Five Simple Dinners That Are Sure to Keep You Satisfied

We don’t know about you, but we have a million things to do on any given day. And while we love home-cooked meals, sometimes we don’t have it in us to go all Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen. For those nights, here are five simple dinners that won’t take up too much of your time, promise a quick clean-up, and, most importantly, pack a ton of flavor and sustenance to keep your taste buds and tummy happy.

Epic 5-Minute Tacos

(image via a couple cooks)

Prepare to be amazed by three things with this recipe from A Couple Cooks: a secret ingredient, jam-packed flavor, and the fact that they only take five minutes.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• ½ Tbsp chili powder
• ½ Tbsp garlic powder
• ½ Tbsp cumin
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ½ Tbsp olive oil
• 4 taco-sized tortillas or 8 mini tortillas
• Salsa fresca or pico de gallo
• 1 handful thinly sliced red onion
• Torn cilantro leaves
• Hot sauce

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs. Add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and kosher salt, and whisk until combined.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add eggs and cook over medium-low heat, scraping as they solidify, 3-4 minutes. As you scrape, they’ll form a meat-like texture. Don’t scrape too much, or you’ll make too small of pieces!
3. Warm and char tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs.
4. Top with salsa fresca (drain extra liquid before serving), red onions, cilantro, and hot sauce.

Avocado Chicken Salad

(image via wholesome yum)

If you like savory chicken salad, you’ll go crazy for this avocado version that couldn’t be easier to throw together. Spread on bread, a bagel, crackers, pretzels, or a wrap for a delicious and filling dinner that only takes a few minutes from start to finish. Check out this recipe from Wholesome Yum.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium avocados
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• Sea salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• ⅓ cup red onion, diced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 Tbsp minced jalapeños (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mash avocado and lime juice with sea salt and black pepper.
2. Add shredded chicken, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeños (if using). Stir everything together. Serve immediately.

Cacio e Pepe

(image via spoon fork bacon)

Believe it or not, all you need for this Cacio e Pepe recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon is four ingredients and 15 minutes to create the perfect weeknight dinner with a ton of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz dried bucatini or spaghetti
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for garnish
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper, toasted

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Add a handful of salt and pasta to water.
3. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 6-8 minutes.
4. Drain pasta, reserving ⅔ cup pasta water.
5. Pour pasta back into pot and place over low heat.
6. Add pasta water and butter; toss until butter melts.
7. Add grated cheese and black pepper. Continue to toss until cheese melts and a creamy sauce forms.
8. Top with more grated cheese and serve.

Old Bay-Seasoned Steamed Shrimp

(image via all recipes/france c)

Spicy, steamed shrimp is quick, easy, and delicious, not to mention extremely versatile. Add to a salad, on top of rice, or toss in some veggies to create a stir-fry. Check out this recipe from All Recipes.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)
• 1 pound fresh large shrimp, deveined with tails on

Instructions:

1. Bring water, vinegar, and seafood seasoning to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add shrimp and stir.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and steam, stirring once or twice, until bright orange, 3-5 minutes. Drain.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

(image via the mediterranean dish)

Pasta is the ultimate simple yet satisfying dinner! With this sun-dried tomato pasta recipe from The Mediterranean Dish, you’re only 10 minutes and a few pantry staples away from a delicious dish that tastes like it took hours to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz penne pasta
• 3-4 oz sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 small shallots, chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• Kosher salt
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½-¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Fresh basil, torn

Instructions:

1. Fill a medium saucepan with water and season with kosher salt. Bring water to a boil and add pasta. Cook according to package instructions. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 Tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil in a large deep pan over medium heat until simmering. Add shallots, garlic, and a pinch of salt and cook, tossing regularly, for about 1 minute. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute, tossing until tomato bits have softened. Add milk and a little pasta water (about ¼ cup) and cook for 1-2 minutes until warm. Stir in oregano and red pepper flakes.
3. Turn off heat. Add pasta and Parmesan. Mix well to ensure pasta is coated (if needed, add more pasta water). Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
4. Finish with the torn basil and serve immediately.