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Fall is a notoriously hectic time for many families. School has been back in session for a few months now, sports and other activities are in full swing, and holiday festivities are on the horizon. But one thing stays true, even during the busiest of times: You still need to eat dinner.
If you've been relying on a rotation of quick dinners to make mealtime magic happen week after week and you're in need of some fresh inspiration, these 30 recipes will help you add a few new favorites to your family's roster. With plenty of one-pot wonders like taco pasta and five-ingredient favorites like enchilada casserole, there's something for everyone here - even the most selective eaters.
A quick note about the five-ingredient dinners: For these recipes we don't count basic pantry items (like olive oil, salt, and pepper) or anything that is listed as optional in our total ingredient count.
One-Pot Recipes
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda One-Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
This pasta bake is extra creamy and rich, thanks to a combination of whole and evaporated milk. If you have a broccoli-hater in your house, this might just be the recipe that inspires them to try a bite.
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A one-pot dinner with ground beef and cheddar cheese that channels all the Hamburger Helper vibes.
Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Cheeseburgers are a familiar and beloved food for kids, so putting those flavors into a cheesy, pasta-filled casserole is nothing short of ingenious.
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One-Pot Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo
Orzo is such a great one-pot pasta contender: As you stir it, it releases its starch and makes the whole dish creamy (kind of like risotto!). Serve it with some chicken sausage or a can of rinsed and drained white beans if you need to bulk it up a bit more.
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Taco Pasta Recipe
The most popular nights in my house are taco night and pasta night - and this one-pot wonder combines both for the ultimate win. The recipe calls for ground beef, but you can use ground chicken or turkey, or plant-based ground meat too.
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One-Pot Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
This vegetarian one-pot pasta is a great way to put that can of pumpkin purée in your pantry to good use. It's creamy and slightly sweet, and will be a total hit.
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One-Pot Meatballs & Pasta Os
This homemade take on the canned favorite is a lot easier to make than you'd think. Make sure to buy the "O" pasta shape (anelli) to really seal the deal.
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This Green chicken meatballs and lemon orzo dinner is inspired by Greek chicken thighs and feta-stuffed lamb meatballs, and the juicy meatballs are packed with lots of garlic, herbs, and lemon for a light, bright flavor.
One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo Recipe
Orzo strikes again! This time with a flavorful lemon-feta sauce and the most delicious chicken meatballs.
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The Best One-Pot Mac & Cheese
There's a time and a place for boxed mac and cheese, but when you want a homemade version with only a bit more effort, this is the recipe for you. (Psst: The magic ingredient here that brings it all together is cream cheese!)
20-Minute Dinners
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster Easy Ground Beef Sesame Noodles Recipe
This flavorful noodle recipe is super flexible: Swap out the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey if that's what your family prefers, and leave out the chili-garlic sauce for any spice-averse folks at your table.
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Credit: Photo: Erik Bernstein; Food Styling: Brett Regot Credit: Photo: Erik Bernstein; Food Styling: Brett Regot Easy Dumpling Soup Recipe
This soup recipe comes together quickly, thanks to frozen dumplings and whatever broth you have on hand. Toss in some baby spinach and shredded carrots at the last minute for a little veggie power!
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Sesame Noodles Recipe
These cold noodles are supremely satisfying to eat. If you want to bulk them up a bit, add some edamame or a soft-boiled egg!
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Tortellini Alfredo Recipe
If you ever thought that cheese tortellini was not cheesy enough, then this recipe is for you. Keep a bag of tortellini in your freezer at all times and you'll never be too far from this crowd-pleasing meal.
5-Ingredient Dinners
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5-Ingredient No-Boil Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is comfort food at its finest - pasta and tomato sauce, under a blanket of melted cheese. It's even better when you don't have to boil the ziti beforehand!
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Easy 5-Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon
When in doubt, add teriyaki sauce. That's our motto, and it works (almost) every time - especially when it comes to salmon, which has a richness that really complements the sweet-salty sauce.
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5-Ingredient Enchilada Casserole
When you're craving enchiladas but want something a little different, this casserole is just the ticket. Instead of filling and rolling tortillas, you top this dish with sliced sweet potatoes, which get soft and caramelized in the oven.
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A classic ham and cheese quiche that only requires five ingredients. Thanks to a store-bought pie crust and diced, cooked ham, this recipe is as easy as it gets.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
I might be taking some liberties here, but I believe quiche totally counts as dinner. Pair it with a simple green salad and you've got a fun meal that you can brand as "brunch for supper."
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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chicken Recipe
Trust in the combination of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder for this super-simple chicken recipe that everyone will be begging you to make on a weekly basis. Pair it with buttered pasta or simple roasted broccoli (or both!) and you're set.
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Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables Recipe
We love a sheet pan meal for its ease - plus, it's fun to bring the whole sheet pan (once it's cooled down to a safe temperature) to the table and let everyone scoop what they want on their plates. This recipe calls for smoked sausage like kielbasa, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
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Caprese Chicken Bites Recipe
There's nothing quite like a Caprese salad in the summertime, when fresh tomatoes are at their best. For the rest of the year, you can't go wrong with this protein-packed preparation that comes together in one pan.
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Creamy Miso Butter Pasta Recipe
If you leave out the optional breadcrumb topping, this pasta recipe clocks in at five ingredients - and each ingredient is really pulling its weight here. This flavorful spin on buttered pasta is so much greater than the sum of its parts.
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park Pesto Pasta Recipe
Pesto pasta is a comforting favorite - no matter the time of year. If you've got fresh basil and want to make your own pesto, go for it. Otherwise, a store-bought version will work just as well here.
Veggie-Forward and Meat-Free Meals
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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter Zucchini Butter Pasta Recipe
My son is absolutely obsessed with this zucchini butter pasta. Grating zucchini and cooking it down in butter is definitely the best way to enjoy the ubiquitous summer vegetable. If your child doesn't love herbs, you can keep the basil to the side.
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Marry Me Chickpeas Recipe
Based on the popular recipe for Marry Me Chicken, these flavor-packed chickpeas are creamy and comforting - and begging for some crusty sourdough bread for dipping.
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Easy 5-Ingredient Black Bean Veggie Burgers
This pantry-friendly recipe is sure to be a winner. Set out lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and your family's favorite condiments, and let everyone choose their own toppings.
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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
Just like the burgers above, this chili recipe is so fun because everyone can customize their bowls with their preferred toppings (sour cream, shredded cheese, and diced avocado are all great options). Plus, the slow cooker does all the work for you!
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Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Veggies
You don't even have to boil water for this recipe - simply toss the gnocchi on a sheet pan with some veggies, and you've got dinner. I always keep a package of shelf-stable gnocchi in my pantry for this very reason!
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Creamy Broccoli Soup with Cheesy Macaroni
This recipe is a favorite in my house. The soup is satisfying and creamy, thanks to silken tofu, but the cheesy macaroni topping is what really takes it over the top for us.
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Credit: Shelly Westerhausen Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Skillet
Stuffed peppers are always a win, but the process of making them can be tedious. That's why this skillet meal - which packs in all the flavors you love from the dish - is such a great option for busy weeknights.
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A quick and easy pasta recipe tossed in a lemon butter sauce and filled with sautéed zucchini and cherry tomatoes.
Lemon Butter Pasta & Veggies
When you're in need of a dinner winner, you can never go wrong with pasta - especially one that's tossed in lemon butter and packed with cherry tomatoes and zucchini.
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Pizza Beans Recipe
This recipe gives the pizza treatment - flavorful tomato sauce, gooey cheese - to beans. Just add garlic bread, and you've got dinner.
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Further Reading
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