10 Quick and Delicious Recipes for Busy Weeknights

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Is there anything more stressful than coming home after a long day at work and realizing you still have to make dinner? We’ve all been there. The challenge of busy weeknights can make it tough to put a wholesome, tasty meal on the table. But fear not! I’ve rounded up 10 quick and delicious recipes that are perfect for those hectic evenings. These meals are not just speedy but also packed with flavor, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on taste even when time is short.

Recipe 1: 15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

8 oz spaghetti

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup white wine (optional)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. If using, add white wine and cook for another 2 minutes.
  6. Toss in the cooked spaghetti and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Serve with lemon wedges.

Recipe 2: One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place chicken breasts, potatoes, and broccoli on a baking sheet.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  4. Drizzle the mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

Recipe 3: Quick Beef Stir-Fry

Ingredients

  • 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups mixed bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch. Add beef and marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.
  3. Add garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
  4. Add beef and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add bell peppers and onion, stir-fry until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Serve over rice.

Recipe 4: Easy Veggie Tacos

Ingredients

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 8 small tortillas
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. In a pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat.
  2. Add bell pepper and red onion, cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add black beans, corn, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Warm tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.
  5. Fill tortillas with the veggie mixture and top with chopped cilantro.
  6. Serve with lime wedges.

Recipe 5: 20-Minute Chickpea Curry

Ingredients

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp curry paste
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup spinach
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in curry paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
  4. Add chickpeas and coconut milk, bring to a simmer.
  5. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in spinach until wilted. Season with salt to taste.
  7. Serve with rice or naan bread.

Recipe 6: Speedy Margherita Pizza

Ingredients

  • 1 pre-made pizza crust
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven according to pizza crust instructions.
  2. Place crust on a baking sheet.
  3. Spread tomato sauce over the crust.
  4. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
  5. Bake according to crust instructions, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Top with fresh basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Recipe 7: Simple Salmon with Quinoa

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Top each fillet with a slice of lemon.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.
  5. Meanwhile, rinse quinoa under cold water.
  6. In a saucepan, bring quinoa and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, until water is absorbed.
  7. Fluff quinoa with a fork and serve alongside salmon.

Recipe 8: Fast and Flavorful Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 small tortillas
  • Lime wedges and cilantro for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken and fajita seasoning, cook until chicken is browned, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add bell peppers and onion, cook until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Warm tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.
  5. Fill tortillas with the chicken and veggie mixture.
  6. Serve with lime wedges and chopped cilantro.

Recipe 9: Quick and Easy Fried Rice

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Instructions
  • In a large pan or wok, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Push

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