfying, quick yet delicious. It's on the table in less than 30 minutes—and one that my children will gobble up! If you are not fond of kale, stir in baby spinach or chopped broccoli instead. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey 28 / 60
Turkey-Cranberry Monte Cristo
Every year, my husband and I look forward to Thanksgiving leftovers just so we can make this sandwich. Once you try it, I'm sure you will agree that this is the best turkey sandwich ever! —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California 29 / 60
Skillet Nachos
My mom gave me a fundraiser cookbook, and this is the recipe I’ve used most. My whole family is on board. For toppings, think sour cream, tomatoes, jalapeno and red onion. —Judy Hughes, Waverly, Kansas 30 / 60
Turkey and Broccoli Pastry Braid
This meal in one is an easy way to get kids—and adults—to eat broccoli. The puff pastry that wraps up turkey, cheese and veggies is pure, flaky goodness. —Jenelle Fender, Steinbach, Manitoba 31 / 60
Zucchini Beef Skillet
This is a speedy summer recipe that uses up those abundant garden goodies: Zucchini, tomatoes and green peppers. —Becky Calder, Kingston, Missouri 32 / 60
Stovetop Turkey Tetrazzini
A very special aunt shared this fun spin on creamy tetrazzini. We think it’s even better the next day. —Tasia Cox, Niceville, Florida 33 / 60
Ham & Swiss Stromboli
This is an excellent dish to take to someone for dinner. It's also easy to change up the recipe with your favorite meats or cheeses. —Tricia Bibb, Hartselle, AL 34 / 60
Pierogi Quesadillas
When I had hungry children in the kitchen and nothing but leftovers, I invented these quesadillas. Now it's how we always use up our potatoes, meats and sometimes veggies. —Andrea Dibble, Solon, Iowa 35 / 60
Blue Cheese-Crusted Sirloin Steaks
My wife adores this steak—and me when I fix it for her. She thinks it’s the ideal dish for Friday night after a long workweek. —Michael Rouse, Minot, North Dakota 36 / 60
Feta-Dill Chicken Burgers
I found fresh ground chicken at the butcher and gave it a whirl on our new grill. The result is these saucy burgers. Everybody went nuts—including my sister-in-law, an amazing cook! —Wendy Boughton, Victoria, British Columbia 37 / 60
Easy Beef Pies
We make a lot of French dips and always have leftover roast beef. Here's how I put it to good use. For these pies, use any vegetables you like. They're extra awesome drenched in cheese sauce. —Jennie Weber, Palmer, Alaska 38 / 60
Simple Sausage Pasta Toss
For a flash of tasty inspiration, grab a skillet and stir up turkey sausage with tomatoes, garlic and olives. Toss everything with spaghetti, and sprinkle with Parmesan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 39 / 60
Stuffed Peppers for Four
Truly a meal in one, this quick supper has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers. It’ll look so pretty on your table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 40 / 60
Roast Beef Pasta Skillet
Leftover beef is the star in a skillet dinner that's perfect for two. Chopped tomatoes and Parmesan cheese add color and flavor to this no-fuss dish. —Bill Hilbrich, St. Cloud, Minnesota 41 / 60
Veggie Tacos
These vegetarian tacos are stuffed with a blend of sauteed cabbage, peppers and black beans so filling, you won't miss the meat. Top with avocado, cheese or a dollop of sour cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 42 / 60
Pork Tenderloin Fajitas
These easy slow cooker pork fajitas offer loads of taste appeal. Sizzling tenderloin and veggies are tossed with a bold cilantro sauce and tucked into tortillas for a fun take on taco night. —Rachel Hozey, Pensacola, Florida 43 / 60
Chicken Pesto with Pasta
Prepared sauce accents this warm chicken pesto pasta. Keep pesto in the freezer for the next time you have leftover chicken. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 44 / 60
Quick Chili Mac
This combines chili with one of my favorite pasta dishes. I often serve it for company or potlucks and occasionally add taco seasoning or use beanless chili and add black beans. —Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, Michigan 45 / 60
Artichoke Chicken Pesto Pizza
Make pizza night an upscale affair with this fun twist on the traditional pie. A prebaked crust and prepared pesto keep things quick and easy. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho 46 / 60
Tenderloin with Herb Sauce
Tender pork is treated to a rich and creamy sauce with a slight kick, thanks to red pepper flakes. This hearty dish is very simple to prepare and always a dinnertime winner. —Monica Shipley, Tulare, California 47 / 60
Cobb Salad Wraps
A homemade dressing lightens up these refreshing tortilla wraps. The avocado, bacon, blue cheese and tomato deliver the flavors I enjoy most while keeping me on my healthy eating plan. -Lynne Van Wagenen of Salt Lake City, Utah 48 / 60
Caramelized Pork Slices
This easy treatment for pork caught my eye when I saw the word "caramelized." The slightly sweet glaze is yummy. I like to serve this over noodles or rice...or with mashed potatoes. —Elisa Lochridge, Beaverton, Oregon. 49 / 60
Triple Cheese Twists
Our stovetop macaroni and cheese is extra special, thanks to the buttery crumb topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 50 / 60
Herbed Lemon Pork Chops
Expect to get plenty of compliments on these fast, flavor-packed chops. They're tender and juicy. —Billi Jo Sylvester, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 51 / 60
Crab-Topped Fish Fillets
These fillets are elegant enough for company but truly no trouble to make. Fish is abundant here in South Florida, and we like to get together with friends in the afternoon, so I often need to whip up a quick dinner when we get home. This special dish is one of my husband's favorites. —Mary Tuthill, Fort Myers Beach, Florida 52 / 60
Asparagus Ham Dinner
I've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska 53 / 60
Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
"I fix this saucy skillet dish often, especially when I'm running late, because it takes so little time to prepare," reports Emma Magielda from Amsterdam, New York. "The recipe won first prize in our local paper some years back." 54 / 60
Steak Fajitas
Zesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah 55 / 60
Quick Carbonara
Carbonara is a dinnertime classic, but my version cuts down on the time it takes to make. Loaded with ham, bacon, olives, garlic and Parmesan, it certainly doesn't skimp on flavor. —Carole Martin, Tallahassee, Florida 56 / 60
Classic Crab Cakes
Our region is known for good seafood, and crab cakes are a traditional favorite. I learned to make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a best-seller. The crabmeat's sweet and mild flavor is sparked by the blend of other ingredients. —Debbie Terenzini, Lusby, Maryland 57 / 60
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 58 / 60
Chicken Veggie Packets
People think I went to a lot of trouble when I serve these packets. Individual aluminum foil pouches hold in the juices during baking to keep the herbed chicken moist and tender. The foil saves time and makes cleanup a breeze. —Edna Shaffer, Beulah, Michigan 59 / 60
Apple-Topped Ham Steak
Sweet apples combine nicely with tangy mustard in this dish to create a luscious topping for skillet-fried ham steak. I especially like to serve this to guests in fall. —Eleanor Chore, Athena, Oregon 60 / 60
Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Fresh flavor with a flair describes this quick and easy recipe. Fajitas are just right for hot summer evenings when you want to serve something fun and tasty, yet keep cooking to a minimum. Try topping them with sour cream, guacamole or both. —Lindsay St. John, Plainfield, Indiana Originally Published: September 17, 2020
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