Easy Dinner Recipes to Try in 2024

As we move into 2024, many of us are seeking ways to simplify our dinner routines while still enjoying delicious and nutritious meals. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or simply looking to streamline your cooking, easy dinner recipes can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of easy-to-make dinner recipes that are perfect for 2024. These dishes are not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavor and nutrients.

1. One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Place them in the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
4. Place lemon slices on top of the chicken breasts.
5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve with your favorite vegetables or a side salad.

Why It’s Great: This one-pan lemon herb chicken is ideal for busy nights. The lemon and herbs add fresh flavors, and cooking everything in one pan minimizes cleanup.

2. Quick Veggie Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 cup carrots (sliced)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over high heat.
2. Add the bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
3. Mix soy sauce and hoisin sauce in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetables and toss to coat.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
5. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

Why It’s Great: This veggie stir-fry is a quick and healthy option. You can customize it with your favorite vegetables and add protein like tofu or chicken for a more filling meal.

3. Easy Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 1/2 cup water
• Taco shells or tortillas
• Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream (for toppings)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
3. Warm taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions.
4. Spoon the beef mixture into the shells or tortillas. Add your favorite toppings.

Why It’s Great: Beef tacos are a family favorite and incredibly versatile. You can customize them with different toppings and fillings to suit your tastes.

4. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces pasta (penne or spaghetti)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add heavy cream and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Why It’s Great: This creamy tomato basil pasta is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s simple to make. The combination of fresh basil and cream creates a rich and flavorful sauce.

5. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Set aside.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey or beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
4. Stir in cooked quinoa or rice, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Stuff the bell peppers with the meat mixture and place in a baking dish.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pepper.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.

Why It’s Great: Stuffed bell peppers are a great way to incorporate vegetables and protein into your meal. They can be prepared ahead of time and reheated for a quick dinner.

6. Sheet Pan Salmon with Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups baby potatoes (halved)
• 1 cup green beans
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the salmon fillets on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange lemon slices on top of the salmon.
4. Toss the baby potatoes and green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them around the salmon on the sheet pan.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Why It’s Great: Sheet pan dinners are ideal for busy nights. This recipe combines a healthy protein with vegetables, and the one-pan approach makes cleanup a breeze.

7. Chicken and Vegetable Skillet

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breast (cubed)
• 1 cup bell peppers (sliced)
• 1 cup zucchini (sliced)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
2. Add the bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Season with oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Serve with a side of rice or quinoa.

Why It’s Great: This chicken and vegetable skillet is a nutritious and easy dinner option. It’s perfect for those looking to get a balanced meal with minimal effort.

8. Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 bell pepper (diced)
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
2. Add bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Stir in black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve hot with toppings like avocado, cilantro, or cheese.

Why It’s Great: Vegetarian chili is a hearty and filling dish that’s easy to make in large batches. It’s perfect for meal prep and can be enjoyed throughout the week.

9. Spaghetti Carbonara

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 4 ounces pancetta or bacon (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. In a skillet, cook pancetta or bacon until crispy. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese.
4. Toss the hot spaghetti with the pancetta and garlic. Remove from heat and quickly mix in the egg mixture, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh parsley.

Why It’s Great: Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian dish that’s both rich and satisfying. It comes together quickly and requires minimal ingredients.

10. Easy Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken breast (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup bell peppers (sliced)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
• Cooked rice (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
2. Add chicken slices and cook until no longer pink. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas. Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
4. Return chicken to the skillet. Stir in soy sauce and honey, cooking for another 2 minutes.
5. Add the cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Serve over cooked rice.

Why It’s Great: This chicken stir-fry is quick to make and packed with vegetables. It’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted with different vegetables or proteins.

Conclusion

In 2024, easy dinner recipes can simplify your life while still providing delicious and nutritious meals. From one-pan wonders and quick stir-fries to comforting pasta dishes and hearty chilis, these recipes are perfect for busy evenings. They not only save time but also offer a range of flavors and ingredients to keep your dinners exciting and satisfying.

By incorporating these easy recipes into your meal planning, you can enjoy a variety of home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen. So go ahead, try these recipes, and make dinner time enjoyable and stress-free!