I must confess that when I initially sat down to write this article, my top choice for a quick dinner idea was going to be pizza. Not the homemade kind, mind you, but the one you’d order and have delivered straight to your door. However, a little voice inside kept reminding me that this wasn’t the essence of this article. “10 Quick Dinner Ideas” is a concise guide to creating easy, speedy, and nutritious dishes right in your own kitchen.
And let’s not forget those so-called “quick” recipes that somehow require adding an assortment of about 50 different small ingredients. While they may not eat up a lot of time, I’m a simple meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. We prefer our burgers with basic toppings like lettuce, onion, and ketchup. I’m not inclined to mix a multitude of seasonings into the meat or pile exotic ingredients like kale and cucumber onto my burger. To me, a burger should taste like, well, a burger. With that in mind, I set out to create a straightforward “10 Quick Dinner Ideas” article tailored to your taste and your family’s preferences. Some of the dishes may have optional side dish suggestions, but I’m confident you can easily put together a simple accompaniment yourself. And if you come across any gems of your own, please do share with us, as we’re always eager to try new things.
Now, here’s an important clarification: when I mention “10 Quick Dinner Ideas,” I’m referring to the prep time, not the cooking time. In this collection, you’ll find some slow cooker recipes that are incredibly easy to prepare but can take up to 8 hours to cook. The beauty of crock-pot cooking is that you can set it and forget it, as they say. One more note: I’ll admit it; not everything on this list is ultra-healthy. But hey, we only live once, so why not savor a bit of indulgence every now and then?
This is a very simple, but tasty dish. The items can be found in your pantry, prep time is quick and it’s a healthy meal. You can substitute the butter with Oil oil to make it even healthier. Add a little rice or zucchini on the side and your are all set for a tasty and health meal.
Number of Ingredients – 6 Ingredients
Prep Time – 5 Minutes
Cook Time – 10 Minutes
Recipe Link – Super Simple Salmon
Here’s a fantastic slow cooker recipe for you to try out. This pot roast is wonderfully uncomplicated and a breeze to get ready, making it an ideal choice to set in motion in the morning, ensuring a delightful meal upon your return from work. If you’re a fan of additional veggies and want to explore a more elaborate option, I’ve included one of my personal favorite slow cooker pot roast recipes at the end of this list. While it does require a bit more preparation time, it’s the perfect choice if you have extra time to spare for a truly satisfying pot roast experience.
Number of Ingredients – 4 Ingredients
Prep Time – 10 Minutes
Cook Time – 8 Hours
Recipe Link – Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Who can resist prawns? Well, to be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what they were at first. After a bit of research, I discovered that prawns are quite similar to shrimp. So, who wouldn’t enjoy shrimp, right? Well, my boys aren’t fans. While shrimp is packed with sodium, it’s also a fantastic source of protein. What’s great about this recipe is that you can use prawns or shrimp – either will work perfectly.
Number of Ingredients – 8 Ingredients
Prep Time – 5 Minutes
Cook Time – 3 Minutes
Recipe Link – Garlic Prawns
I personally enjoy this as a delectable meal. While it might not suit every palate, it’s an excellent method to add some pizzazz to your pork chops. It does carry a bit of a kick, but if you savor a touch of spiciness in your meat, you’re in for a treat. If you’d prefer a milder option, you can give it a shot without including the cayenne pepper, although I haven’t tested it myself, so I can’t guarantee the outcome.
Number of Ingredients – 8 Ingredients
Prep Time – 5 Minutes
Cook Time – 10 Minutes
Recipe Link – Cajun Spiced Pork Chops
Although the name and the image might lead you to expect one thing, the flavor is an entirely different story. Initially, when I encountered the name and the image, I had to double-check to ensure there wasn’t any actual blood on the chicken, thinking that was the emergency. However, once I moved past that initial concern, I realized that the “emergency” in this context pertains to situations when you have very limited time to prepare dinner.
Number of Ingredients – 5 Ingredients
Prep Time – 5 Minutes
Cook Time – 10 Minutes
Recipe Link – Emergency Chicken
Oh, indeed, this dish is packed with carbs, but the indulgence is completely justified. It’s an incredibly tasty meal. Although I like the recipe as it is, I typically throw in some leftover chicken to give it an extra layer of heartiness.
Number of Ingredients – 8 Ingredients
Prep Time – 5 Minutes
Cook Time – 10 Minutes
Recipe Link – Fettuccine with Sweet Pepper-Cayenne Sauce
In my opinion, grilling remains the top choice for preparing ribs. However, this slow cooker recipe comes remarkably close to achieving that grilled flavor without the side effect of your clothes smelling like a barbecue pit. There’s something truly special about entering your home and being greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of slow-cooked BBQ from your trusty crock-pot.
Number of Ingredients – 6 Ingredients
Prep Time – 10 Minutes
Cook Time – 4.5 Hours
Recipe Link – Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
While this recipe may not be the speediest on the list, it does involve a total of 14 different ingredients and requires approximately 15 minutes of prep time. Nevertheless, it’s precisely one of those recipes you’ll adore returning to after a long day. I strongly recommend preparing it on the low setting for the best results.
Number of Ingredients – 14 Ingredients
Prep Time – 15 Minutes
Cook Time – 5 Hours
Recipe Link – Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork
When time is scarce, and you can’t dedicate the hours required for the Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork, this option is your best bet. With just five ingredients and a 33% reduction in preparation time, you can still relish a fantastic dinner.
Number of Ingredients – 5 Ingredients
Prep Time – 10 Minutes
Cook Time – 9 Hours
Recipe Link – Slow Cooker Barbecue
A speedy and straightforward dinner option. For those aiming for a healthier dinner, consider omitting the butter. It truly doesn’t get any simpler than this meal.
Number of Ingredients – 3 Ingredients
Prep Time – 10 Minutes
Cook Time – 30 Minutes
Recipe Link – Three-Ingredient Baked Chicken Breasts
While ham might not be the most health-conscious choice of meats, it’s undeniably one of the most flavorful. Now, when you take this delectable meat and slow cook it, well, I believe that says it all.
Number of Ingredients – 2 Ingredients
Prep Time – 15 Minutes (I think this is an overstatement)
Cook Time – 8 Hours
Recipe Link – Slow Cooker Ham
I couldn’t resist including this option. It might not exactly fall under the category of quick meals, but if you can spare a bit more time, you’ll be treated to a delicious dish that the entire family will adore. Even my kids, who aren’t big meat enthusiasts, enjoy a taste of this meat and relish the carrots.
Number of Ingredients – 15 Ingredients
Prep Time – 20 Minutes
Cook Time – 6-7 Hours
Recipe Link – Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast