Here Are 26 Recipes to Try Tonight When You Need Dinner Ideas

Wondering what to make for dinner? We’ve all been there. Whether you’re craving a hearty casserole, a big pot of comforting soup, or something creamy and cheesy with chicken or beef, these recipes are perfect when you need something easy, quick, and satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding the whole family, these tasty dinner ideas will make mealtime simple and delicious.

BBQ Chicken Sliders

A wooden plate holds six sliders filled with shredded chicken and coleslaw, arranged neatly on a surface. — BBQ Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

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Ditch the fancy dinners—these Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders are your new BFF! Imagine juicy, BBQ-soaked chicken piled onto sweet Hawaiian rolls topped with crunchy coleslaw—all thanks to your trusty crockpot.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders

Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

A skillet filled with rice and vegetables. — Ground Beef And Rice Skillet. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Enjoy a quick and cheesy meal with Skillet Beef and Rice—a flavorful combination of ground beef, fluffy rice, and savory peppers and onions. This satisfying dish is perfect for busy weeknights, offering rich flavors with minimal prep time in this easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

Chicken And Corn Noodle Soup

A bowl of soup with noodles carrots and corn. — Chicken And Corn Noodle Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Warm up with Chicken and Corn Noodle Soup—a comforting bowl of homemade goodness packed with egg noodles, veggies, and tender chicken. This soul-soothing dish is perfect for evening meals, providing a sense of warmth and coziness with every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Corn Noodle Soup

Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

A whole roasted chicken seasoned with herbs sits in a skillet, garnished with fresh thyme. Lemon slices are visible in the background. — Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Gather the family for this Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken. With a zesty kick from lemon pepper seasoning, it’s sure to be a hit. This easy recipe promises maximum flavor for a delicious family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

Chicken and Biscuits Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with a creamy pot pie mixture topped with golden brown biscuit pieces, garnished with parsley. The dish includes vegetables such as peas and carrots. — Chicken And Biscuits Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This rich and hearty chicken and biscuit casserole is a surefire crowd-pleaser! With everything combined in one dish, it’s a comforting 30-minute dinner that’s easy to make and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Biscuits Casserole

BBQ Green Beans

Enhance your dinner table with BBQ Green Beans—a delicious mix of tender beans, smoky ham, sweet onions, and tangy sauce. This simple recipe pairs perfectly with any main course.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Green Beans

Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

A bowl of potato soup with cheese and biscuits on a table. — Slow Cooker Ham And Potato Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Let the slow cooker do the work with this comforting dish. Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder is a creamy, satisfying, and flavorful winner dinner, perfect for a cozy family meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

Tomato Basil Soup

Savor the creamy texture and perfect blend of flavors in our Tomato Basil Soup. It’s got that tangy tomato kick, nutty parmesan goodness, and fragrant basil twist. This dish is a go-to for a cozy and tasty dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Soup

Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Cheeseburgers on a wood board. — Skillet Hamburgers. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Why not step up your burger game with Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers? These juicy patties are nestled between soft buns with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Skip the takeout and savor the deliciousness of homemade burgers with this easy skillet recipe.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

A casserole dish filled with a baked noodle and vegetable dish is partially eaten. A spoon is lifting a portion, revealing mixed vegetables and ground meat. Two forks rest on a blue cloth nearby. — Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Indulge in a cozy meal with Creamy and Cheesy Hashbrown Hamburger Casserole—a delicious blend of comforting flavors perfect for busy nights. This easy-to-make, satisfying dish is sure to become a top choice for hectic days.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Pasta salad with peas and ham in a glass bowl. — Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Make this rich and tasty side dish for Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon. This simple salad is a delightful complement to any dinner spread, providing a refreshing take with its creamy ranch dressing and crunchy bacon.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Caesar Salad With Bacon and Ranch

A plate of lettuce with bacon and cheese. — Bacon Wedge Salad. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Serve this classic Wedge Caesar Salad featuring crispy bacon and creamy ranch dressing for dinner tonight. With just five ingredients, this easy-to-make salad adds a fun knife-and-fork salad to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad With Bacon and Ranch

Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta. — Meatball And Pasta Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Simplify your dinner routine with this easy Meatball Pasta Bake. Just toss the ingredients into one pan and bake for a flavorful meal. This fuss-free recipe guarantees hearty flavors and simple preparation to satisfy your cravings.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

A white plate with crock pot pork chops and mushrooms and sauce on it. — Crock Pot Pork Chops With Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Excite your family for some tasty Crockpot Pork Chops and Gravy simmered to perfection in a tasty mushroom and onion sauce. This classic crockpot recipe is a super convenient and delicious dinner option!
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Creamy Mexican Corn And Bean Soup

Two bowls of soup with a spoon and a plate of limes. — Mexican Corn And Bean Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Indulge in the creamy goodness of Mexican Corn and Bean Soup—a hearty combination of tender corn, hearty beans, cheese, and spicy peppers. This comforting soup is packed with flavor, making it a satisfying meal for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mexican Corn And Bean Soup

Mini Chicken Taco Cups

Mexican tortilla cups with guacamole and sour cream. — Mini Chicken Taco Cups. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Spice up your dinner with Mini Chicken Taco Cups. These flavorful taco cups are loaded with seasoned beans, chicken, and melty Cotija cheese in a crispy tortilla shell. Change up your taco night and make these taco cups instead, they are sure to be a hit with the family.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chicken Taco Cups

Quick Skillet Pizza

A pizza in a cast iron skillet. — Skillet Pizza With Beer Dough. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Feeling like pizza? Try a Quick Skillet Pizza with beer dough for a fast and tasty meal. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Plus, you can cook it right on the stovetop—no need to fire up the oven!
Get the Recipe: Quick Skillet Pizza

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Grilled chicken flatbread pizzas on a marble countertop. — BBQ Chicken Flatbreads. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Let’s make Easy BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza for a simple weeknight dinner. It’s super tasty with BBQ sauce, cheese, onions, and leftover chicken on a flatbread. Kids dig it, and you will, too – it’s a breeze to put together!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

A plate of broccoli cheddar rice casserole garnished with fresh thyme, accompanied by a side of mixed greens. A metal fork rests on the plate. — Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food

This lightened-up chicken casserole is rich and cheesy without the need for any condensed soup! It’s so comforting and especially perfect as a cozy meal for cooler weather.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Rainbow Salad

Rainbow Veggie Salad is as vibrant as it gets, packed with garden-fresh produce. It’s a colorful feast for your eyes and taste buds, making it a delicious side to serve with soup or on its own.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Salad

Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A plate of penne pasta mixed with green peas, red bell peppers, leafy greens, and diced chicken. — Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: fANNEtastic Food.

Reminisce on the nostalgic flavors of your childhood—without the need for condensed soup or mayo—in this healthier version of classic tuna noodle casserole! It’s packed with veggies, super flavorful, and so comforting. It’s easy to make, too!
Get the Recipe: Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Chicken casserole with baked cheese inside a white dish. — Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

The Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe enriched with broccoli, bacon, and ranch is a great one-pot meal for the whole family to enjoy. Put together in just a few minutes, and this creamy deliciousness will be your family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

Baked chicken breasts topped with slices of tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves on a baking sheet. — Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Looking for an easy, low carb delicious chicken dinner? Try this delicious Hasselback chicken recipe, which features juicy chicken breast stuffed with tomatoes and mozzarella. This hasselback chicken is an easy meal done in no time.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

Air Fryer Scallops

Enjoy restaurant-quality Air Fryer Scallops with a chive, garlic, and lemon butter sauce. A quick and easy way to get a true taste of citrus delight. A must for seafood lovers!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scallops

Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Lemon pasta with spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. — Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired dinner with this Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta. Lemon adds a fresh pop to this vegetarian dish. Top it with your favorite protein for a heartier meal!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak

Marinated grilled meat, sliced and on a platter. — Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak has tender, juicy steak marinated in a sweet, spicy, and sticky sauce. The kick of jalapeno and the zing of orange make it a fun dish to serve up for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak