It’s a safe bet that many, if not most of you, have experienced a long, rough day at work where the last thing you want to do is cook an extravagant meal when you get home. Sure, there are fast food and local restaurants, but those aren’t always a healthy option, and having sandwiches or a bowl of cereal can get old quickly.
Even if you love your job and never have a rough day, virtually no one wants to have to act like they’re hosting a dinner party complete with a four-course meal every night. That means that finding quick and easy weeknight recipes is something almost all of us can use.
Whether you need an idea for tonight or just want to add a few simple recipes to your arsenal, I’ve put together a few that you may want to keep in mind.
1. Stir Fry
With a stainless wok or large skillet, a few veggies, and maybe some beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu, you make an easy stir fry in about 15-minutes.
2. Corned Beef and Cabbage
With a crockpot or slow cooker, you can bring an Irish feel to the dinner table. And since it can cook while you’re at work, corned beef and cabbage is a delicious supper that’ll be ready when you get home.
3. Irish Potato Pie
You may not be able to take off for a trip to Dublin, but an Irish potato pie can help you feel like you’re there. Plus, it only requires a few simple ingredients.
4. Baked Salmon
Ready in just 15-minutes, this baked salmon is easy and delicious. Eat over a side of rice, salad, or veggies, and you’ve got yourself a filling meal.
5. Baked Chicken Tacos
With this backed chicken tacos recipe, you can easily enjoy Taco Tuesday without breaking a sweat.
6. Eggplant Parmesan
A baked eggplant parmesan recipe is exactly what you need if you’re looking to cut down on fried meals. There’s absolutely no need for olive oil or frying.
7. Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Ready in just 15-minutes (including prep), creamy garlic shrimp is an easy recipe that is a perfect way to end a rough day.
8. Easy Taco Salad
This taco salad is another great recipe that is ready in about 15-minutes. Plus, it is light enough for a date night.
9. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Forget firing up the charcoal grill and waiting for it to be ready to cook fajitas. With this sheet pan chicken fajitas recipe, you can have a great version in about 30-minutes.
10. Pulled Pork Tacos
Served with pineapple salsa, this slow cooker pulled pork will be ready when you get home and is a meal the whole family is almost certain to enjoy.
11. Easy Mexican Pizza
With ready-to-bake pizza crust, a few simple ingredients, and about 20-minutes, including prep, you can serve up an easy Mexican pizza quickly and conveniently.
12. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet
Lemon garlic butter chicken thighs use a single pan and take less than 30-minutes total to bake. It is also a great meal to whip up through the week.
13. Mongolian Beef
Served over steamed rice, Mongolian beef is another great recipe that is ready in about half an hour.
14. Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry
This shrimp stir fry is easy and delicious, and since it’s nice and quick to make, it’s the perfect recipe to turn to after a long workday.
15. Chicken Alfredo
A chicken alfredo is ideal if you’re looking for something that’s ready to serve in just 30-minutes.
Just about all of us have to work for a living, and anything that can make our lives a little easier is always welcome. The meals above are all simple, take only a few ingredients, and sound delicious. Of course, one of the best things about most of these recipes is that you can get creative and tweak them as you see fit.
Enjoy!