Tired of spending half your paycheck on takeout? These home-cooked dinners are so good, you’ll forget takeout ever existed and wonder why you ever settled for mediocre meals. Say goodbye to delivery guys knowing your name and hello to dishes that will make your takeout menu collect dust in the junk drawer.
Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Dijon Chicken is a great choice if you’re tired of takeout. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s quicker than waiting for delivery — the chicken cooks in a rich cream sauce with Dijon mustard, herbs, and bacon. The flavors combine perfectly to make a special dish yet simple to prepare. This recipe saves time and brings a quality dinner to your table. Plus, the rich and creamy sauce will make you forget all about takeout. It’s a hearty meal that shows home-cooked dinners can be just as impressive as restaurant meals.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Lemon Garlic Scallops
Lemon Garlic Scallops make a great, quick, gourmet-style dinner at home. In just 30 minutes, plump scallops are cooked until golden, then combined in a lemon and garlic sauce that brings freshness to your meal. This dish feels fancy without the hefty restaurant bill. It’s a perfect alternative to takeout with simple ingredients and fast cooking. The flavors are bright, and the scallops turn out tender every time. This recipe shows you don’t need much time or complicated steps to enjoy a high-quality meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Ditch takeout for this great Chicken Tortellini Soup. This soup combines tender chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and fresh vegetables in a flavorful broth, all cooked in one pot in just 40 minutes. The rich, delicious broth pairs perfectly with the tender pasta and juicy chicken, making it a family favorite. This dish saves time and money and brings the comfort of a home-cooked meal that takeout can’t match.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Sausage Curry
Forget takeout and make Sausage Curry in just 45 minutes. This one-pan meal mixes hearty sausages with curry spices for a dish full of bold flavors. It’s easy to make, without stress or complicated steps and adds variety to your dinner routine. The rich and deep flavors come together quickly, making it a perfect choice for busy nights. This recipe is cost-effective and brings a hearty meal to your table. It shows that a home-cooked dinner can be just as flavorful and exciting as takeout, if not more.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Skip the takeout and try Creamy Italian Sausage Soup, ready in 30 minutes. This one-pot meal blends rich Italian sausage, smooth cream cheese, and bright tomatoes into a hearty and comforting soup. Perfect for chilly nights, you can serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a side of crusty bread to soak up every drop. This soup is rich and filling and brings a sense of comfort that takeout simply can’t match. It’s a great way to enjoy a gourmet-like dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. Ready in just 20 minutes, bite-sized pieces of chicken are cooked on the stovetop until tender inside and coated in a rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce. This recipe is all about simple ingredients, minimal cooking time, and lots of flavor. It’s great for busy evenings when you want something fast yet delicious.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Try Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts for a meal that feels special without much effort. This dish combines tender chicken thighs and artichoke hearts in a creamy sauce, ready in 30 minutes. You get the richness and depth of flavor you’d expect from a slow-cooked meal, making it a perfect substitute for expensive takeout. It’s great for a comforting, protein-rich dinner after a long day. Plus, this dish is easy to prepare and uses simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach brings the flavors of Tuscany to your kitchen in just 25 minutes. Juicy shrimp, fresh spinach, and tomatoes make this meal light yet filling. The combination of garlic and fresh vegetables creates a dish that is both refreshing and hearty. This quick and easy meal beats takeout any day. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy a great homemade dinner without hassle. It’s a flavorful option that shows you don’t need to order out to eat well.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Forget takeout and make Creamy Tuscan Chicken at home. This recipe is straightforward and takes only 40 minutes to prepare. It’s full of flavor with chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach simmered in a rich, creamy sauce. You need one pan to make it, which makes cleanup easy. Serve it with pasta or bread to soak up the extra sauce. This meal is a great way to enjoy a hearty and comforting meal without the hassle of takeout. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Skip the takeout for something comforting like Chicken Pot Pie Soup. This one-pot wonder takes less than an hour and combines all the classic flavors of a chicken pot pie, including tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, and a creamy base, but without making a crust. It’s a great way to quickly get a delicious meal on the table without compromising on flavor or comfort. This soup is perfect for evenings when you need something hearty. Plus, it reheats well, making it a great option for ready-made meals if you have leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana is a creamy soup perfect for a hearty dinner at home, skipping takeout. This one is reminiscent of the Olive Garden favorite and substitutes potatoes with radishes to make it low-carb. Sausage, bacon, heavy cream, radish, and kale in a delicious broth, all ready in about an hour. Combining the rich cream and spicy sausage with the hearty kale creates a comforting dish on busy evenings. It’s also perfect for meal prepping or storing your leftovers, as the flavors get even better overnight. No takeout can beat that.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana
White Bean Soup
For a quick dinner, turn to White Bean Soup instead of takeout. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish uses simple ingredients like white beans, carrots, and croutons for crunch. The soup gets creamy from pureed beans, so there is no need for cream or flour. This one-pot meal is easy to make and clean up after. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a nutritious meal quickly. Plus, it reheats well for another great meal without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a perfect choice that’s way better than takeout. Ready in about an hour, this one-pot meal combines the smooth sweetness of sweet potatoes with the bright taste of red peppers. Top with sour cream and parsley for a restaurant-quality finish. It’s easy to prepare and love, especially since you can freeze it for future meals. This soup is flavorful and packed with nutrients, making it a great choice for a wholesome dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy
When you’ve only got 30 minutes, this curry salmon is a great pick to whip up a great meal. It combines salmon, bok choy, and coconut milk with a homemade curry paste made with mustard seeds, curry powder, and other spices. This dish is simple to prepare but packs a flavorful punch that rivals your favorite takeout. It cooks quickly, satisfies your seafood cravings and serves a healthy dose of omega-3s, making it a smarter choice than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup is reminscent of the classic mushroom soup but better. Ready in 45 minutes, the result is a thick, hearty soup that pairs well with crusty bread. It’s a comforting meal that makes you want to stay in and relax. Easy to prepare and store, this soup beats takeout with the comfort and convenience it brings without needing frequent trips to the restaurant. This home-cooked soup brings rich flavors that make it perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is great for a quick, filling dinner way better than waiting for delivery. Ready in under 30 minutes and cooked in one skillet, it’s super easy. Just slice up some cabbage and your favorite sausage, cook them together, and you’ve got a nutritious and hearty meal. Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy kick makes it even better. There is no need for takeout when you have this.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Try this Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice for a fast and filling weeknight meal instead of ordering takeout. It combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheddar cheese, and mushrooms cooked in one skillet within 30 minutes. It’s also super convenient, with minimal cleanup and effort. This recipe shows you can have a great meal without sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is perfect for a quick and delicious meal that comes together in about 25 minutes. With cabbage, bacon, and onions, this dish is easy to prepare and flavorful, making it a much better option than takeout. It’s straightforward and doesn’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. Besides being delectable, it’s a practical way to get some veggies while feeding your craving for comfort food, all in less time than deciding on a takeout menu.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is perfect for a dish that feels fancy without effort. Ready in just 30 minutes with one skillet, this meal combines tender chicken thighs with a rich mushroom sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s definitely quicker than delivery and a lot more impressive. It’s great for those evenings when you want something special without too much work or the high cost of eating out.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Stop relying on takeout and try this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken instead. Simple ingredients like chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and heavy cream create a rich, filling meal. Cook everything in just one skillet, and you’re done in 30 minutes. This dish is great for when you want to add a touch of luxury to your weeknight meals without spending much. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a great meal at home with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is great for a quick, comforting meal that beats any takeout. It uses minimal ingredients like chicken, garlic, Parmesan, and heavy cream, all cooked in one pan in just 30 minutes. This dish is easy to prepare and leaves hardly any cleanup. The strong garlic flavor and creamy texture make it a hit with families, giving you a restaurant-quality meal at home. Perfect for busy evenings when you need something quick and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a delicious meal that’s way better than takeout and fast to make. Ready in about 30 minutes, this recipe combines sausage with zucchini, broccoli, and sweet mini peppers. Everything is tossed in seasoning and roasted at a high temperature, caramelizing the veggies and crisping the sausage. This straightforward meal lets you prepare a nutritious dinner even on your busiest night. Plus, it’s a clever way to get a serving of vegetables, keeping dinner simple and healthy.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is perfect for a lighter meal without skimping on flavor. Replacing traditional rice with cauliflower, this dish mixes mushrooms, garlic, onions, and Parmesan for a creamy, filling texture. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight, ready in just 30 minutes using one pan. It’s got all the creamy goodness you want without the heavy feeling afterward. The dish is packed with flavors from the garlic and mushrooms, giving you a great dinner option that’s healthy and delicious. It’s a smart way to enjoy comfort food without feeling weighed down, making it better than any takeout.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Green Chile Chicken
Green Chile Chicken turns leftover chicken into a great meal in just 20 minutes. This recipe mixes shredded chicken thighs with green chiles, jalapeños, onions, garlic, and a creamy sauce for a dish full of flavor. It’s practical and maximizes ingredients you likely have, reducing food waste and saving money compared to takeout. Serve it over rice or in tacos for a versatile, quick meal that satisfies cravings for something spicy and hearty without the hassle of ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is a quick-fix dinner ready in under an hour. It’s a simple mix of chicken, corn, creamed corn, carrots, and potatoes, all cooked together to create a creamy, comforting soup. This recipe is perfect for a nourishing meal on a busy night. It easily outdoes any takeout option with its home-cooked goodness. It’s a great way to get everyone eating their veggies. Leftovers reheat perfectly, making this soup a gift that keeps giving during a busy week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup