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Home » Recipe Collections

21 lazy weeknight dinners people are making instead of takeout

Published: Jun 5, 2026 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

When energy is low and takeout sounds tempting, these easy dinners come to the rescue. They’re quick to make, packed with flavor, and require far less effort than most weeknight meals. Best of all, they satisfy the same cravings that usually lead to another delivery order. Dinner gets on the table faster, and your wallet gets a break too.

Mushroom Masala

An image of cooked mushroom masala in a skillet.
Mushroom Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mushroom masala is ready in 30 minutes and features a tomato-coconut sauce that pairs well with rice or naan. A reliable dinner when you want something rich without spending too long at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Masala

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops on a wooden board.
Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Air fryer honey mustard pork chops are ready in 30 minutes and require little prep. A simple way to get a flavorful dinner on the table with minimal hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Vegan Caesar Salad

Vegan caesar salad in a bowl drizzled with caesar salad dressing.
Vegan Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan Caesar salad takes just 15 minutes and includes crisp greens, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons. It’s an easy meal when you want something light with barely any prep.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Caesar Salad

Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

A plate of Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi Without Wine.
Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi Without Wine. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Garlic tomato shrimp scampi skips the wine but still delivers bold flavor in a short amount of time. A quick way to enjoy seafood without much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

Vegan Rasta Pasta

A bowl of vegan rasta pasta.
Vegan Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan rasta pasta takes just 30 minutes and brings together a creamy sauce with a mild kick of heat. It's a fast option when you're short on time but still want something filling.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Rasta Pasta

Sheet Pan Bibimbap

A bowl of Sheet Pan Bibimbap with a pair of chopsticks.
Sheet Pan Bibimbap. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Sheet pan bibimbap uses just one pan and is done in around 35 minutes, featuring roasted vegetables and crispy tofu. It’s a practical dinner for when you want something flavorful and easy to clean up.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Bibimbap

Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

An image of instant pot tortellini soup in a bowl.
Instant Pot Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Instant Pot tortellini soup is packed with vegetables and cheesy pasta, ready in just half an hour. It’s a low-effort way to put together a warm meal that feels complete after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Mushroom Stroganoff

An image of mushroom stroganoff and white rice on a plate, with a fork on the side.
Mushroom Stroganoff. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Creamy mushroom stroganoff comes together in just 30 minutes and pairs easily with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes. It's a convenient choice when you want something comforting without spending too much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

A serving of Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells on a plate.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Philly cheesesteak stuffed shells combine beef, peppers, and creamy cheese in an easy-to-assemble meal. A solid pick for when you want something hearty without spending too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Overhead image of a plate of creamy Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

This broccoli cheddar mac and cheese comes together in about 20 minutes and has a rich, creamy texture. It’s a quick choice for when you want something warm without doing much.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Easy Homemade Margherita Pizza

Close-up image of sliced homemade Margherita pizza.
Easy Homemade Margherita Pizza. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Margherita pizza comes together in 20 minutes with fresh, simple ingredients. It’s great for lazy nights when you want something quick from the oven without much prep.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Margherita Pizza

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Overhead image of a bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to serve.
Stuffed Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Stuffed pepper soup packs the same flavors as traditional stuffed peppers but cooks in one pot. It’s a low-effort dinner option when you want something filling without extra cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

A plate of easy instant pot pork chop.
Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Instant Pot pork chops cook quickly in a sweet and spicy garlic sauce. A practical pick when you want a meal that’s full of flavor but doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Spicy Vodka Pasta

An overhead view of a cooked spicy vodka pasta in a white plate.
Spicy Vodka Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spicy vodka pasta, whether you use vodka or not, is a bold dish that’s quick to pull together. A good go-to when you want something rich without a long cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Vodka Pasta

Thai Red Curry Soup

Overhead image of thai red curry soup in a bowl.
Thai Red Curry Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Red curry Thai noodle soup takes just 25 minutes and uses ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. A great meal when you want something bold and quick with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Soup

Potato And Sausage Chowder

Overhead image of cozy bowl of potato and sausage chowder with breads on the side.
Potato And Sausage Chowder. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Potato and sausage chowder is a one-pot dinner that’s both filling and easy to make. Great for when you want something cozy without hovering over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Potato And Sausage Chowder

Italian Drunken Noodles

Top view of Italian Drunken Noodles.
Italian Drunken Noodles. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Italian drunken noodles mix sausage, vegetables, and wide noodles into a bold dish that’s ready quickly. A great option when you need something hearty that doesn't take much time.
Get the Recipe: Italian Drunken Noodles

Pasta alla Norma

An overhead image of Pasta alla Norma in a bowl with another bowl of pasta on the side.
Pasta alla Norma. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pasta alla Norma features sautéed eggplant and a tomato-based sauce with basil, ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a no-fuss way to enjoy a filling pasta dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

10-Minute Gochujang Noodles

Gochujang noodles on a white plate with a fork.
10-Minute Gochujang Noodles. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Gochujang noodles are creamy and spicy, and they only take 10 minutes to make. Perfect for lazy nights when you want something fast that doesn’t feel boring.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Gochujang Noodles

Veggie Taco Salad

An overhead image of veggie taco salad in a bowl with a fork.
Veggie Taco Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetarian taco salad brings together fresh ingredients and classic taco flavors in a simple way. A quick choice for lazy nights when you want something lighter that still feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Taco Salad

Juiciest Air Fryer Ribeye

The Juiciest Air Fryer Ribeye on a plate with potatoes.
Juiciest Air Fryer Ribeye. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air fryer ribeye steak cooks fast and delivers a juicy result with hardly any cleanup. It’s a solid way to enjoy a steak dinner on nights when you want to keep things easy.
Get the Recipe: Juiciest Air Fryer Ribeye

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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