Most busy families need a way to get dinner on the table fast, and these recipes are the perfect solution. Here are 5 dinner recipes so easy you don’t need a recipe.
I’ve made all of the following meals at least 20+ times so I am here to assure you that these simple recipes work wonderfully and taste delicious. Once you’ve made each of these once, you won’t even have to come back to find the recipe because they are so simple to make.
We all need dinner recipes that are our go-to favorites. My criteria for a go-to recipe to make again and again are:
- Easy enough that I can memorize the ingredients and pick them up at a quick pit-stop grocery store run, or keep them on hand.
- My family says, “Oooh, we’re having ________ tonight? Yeah!” when I make it.
- It’s (mostly) healthy.
- Can be made in 30 minutes or less.
While I typically meal plan for a week’s meals or even a month’s worth when I freezer cook, it’s still helpful to have those few recipes in your brain that you know you can remember the ingredients when you need to run to the store. Knowing it’s a meal your family loves is an added bonus.
The Holy Mess Grocery List and Meal Planner Printable – Use this free printable to do your week’s meal plans.
Once a Month Meals – I highly recommend OAMM if you want to plan ahead for extra meals to stock the freezer.
Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and WarmerHamilton Beach (33969A) Slow Cooker, Programmable, 6 Quart With Temperature Probe, Sealing Lid and Transport Clips, Stainless Steel
Minimalmart Weekly Magnetic Meal Planner Notepad – Food Planning Organizer and Grocery List Pad, Premium Quality Pages, with Tear Away Perforated Shopping List
Weekly Magnetic Meal Planner Notepad By Julianne and Co – Food Planning Organizer and Grocery List Pad, 52 Premium A5 Pages, with Tear Away Perforated Shopping List (Kitchen Print With Fridge Magnet)
5 Dinner Recipes So Easy You Don’t Need A Recipe
We all have our go-to staple dinner recipes like Tacos, Sloppy Joes, and Spaghetti. Each of the following is a bit more interesting and I assure you that every recipe is simple to shop for, prepare, and serve.
Easy Salsa Chicken
Clean Eating/Weight Watchers/Kid-Friendly/Low Calorie/Crock Pot/Instant Pot
This salsa chicken recipe is one of my go-to recipes for an easy meal that is healthy for me (I’m maintaining a 100 lbs weight loss – read more about my weight loss here) plus my family enjoy it. This chicken tastes great right from the pot over rice or quinoa, or shred and use for burritos, burrito bowls, taco salads, and more.
Click here for the recipe:
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe (0 Weight Watchers FSP)
Country Pork Chops
Crock Pot/Oven/Instant Pot
For years this was one of my daughter’s favorite dinner recipes. I received this recipe at my wedding shower and I’ve been making this dinner ever since because it’s easy and flavorful. We eat this over brown rice with a side of broccoli or green beans.
4-6 Pork Chops*
1 can cream of mushroom soup (regular or light)
1 bottle barbecue sauce
Place pork chops in crock pot. Mix together soup and BBQ sauce and pour over. Cook 6-8 hours on low.
Alternate: Bake at 350 for 1 hour in oven. I haven’t yet adapted this to Instant Pot but I’m sure it would be quite easy to do.
To serve: Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
*Note: Bone-in chops are by far more tender but boneless are easier to eat.
Ranch Chicken Salad
Low Calorie/Kid-Friendly
This Chicken Ranch Salad is one of my personal favorites and makes a quick weeknight dinner. It’s great all year round but for some reason I think “summer” when I think of this meal. The Frito’s make it feel like a special treat but don’t add too many extra calories.
Click here for the recipe:
Family Favorite French Dip
Crock Pot/Instant Pot/Kid Friendly
This yummy French Dip is a recipe I’ve made countless times because it’s a family favorite at our house. Using the crock pot or Instant Pot makes this a great week-night dinner that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
Get recipe here:
Family Favorite Crock Pot French Dip
Delicious Roast
Crock Pot/Instant Pot
1 chuck roast
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 packet Lipton Onion soup mix, or make your own with this recipe: Homemade Onion Soup Mix Recipe
Place chuck roast in Crock Pot and cook on Low for 6-8 hours. Thicken gravy if desired. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.
Instant Pot: I haven’t made this in the Instant Pot yet but will adapt it soon. If you try it, please let me know.
With these 5 dinner recipes so easy you don’t need a recipe, once you’ve made them once you’ll have them in your brain for the next time you need a quick meal to feed your family fast.
What’s your favorite easy dinner recipe?
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