19 Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal Wins for Dinner In a Dash

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19 Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal Wins for Dinner In a Dash

Put away the takeout menus and put that microwave meal back in the freezer where it belongs. These 19 quick and easy weeknight meal wins will have you whipping up dinner in a flash.

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These dishes are go-to lifesavers when the clock’s ticking down and the hunger levels are rising. Whether you’re juggling work deadlines, wrangling kids, or just trying to avoid spending another evening doing piles of dishes, these meals will help you out!

Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Wave goodbye to your local takeout joint because this Mongolian Beef is about to become your new weeknight staple. In the time it takes to say “Where’s my fortune cookie?” your air fryer serves up this sweet and savory sensation.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Thai Red Curry Chicken

Get your curry in a hurry with a Thai dish that’s all about bringing the heat—and the eat—fast. Creamy, spicy, and ready to party, this curry doesn’t mess around when it comes to flavor or time.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Chicken

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Rice Skillet

Taco Rice skillet is a one-pan wonder that is a Tex-Mex mashup you never knew you needed, until now. And cleanup’s a breeze, leaving you more time for that post-dinner siesta.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Pork Kebobs

Thread some pork onto sticks, season, and grill; it’s like a dinner shortcut on a skewer. These kebobs are so quick to cook, they’re practically fast food—but without the drive-thru.
Get the Recipe: Pork Kebobs

Nacho fries covered with beans and cheese.
Nacho Fries Supreme. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Nacho Fries Supreme

When nachos and fries fall in love, you get a fun family dinner. A quick bake is all it takes to achieve snack nirvana with a cheesy, crunchy topping. It’s the couch-potato’s dream meal for maximum munching with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Nacho Fries Supreme

Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes

This kielbasa and potato duo is like the power couple of the air fryer world—delicious, reliable, and ready in no time. Hearty and quick, it’s the perfect dish for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes

Air fryer pork tenderloin on a plate with potatoes on a cutting board.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Air fryer pork tenderloin is here to prove quick meals can be delicious. In just 30 minutes, you’re biting into a crispy yet tender slice of heaven. Say goodbye to hours in the kitchen and hello to more ‘me’ time, thanks to your trusty air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Fajita Burgers

Fuse the sizzle of fajitas with the classic burger, and you’ve got a weeknight party on a bun. These burgers are the kind of easy that’ll have you ditching the takeout menus.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Burgers

Cheesy Reuben rollups with pastrami and Swiss cheese.
Reuben Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Reuben Pizza Rolls

Take the iconic Reuben, roll it up pizza-style, and you’ve got a quirky twist on two classics that’s ready fast. They’re the quick-bake heroes for when you want to shake things up at the dinner table. Snarky sandwich lovers, this one’s for you.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Pizza Rolls

Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

This hot honey chicken is like a sweet little lie: it’s all dressed up in crispy goodness, but secretly it’s the easiest dish of the night. It’s the sticky, spicy star that’ll have your family buzzing around the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Fried chicken with lemon wedges on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Cheer for these air fryer chicken thighs that come out so crispy on the outside, you’ll want to give your oven the night off. Quick, effortless, and downright delicious, they’re the weeknight win you’ve been searching for.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Steak Bites

Satisfy your steak hankering with bite-sized morsels that are all flavor, no fuss. These speedy little guys are seared to and ready faster than you can debate ‘medium rare or well done?’
Get the Recipe: Steak Bites

Two slices of cast iron skillet pizza on a white plate.
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

This cast iron skillet pizza is ready in less time than it takes to argue about toppings. Crispy crust, melty cheese, and a whole lotta love in every slice, this pizza is a half-hour from dough to dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

Pork Medallions with Apples

Sweet apples and savory pork join forces in a dish that’s a shortcut to fancy without any of the fuss. Quick to cook and a treat to eat, it’s a perfect midweek pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Pork Medallions with Apples

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Enjoy a bowl of this Instant Pot minestrone soup. End your day on a high note with a soup that says ‘home’ in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Air Fryer Chicken Legs – Crispy Drumsticks

Discover the magic of air frying with chicken legs that come out so crispy, you’ll swear they’re straight out of the deep fryer. These drumsticks are a 30-minute miracle, giving you the crunch you crave without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs – Crispy Drumsticks

Naan pizza with chicken and bacon in the basket of an air fryer.
Naan Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Naan Pizza

Naan pizza is your express ticket to flavor, where the crust is ready-made and the toppings are just a sprinkle away. It’s the no-stress, yes-impress dinner that’s as easy as pie—pizza pie, that is.
Get the Recipe: Naan Pizza

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

This Instant Pot BBQ chicken is so fall-apart tender, it’s like it’s been slow cooking all day—except it hasn’t. In a few quick minutes, you’ve got a dish that reminds you of summer cookouts even on the coldest of weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Pepperoni pizza on a plate next to a jar of the best pizza recipes.
French Bread Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

French Bread Pizza

French bread pizza is the no-knead, no-wait, all-delight dinner that’s as customizable as your playlist. Slice, top, bake, and boom—you’re in pizza paradise. It’s the crowd-pleasing wonder that turns a loaf of bread into a feast.
Get the Recipe: French Bread Pizza

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