35 Dinner Ideas For Tonight That Are No-Fuss, Big Flavor

READY IN: 20 minutes

Skip the hassle of making a Mediterranean platter this evening and whip up a tasty hummus pasta instead!

It gets a signature tang from the zesty lemon and sundried tomatoes, but it’s the hummus that adds amazing creaminess.

All you need to do is cook the pasta, sauté your ingredients, and toss in that hummus!

READY IN: 30 minutes

On busy weeknights, nothing beats a quick and easy stir fry packed with colorful and crunchy veggies.

The savory sauce is loaded with moreish umami flavor. 

Plus, you can add chicken breast or tofu to dial up the protein!

An ideal 15-minute meal prep marvel that can be stored in batches!

READY IN: 13 minutes

When I can’t face cooking, I’ll pull out a trusty naan bread and top it with tasty tomato sauce and mozzarella.

The naan bread goes super crisp when cooked in an oven, giving you a perfectly crunchy crust without any kneading.

Oh, and don’t forget the parmesan, red pepper flakes, and basil for immense flavor!

READY IN: 20 minutes

If you want a change from classic tomato or creamy pasta sauces, this roasted red pepper variation is a dream.

Not only is this dish packed with antioxidants and hidden veggies (score!), but the fresh herbs and garlic are seriously delicious.

And hey, the signature creaminess from the roasted cashews doesn’t hurt, either.

READY IN: 1 hour

Make your evening way less stressful by preparing an incredible lemon, garlic, and herb marinade the night before!

But don’t worry – if you forget, you can leave the chicken for as little as 30 minutes to soak up the goodness.

Serve it with a peppery radicchio salad, a lettuce salad, or a hunk of bread for the ultimate quick meal.

READY IN: 30 minutes

Old-school beef burgers are great, but these ultra-crispy, flaky, and moist salmon patties are next-level.

They’re made flavorful with fresh herbs, but it’s the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard that truly amp things up.

And using canned salmon and Panko bread crumbs makes this recipe so easy to make!

READY IN: 20 minutes

If you want the oven to take the reins for dinner tonight, prepare this Italian-inspired comfort food classic.

The rich marinara sauce mixes with spinach and parmesan for the ultimate batch-cook meal for picky eaters.

Trust me, the whole family will be clamoring for seconds!

READY IN: 30 minutes

Prepare to turn up the heat (and have a total fiesta!) with this hearty and healthy Mexican quinoa!

It gets protein from black beans, and the creamy avocados, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy corn add wonderful texture.

To save you time, this one-pot recipe also stores well for multiple days in the fridge!

READY IN: 30 minutes

Resist the temptation of takeout for dinner tonight with this gloriously rich and creamy butternut squash curry!

It’s one of my all-time favorite easy dinners thanks to the slightly sweet squash that balances the warm Indian spices.

Stick naan bread in the oven and pop on some microwave rice for a delicious meal in no time!

READY IN: 40 minutes

Despite looking super decadent, this uber-cheesy tomato and spinach gnocchi takes minimal effort to whip up.

Simply sauté your aromatics, throw in your passata and creamy mascarpone, and let that pre-made gnocchi simmer!

It’s one of those simple dinner ideas that almost beats what you’d find at an Italian restaurant.

READY IN: 15 minutes

This comforting pasta combines simple ingredients with a no-cook sauce for a seriously easy weeknight dinner.

It’s made with creamy ricotta, nutty parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon, and smooth olive oil.

The perfect meal when you’re too pooped to slave over a hot stove!

READY IN: 50 minutes

Got a horrendous cold? Give yourself some TLC with this light (but satisfying!) chicken orzo soup!

It’s made with easy-to-find ingredients from the grocery store and the zingy lemony broth that’s laced with butter is delicious.

Plus, the chicken cooks right in the soup to make this the ultimate one-pot marvel!

READY IN: 30 minutes

There’s no need to take an emergency trip to the taco truck with these gorgeous fish tacos!

They’re light, fresh, and bursting with traditional flavors from the simple garlic, paprika, and cumin seasoning.

If you need to, you can even prepare the slaw and spices the night before to save time.

READY IN: 25 mins

Is there anything better than getting a creamy sauce, al dente pasta, and nutty pesto on the dinner table?

I adore using homemade pesto for taste, but you can make things even easier by having a pre-made option to hand.

Sprinkle your handiwork with parmesan cheese and feel free to enjoy it as a pasta salad the next day!

READY IN: 25 mins

Forget classic spaghetti Bolognese – these Asian-inspired bowls are the best way to use up ground beef.

The brown sugar and hoisin sauce mix to make a thick and savory sauce, while the jasmine rice soaks everything up.

READY IN: 30 minutes

If you're tired of stir fries and pasta for dinner, this easy paella packed with rainbow veggies is next LEVEL.

It’s super flavorful and moist, but cooking this classic rice dish in a skillet gives it a slightly crunchy bottom.

Better still, it’s relatively hands-off and just requires a bit of stirring and checking during the cooking process!

READY IN: 40 minutes

These baked fish sticks are the perfect recipe when you’re craving something nostalgic.

They combine cod, breadcrumbs, and spices with your choice of dipping sauces (I love tartar sauce!).

And don’t worry – they’re baked and 100% nutritious!

READY IN: 20 minutes

When it’s chilly out, I love warming up with this uber-comforting soup.

It combines farro, cannellini beans, kale, and a handful of soft veggies for an amazing savory flavor.

As it’s a soup, you can just leave things simmering and softening as you decompress from the day!

READY IN: 45 minutes

Prepping a full-blown Mexican feast isn’t always on the cards after a tough day at the office.

But this quick and easy sheet pan take on chicken fajitas is just as good.

You can thank the charred peppers and incredible marinated chicken for that!

Just pop your ingredients in the oven, stuff everything in a corn tortilla (with guac!), and you’re good to go.

READY IN: 20 minutes

I get that butter chicken is usually made with cubes, but meatballs are never a bad idea.

You still get the traditional rich and mild tomato sauce of the classic curry, but the meatballs stay ridiculously moist!

The perfect recipe if you just want to simmer and do a little bit of multitasking.

READY IN: 25 minutes

A restaurant-quality dinner that’s on the table in less than half an hour and is packed with protein? Yes PLEASE.

This old-school chicken piccata gets most of its flavor and balance from fresh lemon juice, butter, oil, and capers.

Just a touch of heavy cream and savory chicken broth turns this into a complete sensation!

READY IN: 35 minutes

Teriyaki chicken is always a good idea, and this sweet and sticky stir fry is as good as takeout.

The juicy chicken pieces pair perfectly with broccoli, red peppers, and onions for a serious nutrition bomb.

Serve with noodles or rice and go to town (with minimal effort!).

READY IN: 55 minutes

If you’re looking for inventive Meatless Monday ideas, these Mexican-themed burrito boats are perfect to tickle your taste buds!

You can add your favorite toppings, but I suggest black beans, corn, onions, peppers, and cheese.

Plus, prep time is virtually nil. 

Most of the cooking time involves your boats being baked in the oven!

READY IN: 45 minutes

When it comes to fresh, summer flavors, absolutely nothing tops this cheesy stuffed chicken.

It’s perfectly moist and well-balanced thanks to the balsamic vinegar and creamy mozzarella.

But it’s the herby cherry tomato sauce that you’ll remember for days to come.

To make things even sweeter, it’s a complete meal that’s made in one pot!

READY IN: 1 hour

Salmon might be an untraditional ingredient for a taco bowl.

But this hearty fish works well with the sofrito rice, creamy avocado, and sharp cilantro in this dish.

Add a scoop of Greek yogurt to top things off for a lighter take on sinful sour cream!

READY IN: 50 minutes

Lighten up a classic pasta bake (without sacrificing flavor!) by whipping up this turkey sausage dish.

The turkey removes tons of saturated fat from this recipe, while the rich tomato sauce and herbs add depth.

Just a sprinkle of parmesan and a splash of half and half is all you need to finish off this incredibly creamy dish!

READY IN: 25 minutes

All you need to create these tasty rice bowls are butter shrimp, a handful of veggies, and some fluffy rice!

Prep your simple dressing, cook and season the shrimp, and assemble your bowl with cheese, green onions, and avocado.

Throw on some crumbled tortilla chips and you’re ready to rumble!

READY IN: 35 minutes

When you’re looking to prepare a versatile protein for multiple meals, this 5-ingredient spicy pork is a dream.

It’s made with hot chili paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.

Serve it with a simple salad or just plop it on some rice!

READY IN: 1 hour 10 minutes

This easy dish is a San Francisco staple that’s ideal for nights when you want something fresh and loaded with protein.

It takes a bit longer to prepare than other dinners on this list, but if you make it, you are in for a treat!

The rich tomato and wine broth pairs perfectly with the seafood to transport you right to the coast.

It’s a complete crowd-pleaser served with a hunk of sourdough!

READY IN: 20 minutes

Who’d have thought you could whip up a perfectly-spiced vegan curry in just 20 minutes?

This comforting Thai-inspired dinner is packed with tender-crisp veggies, and the coconut milk makes it so creamy.

Oh, and did I mention the butternut squash that perfectly balances those spices with a light sweetness?

READY IN: 15 minutes

This sheet pan salmon gets a major kick from fresh chilis and an amazing tang from lime juice, cumin, and garlic!

It’s so easy to make as you just coat the salmon and shove everything onto a baking tray.

The result is a perfectly charred plate of nutritious goodies that taste just as good the next day!

READY IN: 25 minutes

I’ll never turn down a plate of loaded nachos, and these Mexican tortilla chips are oozing with flavor.

They’re made with two types of cheese for a bubbling topping and include beans for extra fiber and protein!

And don't worry – you'll have classic guac, pickled onions, and tomato salsa to bring that authentic taste.

READY IN: 20 minutes

These crispy and colorful beef rolls are cooked in a sensationally spicy chili sauce.

The meat is perfectly caramelized, you can bulk them out with a serving of fluffy rice, and the dipping sauce is to die for.

What more could you want from a 20-minute meal?

READY IN: 30 minutes

I’m a huge fan of egg muffins in the morning, but this amazing frittata is a great substitute during dinnertime!

It’s super versatile as you can just switch out the veggies and mix-ins based on your preference.

Plus, you can even sort out a few evening chores while it’s baking in the oven!

READY IN: 25 minutes

This fragrant Thai basil chicken is ready in a flash and is an amazing weeknight dinner.

The ground chicken removes most of the prep work and the fresh basil adds herbaceous deliciousness!

Throw in the hint of sweetness from the honey and the savory soy sauce? Well, it’s a total slam dunk!