36 Weeknight Dinners for Newlyweds

Read Time: 18 mins

36 Weeknight Dinners for Newlyweds1/36 Broiled Chicken & Artichokes 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My wife and I first made this chicken entree as newlyweds, and we have been hooked on it ever since. We make it almost weekly now. It’s so simple and affordable, yet delicious and healthy. Can’t beat that! —Chris Koon, Midlothian, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 288 calories, 21g fat (5g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein. 2/36 One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch

10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m still settling into married life and learning how to balance our busy schedules. This quick one-dish ground turkey sweet potato skillet helps keep us on track throughout the week. —Shannon Barden, Alpharetta, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 318 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch. 3/36 Tequila Lime

This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor

Shrimp Zoodles 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 246 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 161mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable. 4/36 Chicken Francese 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min

It’s delicious as is, but we sometimes add sauteed mushrooms

Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I grew up on this tender, lemony chicken Francese recipe that’s a classic in Italian cooking. It’s delicious as is, but we sometimes add sauteed mushrooms. Serve it with pasta or crusty bread to mop up all that delicious pan sauce. —Joe Losardo, New York, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 318 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 806mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. 5/36 Grilled Cheese Bun Burgers 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 4 servings

He said it was the best meal he ever ate

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband loves both my grilled cheese and my iron-skillet burgers, so I decided to combine them in this grilled cheese bun burger. He said it was the best meal he ever ate. —Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 900 calories, 50g fat (27g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 1954mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 47g protein. 6/36 General Tso’s Cauliflower 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved General Tso’s Cauliflower Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cauliflower

I like to make classic chicken recipes for my family

florets are deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, then coated in a sauce with just the right amount of kick. General Tso’s cauliflower is a fun alternative to the classic chicken dish.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup with 1 cup rice: 584 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1628mg sodium, 97g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein. 7/36 Chicken Tzatziki 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make classic chicken recipes for my family

but the real fun is trying a fresh new twist

but the real fun is trying a fresh new twist. —Krisen Heigl, Staten Island, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1/3 cup sauce: 482 calories, 27g fat (7g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein. 8/36 Pork Chops and Asparagus 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pork and Asparagus Sheet-Pan Dinner Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When time is of the essence, it’s nice to have a quick and easy meal idea in

your back pocket

your back pocket. Not only is it delicious, but you can clean it up in a flash. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 486 calories, 23g fat (5g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 447mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 37g protein. 9/36 Herbed Roast Turkey Breast 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular recipe. It was such a success that

this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus

this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 5 ounce-weight: 285 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 medium-fat meat. 10/36 Loaded Avocado BLT 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Loaded Avocado BLT Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I like to make it with extra slices of bacon;

if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread

if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread. —Lori Grant, Kingsport, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 420 calories, 29g fat (7g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 921mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein. 11/36 Korean Beef and Rice 108 Reviews Korean Beef and Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A friend raved about Korean bulgogi, which is beef cooked in soy sauce and ginger, so I tried it. It’s delicious! You’ll dazzle the table with this tasty

version of Korean beef and rice

version of Korean beef and rice. —Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup beef mixture with 2/3 cup rice: 413 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 12/36 German Schnitzel and Potatoes with Gorgonzola Cream 14 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved German Schnitzel and Potatoes with Gorgonzola Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I lived in Germany for five years and

developed a fondness for traditional schnitzel

developed a fondness for traditional schnitzel. It’s a labor of love, so I came up with this easy, clever way to make it in a slow cooker. —Beth Taylor, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 3 pieces pork with 1 cup potato mixture: 926 calories, 54g fat (33g saturated fat), 216mg cholesterol, 1132mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 38g protein. 13/36 Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While exploring Mexican restaurants,

I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home

I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this new favorite recipe, stuffed poblano peppers. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed pepper halves: 496 calories, 30g fat (11g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 40g protein. 14/36 Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken Total Time 4 hours 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I love this slow-cooker coconut curry chicken! It’s a breeze to prepare and it tastes just like a meal you’d

have at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant

have at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 353 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 266mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. 15/36 Grilled Flank Steak 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: How to cook flank steak? Easy! Marinate it and grill or broil it! This marinated steak is so moist that it will become one of your favorite ways to serve beef. —Heather Ahrens, Columbus, Ohio Nutrition

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat

Facts: 3 ounces cooked beef: 186 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 471mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. 16/36 Broccoli Tuna Casserole 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was in the Navy, a co-worker’s wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my “family” away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 271 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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