38 Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Mondays

Read Time: 17 mins

38 Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Mondays2/38 Basil Pork Chops 46 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tender, glazed chops get a kick from basil, chili powder and a little brown sugar. Serve with your favorite roasted veggies and you’ve got a super comforting meal bursting with flavor. —Lisa Gilliland, Fort Collins, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop: 152 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. 3/38 Fajita in a Bowl 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pull out the skewers and take a stab at grilling peppers, onions and corn for an awesome steak salad that’s all summer and smoke. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 351 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 862mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 7g fiber), 28g protein. 4/38 Baked Chicken Parmesan 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

What could be better?

the Recipe Creator: Saucy chicken, melty mozzarella and crisp-tender broccoli—all in one pan. What could be better? —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 504 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 147mg cholesterol, 1151mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 8g fiber), 52g protein. 5/38 Zucchini Pizza Casserole 347 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza, and I grow lots of zucchini. So this tasty tomato casserole

is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year

is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you’ve tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 315 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 6/38 Pepperoni Calzone 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick Pepperoni Calzones Recipe photo by Diana Chistruga for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This calzone recipe takes the Italian favorite to the

next level with Parmesan and herbs sprinkled on top

next level with Parmesan and herbs sprinkled on top. —Shannon Roum, Waukesha, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 calzone: 540 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 1573mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein. 7/38 Baja Pork Tacos 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Baja Pork Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead

but this comes mighty close to the same taste

of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 320 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 starch. 8/38 Asparagus Beef Lo Mein 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This springtime beef lo mein recipe is as easy as it gets. Ramen noodles make it extra fun. —Dottie Wanat, Modesto, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 511 calories,

A friend made this saucy chicken for us when we had our first child

21g fat (7g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 1367mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein. 9/38 Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Delicious Oven Barbecued Chicken Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A friend made this saucy chicken for us when we had our first child. I pared down the recipe to make it lower in fat and calories. Now it’s a family favorite, and even the kids ask for this baked bbq chicken breast. —Marge Wagner, Roselle,

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch

Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 324 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 602mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 39g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch. 10/38 Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo 62 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I came up with this shrimp Alfredo with broccoli version at home. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the

one at the restaurant

one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 809 calories, 50g fat (30g saturated fat), 270mg cholesterol, 1030mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 38g protein. 11/38 White Cheddar Mac and Cheese 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside.

My 8-year-old daughter is a big fan, too

Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 650 calories, 35g fat (22g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. 12/38 Smoked Gouda Veggie Melt 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Smoked Gouda Veggie Melt Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After a long day of teaching, I like to make these veggie-packed grilled-cheese sandwiches. My 8-year-old daughter is a big fan, too. —Charlie Herzog, West Brookfield, Vermont Nutrition Facts: 2 open-faced sandwiches: 523 calories, 37g fat (9g saturated

Easy chicken recipes are my go-to dinner choice

fat), 34mg cholesterol, 695mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. 13/38 Easy Chicken Piccata 58 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Chicken Piccata Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Easy chicken recipes are my go-to dinner choice. My chicken piccata pasta dish is ready to serve in a half hour. It takes just a few minutes in the oven to bake to tender perfection. —Hannah Williams, Malibu, California Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked chicken with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 382 calories,

This awesome recipe reflects my German roots

23g fat (8g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 725mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein. 14/38 Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This awesome recipe reflects my German roots. In the cooler months, nothing is as comforting as a hearty hash. Serve this versatile recipe as a side dish at a holiday meal or as a brunch entree over cheddar grits or topped with a fried egg. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, CO Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 310 calories, 17g fat

16/38 Beef and Rice

(3g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 715mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein. 15/38 Chorizo Burrito Bowls 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 425 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1275mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein. 16/38 Beef and Rice

If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat!

Skillet 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Southwestern Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve this kicked-up skillet dish with warm flour tortillas and a side of guacamole. If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat! —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 482 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 962mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein. 17/38 Easy White Chicken Chili 23 Reviews Test

Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies

Kitchen Approved Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies. We use chicken and white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It’s soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 228 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 504mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 6g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch. 18/38 Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies 108 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sheet-Pan Chicken and

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⭐ 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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