The Best Dinner Ideas

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You can never have too many great dinner ideas! Imagine this: it’s 4 or 5 p.m., you’ve had a busy day, and you’re still not sure what you’re making for dinner. You could easily just throw in the towel and grab some take-out or order delivery or you could try any one of these amazing dinner ideas! Ahead you’ll find the best dinner recipes that include all of your favorite dishes that will keep meals interesting, yet easy. These dinner ideas will satisfy your whole family, kids included!  Create a meal masterpiece tonight with one of these dinner recipes. 

The Best Dinner Ideas

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1. One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

All the great chicken parmesan flavors are combined in one easy one-pot pasta recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes! Fewer dishes, but a meal with maximum flavor!

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta. All the great chicken parmesan flavors, combined in one easy one pot pasta dish that's ready in 30 minutes! Less dishes, but a meal with maximum flavor!

2. Fajita Chicken Casserole

Packed with flavor and so quick to throw together! Loaded with juicy chicken, peppers, and cheese! Baked to perfection. Just as delicious as it is nutritious! With all the right spices and chipotle style flavors, this casserole dinner really kicks it up a notch!

Fajita Chicken Casserole. Packed with flavor and so quick to throw together! Loaded with juicy chicken, peppers and cheese! Baked to perfection. Just as delicious as it is nutritious! 

3. Creamy Beef and Shells

A quick/easy ground beef recipe, this is a pasta dish that will be on your dinner table all week long! So creamy and so comforting!

A quick and easy dinner recipe for the family! Creamy, filling, and comforting:) This simple dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, is SO delicious, and is budget friendly. Made with pasta shells, tomato soup, cheese, and some simple seasonings to taste.

4. Potatoes Au Gratin

Ooey gooey cheese covering every single nook and cranny of these potatoes au gratin!

Au Gratin Potatoes

5. Garlic Butter Chicken Bites and Asparagus

With so much flavor and so easy to throw together, this chicken and asparagus recipe is a winner for dinnertime! Chicken bites are so juicy, tender, and delicious that you’ll eat them hot right off the pan!

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites and Asparagus – So much flavor and so easy to throw together, this chicken and asparagus recipe is a winner for dinnertime! Chicken bites are so juicy, tender, and delicious you’ll eat them hot right off the pan!

6. Crispy Chicken with Italian Sauce and Bowtie Noodles

One of the most popular dinner recipes for good reason! Serve with a side of vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or side salad.

Crispy Chicken with Italian Sauce and Bowtie Noodles. One of the most popular dinner recipes for good reason! #bestchickenrecipes #dinnerrecipes #crispychicken

7. Mexican Chicken and Rice

An easy and delicious meal! This dinner recipe is made in one baking dish and is done just in 30 minutes making clean-up a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights! Use boneless skinless chicken breast, chicken thighs, or even rotisserie chicken! Then, add corn, beans, salsa and a few other ingredients for this relatively healthy dinner idea!

Mexican Chicken and Rice Dinner Recipe – an easy and delicious meal! This dinner recipe is made in one baking dish and is done just in 30 minutes making clean up a breeze. Perfect for busy week nights! 
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8. Sheet Pan Sliders

Stuffed with cheese, topped with bacon, and covered in a secret sauce!

Sheet Pan Sliders - Stuffed with cheese, topped with bacon, and covered in a secret sauce!

9. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Buttery garlic potatoes are tossed with Parmesan and roasted to crisp and tender perfection!

Buttery garlic potatoes are tossed with Parmesan and roasted to crisp and tender perfection!

10. Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes alone are one of the most classic comfort food dinners. This recipe kicks it up a notch! We’ve made this recipe several times because it is THE BEST!

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

11. Ground Beef and Pasta Skillet

Great for using any leftover pasta! Simple and inexpensive cheesy ground beef skillet dinner that’s nice enough for company.

Ground Beef and Pasta Skillet - Great for using any leftover pasta! Simple and inexpensive cheesy ground beef skillet dinner that's nice enough for company.

12. Oven-Baked Ranch Pork Chops

A quick, inexpensive, and easy dinner recipe. The entire family will love these pork chops, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Oven Baked Ranch Pork Chops - A quick, inexpensive and easy dinner recipe. The entire family will love these pork chops, perfect for weeknight dinner.

13. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

A flavorful casserole packed with chicken, crumbled bacon, and pasta! Family approved.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole - A flavorful casserole packed with chicken, crumbled bacon, and pasta! Family approved.

14. Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini 

Easy and delicious chicken and pasta in a creamy sauce with lots of flavors. It’s made with easy ingredients and is a family’s favorite dinner meal!

Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini - Easy and delicious chicken and pasta in a creamy sauce with lots of flavor. It's a family favorite dinner meal!

15. Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Pasta is large, juicy shrimp in garlic butter tossed in creamy pasta. This scrumptious, creamy garlic shrimp pasta is super easy to make and inviting after a long day! Raise your hand if you’re making this for dinner tonight!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Pasta is large, juicy shrimp in garlic butter tossed in a creamy pasta. This scrumptious, creamy garlic shrimp pasta is super easy to make and inviting after a long day!

16. Shrimp and Gnocchi with Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce

Light, airy gnocchi tossed with tender shrimp and the most amazing cream sauce you’ll want to drink!

Shrimp and Gnocchi with Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce - Light, airy gnocchi tossed with tender shrimp and the most amazing cream sauce you'll want to drink!

17. Sausage, Pepper, and Rice Skillet

Smoky kielbasa sizzled with sweet bell pepper, onions, and garlic in vibrant tomato sauce. This quick and easy sausage, pepper, and rice skillet is downright delicious!

Smoky kielbasa sizzled with sweet bell pepper, onions, and garlic in vibrant tomato sauce. This quick and easy sausage, pepper, and rice skillet is downright delicious!

18. Round Steak and Gravy

A recipe that uses an affordable cut of beef called Round Steak that is delicious and can be made in an Insta Pot or Crock-Pot.

Round Steak and Gravy - A recipe that uses an affordable cut of beef called Round Steak that is delicious and can be made in an Insta Pot or Crock Pot.

19. White Chicken Lasagna

Everyone Loves Lasagna! This White Chicken Lasagna version is just as delicious as classic lasagna and is filled with spinach, cheese, and delicious homemade white sauce.

White Chicken Lasagna - Everyone Loves Lasagna! This White Chicken Lasagna version is just as delicious as classic lasagna and is filled with spinach, cheese and delicious homemade white sauce.

20. Grilled Mozzarella Sandwich

This Grilled Mozzarella Sandwich is made with fresh tomatoes and walnut pesto grilled with sourdough bread. It’s easy to assemble and bursting with flavor!

This Grilled Mozzarella Sandwich is made with fresh tomatoes and walnut pesto grilled with sourdough bread. It's easy to assemble and bursting with flavor!

21. Taco Stuffed Shells

Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells Made With Jumbo Pasta Shells, Salsa, Cheese, And Taco Meat.

Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells Made With Jumbo Pasta Shells, Salsa, Cheese And Taco Meat

22. Asian Mushroom Ramen

A quick Asian ramen noodle side dish with caramelized garlic mushrooms with a hint of sesame!

Asian Mushroom Ramen - A quick Asian ramen noodle side dish with caramelized garlic mushrooms with a hint of sesame!

23. Cheesy Garlic Roasted Green Beans

Mozzarella cheese is the best side dish to any meal! Low Carb, Keto, AND the perfect way to get your veggies in! Tastes so amazing that the whole family gets behind this one.

Cheesy Garlic Roasted Green Beans with mozzarella cheese is the best side dish to any meal! Low Carb, Keto AND the perfect way to get your veggies in! Tastes so amazing that the whole family gets behind this one.

24. French Onion Chicken

Juicy chicken breast, melted butter, caramelized onions, and lots of gooey melted cheese!

French Onion Chicken - Juicy chicken breast, melted butter, caramelized onions, and lots of gooey melted cheese!

25. Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is a creamy and comforting dinner that is a delightful fusion of spaghetti, shredded chicken, and a decadent, flavorful, rich sauce. 

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is a creamy and comforting dinner that is a delightful fusion of spaghetti, shredded chicken, and a decadent, flavorful, rich sauce.

26. Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet

This easy one-pan steak and potatoes recipe is SO simple and SO flavorful. Juicy steak and crisp-golden potatoes are pan-seared and cooked to perfection with herbs and olive oil.

Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet – This easy one-pan steak and potatoes recipe is SO simple and SO flavorful. Juicy steak and crisp-golden potatoes are pan-seared and cooked to perfec

27. Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

Easy Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is a delicious and easy low-carb meal that’s the ultimate comfort food for dinner!

Easy Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is a delicious and easy low-carb meal that's the ultimate comfort food for dinner!

28. Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

These cool and creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps are a super quick and easy lunch or light dinner option! The salt of the bacon is so delicious with crisp lettuce and creamy ranch dressing.

These cool and creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps are a super quick and easy lunch or light dinner option!

29. Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Cooked in a delicious garlic butter sauce, these tender Steak Bites are made with sirloin steak for juicy, mouthwatering bite-size pieces every time!

Cooked in a delicious garlic butter sauce, these tender Steak Bites are made with sirloin steak for juicy, mouthwatering bite-size pieces every time!

30. Baked Tacos

YUM! You have to try these Oven Baked Beef Tacos for dinner. So easy to make, made with ground beef.

YUM! You have to try these Oven Baked Beef Tacos for dinner. So easy to make, made with ground beef.

31. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Our irresistible Taco Stuffed Potatoes are a staple recipe to always have in your back pocket! If you’re looking for easy dinner ideas that incorporate flavors everyone loves, these potatoes are perfect!

Taco Stuffed Potatoes are nutritious sweet potatoes OR russet potatoes overflowing with seasoned meat and classic taco toppings!
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32. Taco Mac and Cheese

Taco Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect easy weeknight meal you need to add to your meal planning menu! It’s a blend of ground beef, macaroni and cheese, and taco seasoning all rolled into one fantastic dish.

Taco Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect easy weeknight meal you need to add to your meal planning menu! It's a blend of ground beef, macaroni and cheese, and taco seasoning all rolled into one fantastic dish.

33. Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

Juicy Crock Pot Cheese Stuffed Meatballs are one way to spice up everyone’s favorite pasta. Nothing says home cooking like a good plate of spaghetti with homemade sauce and meatballs. Slow-cookers are lifesavers on busy weeknights!

Tender juicy slow cooker Cheese Stuffed Meatballs simmered in the most delicious sauce that everyone goes crazy for! Perfect appetizer or a delicious, easy meal with pasta, rice, or for meatball subs!

34. Sausage Tortellini Soup

This Sausage Tortellini Soup is extra creamy and easy to make on the stovetop. This 30-minute meal is full of flavor and filling enough for an easy family dinner. Comfort food in a bowl!

This Sausage Tortellini Soup is extra creamy and easy to make on the stovetop. This 30-minute meal is full of flavor and filling enough for an easy family dinner.

35. Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Juicy salmon at home in 30 minutes that’s EASY and tastes BETTER than from a restaurant!! The butter is infused with lemon and garlic and adds so much FLAVOR!

Juicy salmon at home in 30 minutes that’s EASY and tastes BETTER than from a restaurant!! The butter is infused with lemon and garlic and adds so much FLAVOR!

36. Taco Pizza

My Taco Pizza recipe is one that you will want to put in your regular dinner rotation! It’s easy (made in about 30 minutes), it’s filling, and best of all, it’s mouthwateringly delicious. Some might even say addicting. You’re going to love the pizza dough trick!

Have you ever heard of taco pizza? This recipe is easy and delicious! It is a great way to get the best of both worlds! It has the perfect chewy pizza crust with your favorite taco toppings. If you and your family love tacos and pizza, then you have to try this simple dinner recipe! #taco #pizza #recipes #dinner

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Kelly Dixon

Welcome to Smart School House! I’m so glad you are here! I’m Kelly Dixon and my website is designed to inspire your creative side. I hope you visit us here often!


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1 Comment

  1. I think this is the first time I have loved every single item in a recipe compilation! I am a vegan and often make my own meals, but I will be making all of these recipes for my husband and three hungry hockey players! Thank you so much!