Happy New Year!
If you’re knee-deep in dinner planning for the year ahead, here’s a large collection of my go-to weeknight meals. These are dishes we regularly rotate through—recipes that feel healthier but still deliver on flavor. They’re the dinners I reach for when plain salads and boring chicken won’t cut it. Many include modest amounts of cheese, whole grains, or the occasional bacon; omit or swap ingredients to suit your preferences. Use this list for inspiration when you want variety and meals that are satisfying without being overly indulgent.
Lately I’ve been planning meals in advance and prioritizing variety—keeping things interesting is what makes home cooking sustainable. I hope this roundup helps you avoid last-minute, uninspired dinners and keeps weeknights tasty and simple.
Share your favorite dinners in the comments if you have go-to recipes—I’m always looking for new ideas.
1. autumn veg burgers with apple cider slaw
2. mushroom and chicken noodle soup with poached eggs
3. roasted tomato caprese panzanella
4. grilled corn, mushroom + roasted poblano tacos
5. bbq salmon + crispy chickpea salads
6. crockpot turkey quinoa meatballs
7. stuffed peppers in tomato basil sauce
________
1. asiago portobello burgers
2. toasted coconut tilapia with pomegranate salsa
3. chipotle lime chicken skewers with avocado cream
4. thai butternut squash soup
5. lightened up beef enchiladas
6. grilled watermelon caprese salads
7. whole goat cheese roasted chicken
________
1. pineapple cashew fried rice
2. pistachio pesto chicken with whole wheat spaghetti
3. roasted tomato, tuna and white bean cups
4. white chicken quinoa chili
5. sweet potato quinoa cakes with blackberry salsa
6. tilapia burgers with watermelon salsa and avocado
7. zucchini breakfast skillet with poached eggs
________
1. toasted sesame ginger salmon
2. roasted red pepper bean burgers
3. caramelized shallot, spinach and goat cheese pasta
4. springtime veggie skillet lasagna
5. thai beef tacos
6. mini chicken meatball soup
7. cauliflower pizza crust
_________
1. autumn arugula salad
2. whole wheat pasta with crockpot tomato sauce
3. black bean + sweet potato tacos
4. apple bacon stuffed sweet potatoes
5. creamy tomato soup with garlic brown butter croutons
6. bbq salmon burgers
7. thai curry pomegranate chicken
_________
1. chickpea chicken soup
2. bbq portobello sliders
3. mushroom melts with homemade dijon
4. summertime chopped salad
5. spicy parmesan shrimp skillet
6. red wine risotto with caramelized mushrooms
7. coconut-crusted baked chicken fingers with peach honey mustard
1. spicy brown sugar salmon
2. grilled Greek chicken salad
3. whole roasted chipotle lime chicken
4. creamy verde pasta
5. crockpot springtime minestrone soup
6. thai turkey burgers
7. bbq chicken enchiladas
________
1. grilled blueberry chicken skewers with coconut rice
2. whole wheat fontina portobello pizza
3. smoky white bean chicken chili
4. roasted grape stuffed sweet potatoes
5. thai butternut squash lettuce wraps
6. grilled blueberry bbq salmon
7. skillet chicken with peppers and peanuts
_________
1. one pot chicken tortilla soup
2. roasted garlic + veggie tostadas
3. red wine marinated flank steak with caprese salad
4. double bean quesadillas with avocado cream
5. portobello gouda burgers
6. creamy tomato chicken pasta
7. homemade fish sticks
_________
1. brown butter tilapia with toasted basil breadcrumbs
2. spinach and artichoke linguine
3. crispy kale salad
4. shrimp burgers with chipotle cream + coconut peach salsa
5. cheesy chicken and rice bake
6. brussels sprouts breakfast hash
7. black bean + cornbread panzanella salad
_________
1. jerk shrimp tacos
2. buttermilk almond crusted chicken fingers
3. coconut lime tilapia tacos with kiwi salsa
4. thai steak salad with roasted chili mango vinaigrette
5. sweet potato + crispy kale pasta
6. roasted chicken noodle soup
7. buffalo-style quinoa sliders with sweet corn + scallions
________
1. honey ginger chicken tostadas with pomegranate-lime salsa
2. crispy shrimp tacos
3. honey roasted vegetable baked penne with smoked gouda
4. double bean burgers with avocado cream
5. brown sugar whole roasted chicken
6. mother Lovett’s bean soup
7. chickpea curry with coconut rice
________
1. chicken salad with corn and Greek yogurt
2. roasted red pepper penne
3. macaroon-crusted tilapia
4. pan-toasted brown butter gnocchi with sweet corn and grilled scallions
5. toasted sesame chicken quinoa
6. three-bean chili pot pies
7. 20-minute turkey taco nachos
1. sweet potato burgers with roasted garlic cream and avocado
2. layered autumn quinoa salad
3. quick skillet lasagna
4. smoky chicken tacos with goat cheese queso
5. light crab cakes
6. warm winter chickpeas
7. roasted corn Caesar salads with Greek yogurt dressing
________
1. citrus-crusted tilapia
2. crunchy honey chicken
3. cream cauliflower soup
4. crispy quinoa sliders
5. tequila lime chicken + black bean burritos
6. whole wheat shrimp flatbreads
7. thai chicken enchiladas
________
1. triple berry kale salad
2. whole wheat roasted red pepper pizza
3. summer bean burgers with grilled corn pesto
4. lightened up chicken enchiladas
5. pan-crisped salmon with light dijon cream
6. roasted jalapeño cheddar turkey burgers
7. whole wheat chicken and parmesan lasagna
________
1. greek chicken tostadas
2. brown butter garden vegetable pasta
3. salmon BLT sliders
4. asian turkey burgers with spicy lime mayo
5. sticky pomegranate chicken
6. thai crunch chicken salad
7. broiled shrimp with tomatoes, basil and brie
________
1. crab cake sliders with pineapple kiwi salsa
2. cashew chicken
3. thai chicken quinoa bowl
4. chicken enchilada stuffed peppers
5. light sesame chicken skillet
6. bbq salmon burgers
7. white bean chicken soup
________
1. enchilada spaghetti
2. crispy salmon with creamy basil noodles
3. coconut baked shrimp with pineapple peach salsa
4. autumn panzanella salad
5. harvest chicken soup
6. sweet potato chili cheese rounds
7. thai chicken quesadillas
_________
1. blt salad with corn, feta + avocado
2. bbq chicken burgers
3. crispy honey lime tilapia with blueberry salsa
4. portobello fajitas with fontina queso
5. cheesy black bean stuffed sweet potatoes with poached eggs
6. pecan-crusted chicken wraps with strawberry honey mustard
7. bourbon glazed salmon