19 Weeknight Lifesavers for When You’re Out of Ideas

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19 Weeknight Lifesavers for When You’re Out of Ideas

Don’t know what to make for dinner? We’ve gathered 19 genius weeknight lifesavers, a diverse fleet of recipes ready to whisk you away from takeout menus.

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Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken is a perfect weeknight lifesaver when you’re short on dinner ideas, offering a rich, creamy sauce. It’s a straightforward, comforting meal that’s both easy and quick to prepare after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Fish and fries on a metal tray with tartar sauce and lemon.
Air Fryer Fish and Chips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Fish and Chips provide a crunchy, flaky meal that’s a simple alternative to the classic fry-up. It’s a weeknight lifesaver for a quick and satisfying seafood dish that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fish and Chips

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops, drenched in a creamy mushroom sauce, are a comforting option for a chilly evening. They’re a weeknight lifesaver that requires you to simply set the timer and return to a meal that’s ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The Walking Taco Casserole is a fun, all-in-one dish that’s a weeknight lifesaver for when you need a quick and exciting dinner idea. It combines beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos for a family-pleasing feast.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bring the taste of Olive Garden home with this slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup. It’s a weeknight classic, offering a creamy broth filled with chicken and veggies in a dish that’s simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken on wooden cutting board.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a flavorful escape from the ordinary, ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a weeknight meal when you’re looking for a hot meal without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Rice Skillet is the one-pan solution for a fast and tasty dinner. It’s a weeknight dinner that combines all the beloved taco flavors into a single, family-friendly dish.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Skip the trip to Panera and make their famous Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home. It’s a weeknight classic that brings a rich, cheesy soup to your table with the ease of your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

A wooden spoon is being lifted out of a stuffed bell pepper casserole dish.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is an easy-to-make dish that saves the day when you’re out of dinner ideas. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, offering all the flavors of the classic in a convenient casserole form.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Chinese chicken stir fry in a white bowl with chopsticks.
Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken is a quick and healthier take on the classic dish. It’s a weeknight lifesaver that brings a crispy, flavorful meal to your table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a slice of Cracker Barrel at home with this meatloaf recipe that’s seasoned just right. It’s a weeknight favorite that brings homestyle comfort to your dining table without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Air Fryer Mongolian Beef is a rapid route to a crispy, sweet, and salty meal. It’s a weeknight dinner that will leave your family impressed with the restaurant-quality result in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a favorite that turns simple ingredients into a comforting meal. This dish is a reminder of the joy of effortless cooking, perfect for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy the comfort of a homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup that captures a familiar restaurant taste. It’s a weeknight lifesaver when you’re looking for a quick, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs are a weeknight favorite, offering a dish that requires minimal effort for a flavorful result. Peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce create a delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta for the slow cooker is a weeknight classic that brings Italian flair to your dinner table. It’s an easy, cheesy, creamy dish that will have everyone asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs are a weeknight lifesaver that provides a hassle-free path to a smoky, tangy dinner. These drumsticks are perfect for a laid-back meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Olive Garden Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup is a quick, nutritious one-pot meal that’s a weeknight time saver. Full of flavor and packed with veggies, it’s a healthy dinner option ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and sesame seeds.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Asian Spare Ribs in the slow cooker are a weeknight lifesaver, taking you on a flavorful journey with minimal effort. It’s the perfect dish for those evenings when you want to come home to something special.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken is a weeknight favorite that brings a citrus-infused favorite to your table in less time than it takes to order takeout. It’s a vibrant, quick meal that’s sure to be a family hit.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken

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