It’s a common problem that most of us face. After a long day of work, we’re often too tired to spend hours in the kitchen preparing a meal. But that doesn’t mean we have to settle for takeout every night.

With a little bit of planning and some quick and easy recipes, we can enjoy delicious homemade dinners even on the busiest of nights. Here are some ideas to get you started:.

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet pan dinners are a great option for busy nights. They’re quick and easy to prepare, and require minimal clean-up. These sheet pan chicken fajitas are a crowd pleaser and can be customized to your liking.

Ingredients:.

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Tortillas, for serving

Instructions:.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Add the chicken, peppers, and onion to a large sheet pan.
3. Add the olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt to the pan, and toss everything together until the chicken and vegetables are coated.
4. Spread everything out in an even layer, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
5. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.

2. One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

One-pot pasta dishes are another great option for busy nights. They’re quick and easy to make, and everything cooks in one pot, which means less clean-up for you.

This one-pot pasta with spinach and tomatoes is healthy, delicious and can be ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients:.

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:.

1. Add the spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, spinach, garlic, vegetable broth, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to a large pot.
2. Bring everything to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is fully cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Serve hot.

3. Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kabobs

Kabobs are a fun and easy way to grill your dinner. They’re perfect for busy nights because they’re quick, easy and can be customized to your liking.

These grilled chicken and vegetable kabobs are healthy, delicious and can be ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:.

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 onion, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:.

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken, peppers, and onion to a large bowl.
3. Add the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the bowl, and toss everything together until the chicken and vegetables are coated.
4. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating between the chicken and vegetables.
5. Grill the kabobs for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
6. Serve hot.

4. Black Bean and Avocado Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that can be made with just a few ingredients. These black bean and avocado quesadillas are healthy, delicious and can be ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients:.

• 4 flour tortillas
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:.

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Place one tortilla in the skillet and top with a quarter of the black beans, avocado, cheddar cheese, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Top with another tortilla, and press down lightly with a spatula.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
5. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
6. Serve hot.

5. Grilled Margherita Pizza

Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser, and grilling your pizza is a fun and easy way to switch up your dinner routine. This grilled Margherita pizza is healthy, delicious and takes just 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients:.

Related Article 30 Delicious Evening Meal Ideas

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:.

1. Preheat your grill to high heat.
2. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle.
3. Brush the pizza dough with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Add the cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese to the pizza.
5. Place the pizza on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
6. Serve hot.

6. Burrito Bowl

Burrito bowls are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional burritos. They’re quick and easy to make, and can be customized to your liking. This burrito bowl is loaded with protein and veggies, and is sure to be a hit with your family.

Ingredients:.

• 1 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions:.

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, black beans, red bell pepper, avocado, cilantro, salsa, cumin, and chili powder.
2. Toss everything together until well combined.
3. Divide the mixture between 4 bowls, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

7. Baked Salmon with Lemon and Herbs

Salmon is a healthy and delicious protein source that can be cooked in a variety of ways. This baked salmon with lemon and herbs is quick and easy to make, and is ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients:.

• 4 salmon fillets, skin removed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, olive oil, and parsley.
4. Spoon the mixture over the salmon fillets.
5. Season the salmon with salt and pepper, to taste.
6. Add the lemon slices to the baking dish.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is fully cooked through.
8. Serve hot.

8. Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice is a great way to use up leftovers and can be customized to your liking. This chicken fried rice is a quick and easy option for busy nights, and can be ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients:.

• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:.

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
3. Add the cooked chicken, peas and carrots, and rice to the skillet.
4. Cook everything together, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Pour the beaten eggs into the skillet and scramble them into the rice mixture.
6. Add the soy sauce and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until everything is heated through and well combined.
8. Serve hot.

9. Slow Cooker Beef Chili

Chili is a classic comfort food that is perfect for chilly nights. This slow cooker beef chili is easy to make and requires minimal prep work. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing.

Your dinner will be ready when you come home from work.

Ingredients:.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:.

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and crumbled.
2. Transfer the beef to a slow cooker.
3. Add the onion, red bell pepper, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt to the slow cooker.
4. Stir everything together until well combined.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
6. Serve hot.

10. Vegetable Stir-Fry

Stir-fries are a quick and easy way to get a healthy and delicious meal on the table. This vegetable stir-fry is loaded with veggies and can be ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:.

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:.