15 Weeknight Dinner Ideas You’ll Actually Look Forward To

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Dinner ruts beware—this lineup is here to break the boring and bring the bold. One bite of Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin, and suddenly your weekday feels like a holiday. But let’s not stop there—French Onion Pork Chops come in hot and dripping with flavor, while Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken does the heavy lifting while you kick back with a glass of something cold. For a meatless moment, The Best Vegan Bolognese proves plants pack a punch, and Chicken Plov turns simple rice into a savory masterpiece. Meanwhile, Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin and Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo bring the sweet heat, because bland has no place at this table. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better—Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits shows up like the decadent mic drop you didn’t know your Wednesday needed.

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

A platter piled with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin slices and pan juices.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is a savory masterpiece wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon. With every slice, you get the perfect balance of tender pork and rich, bacon goodness—absolutely mouthwatering!

To learn more: Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

A plate of tender, barbecued meatloaf slices garnished with parsley, accompanied by mashed potatoes and corn.
Image Credit: Cheerful Cook

Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs are the epitome of easy, slow-cooked comfort. Tender, juicy ribs soaked in savory goodness—just set it and forget it for a flavorful feast!

To learn more: Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

Best Baked Salmon

Three baked salmon fillets topped with minced garlic, black pepper, fresh herbs, and lemon slices on a white baking dish.
Image Credit: Downshiftology

Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs are the epitome of easy, slow-cooked comfort. Tender, juicy ribs soaked in savory goodness—just set it and forget it for a flavorful feast!

To learn more: Best Baked Salmon

Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

Three succulent chicken breasts topped with fresh pico de gallo, served on a white platter, with a bowl of salsa in the background.
Image Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken brings together tender chicken and fresh, tangy tomato goodness. Set it in the slow cooker and let the flavors meld into a delicious, fuss-free dish!

To learn more: Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

The Best Vegan Bolognese

A plate of spaghetti with meat sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
Image Credit: Happy Kitchen

The Best Vegan Bolognese is a rich, hearty sauce that proves plant-based can be packed with flavor. With savory veggies and lentils, this dish gives classic bolognese a delicious, vegan twist!

To learn more: The Best Vegan Bolognese

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

Pan-seared pork chops topped with whole grain mustard and herbs, accompanied by roasted potato wedges on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears brings a sweet and savory combo that’s pure magic. The juicy pork chops are perfectly paired with caramelized pears, creating a dish that’s both comforting and elegant!

To learn more: Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

French Onion Pork Chops

A cast-iron skillet holding cheesy, baked pork chops with caramelized onions and fresh herbs, on a woven mat.
Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands

French Onion Pork Chops turn a classic favorite into something extraordinary. With caramelized onions and melty cheese, these pork chops are dripping with flavor in every savory bite!

To learn more: French Onion Pork Chops

German Currywurst

A plate of currywurst with sliced sausages topped with curry sauce, paired with golden fries and ketchup, against a white background.
Image Credit: Cheerful Cook

German Currywurst is a street food sensation that packs a punch of flavor. Juicy sausage smothered in a tangy, spiced curry ketchup—this dish is an absolute must-try for any curry lover!

To learn more: German Currywurst

Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Three slices of pork tenderloin with a dark glaze, mashed potatoes, and green beans on a white plate.
Image Credit: Downshiftology

Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin brings sweet, sticky, and savory together in the best way. Each tender slice is glazed with a garlicky honey sauce that’s seriously hard to resist!

To learn more: Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo

Three pan-seared chicken breasts topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped green onions in a cast-iron skillet.
Image Credit: Kylee Cooks

Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo comes in hot with a kiss of sweetness that keeps things interesting. This fiery dish doesn’t just bring the heat—it brings flavor that’ll leave you craving more!

To learn more: Spicy & Sweet Chicken Diablo

Chicken Plov Recipe – A Comforting One-Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf

ooked rice combined with pieces of chicken, herbs, whole roasted garlic bulbs, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Chicken Plov Recipe – A Comforting One-Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf delivers cozy vibes in every spoonful. This hearty, spiced dish is a one-pot wonder that turns simple ingredients into soul-warming magic!

To learn more: Chicken Plov Recipe – A Comforting One-Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf

Ground Pork and Green Beans Stir Fry

A bowl of rice topped with stir-fried ground meat, green beans, cucumber slices, and red chili, garnished with sesame seeds.
Image Credit: Athlete Lunch Box

Ground Pork and Green Beans Stir Fry tosses bold flavors and crunchy greens into one sizzling pan. Quick, tasty, and totally satisfying—this one’s a weeknight winner!

To learn more: Ground Pork and Green Beans Stir Fry

Hot Turkey Sandwich

A plate of toasted bread topped with chicken, green peas, and herbs, accompanied by butter and slices of bread in the background.
Image Credit: Xoxo Bella

Hot Turkey Sandwich piles on the comfort with tender slices of turkey drenched in rich, savory gravy. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate!

To learn more: Hot Turkey Sandwich

Turkey Meatloaf

A slice of meatloaf topped with sauce and garnished with parsley, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes on a white plate.
Image Credit: Lil’ Luna

Turkey Meatloaf puts a lighter spin on the classic, without skimping on flavor. Juicy, hearty, and perfectly seasoned—this meatloaf means business!

To learn more: Turkey Meatloaf

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

Close-up of shrimp and grits topped with brown gravy, chopped herbs, and black pepper.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits is Southern comfort with a bold, buttery twist. Creamy, cheesy grits meet garlicky shrimp for a dish that’s downright dreamy!

To learn more: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pimento Cheese Grits

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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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