47 Dinner Recipes for When You Just Can’t Adult Anymore

Read Time: 21 mins

47 Dinner Recipes for When You Just Can’t Adult Anymore2/47 Turkey Sloppy Joes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick & Easy Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When we were first married and poor college students, I found this sloppy joe recipe and tweaked it. The fresh bell peppers give it a wonderful flavor. —Kallee Twiner, Maryville, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 251 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:

2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable

2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 3/47 Pizza Sandwich 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pizza Sandwiches Recipe photo by Kayla Widmer for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I give grilled cheese a special treatment by using slices of mozzarella cheese and adding delicious extras like pepperoni and fresh tomatoes. Dipped in warm pizza sauce, this will be a fast favorite! —Mary Monaco, Columbus, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 495 calories, 31g fat (16g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1121mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.

My family loves this savory taco pasta salad

4/47 Taco Pasta Salad 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon For Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves this savory taco pasta salad. Serve taco or corn chips on the side, and you have a complete meal. —Gert Rosenau, Pewaukee, WI Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 624 calories, 30g fat (12g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 1454mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 5/47 Ham and Cheese Pockets 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ham and Cheese Pockets Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy

Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These unique sandwich pockets are filled with ingredients both kids and adults enjoy. —Callie Myers, Rockport, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 pocket: 229 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 729mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein. 6/47 Chicken Nuggets 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them.

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

The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken: 214 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. 7/47 Gnocchi Chicken Skillet 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Stovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own

favorite sauce and seasonings

favorite sauce and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups (calculated without cheese): 598 calories, 24g fat (6g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 1632mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 6g fiber), 30g protein. 8/47 Dogs in a Sweater 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a new twist on an old favorite, try these skewered hot dogs wrapped with breadstick dough and baked. They’re fun to dip in ketchup, mustard or ranch dressing. The dressed-up dog recipe comes kid-tested from the National

Hot Dog and Sausage Council

Hot Dog and Sausage Council. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 257 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 25 mg cholesterol, 751 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, General Number g fiber, 8 g protein. 9/47 Mac and Cheese with Ham 37 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The original comfort food, macaroni and cheese gets a makeover with the addition of cubed ham and grated Parmesan. Kids will love it! —Christy Looper, Colorado Springs, Colorado Nutrition

The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal

Facts: 1 cup: 434 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 1414mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. 10/47 Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 garlic toast with 3/4

Garnish it with sour cream and salsa for southwestern flavor

cup steak mixture: 375 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 11/47 Tacos in a Bowl 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tacos in a Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy skillet dish offers a delicious use for leftover taco meat. Garnish it with sour cream and salsa for southwestern flavor. —Sue Schoening, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 480 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1279mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g

sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein

sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein. 12/47 Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve always tried to make cooking fun—for myself, my daughters and my grandchildren. Cooking teaches children the importance of following directions and being organized. This recipe is easy to make, and kids really like it. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 450 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (20g

sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein

sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein. 13/47 Chicken Chimichangas 63 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Chimichangas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they’re much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 chimichanga: 269 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 613mg sodium,

31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein

31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 14/47 Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken 46 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you want to put something on the table that’ll give you time to spare on busy nights, give this delicious angel hair pasta with chicken a try. From start to finish, you’re only 20 minutes away from a vibrantly colored meal! —Margaret Wilson, Sun

Serving them over rice makes for a satisfying main dish

City, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 462 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 35g protein. 15/47 Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs 41 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A fabulous sauce, green pepper and pineapple chunks transform premade meatballs into something special. Serving them over rice makes for a satisfying main dish. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington Nutrition Facts: 5 meatballs: 389 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol,

682mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein

682mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. 16/47 Walking Tacos 38 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ALEJANDRO MONFORT FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without toppings): 530 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1017mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 24g protein. 17/47 Breakfast Wraps 6 Reviews Test Kitchen

With just a minute in the microwave, breakfast is ready

Approved Breakfast Wraps Recipe photo by Danielle Moore Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We like quick and simple morning meals during the week, and these wraps are great when prepared ahead of time. With just a minute in the microwave, breakfast is ready. —Betty Kleberger, Florissant, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 436 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 364mg cholesterol, 853mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein. 18/47 Homemade Corn Dogs 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Corn Dogs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min

💡 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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