21 Comfort Food Recipes You Can Actually Pull Off on a Weeknight

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Weeknights are chaotic enough without throwing sad salads into the mix, so we’re upping the comfort game with cozy favorites like Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas, Easy Italian Meatballs, and Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops that know exactly how to save your Monday. Whether you’re swirling your fork through a big bowl of Creamy Avocado Linguine with Meyer Lemon and Arugula, smashing some buttery Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes, or throwing together 30 Minute Chicken Fajitas with Roasted Pineapple Salsa Verde like the weeknight hero you are, these recipes bring the comfort and the speed. Ready to eat your feelings—in under an hour?

Herbed Butter Heirloom Tomato Pizza

overhead photo of Herbed Butter Heirloom Tomato Pizza
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Herbed Butter Heirloom Tomato Pizza is the perfect way to use those late summer tomatoes! Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy pizza is topped with a delicious herbed butter, fresh spinach, goat cheese, and plenty of tomatoes. It’s the perfect weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Herbed Butter Heirloom Tomato Pizza

30 Minute Chicken Fajitas with Roasted Pineapple Salsa Verde

overhead photo of 30 Minute Chicken Fajitas with Roasted Pineapple Salsa Verde with beer glasses and salsa in photo
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

These 30 Minute Chicken Fajitas with Roasted Pineapple Salsa Verde are the perfect healthy and delicious weeknight meal! Everything is roasted on one sheet pan and comes together in just about 30 minutes. It’s colorful, healthy, and beyond good!
Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Chicken Fajitas with Roasted Pineapple Salsa Verde

Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas

overhead horizontal photo of Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas recipe is the perfect easy weeknight meal, made entirely on one pan in under an hour. With chicken, corn, poblano pepper, and a generous helping of cheese, it’s a guaranteed family favorite. Top it off with your favorite fixings for a simple and delicious fiesta!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

The image shows a bowl of mashed potatoes topped with pepper and chopped chives, resting on a plaid cloth.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Elevate your mashed potatoes with this recipe for Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes. The nutty flavor of browned butter combined with creamy buttermilk makes this dish a standout side. It’s sure to become a family favorite for holidays and everyday meals.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops

A breaded shake n bake pork chop on a white plate.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

These homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops are a quick and easy dinner solution for busy weeknights. With a flavorful blend of breadcrumbs and spices, these pork chops offer a satisfying crunch in every bite. Serve them with your favorite sides for a complete and delicious meal!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Szechuan Chicken

szechuan chicken with stir fry vegetables, toasted cashews, sauce, sesame seeds
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Szechuan Chicken stir fry is quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. Made with Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chilies, this spicy dish can be on your table in under 30 minutes! Feel free to customize with your favorite stir-fry vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Chicken

Spring Pea Risotto

creamy, green spring pea risotto in pot with peas, mint, and lemon zest.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Spring Pea Risotto is a celebration of fresh flavors, featuring lemon and mint for a bright, seasonal dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet elegant vegetarian dinner that can be enhanced with fish or scallops for a heartier meal. Enjoy a taste of spring with every bite!
Get the Recipe: Spring Pea Risotto

Easy Italian Meatballs

Meatballs simmering in tomato sauce, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs.
Photo Credit: Feasting at Home

These Italian Meatballs by Feasting at Home are packed with fresh herbs and savory flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re perfect served with pasta, zucchini noodles, or your favorite sauce. Plus, they’re gluten-free, low-carb, and paleo-friendly!
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Meatballs

5-Ingredient Pesto Ravioli

Presenting a delicious 5-Ingredient Pesto Ravioli
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

This 5-ingredient pesto ravioli recipe is the perfect dish for busy weeknights and comes together in just 15 minutes! This easy meal is made with cheese ravioli, olive oil, garlic, grape tomatoes, and pesto. Garnish with parmesan cheese, basil, and crushed red pepper, if desired.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Pesto Ravioli

Farmer’s Market Veggie Quesadillas

Farmers Market Veggie Quesadillas with black beans and farmer's market veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, sweet potato, greens, and melty cheese (optional) seasoned with Mexican spices. Vegan-adaptable and Gluten-free adaptable!
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

These Farmer’s Market Veggie Quesadillas are packed with fresh, seasonal vegetables, black beans, and Mexican spices, making them a delicious and healthy meal. Adaptable for vegans, these quesadillas are perfect for a quick lunch or easy weeknight dinner. Customize with your favorite veggies and enjoy with a dollop of sour cream and hot sauce!
Get the Recipe: Farmer’s Market Veggie Quesadillas

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

These Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches are perfect for any occasion! The chuck roast is cooked in a flavorful broth with herbs, pepperoncini, and vegetables, then piled high on hoagie buns with melted provolone cheese. These sandwiches are great for busy weeknights, entertaining, and game day!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Costa Rican Arroz con Pollo

Images of plates with mounds of arroz on pollo and potato chips on them.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

This Arroz con Pollo recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Costa Rica to your kitchen! Juicy chicken and flavorful rice combine in this traditional Latin American dish that is surprisingly easy to make. Garnish with cilantro and potato chips for the ultimate experience.
Get the Recipe: Costa Rican Arroz con Pollo

30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce

Healthy turkey sloppy joes topped with jalapeños
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These turkey sloppy joes with homemade sauce are a delicious and healthy take on a classic comfort food. This recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for a weeknight meal. Plus, it’s customizable with your favorite toppings and spices.
Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce

Chicken Tagine

A delicious Tunisian-inspired Chicken Tagine (or sub chickpeas) with couscous, carrots, and flavorful Green Harissa Sauce. A one-pan meal that can be made in 45 minutes! Vegan and Gluten-free adaptable! 
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Tunisian-style Chicken Tagine is a flavorful and adaptable one-pan meal that’s ready in just 45 minutes! It features chicken (or chickpeas for a vegetarian option), carrots, couscous, and dried apricots, all baked together in a delicious blend of spices. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or for entertaining!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tagine

Chicken Enchiladas

chicken enchiladas in a rectangular baking pan topped with lettuce, radish, onion, and avocado.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas are smothered in a delicious homemade chili enchilada sauce and are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. This recipe uses simple ingredients and is sure to be a family favorite. You can even freeze them for a future meal!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Honey Mustard Chicken

A casserole dish filled with honey mustard chicken thighs
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Looking for a simple way to spice up dinner? These baked honey mustard chicken thighs are incredibly flavorful, juicy, and crispy! The combination of honey, dijon mustard, rosemary, and thyme create a delicious coating that your whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomatoes

chicken pesto pasta in a white bowl
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomatoes is a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for weeknights. It’s bursting with flavor and uses simple ingredients for a truly memorable dish. You can have this on the table in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Chicken and Chorizo Pasta

plate of chicken chorizo pasta with a fork
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Chicken and Chorizo Pasta is a quick and easy dish that’s packed with flavor. It features chicken, chorizo, garlic, and a creamy tomato sauce, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or a simple dinner party.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Chorizo Pasta

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Bell Peppers

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Bell Peppers | foodiecrush.com #stuffed #peppers #bell #chicken #creamy #recipe
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

These Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Bell Peppers are a weeknight dinner winner! Green bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of chicken, rice, mushrooms, and a luscious mushroom-infused cream sauce. It’s a comforting and family-friendly dish perfect for fall and winter evenings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Bell Peppers

Broccolini Mushroom Tofu Stir-Fry

DELICIOUS Tofu Stir-Fry with Broccolini and mushrooms- a fast and easy weeknight dinner loaded up with healthy veggies and amazing flavor! | #tofustirfry #stirfry #broccoli #broccolini #vegan #weeknightdinner #veganstrifry #tofurecipes www.feastingathome.com
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Broccolini Mushroom Tofu Stir-Fry is a fast and easy vegan weeknight dinner that’s packed with healthy veggies. The recipe features a delicious combination of broccolini, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu, all tossed in a flavorful sauce. Customize it with your favorite toppings for a satisfying and nutritious meal!
Get the Recipe: Broccolini Mushroom Tofu Stir-Fry

Creamy Avocado Linguine with Meyer Lemon and Arugula

Creamy Avocado Linguini with Meyer Lemon and Arugula ...a fast healthy vegan meal! | www.feastingathome.com
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Creamy Avocado Linguine with Meyer Lemon and Arugula recipe is a quick and healthy lunch option that’s also vegan! The sauce is made with ripe avocados, Meyer lemon juice, garlic, and arugula, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish. Top it with toasted pine nuts or basil ribbons for an extra touch!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Avocado Linguine with Meyer Lemon and Arugula

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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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