56 Weeknight Dinners You Haven’t Tried Yet

Read Time: 26 mins

56 Weeknight Dinners You Haven’t Tried Yet2/56 Spicy Mac and Cheese 22 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate side dish! —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 673 calories, 50g fat (28g saturated fat), 175mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. 3/56 Quick Apricot

Everybody just loves it, and leftovers are always just as good the next day

Chicken 41 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Quick Apricot Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my favorite ways to fix chicken in a hurry. Everybody just loves it, and leftovers are always just as good the next day. For variation, I’ve used pork instead of chicken and added additional ingredients like pineapple, mandarin oranges, snow peas and broccoli. –Vicki Ruiz, Twin Falls, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 391 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 673mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate

(26g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein

(26g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 4/56 Chili-Topped Cornbread Waffles 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cornbread Waffles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone in my family loves chili except my daughter, but she loves cornbread. One day she asked if she could have mostly cornbread, with just a little chili. Then we had an idea—cornbread waffles topped with chili and all the fixings! It was a hit. If you’re going gluten-free, make sure your chili is also free of gluten. —Courtney Stultz, Weir,

Don’t forget to take a look at our collection of the best weeknight dinners

Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 464 calories, 20g fat (4g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 15g protein. Don’t forget to take a look at our collection of the best weeknight dinners. 5/56 Pulled Pork Parfait Test Kitchen Approved Pulled Pork Parfait Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I tried a version of this meaty parfait at Miller Park, the then-home of my favorite baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. I take it up a notch by adding layers of corn

and creamy mac and cheese

and creamy mac and cheese. It truly is a full barbecue meal you can take on the go. —Rachel Seis, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 349 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 1116mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. 6/56 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 a quick, satisfying

Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired

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 cup steak mixture: 375 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 7/56 Po’Boy Tacos 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I intended to make tostadas, but I misread a couple of ingredients and had to use what I had on hand. I put my own twist on a po’boy

recipe and ended up with something even better

recipe and ended up with something even better. —Cynthia Nelson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 551 calories, 29g fat (5g saturated fat), 139mg cholesterol, 977mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. 8/56 Cheeseburger Quesadilla 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheeseburger Quesadillas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created these fun cheeseburger-quesadilla mashups in honor of my family’s two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 quesadilla with about 1/4 cup

sauce: 1002 calories, 60g fat (17g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 2115mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 39g protein. 9/56 Bratwurst Burgers with Braised Onions 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bratwurst Burgers with Braised Onions Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This burger is a fun mashup of a bratwurst with onion and peppers, chicken-fried steak and a beef burger. The best of three dishes, bratwurst burgers are guaranteed to be family-pleasing. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 659 calories, 36g fat (13g

Stuff the ingredients in a hoagie bun and lunch is ready to go!

saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol, 1409mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein. 10/56 Vietnamese Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Vietnamese Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich combines the satisfying flavor of chicken sausage with tangy vegetables pickled in rice vinegar. Stuff the ingredients in a hoagie bun and lunch is ready to go! —Angela Spengler, Niceville, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 452 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 66mg

cholesterol, 1,331mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 25g protein

cholesterol, 1,331mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 25g protein. 11/56 BLT Pizza 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved BLT Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I use a prebaked crust and fixings from the much-loved BLT sandwich to create this fun variation. It’s my family’s favorite pizza. —Marilyn Ruggles, Lees Summit, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 416 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 961mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 12/56 Mushroom and Brown Rice Hash with Poached Eggs 2 Reviews

It’s ideal for a light main dish

Test Kitchen Approved Mushroom and Brown Rice Hash with Poached Eggs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I made my mother’s famous roast beef hash healthier by using cremini mushrooms instead of beef, and brown rice instead of potatoes. It’s ideal for a light main dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 282 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 393mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat. 13/56 Asian Salmon Tacos

This Asian/Mexican fusion dish is ready in minutes—perfect when time is tight!

1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This Asian/Mexican fusion dish is ready in minutes—perfect when time is tight! If the salmon begins to stick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and continue cooking. —Marisa Raponi, Vaughan, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 335 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. 14/56 Vegetable, Steak and Eggs 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Vegetable, Steak and Eggs Recipe photo

Scallops meet mild tomato

by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Low-carb doesn’t have to mean skimpy—here’s a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 344 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 259mg cholesterol, 770mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. 15/56 Stir-Fried Scallops 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Scallops meet mild tomato

in this sublime stovetop supper

in this sublime stovetop supper. Try serving the saucy mixture over rice or angel hair pasta, and garnish with cilantro if you like. —Stephany Gocobacki, San Rafael, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 213 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat. 16/56 Tequila Lime 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

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable

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. 17/56 Moroccan Flatbreads Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves these tacos with Middle Eastern seasoning lots of vegetables. Ground turkey or beef may be substituted for the lamb. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts:

💡 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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