32 Easy Dinner Recipes For When You Don’t Know What To Cook

We all have those evenings where we stare blankly into the refrigerator, hoping a delicious, fully cooked meal will magically appear. If you find yourself in this endless cycle of dinnertime decision fatigue, you are in the right place! Welcome to Good Food Remedies, your ultimate home for wholesome, satisfying, and deeply comforting meals. Today, we are breaking down the ultimate list of dinners to save your weeknights.

When planning your evening meals, eating right shouldn’t feel like a chore. Incorporating healthy food into your routine is about finding the right balance of flavors. We have curated these healthy recipes to ensure you never get bored. Whether you are aiming for weight loss or simply want to eat cleaner, understanding the basics of a calorie deficit can change your life. It is not about starving yourself; it is about fueling your body with a high-quality protein diet that keeps you full and energized.

Many people also ask about how to lose belly fat. The secret often lies in reducing evening inflammation and managing cortisol. Yes, stress management plays a massive role in your waistline! Eating foods that help you manage stress like those rich in magnesium, omega-3s, and complex carbs—can naturally soothe your nervous system. And if you get hungry before bed, don’t panic. Choosing the right food to eat at night for weight loss, such as Greek yogurt or a small serving of turkey, can actually help your metabolism.

Cooking today is also an expression of personal style. It is almost like street couture—taking basic, raw elements and elevating them into something stylish, vibrant, and uniquely yours. Whether you are whipping up our favorite Chicarron de Avena for a savory, crispy snack, or baking the beloved flapjack recipe that is already wildly popular on our website, making food should look and feel good.

Let’s dive into the ultimate recipe list!

My Favorite Dinner Recipes

When life gets chaotic, having a trusted roster of go-to meals is a lifesaver. These are the recipes I turn to time and time again. They are packed with flavor, require minimal cleanup, and hit the spot every single time. They perfectly balance savory, sweet, crunchy, and smooth textures to keep your palate guessing.

Chicken Wontons in Spicy Chili Sauce

There is something incredibly comforting about folding your own wontons. Ground chicken mixed with ginger and garlic, wrapped up, and boiled to tender perfection. The real magic, however, is the sauce. A spicy, tangy chili oil sauce made with soy sauce, black vinegar, and chili crisp coats every single wonton. It is a high-protein dinner that feels like a treat from your favorite fancy takeout spot.

Miso Peanut Ramen Bowls

Forget the packaged seasoning packets! This ramen bowl uses a broth made from rich white miso paste, creamy peanut butter, and a splash of soy sauce. It is wonderfully thick and coats the ramen noodles beautifully. Toss in some steamed bok choy, soft-boiled eggs, and green onions for a restaurant-quality meal that helps you hit your protein goals while keeping things plant-forward.

Cauliflower Black Bean Tostadas with Queso and Pickled Onion

For a fantastic meatless Monday option, these tostadas are king. We roast cauliflower until it is perfectly charred and crispy, layering it over smashed black beans on a crunchy baked tortilla. Drizzle warmly spiced vegan (or regular) queso over the top, and finish it with bright, tangy pickled red onions. This meal is packed with fiber, making it excellent for digestion and maintaining a calorie deficit.

Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa

Salmon is one of the absolute best foods that help you manage stress due to its high omega-3 content. Here, we roast tender salmon bites and toss them in a lighter, healthier “bang bang” sauce made from Greek yogurt and sweet chili. Serve it alongside a refreshing, hydrating salsa made of diced cucumbers and buttery avocados.

Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam

Take your burger night to a whole new level of flavor. Ground chicken patties are mixed with gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a slightly sweet, smoky heat. The star of the show is the kimchi bacon jam—a sticky, savory, tangy topping that will make you forget about traditional ketchup and mustard. It is street couture on a bun!

Salmon Tacos with Mango Corn Salsa

If you love sweet and savory combinations, these tacos will become a weekly staple. Flaky, blackened salmon is tucked into warm corn tortillas and topped with a fresh salsa made of ripe mangoes, sweet corn, cilantro, and lime juice. It is a vibrant, light, and healthy dinner that tastes like a tropical vacation.

Red Curry Chicken Stir Fry with Spicy Cashew Sauce

Stir-fries are the ultimate “clean out the fridge” dinner. Sautéed chicken breasts, bell peppers, and snap peas are simmered in a fragrant red curry coconut sauce. The twist? A drizzle of spicy cashew butter over the top right before serving. It adds a rich, nutty depth that pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice.

Burger Bowls with House Sauce and Ranch Fries

Who says you can’t have a burger on a health journey? Ditch the heavy bun and build a burger bowl! Start with a bed of crisp romaine lettuce, add your grilled burger patty, tomatoes, pickles, and red onions. Drizzle it all with a lighter homemade “house sauce.” Serve it with crispy, oven-baked ranch potato wedges on the side for a satisfying meal.

Crockpot Chicken Bowls with Yellow Rice and Cilantro Pesto

Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting. Tender, shreddable chicken cooks low and slow all day in broth and spices. Serve it over vibrant, turmeric-spiced yellow rice and top it with a bright, herbaceous cilantro pesto. It is a fantastic option for meal prep and ensures you stick to your protein diet effortlessly.

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki

Sheet pan meals are a weeknight blessing. Toss chicken strips, red onions, and cherry tomatoes in olive oil and Greek seasoning, then roast them until caramelized. Stuff the warm mixture into soft pita bread and smother it in cool, garlicky tzatziki sauce. It is a balanced, easy-to-make dinner with practically zero cleanup.

Ridiculously Good Chicken Tacos with Green Sauce

These aren’t just any tacos; they truly live up to their name. The secret is marinating the chicken in citrus and spices before grilling. But what makes them “ridiculously good” is the creamy, spicy jalapeño-cilantro green sauce drizzled on top. Add a sprinkle of cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime, and you are in taco heaven.

Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia Turkey Sandwich

Sometimes, you don’t want to cook at all—you just want to assemble. Grab some sun-dried tomato focaccia (Trader Joe’s makes a great one, or you can bake your own!). Layer high-quality deli turkey, provolone cheese, fresh arugula, and a swipe of pesto mayo. It is a sophisticated, filling sandwich that feels incredibly gourmet.

Saucy Gochujang Noodles with Chicken

For those nights when you crave noodles, this dish comes together in 15 minutes. Udon or rice noodles are tossed in a sticky, spicy, and sweet gochujang sauce. Pan-fry some diced chicken breast to toss into the mix, and garnish heavily with sesame seeds and scallions. It is spicy, deeply savory, and totally satisfying.

5 Ingredient Spicy Pork

Simplicity is key here. Thinly sliced pork is marinated in soy sauce, chili paste, garlic, and a touch of honey, then flash-fried in a hot skillet until the edges are crispy and caramelized. With just five main ingredients, you get an explosion of flavor that pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables and rice.

Chicken with Coconut Kale

If you struggle to eat your greens, this recipe will change your mind. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are seared until crispy, then simmered in a luxurious coconut milk broth. We fold in massive handfuls of fresh kale, which wilts down into the savory coconut sauce, becoming incredibly tender and delicious. It is a brilliant way to enjoy healthy food.

Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw

Give your traditional burger a Japanese-inspired twist. These chicken patties are glazed with a sticky, sweet homemade teriyaki sauce as they cook. Instead of lettuce and tomato, they are topped with a crunchy cabbage slaw tossed in a toasted sesame vinaigrette. It brings an amazing crunch and tangy flavor to every single bite.

Sesame Beef and Broccoli

Skip the delivery fee and make this classic at home. Thinly sliced flank steak and crisp broccoli florets are stir-fried in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a generous drizzle of toasted sesame oil. By controlling the oil and sugar at home, it perfectly supports your health and weight loss goals.

Avocado Mojo Bowls with Sweet Potato and Chicken

Mojo marinade—made with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro—gives the chicken in this bowl a bright, zesty flavor. Pair the grilled chicken with roasted sweet potato cubes for complex carbohydrates, and top it all off with a creamy avocado dressing. It is a colorful, nutrient-dense bowl that feeds the soul.

Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad

This is a celebration of fresh, bright flavors. A simple pan-seared salmon fillet is elevated by a vibrant, blended basil sauce (similar to a nut-free pesto). Serve it alongside a rustic salad of heirloom tomatoes, red onions, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. It is elegant, quick, and loaded with healthy fats.

Crunchy Roll Bowls

Love sushi but don’t have the patience to roll it? The crunchy roll bowl deconstructs your favorite sushi order. Start with a base of sushi rice, top it with imitation crab or cooked shrimp mixed with spicy mayo, and add diced cucumbers and avocados. The best part? Crushed toasted panko breadcrumbs sprinkled on top for that signature crunch.

Ricotta Meatballs with the Crispy Topping

Adding ricotta cheese to your meatball mixture is the ultimate secret to incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth meatballs. Simmer them in a rich marinara sauce. To take them over the top, we create a crispy topping out of toasted breadcrumbs, parmesan, and garlic, sprinkling it over the meatballs right before serving for a textural masterpiece.

Crispy Black Bean Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce

These vegetarian tacos are crispy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. Flour or corn tortillas are stuffed with a spiced black bean and cheese mixture, folded in half, and pan-fried until golden and crunchy. Dip them into a cooling cilantro lime yogurt sauce for a fantastic weeknight meal that won’t break the bank.

Butter Chicken Meatballs

We took the warm, aromatic spices of traditional Indian butter chicken and transformed them into a fun, easy-to-eat meatball dish. Ground chicken meatballs are baked and then simmered in a velvety, tomato-based curry sauce enriched with a touch of cream (or coconut milk). Serve it with warm naan to soak up every drop.

Ginger Peanut Chicken with Coconut Rice

This dish is an absolute flavor bomb. Chicken chunks are bathed in a creamy, savory sauce made from peanut butter, freshly grated ginger, garlic, and a splash of lime. Serving it over fluffy, slightly sweet coconut rice creates a beautiful balance of flavors that the whole family will beg for every week.

Coconut Curry Salmon

If you want to incorporate more fish into your diet, this recipe makes it easy. Fresh salmon fillets are gently poached in a fragrant Thai green coconut curry broth filled with snap peas, carrots, and spinach. The gentle cooking method keeps the salmon incredibly tender and moist.

Sheet Pan Jambalaya

Traditional jambalaya requires a lot of stirring at the stove, but this sheet pan version gives you all the flavor with a fraction of the effort. Toss sliced sausage, shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and rice in Cajun spices, spread it on a pan, and bake. It is smoky, spicy, and perfectly fuss-free.

Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls with Mint Sauce

Marinate bite-sized chicken pieces in yogurt and tikka spices, then roast them until the edges are beautifully charred and crispy. Build your bowl with a base of basmati rice, add the chicken, and drizzle generously with a cooling, vibrant mint-cilantro chutney. It is a healthy, high-protein take on a beloved classic.

Ginger Chicken Meatball Sandos

Think of this as an Asian-inspired meatball sub. Flavorful ginger and garlic chicken meatballs are stuffed into soft, toasted sub rolls or baguettes. We top them with a quick pickled carrot and daikon radish slaw, fresh cilantro, and a spicy mayo drizzle. It is a street food favorite brought right into your kitchen.

Steph’s Chickpea Curry with Spinach and Rice

When you need a comforting, meatless meal packed with plant-based protein, Steph’s chickpea curry is the answer. Chickpeas are simmered in a rich, spiced tomato and onion gravy until tender. Fresh spinach is stirred in at the end until just wilted. It is a budget-friendly powerhouse of nutrition.

Brandon’s Egg Roll Tacos

Can’t decide between Mexican and Chinese? Combine them! We brown ground pork or chicken with cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, and sesame oil—all the flavors of an egg roll interior. Spoon this mixture into crispy taco shells and drizzle with sweet chili sauce and hot mustard. It is a fusion dinner that is remarkably easy to pull off.

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw

Shrimp cooks in mere minutes, making it the ultimate fast food. Toss shrimp in chili powder and cumin, sear them quickly, and load them into warm tortillas. The star here is the crunchy cabbage slaw tossed in a zesty garlic, cilantro, and lime dressing. It provides the perfect cool crunch against the spicy shrimp.

Spicy Peanut Tofu Bowls

Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, you will crave this tofu. We press the tofu, cube it, and bake it until it is perfectly crispy. Then, we toss it in a spicy, sticky peanut glaze. Serve it over quinoa or brown rice with steamed broccoli for a nutrient-dense, filling meal that fits beautifully into a calorie deficit.

My Dinnertime Essentials

To make these 32 meals a breeze, you need the right setup in your kitchen. Discovering your dinnertime essentials saves you hours of frustration. I highly recommend investing in a high-quality chef’s knife, a heavy-duty cast iron skillet for getting the perfect sear on meats, and glass meal prep containers. Keeping your pantry stocked with staples like olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and an array of spices means you can pull together a healthy dinner without making a special trip to the grocery store.

Simple Dinner Sides That Go With Everything

A great main dish deserves a fantastic supporting cast. Choosing the right simple dinner sides can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable. Side salads dressed in a simple vinaigrette, roasted root vegetables, or a fluffy scoop of quinoa are always great choices. If you are looking for something crunchy and unique, try incorporating Chicarron de Avena. These crispy, savory oat-based bites give you the crunch of a traditional pork rind but keep things light and healthy!

20 Best Appetizers and Dips For A Party

If your weeknight dinner turns into an impromptu gathering, you need snacks! Our list of the 20 best appetizers and dips for a party includes everything from classic spinach artichoke dip to spicy jalapeño poppers. Having a few appetizer recipes up your sleeve ensures you are always ready to entertain without the stress.

Focaccia Grinder Sandwich

If you want a side that steals the show, or a meal entirely on its own, you must try the Easy Pancake Recipe. Using thick, fluffy focaccia bread, layer it with Italian meats, provolone, and a salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette packed right into the sandwich. It is incredibly hearty, bursting with flavor, and perfect for cutting into smaller pieces to share at the dinner table.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best food to eat at night for weight loss? 

If you are hungry before bed, choose high-protein, low-sugar snacks. The best food to eat at night for weight loss includes a small bowl of cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or a slice of turkey breast. These provide casein protein, which digests slowly and keeps your metabolism active without causing a blood sugar spike.

How does a calorie deficit work for losing belly fat? 

A calorie deficit simply means you are consuming fewer calories than your body burns in a day. Over time, your body taps into stored fat for energy. While you cannot “spot reduce” fat, maintaining a healthy deficit paired with a protein diet is the most scientifically proven method for how to lose belly fat.

Can food actually help with stress management? 

Yes! Nutrition and mental health are deeply connected. Effective stress management involves eating foods that help you manage stress</a>, such as leafy greens, salmon (rich in omega-3s), and complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes. These foods help regulate cortisol levels and support brain health.

I have a sweet tooth after dinner. What do you recommend? A: Instead of reaching for processed candies, try something homemade with wholesome ingredients. Our famous healthy flapjack recipe is incredibly satisfying, using rolled oats and a touch of honey or maple syrup to satisfy your sweet cravings while providing beneficial fiber!