21 Quick Dinners You Can Whip Up After Work

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21 Quick Dinners You Can Whip Up After Work

If you’re looking for quick dinners to throw together after a long day at work, look no further. These 21 easy recipes are perfect for when you want a great meal without spending hours in the kitchen. They’re designed with busy schedules in mind, so you can spend less time cooking and more time relaxing at the end of your day.

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe mixes canned tuna, noodles, peas, and creamy sauce, topped with breadcrumbs for crunch. It’s quick to prepare, needing only 15 minutes to get into the oven and 30 minutes to cook. Perfect for a fast, filling dinner, it uses common pantry items to cut down on cooking time. This meal can transform your evening routine into a relaxed one after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cook bite-sized chicken pieces in garlic butter and add parsley for a bit of freshness. With a cooking time of only 20 minutes, this meal keeps things simple and quick. You won’t be stuck in the kitchen all night. This recipe is a game-changer, especially for nights when you just want to get a meal on the table and then enjoy time with the family.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Roast sausage and veggies on one sheet for an effortless meal. Just toss and bake. It’s easy and leaves you with almost no cleanup — great for a no-stress dinner. This meal minimizes cleanup and maximizes your downtime in the evening.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Take the essentials of stuffed bell peppers—bell peppers, ground beef, tomatoes, and rice—and make a casserole that’s ready to bake in 15 minutes, then cook in 30. It’s a great way to enjoy a rich meal without the long prep and cooking times. It simplifies your life by reducing cleanup and prep work, giving you back valuable time.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Combine chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach for a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. This recipe is about making dinner easy and quick, perfect for those nights when you have little time but still want a great meal. It’s a lifesaver on hectic weekdays and ensures you have a delicious dinner without sacrificing your leisure time.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute soup has sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream all in one pot. It’s a solid pick for a quick, comforting meal that saves on cleanup time. Making this soup means enjoying a cozy dinner fast. It frees up your evening for more relaxation or family time.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes using one pan, Cabbage and Sausage is straightforward. It’s quick and fills you up without the long prep or cleanup. It’s a solid choice for an easy night. This meal makes your daily routine smoother, giving you back time.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 50 minutes, this Broccoli Casserole is easy and doesn’t keep you in the kitchen too long. It’s a straightforward way to get dinner on the table without fuss. This dish proves that cooking a filling meal doesn’t have to eat up your evening.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy chicken pot pie flavors in a soup, ready in an hour. This one-pot meal is a quick path to comfort without the hassle. It’s a smart way to get that homemade taste fast. It brings warmth and comfort into your home quickly, perfect for chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mix broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheese for a 30-minute casserole. This dish is a quick route to a hearty meal. It’s perfect for busy nights. This recipe is a speedy way to get your veggies in, along with some other delicious food, too.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach come together in a garlic sauce. Serve it over pasta or rice for a quick but special dinner. It’s fast and feels fancy. This dish adds a touch of elegance to weeknight meals without the extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute meal features chicken in a Dijon sauce. It’s fast, flavorful, and all cooked in one pan. Great for when you need something delectable without waiting around. It simplifies your dinner prep, leaving more time for what matters to you.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

A 30-minute meal with beef, cauliflower rice, and cheese all in one skillet. It’s a practical choice for a hearty dinner that’s easy to pull off on a busy night. It streamlines mealtime and helps you to get a filling meal on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mix chicken, cream cheese, and peppers for a 30-minute meal. It’s a simple way to enjoy big flavors without much work. Perfect for a quick and delectable dinner. This recipe turns a busy night into a chance for a flavorful, stress-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A spoon is serving Hungarian mushroom soup into a bowl.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pot mushroom soup is rich and ready fast. It’s the answer for when you want to add warmth and flavor quickly. It makes for a comforting meal without much wait. This soup is a great end to any day with comfort with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken in a sun-dried tomato sauce cooks up in 30 minutes. This one-pan meal is a fast way to a flavor-packed dinner. It’s great for busy nights when you want something good but quick. It adds a burst of flavor to your weekly meal rotation, easily.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pot Chicken Corn Soup is made in less than an hour. It’s easy and perfect for when you’re tight on time but want a comforting meal. It’s quick comfort food and a hassle-free way to enjoy a nourishing soup to make any evening a bit cozier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cook up this garlic chicken for 30 minutes in one pan. It’s quick to make and leaves you with a flavorful meal. It’s about getting a great dinner done fast. This dish keeps your evening plans on track and serves a delicious meal without delay.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce is quick and pairs well with rice or noodles. It’s an easy choice for a rich meal on a busy evening. Fast to make and good to eat. It brings a gourmet touch to your dinner table without fuss, enhancing your dining experience.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make these chicken patties fast with canned chicken for a crispy meal. They’re easy to match with sides for a simple dinner. Great for a quick, no-stress meal. This recipe is perfect for when you need something filling yet speedy. The best way to keep weeknights easy.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

A 30-minute casserole that combines beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese. It’s designed for busy nights and makes it easy to enjoy a good dinner quickly. It’s straightforward and effective for a stress-free meal. This casserole adds comfort and convenience to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

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