These 29 Weeknight Recipes Are Basically Cheat Codes

Weeknight recipes don’t have to mean scrambling or settling for boring meals. These are basically cheat codes for busy nights when you want something quick, great, and reliable without any extra hassle. They’re the kind of dishes that feel like a win, even when your schedule is packed and your energy is low.

An close up photo of cooked penne pomodoro in a pot.

Penne Pomodoro. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Horizontal image of fried rice in a white bowl with brown chopsticks on the side. — Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This fried rice uses day-old rice and whatever you have in the fridge to come together fast. It’s a great choice for busy weeknights when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Nigerian Fried Rice

Nigerian fried rice cooks up in just 15 minutes with long grain rice and fresh veggies. It’s a smart pick for weeknight meals that need bold flavor and speed.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Sesame Tofu

Crispy sesame tofu pairs caramelized veggies with a rich nutty sauce. This recipe fits perfectly into weeknight dinners that want flavor without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Tofu

Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Baked cauliflower cheese is crispy on top with a creamy sauce underneath. It’s a solid swap for mac and cheese when you want something easy but filling.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

An overhead image of cooked rasta pasta on a serving bowl. — Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan rasta pasta is mildly spiced and made with simple ingredients. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a quick choice for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Pizza Sliders

An image of a hand picking up one pizza slider from the baking pan. — Pizza Sliders. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These pizza sliders are cheesy, saucy, and packed with veggies. They come together fast and work well for no-fuss weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Salt and Pepper Tofu

Salt and pepper tofu is crispy and spicy, coming together in 20 minutes. It’s a quick, high-protein recipe that’s great for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Tofu

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro is an easy, authentic pasta that’s ready in under 30 minutes. This recipe makes a fast, budget-friendly weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Creamy cottage cheese alfredo sauce is rich and silky, ready in 15 minutes. It’s a lighter and quicker twist on classic pasta dinners for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

One pot lemon ricotta pasta takes just 15 minutes to prepare. It’s a simple and fast recipe that fits well into any weeknight plan.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one-pot vegan cabbage soup is full of flavor and nutrients. Making it in large batches makes it great for weeknight dinners all week long.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Ethiopian Cabbage

Ethiopian cabbage stew is a one pot dish with warm spices and pantry veggies. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it an easy weeknight dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Kung Pao Tofu

Kung Pao tofu is quick and colorful with bell peppers, tofu, and peanuts. This recipe fits the bill for busy weeknights with a bold, crunchy bite.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Tofu

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks make a healthy side dish in just 35 minutes. This simple recipe works well for quick weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of a cooked gouda mac and cheese in a baking pan. — Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Baked gouda mac and cheese is creamy and rich, ready in 45 minutes. It’s a comfort food recipe that fits nicely into a relaxed weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of two bowls of mac and cheese with a fork beside each. — Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Slow cooker mac and cheese is the easiest way to get creamy comfort food. Toss the ingredients in and let it cook while you handle other things.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side. — 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli cheese casserole uses only three ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes. It’s a straightforward dish that works well for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu

An overhead image of gochujang tofu rice bowl with chopsticks on the side. — Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Gochujang tofu is crispy with a sweet and spicy Korean sauce. This recipe is ready in 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight protein choice.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu

Pasta e Piselli

Pasta e piselli is a simple pasta with peas and cheese. It comes together quickly and makes a solid weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli

Easy Cabbage Curry

An overhead image of cooked cabbage curry in a round plate. — Easy Cabbage Curry. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan cabbage curry cooks in just 25 minutes and is packed with nutrients. This one pot recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry

Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushroom stroganoff is creamy and savory, ready in 30 minutes. It’s a comforting meal that fits well into any busy weeknight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Korean Tofu Soup

Korean tofu soup features soft tofu and a rich mushroom broth. It’s a fast, bold recipe that works great for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Korean Tofu Soup

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma combines tomato sauce, eggplant, and basil. This hearty, classic dish is ready in 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

An overhead image of sun dried tomato pasta in a rectangular dish. — Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Sun dried tomato pasta is creamy and made in one pot in 30 minutes. It’s a simple recipe that fits smoothly into weeknight cooking.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Close up of cacio e pepe in white bowl with fork and spoon. — Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic, three ingredient pasta dish. This recipe is quick and reliable for easy weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles. — Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker beef and noodles make a hearty family meal with minimal prep. It’s a go-to for busy nights when you want something filling and easy.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Greek Chicken Gyros

Slow cooker Greek shredded chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce are easy and tasty. This recipe is great for lunches or dinners without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Gyros

Lamb Ragu

Slow cooker lamb ragu braises lamb for a rich sauce that pairs well with pasta. It’s a comforting dish that fits well in fall weeknight meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Ragu

Gochujang Chicken

Gochujang chicken thighs are marinated in a spicy-sweet sauce for bold flavor. They cook quickly and bring deep taste to weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken