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Dinner Ideas for Tonight

Erin Sellin

Apr 29, 2018, Updated Sep 23, 2025

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Dinner Ideas for Tonight – looking for something you can make tonight?  Don’t have a plan, don’t have a lot of time or stuff prepped?  Here are a bunch of great dinner ideas you can make with no planning ahead!

All too often I will be busy working, I will look up and it is 3pm and I am caught asking myself what should I make for dinner tonight? You would think that wouldn’t be a problem for someone who cooks for a living, but it is. 

What sounds good for dinner is such a tough question to answer, especially when you have to come up with it every night of the week. 

Today I answering the question what are some good dinner ideas that you can make tonight.  Recipes that you can make with almost no planning or prep work.  Shrimp thaws super quickly, especially if you run under cold water, so it works great for busy nights.

 

You can pick up a rotisserie chicken for a handful of these recipes as well.  Just stop on the way home, and you can have dinner on the table minutes after you get home.  Scroll through these dinner ideas, and let me know what you want to make first!

I always have a pantry that contain rice, pasta, and potatoes; which means you can throw dinner together even when you have nothing planned!

1

Ground Mongolian Beef Recipe

Ground Mongolian Beef Recipe – a budget friendly twist on classic Mongolian beef. All the great taste in a cheap and easy dinner you can have ready in minutes!

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2

Chickpea Curry

Chickpea Curry – a quick and easy dinner that is loaded with flavor! It uses pantry staple ingredients you can have on hand at all time to make any night of the week.

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3

One Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp

One Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp – dinner is ready in 15 minutes, with this super flavorful, a little spicy, garlic shrimp recipe.

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4

Easy Taco Soup

Taco Soup is a hearty, one pot dinner made with seasoned meat, beans, corn, and bold taco flavors. Easy to customize and perfect topped with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

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5

Loaded Baked Potato

Loaded Baked Potato Recipes – perfect baked potatoes that are topped with cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives! A great side dish or even dinner idea! 

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6

Chicken Pot Pie Noodles

Chicken Pot Pie Noodles – a fun twist on classic chicken pot pie using noodles!  Comes together in minutes so it is perfect for quick weeknight meals. 

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7

Sausage & Rice Skillet

Sausage and Rice Skillet – smoked sausage and rice come together in one pan for a delicious and easy dinner.  Ready in just minutes, so perfect for busy weeknight dinners. 

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8

Potato Tacos

Potato Tacos – corn tortillas loaded with mashed potatoes and cheese. Then they are fried until golden and crispy. Take your taco game to a whole new level with these!

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9

Avocado Egg Salad

This Avocado Egg Salad is a super creamy and flavor no mayo egg salad you are going to love! Using avocado makes for a nutritious, healthy, and delicious version to try.

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10

One Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

One Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – classic spaghetti with meat sauce that comes together in just minutes all in one pan!  

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11

Stovetop Creamy Chicken and Rice

Stovetop Creamy Chicken and Rice  – Tender chicken and mushroom with creamy rice in an easy one pan dinner.  So easy and great for busy nights. 

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12

Crispy Baked Shrimp

Crispy Baked Shrimp – get all the crispiness of fried shrimp in a quick and easy healthy way. Super crunchy, ready in minutes, and delicious!

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13

Chicken Tostadas

Chicken Tostadas – A quick and easy Mexican dinner! A crispy corn tortilla piled high with guacamole, chicken and salsa. Take a shortcut from the store and this can be ready in no time!

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14

Vegetable Fried Rice With Cashews

Vegetable Fried Rice– a fried rice with cashews, and vegetables mixed with a creamy peanut butter dressing. An easy and delicious meal!

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15

Honey Sesame Chicken Salad Wraps

Honey Sesame Chicken Salad Wraps – Broccoli slaw coated in a creamy honey sesame dressing. Wrapped with crispy chicken for a quick and easy meal.

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16

Mexican Skillet Potatoes

Mexican Skillet Potatoes – a quick and easy one pan Mexican recipe. Crispy potatoes, taco meat, salsa, cheese and more! So much better than just regular tacos.

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17

One Pan Cheesy Sausage Pasta

One Pan Cheesy Sausage Pasta – get dinner on the table with these easy pasta recipe. Just one pan, 20 minutes, and you are done!

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18

Tortellini Pasta Salad

This tortellini pasta salad is an easy summer side dish packed full of tasty Italian-inspired flavors, with juicy tomatoes, olives, savory salami, and fresh basil tossed in a zesty homemade dressing.

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19

Skillet Beef Stroganoff

This skillet beef stroganoff is a quick and easy weeknight meal. All you need is one pan and 20 minutes!

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20

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese

This copycat Panera mac and cheese is a thick, ultra-creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese made with a white cheddar and American cheese sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's the ultimate comfort food the whole family will love — and it tastes just like (or better than) the real thing.

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21

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich combines melty cheese, pizza sauce, and toppings between crispy, buttery bread. An easy, fun twist on two classic comfort foods.

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22

Copycat KFC Bowl

Copycat KFC Bowl – skip the takeout and make these super easy bowls at home A full meal of mashed potatoes, chicken, corn, gravy and cheese all in one!

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23

Sesame Noodles

If you love Asian-infused cuisine you will love these Sesame Noodles. So full of flavor and ready in 15 minutes! Perfect for those crazy busy nights

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24

Sloppy Joes

Packed with beef, tomatoes, onions, and mustard, these sloppy joes are rich and meaty. They're an easy one-pan meal, and only take half an hour to make.

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25

Egg Drop Soup Recipe

Egg Drop Soup Recipe – a classic Chinese take out dish you can make at home in just 15 minutes.  Seriously comforting, better than the restaurant version and so easy to make. 

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26

Thai Peanut Noodles

Thai Peanut Noodles – Super easy Asian noodles mixed with a creamy peanut butter sauce with bell peppers and carrots.

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27

Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread

Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread – French bread stuffed with chicken, barbecue sauce and plenty of cheese!! Crispy and delicious chicken dinner!

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28

Balsamic Pasta with Chicken Sausage & Veggies

Pasta with sauteed veggies and chicken sausage tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette. Quick and easy weeknight meal, that is also good for you.

29

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

Juicy rotisserie chicken tacos are the best shortcut on taco night! Make these easy chicken tacos in 15 minutes with only 3 ingredients.

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30

Old Fashioned Goulash

This old fashioned goulash recipe is hearty and comforting. It's full of juicy beef, melty cheese, and a rich tomato sauce.

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