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20 Dinner Recipes to Try This Week

1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

This easy one-pan lemon garlic chicken is packed with flavor and requires minimal clean-up. Perfect for busy weeknights!

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet.
  4. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned.
  5. Add garlic, lemon juice, and zest to the pan, then transfer to the oven.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  7. Garnish with parsley before serving.

2. Vegetarian Stir-Fry

This quick and colorful vegetarian stir-fry is a delightful way to use up any vegetables you have on hand.

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

  1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute.
  3. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Pour soy sauce over the vegetables and stir to combine.
  5. Serve over rice or noodles.

3. Beef Tacos

These beef tacos are a classic favorite. Fill them with your favorite toppings for a fun family dinner!

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 8 taco shells
  • Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
  2. Drain excess fat and add taco seasoning according to package instructions.
  3. Warm taco shells in the oven or microwave.
  4. Fill shells with beef and top with your favorite toppings.

4. Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This creamy mushroom pasta is rich, comforting, and comes together in just 30 minutes!

  • 8 oz pasta of your choice
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté mushrooms until golden brown.
  3. Add heavy cream, salt, and pepper; simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Toss cooked pasta with the sauce and serve with Parmesan cheese.

5. Baked Salmon with Asparagus

This baked salmon with asparagus is a healthy and delicious option for dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes!

  • 2 salmon fillets
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. On a baking sheet, arrange salmon and asparagus.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.

6. Chickpea Curry

This hearty chickpea curry is packed with flavor and can be made in under 30 minutes. Serve it with rice or naan!

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons curry paste
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
  2. Add curry paste and cook for an additional minute.
  3. Add chickpeas and coconut milk; bring to a simmer.
  4. Cook for 10-15 minutes, seasoning with salt before serving.

7. BBQ Chicken Pizza

This BBQ chicken pizza is a fun twist on traditional pizza and is perfect for using leftover chicken!

  • 1 pizza crust
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven according to pizza crust directions.
  2. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce in a bowl.
  3. Spread the chicken mixture over the pizza crust.
  4. Add cheese and red onion on top.
  5. Bake according to crust instructions until golden brown.

8. Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

This quinoa and black bean salad is nutritious and perfect for meal prep. It’s refreshing and full of flavor!

  • 1 cup quinoa, cooked
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, and bell pepper.
  2. Drizzle with lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Toss to combine and serve chilled or at room temperature.

9. Stuffed Bell Peppers

These stuffed bell peppers are a wholesome meal filled with ground turkey, rice, and veggies!

  • 4 bell peppers, tops removed
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a skillet, cook ground turkey until browned. Add diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
  3. Mix in cooked rice and fill each bell pepper with the mixture.
  4. Place stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender.

10. Shrimp Scampi

This shrimp scampi is a quick and gourmet dish that’s perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight treat!

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Pasta of your choice for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
  2. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes.
  4. Serve over pasta and garnish with parsley.

11. Lentil Soup

This hearty lentil soup is comforting and perfect for chilly evenings. It’s packed with protein and fiber!

  • 1 cup lentils, rinsed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon thyme

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened.
  2. Add lentils, vegetable broth, and thyme; bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender.

12. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

These teriyaki chicken bowls are a quick and delicious way to enjoy a flavor-packed dinner!

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
  • 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snap peas)

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet, cook chicken over medium heat until cooked through.
  2. Add teriyaki sauce and mixed vegetables; cook until vegetables are tender.
  3. Serve over cooked rice.

13. Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken

This Greek salad with grilled chicken is fresh, healthy, and perfect for a light dinner!

  • 2 cups mixed greens
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • Grilled chicken breast, sliced

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and feta.
  2. Add sliced grilled chicken on top.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar before serving.

14. Cauliflower Fried Rice

This cauliflower fried rice is a healthy alternative to traditional fried rice and is super easy to make!

  • 1 head of cauliflower, grated
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, sauté mixed vegetables until tender.
  2. Add grated cauliflower and cook for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Push the mixture to the side, pour in beaten eggs, and scramble.
  4. Stir everything together and add soy sauce and green onions before serving.

15. Eggplant Parmesan

This eggplant parmesan is a delicious vegetarian dish that’s comforting and satisfying!

  • 2 eggplants, sliced
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Dip eggplant slices in breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  3. In a baking dish, layer eggplant, marinara sauce, and cheeses.
  4. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until bubbly.

16. Chicken Fajitas

These chicken fajitas are full of flavor and can be made in one skillet for easy clean-up!

  • 1 pound chicken breast, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • Tortillas for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet, cook chicken until browned.
  2. Add bell pepper, onion, and fajita seasoning; sauté until veggies are tender.
  3. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

17. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

These zucchini noodles with pesto are a light and refreshing pasta alternative!

  • 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
  • 1/2 cup pesto
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet, sauté zucchini noodles for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
  2. Add pesto and cherry tomatoes, stirring to combine.
  3. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

18. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

This chicken and broccoli alfredo is a creamy and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any night of the week!

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 8 oz fettuccine pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

  1. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
  2. In a skillet, cook chicken until browned; add broccoli and sauté until tender.
  3. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  4. Toss pasta with the sauce before serving.

19. Thai Peanut Noodles

These Thai peanut noodles are quick, easy, and full of flavor, making them a great dinner option!

  • 8 oz noodles of your choice
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • Chopped peanuts and green onions for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Cook noodles according to package instructions and drain.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, and honey.
  3. Combine noodles with sauce and shredded carrots.
  4. Garnish with chopped peanuts and green onions before serving.

20. Spaghetti Carbonara

This spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian dish that’s creamy and delicious, perfect for a comforting dinner!

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions and reserve some pasta water.
  2. In a skillet, cook pancetta until crispy.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and cheese.
  4. Add hot spaghetti to the skillet with pancetta, then quickly mix in egg mixture, adding reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess.
  5. Serve with extra cheese and black pepper.

Conclusion

Exploring new dinner recipes can invigorate your weekly meal planning and bring excitement back to the dinner table. With these 20 diverse and delicious options, you can easily find something to satisfy every palate while saving time and effort in the kitchen.

So gather your ingredients, unleash your culinary creativity, and enjoy the delightful flavors that await you this week!

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20 Dinner Recipes to Try This Week

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