This article provides seven crowd-pleasing dinner recipes for weeknights. The recipes include one-pan chicken and vegetables, beef and broccoli stir-fry, shrimp scampi, black bean and corn quesadillas, garlic and lemon salmon, easy beef enchiladas, and creamy tomato and spinach pasta. Each recipe includes a list of ingredients and instructions on how to prepare the dish. These recipes are easy, quick, and delicious, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
Dinner Delights: 7 Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Recipes for Weeknights
Are you looking to impress your family or guests with some delicious dinner recipes? Here are seven easy, crowd-pleasing options that will leave everyone impressed and satisfied.
1. One-Pan Chicken and Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the potatoes, carrots, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, rosemary, and thyme.
- Spread the vegetable mixture onto a large sheet pan.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them on top of the vegetables.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C internal temperature).
- Serve hot.
2. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef sirloin, sliced into thin strips
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and ginger. Set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Add the beef strips and cook for 1-2 minutes until browned, stirring frequently.
- Add the broccoli, bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Pour the sauce over the stir-fry and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until thickened.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
3. Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Cook linguine according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Turn up the heat to high and add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Add white wine to the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked linguine back to the skillet and toss until coated in the sauce.
- Add the shrimp back to the skillet and toss again.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
4. Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- 4 flour tortillas
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the black beans, corn, red bell pepper, and cilantro.
- Place a tortilla on a skillet over medium heat.
- Add 1/2 cup of the black bean mixture to one half of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top of the black bean mixture.
- Use a spatula to fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the quesadilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve hot with salsa and sour cream.
5. Garlic and Lemon Salmon
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- Spread the minced garlic over the top of each fillet.
- Place a lemon slice on top of each fillet.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the fillets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through (145°F/63°C internal temperature).
- Serve hot with steamed vegetables or rice.
6. Easy Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 can enchilada sauce
- 8-10 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- Add 1/2 can of the enchilada sauce to the skillet and mix well.
- Place a tortilla on a plate and spoon 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto the center of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese over the beef mixture.
- Roll up the tortilla and place it seam-side down in a baking dish.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the tortillas.
- Sprinkle with remaining cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
7. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Cook penne pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes (juice and all) and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in spinach and cooked pasta.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the pasta is coated in the sauce.
- Stir in the chopped basil and Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot.
These seven dinner recipes will surely satisfy your cravings and impress your family and friends. They are easy, quick, and incredibly delicious, perfect for a busy weeknight. So, what are you waiting for? Try them out and taste the magic of homemade meals.