Quick Weeknight Dinners

Hey, everyone! It’s time for another Let’s Look link-up with Shay and Erika, and today we’re sharing some Quick Weeknight Dinners.

I love to keep things as simple and stress-free as possible during the week. My top tip? Plan your meals and have your grocery order sorted! The weeks when I do both of these, I feel like I’m winning. So, if you’re looking for some easy and quick weeknight dinners to get you through those busy nights, I’ve got some go-to recipes that might have just managed to save my sanity many times! Plus I’ll also share some tips on how to turn these dishes into versatile meals that can do more than just get you through dinner.

Quick Weeknight Dinners

Italian Meatballs

These classic Italian meatballs are a quick, comforting weeknight dinner. You can serve them with spaghetti, rice or mashed potatoes and a side salad or veggies (you should always eat your veggies!). You can even enjoy the meatballs with garlic bread or plain bread to scoop up all the delicious sauce!

Any leftovers can be tossed into a bread roll for a tasty meatball sub for lunch the next day. Or, if you’ve got more than you can use, freeze them for future meals—they reheat beautifully! If you are really in a hurry you can always buy the meatballs either frozen or pre-packaged. Then simply add your favourite sauce, either homemade or from a bottle….no judgement here! 😊

Turkey Bolognese

If your family isn’t keen on beef mince, this turkey bolognese is a great alternative. It’s rich, hearty, and goes perfectly with pasta or even a baked potato if you want something a bit different. Even my non-bolognese-loving family will eat this.

Quick Quiche

A quick quiche is perfect for those days when you need something easy and satisfying. You can throw in whatever veggies or cheese you have on hand, and it’s ready in no time. It’s great for dinner and even better as leftovers for breakfast or a light lunch the next day. This recipe is great because it uses frozen pastry. Either shortcrust or puff pastry works fine.

Easy Lasagna

Lasagna might seem like a weekend project, but with a simple recipe like this one, it can be a satisfying weeknight dinner. You can also make it ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready.

Mediterranean Couscous

This dish looks impressive and it’s a breeze to make. I love it because it’s full of colourful and healthy ingredients like olives, capsicum, zucchini, chickpeas, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. It’s fantastic as a side or a light main course – just add some grilled chicken and sprinkle cubes of feta! If you’ve got leftovers, they’re great for a quick lunch the next day

Stir Fry

Stir fry is one of my go-to meals when I need something quick and healthy. It’s a fantastic way to use up any leftover veggies from the fridge. Just toss in whatever protein you’ve got, and if you don’t have time to make your own sauce it’s more than ok to use a ready-made sauce (who’s gonna know?). Serve it over rice or noodles throw on some cashews, chopped spring onions and coriander for crunch and you’re done!

Tuna Patties

These tuna patties are the best!  They’re easy to make, and you can serve them with a side salad or in a burger bun. They also freeze well, so you can make a batch and have them on hand for a quick meal.

Greek-Style Chicken

This is a super easy option for busy nights. Simply pop the chicken in a zip-lock bag, season with herbs like oregano add some lemon juice, and a few other ingredients and bake. It cooks quickly in the oven and goes perfectly with rice, couscous, or even pita bread for a quick wrap. Plus, it’s packed with flavour and satisfying without being complicated. I’ll share the recipe soon—it’s been on my to-do list for a while. Opa!

Roasted Fall-Apart Pork

Although this isn’t a 30-minute meal, it’s definitely worth the effort due to its versatility. Make it in advance, and future you will thank yourself! The pork is incredibly tender and can be used in various ways. Enjoy it as a main dish one night, then shred the leftovers for tacos or sandwiches.

You could even get creative and turn it into a chilli by adding beans, tomatoes, onions, and spices. The flavours are even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.

Spinach Pie

This pie is a winner for both dinner and lunch. It’s satisfying, healthy, and flavourful. Make it ahead of time, and you’ve got a fantastic lunch option for the next few days. Serve it warm or cold, and it goes perfectly with a fresh salad or even some fruit for a quick and easy meal. This is another recipe that uses ready made pastry because the goal here is to keep things uncomplicated!

So there you have it—my go-to quick and versatile weeknight dinners to help make your evenings a little less hectic. While a couple of these might take a bit more effort, the best part is that they’re versatile enough to be transformed into different meals throughout the week. Your family will never guess! I hope these ideas take some of the stress out of your dinner planning and make those bumpy weeknights a bit smoother!

Have a wonderful day!