20 Easy Weeknight Dinners to Prepare Any Night of the Week

When you finish 8 to 10 hours at the office, barely squeeze a workout in, and come home only to collapse on the couch, making a homemade dinner is the last thing on your mind.

But don't consider delivery just yet. These 20 easy dinners take 30 minutes (or less) to prepare. Most of them require little prep or cleanup, and all of them make perfect leftovers for the next day. So when you're pressed for time, choose these homemade meals over the takeout menu.

20 Easy Weeknight Dinners for Busy Nights

The next time you feel like you’re in a rush, try these easy recipes to spare you a few precious minutes. These dinner recipes require little prep time and less than 30 minutes to cook, making those busy weeknights a bit more manageable.

Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng)

On incredibly busy nights, fried rice can be an amateur chef’s best friend. Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor, this easy dinner goes from prep to table in just 30 minutes.  

Creamy Orzo Pasta With Goat Cheese, Sun Dried Tomato, Artichokes and Roasted Red Pepper

If your most monumental moment as a chef was learning how to boil water, you can master this recipe. Simply dump a package of orzo pasta into a pot of boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Then chop up your vegetables, whisk together a dressing, and toss all ingredients together for an easy weeknight meal.

Brie and Roasted Turkey Sandwich

Grilled cheese and PB&Js aren’t your only sandwich options on busy weeknights. This brie and turkey sandwich takes just two minutes of prep and seven minutes to cook in your Tovala Oven. Pair with a simple green salad to complete the dish.

Red Curry Shrimp

If Thai food is your favorite form of takeout, you’re going to love this recipe. Simply saute fresh veggies in a skillet, add coconut milk, curry paste, and brown sugar, then bring to a boil. Toss in some shrimp and soy sauce and you have a flavorful, complete meal ready in just 20 minutes.

Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

Stir-fry certainly hits the spot (and certainly gives you your daily dose of vegetables) but you have to keep a close eye on it while cooking. This chicken stir-fry is made by roasting all the ingredients in an oven, so you can multitask instead of guarding a wok by the stovetop — perfect for those busy weeknights.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Sliders

No matter if you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy appetizer you can bring to a party, you have to try these chicken Parmesan sliders. Simply assemble dinner rolls, chicken strips, pizza sauce, and mozzarella into a pan, then bake in a preheated oven for 10–15 minutes.

Chili Cheese Nachos

If you’re craving Mexican comfort food, look no further than these easy chili cheese nachos. All it takes is three minutes of prep and six minutes in your Tovala Oven to assemble these takeout worthy nachos, perfect for any weeknight.

Orange Teriyaki Salmon

Contrary to what you may believe, homemade teriyaki sauce is actually incredibly easy to make. This 20-minute orange teriyaki salmon is quick and easy, using orange juice, brown sugar, corn starch, and rice vinegar to make a tangy, homemade sauce.

One Pot Chicken Alfredo Skillet

One way to save time during those busy weeknights is to cut down on the prep and cleanup. By whipping up one-skillet recipes like this chicken alfredo, you dramatically decrease your time spent in the kitchen. With just 5 minutes of prep and 25 minutes on the stovetop, you’ll have dinner served in no time.

Easy Weeknight Chicken Fajitas

A quick marinade is all you need to give these tasty chicken fajitas the subtle kick you’re looking for. Toss red peppers and onions in a skillet until slightly charred, sauté with the chicken, then wrap in a warm corn tortilla. Serve with your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream to complete the dish.

Spatchcocked Chicken

If cooking a whole bird sounds like an intimidating process, sit tight because this rotisserie chicken takes just 45 minutes to prepare. Simply season your chicken with herbs and garlic salt, then set in your Tovala Oven for 42 minutes to cook.

Beef Stuffed Peppers

These ground beef stuffed peppers are a complete meal, combining protein, veggies, and healthy grains into one dish. The most tedious part of the recipe is scooping out the seeds from the bell peppers, transforming them into “bowls” to serve with. From there, it’s just a matter of stuffing your favorite Mediterranean ingredients into each pepper and baking for an easy meal.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are one of the easiest cuts of meat to cook because the dark meat keeps the dish from drying out. This balsamic chicken recipe take 23 minutes to cook in your Tovala Oven. Pair with a homemade salad of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and olive oil for an easy weeknight meal.

Pork Tenderloin Loin Glazed with Orange Marmalade & Rosemary

Don’t let the fancy recipe name fool you — this delicious dinner is incredibly easy to prepare. Simply combine all the marmalade ingredients into a small pot on the stovetop, whisking for several minutes. Then pour the mixture over your tenderloin, baking for half an hour. That’s it!

Italian Chicken

This easy sheet pan dinner is incredibly flavorful, packing zucchini, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, and chicken breasts into a single dish. Simply smother with balsamic vinaigrette and Parmesan, then bake for 20 minutes for a simple meal.

Easy Vegan Black Bean Soup

‍This easy black bean soup recipe requires just eight ingredients, and takes just 20 minutes to cook. Packed with flavor, this soup carries a bit of heat, seasoned with cumin, paprika, oregano, and garlic. Top with avocado, cilantro, and fresh tortilla strips to complete the dish.

Chicken Marsala Pasta

This chicken marsala recipe combines tender, juicy chicken, a creamy marsala wine sauce, and cremini mushrooms into one delicious skillet. This dish is rather filling, so be sure to save the leftovers for dinner the next day. With just 10 minutes of prep work and 20 minutes on the stovetop, this pasta recipe is one of the easiest you can make.

30 Minute Pork and Sweet Potato Sheet Pan

This one-pan meal is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring little prep work. Simply season green beans, onions, peppers, and sweet potatoes with garlic and olive oil, then roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Add your pork chops, then cook for an additional 10 minutes to complete the meal.

Ground Turkey Cauliflower Rice Veggie Bowls

‍These healthy, easy rice bowls are made with ground turkey and cauliflower rice for a dish that’s loaded with veggies and protein. Simply combine the turkey and vegetables with store-bought tomato sauce in a skillet, then stir to combine. Pour over cauliflower rice or brown rice for an easy meal.

White Bean Burger With Sesame Ginger Slaw + Gochujang Yogurt Spread

These delicious white bean burgers are made with an Asian-inspired flare. They’re seasoned with ginger, roasted peanuts, garlic, and hoisin sauce, then topped with a sesame slaw and yogurt spread. These burgers surprisingly take just 20 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook.

For the Nights You Don’t Have Time to Cook, Let Tovala Cook for You

If you're reading through the above recipes thinking there’s not enough time to make this happen on a regular basis, don't panic. With your Tovala Oven, dinner is ready in roughly 15 minutes — none of which requires any effort on your part.

For the nights when you're completely spent and don't have the energy to cook, allow Tovala to deliver healthy, chef-prepared meals straight to your door. Simply scan the meals, then watch your Tovala Oven cook dinner on autopilot.