You’re Going to Want to Save These 29 Weeknight Recipes

There’s a reason weeknight recipes are worth bookmarking—when you find ones that actually work, you hang on to them. These are the kind you’ll turn to again and again, whether you're short on time, low on energy, or just don’t feel like overthinking dinner. Straightforward, reliable, and easy to pull off, they’re the kind of meals that make the midweek stretch feel way more doable.

An image of pineapple fried rice on a plate.

Pineapple Fried Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spicy Vodka Pasta

This spicy vodka pasta works with or without vodka and can be made fully plant-based. It’s flexible, fast, and checks all the boxes for a solid weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Vodka Pasta

Vegetarian Enchiladas

Packed with flavor and topped with queso, these enchiladas taste like they took all day. They’re a smart pick when you want dinner to feel a little bigger without more effort.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Enchiladas

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Creamy mushroom pasta that’s ready in 30 minutes and feels like something you’d get at a restaurant. Exactly the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

An image of cooked tater tot casserole. — Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tater tot casserole is packed with vegetables, covered in a creamy sauce, and topped with crispy tots. It’s fast, comforting, and built for nights when you want less thinking.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup

An overhead view of the Tuscan bean soup placed on a serving dish with a spoon on the side. — Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Tuscan bean soup comes together in 30 minutes and uses budget-friendly ingredients. It’s a go-to recipe when you want something hearty without spending the whole night cooking.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup

Spicy Alfredo Pasta

Spicy Alfredo with a creamy red pepper base that’s done in 30 minutes. A smart weeknight pick when you want something rich and comforting in just one pot.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Alfredo 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.

One-pot cabbage soup that’s loaded with flavor and easy to scale up for leftovers. It’s a no-brainer for a simple, healthy dinner midweek.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Close up of zucchini and summer squash casserole in glass dish. — Squash and Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cheesy squash and zucchini casserole that’s hearty, fast, and made with basic ingredients. A great recipe to hang on to for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Carrot Casserole

This carrot casserole comes together quickly with a creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping. It’s the kind of dish that makes dinner feel complete with very little effort.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Casserole

Sesame Tofu

Crispy sesame tofu with caramelized veggies in a bold, nutty sauce. Quick enough for a busy night but strong enough to serve if you’re having people over.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Tofu

Pineapple Fried Rice

Pineapple fried rice with tofu and crispy rice, all roasted on one pan. An easy choice when you want something bold and bright with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice

Leek and Mushroom Pasta

An overhead image of cooked leek mushroom pasta in a pan. — Leek and Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

One-pot leek and mushroom pasta with ricotta and herbs, ready in about 40 minutes. A smart pick for when you want a lighter pasta night without extra cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Mushroom Pasta

Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

An overhead image of slow cooker tikka masala in a bowl with rice, with a slow cooker on the background. — Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This slow cooker tikka masala is creamy, rich, and full of spice. It’s the kind of low-effort, high-reward dinner worth bookmarking for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Creamy cottage cheese Alfredo that’s ready in just 15 minutes. A quick way to get a cozy pasta dinner on the table without slowing down your night.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Spicy Soba Noodles

Spicy soba noodles with crisp veggies and a bold sauce that comes together fast. Great for when you want something with a kick and no extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Soba Noodles

Frozen Vegetable Stir Fry

Frozen vegetable stir fry with tofu made from pantry staples in under 30 minutes. It’s reliable, fast, and built for nights when you need dinner on autopilot.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Vegetable Stir Fry

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Creamy, cheesy slow cooker potato soup that’s ready to greet you at the end of the day. A no-hassle dinner that makes weeknights way easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Stuffed Shells (with Ricotta)

Stuffed shells with ricotta and mozzarella baked under bubbling marinara. It’s everything you want in a comfort meal that’s actually simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells (with Ricotta)

Pasta Fresca

Pasta fresca with fresh ingredients and a short ingredient list, ready in under 30 minutes. It’s one of those recipes that makes dinner feel easy, not rushed.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Fresca

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili is smoky, rich, and built for the slow cooker. A solid dinner that’s ready when you are and fits perfectly into a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese meets broccoli cheddar soup in this copycat Panera-style recipe. It’s fast, cozy, and great for when you want takeout flavor at home.
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.

This Margherita pizza uses simple ingredients and bakes quickly in your oven. Perfect for nights when you want pizza without calling for delivery.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Margherita Pizza

Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

Skillet chicken thighs with bacon and green beans, ready in 20 minutes using one pan. A great dinner option when you want something fast that still feels like a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic chicken bites with peppers and mushrooms in a skillet. — Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Garlic chicken bites with mushrooms and veggies all cooked in one skillet. Quick to make and just pulled-together enough to feel like a real dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Chicken Stir Fry

A white plate with chicken and mushrooms in a sauce. — Chicken Stir Fry. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

This stir-fry pulls together whatever vegetables are on hand and gets dinner on the table fast. A reliable go-to when time is short and the fridge needs a clean-out.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry

Creamy Vegan Garlic & Herb Pasta

Creamy vegan aioli packed with garlic and herbs that works across tons of dishes. Great to have on hand when you want to level up simple weeknight meals with no extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Garlic & Herb Pasta

Vegan Pasta Puttanesca

Bowl of Pasta Puttanesca. — Vegan Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Food Plus Words.

This plant-based pasta puttanesca uses olives and capers for bold, briny flavor. A smart choice when you want dinner fast without relying on anything fancy.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pasta Puttanesca

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Marinated steak and broccoli stir-fry made with pantry staples in just 20 minutes. It’s the kind of quick meal that gets saved for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Radicchio and endive with chicken and honey mustard dressing come together fast. A strong pick for easy spring lunches or dinners with a little punch.
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad