15 Fast Game-Changing Weeknight Dinners

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Weeknights are no time for drama—just dinner. Whether you’re diving into Lazy Enchiladas, tossing together Spicy Salami Pasta, or searing up Juicy Heritage Pork Chops with Dijon au Jus like a pro, this collection keeps it bold and doable. There’s Blackened Chicken in 20, Cheeseburger Macaroni in one pot, and 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken for when you need fast and sticky-sweet. Even the vegans get some love with Creamy Scalloped Potatoes that taste like a cheat code. Quick, satisfying, and just adventurous enough—this is weeknight winning.

Lazy Enchiladas

Cheesy, saucy enchiladas in a baking dish, with a spatula lifting a portion, showcasing melted cheese and flavorful filling.
Image Credit: The Soccer Mom Blog

Lazy Enchiladas sneak in all the flavor of your favorite Mexican dish without the kitchen chaos—because sometimes, shortcuts taste just as good.

To learn more: Lazy Enchiladas

Spicy Salami Pasta

A bowl of penne pasta topped with herbs, sauce, and cheese on a red and white checkered tablecloth.
Image Credit: Chef’s Pencil

Spicy Salami Pasta turns up the heat and the flavor with zero apologies—because boring noodles just aren’t an option today.

To learn more: Spicy Salami Pasta

Juicy Pan Seared Heritage Pork Chops with Dijon Au Jus

A close-up of a grilled steak topped with creamy sauce, served with a side of fresh green salad containing lettuce, red onion slices, and tomato pieces. The steak appears juicy and well-seasoned, sitting on a blue-green plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

A straightforward but elegant take on pan-seared double-cut pork chops, served with a silky mustard sauce that answers to the name Dijon au Jus.

To learn more: Juicy Pan Seared Heritage Pork Chops with Dijon Au Jus

How to Make Blackened Chicken (in only 20 minutes!)

Grilled chicken breasts garnished with parsley on a white plate, accompanied by lemon wedges and a garlic bulb.
Image Credit: Kit’s Kitchen

How To Make Blackened Chicken in just 20 minutes—because bold, smoky flavor shouldn’t require a full-blown kitchen marathon.

To learn more: How to Make Blackened Chicken (in only 20 minutes!)

Breakfast Skillet

A cast iron skillet filled with a hearty breakfast hash featuring eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and crispy bacon, garnished with green onions.
Image Credit: Xoxo Bella

Breakfast Skillet throws all your morning favorites into one sizzling pan—because who has time for separate dishes before coffee?

To learn more: Breakfast Skillet

Easy Tofu Udon Stir Fry Recipe

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, tofu, and green onions, served with chopsticks on a gray surface.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Easy Tofu Udon Stir Fry Recipe tosses together chewy noodles and crispy tofu faster than you can say “takeout who?”

To learn more: Easy Tofu Udon Stir Fry Recipe

Mississippi Pot Roast

A fork holds tender beef over creamy mashed potatoes, with carrots in the foreground and a blurred plate in the background.
Image Credit: Cheerful Cook

Mississippi Pot Roast slow-cooks its way into your heart with juicy, tangy, fall-apart goodness that’s anything but shy.

To learn more: Mississippi Pot Roast

Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup

A hearty bowl of chili topped with cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, served with lime and tortilla chips on the side.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup dumps a whole pantry party into one pot—because sometimes, more really is more.

To learn more: Dutch Oven 7 Can Soup

Easy Creamy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

A creamy serving of scalloped potatoes garnished with green onions, placed on a white plate surrounded by a checkered napkin.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Easy Creamy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes prove that plant-based can be indulgent, delivering layers of creamy goodness without a dairy in sight.

To learn more: Easy Creamy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

A bowl of creamy pasta with ground beef, garnished with parsley, served with a spoon, on a wooden table.
Image Credit: She’s Not Cookin’

One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni mixes cheesy comfort with a burger twist, all in one pot—because less cleanup means more time for seconds.

To learn more: One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

Cheesy Veggie Stuffed Shells

A fork lifts a cheesy stuffed pasta shell from a pan, topped with fresh basil in a rich tomato sauce.
Image Credit: Inspired Taste

Cheesy Veggie Stuffed Shells pack a veggie punch in every cheesy bite—who knew healthy and indulgent could hang out in the same dish?

To learn more: Cheesy Veggie Stuffed Shells

How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken

A delicious plate of crispy fried chicken drizzled with creamy sauce, garnished with fresh herbs, alongside golden fries.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

How To Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken brings crispy, golden perfection in every bite—because juicy and crunchy should always go hand-in-hand.

To learn more: How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Fried Rice Recipe

A close-up of a spoonful of fried rice, featuring chicken, peas, carrots, green onions, and scrambled eggs, garnished colorfully.
Image Credit: Cheerful Cook

Fried Rice Recipe takes leftovers and turns them into a savory masterpiece, proving that a little imagination goes a long way in the kitchen.

To learn more: Fried Rice Recipe

Easy Ham and Cabbage Soup

A close-up of a savory vegetable soup with chunks of onions, tomatoes, and lemon slices, simmering in a pot.
Image Credit: Inspired Taste

Easy Ham and Cabbage Soup simmers together hearty flavors that warm you up without breaking a sweat—comfort in a bowl, no fancy skills required.

To learn more: Easy Ham and Cabbage Soup

15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

A portion of honey garlic chicken over a bed of rice.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken brings sweet and savory to the table in a flash—because delicious doesn’t have to take forever.

To learn more: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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