17 of the Easiest Dinners on 101 Cookbooks
A collection of the easiest dinners in one list. The ones that are super weeknight-friendly. The ones with reasonable ingredient lists. The ones that are simple and delicious.
A collection of the easiest dinners on 101 Cookbooks. These are some of my personal favorites - the ones that are super weeknight-friendly, with reasonable ingredient lists. And I'm pulling some long-time favorites from deep in the archives. I'll update and add to it over time with bonus recipes. Enjoy!
1. Pasta with Baby Kale, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, and Pesto -
Literally, just six ingredients in this awesome pasta bowl. Get the recipe here.
2. Golden-crusted Sesame Seeded Tofu -
In the April 1998 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine there was a recipe for Sesame Asparagus and Tofu. I ripped it out, and cooked it a hundred times in the twenty years since. Get the recipe here.
3. Spicy Tahini Noodles with Roasted Vegetables -
This is my favorite kind of weeknight meal. Noodles tossed with a quick sauce, topped with an abundance of vegetables, and kissed with chile feistiness courtesy of the condiment shelf. Get the recipe here.
4. Instant Pot Mushroom Stroganoff with Vodka -
My most popular Instant Pot recipe. Make this stroganoff your dinner tonight, seriously! Made with caraway-spiked vodka, and a hearty mushroom base, you get all of what you love about mushroom stroganoff, without the all the butter and cream. Get the recipe here.
5. Mushroom Scallion Tartine with Poblano Yogurt -
A substantial, delicious, mushroom sheet pan sandwich recipe. You roast a bunch of mushrooms and scallions in a hot oven, whip up a simple poblano yogurt while those are roasting. So good! Get the recipe here.
6. Last Minute Red Lasagna -
This is a true weeknight lasagna. No pre-cooking sauces, no pre-cooking noodles. You, literally, stir the first five ingredients together into a vibrant crushed tomato sauce, and start layering. Get the recipe here.
7. Quick Vegan Enchiladas with Sweet Potato Sauce -
Knock-out delicious, you'll have these in the oven in less that ten minutes, They're also a healthful alternative to all the heavy cheese versions out there. With black beans, sweet potatoes, and a stealthy turmeric boost. Get the recipe here.
8. Garlic Lime Lettuce Wraps -
I love these! Ginger and garlic tempeh rice, folded into lime-spiked lettuce wraps with lots of herbs, cucumber, and carrots. A one-pan meal that comes together in no time! Get the recipe here.
9. Hazelnut Chard Ravioli Salad -
Plump raviolis tossed with toasted hazelnuts, lemony chard, and caramelized onions are at the heart of this ravioli salad recipe. The colorful platter is finished off with a dusting of cheese, snipped chives, and lemon zest. You can prepare most of the components ahead of time. Get the recipe here.
10. Ultimate Vegan Nachos -
When you need a nacho fix, this is how you should roll. At least once. Nachos are always a crowd pleaser, and this is no exception. Oozy, cheesy, loaded vegan nachos everyone loves. Get the recipe here.
11. Harissa Spaghettini -
I link to this whenever possible. Eight ingredients - most of which you definitely have on hand, between you and this flavor-punched tangle of kale-flecked goodness. That harissa in your refrigerator? This needs to be its destiny. Get the recipe here.
12. Classic Stuffed Shells -
Everyone loves these. The best part about stuffed shells is that you can prepare them days ahead of time. These are topped with red sauce, and filled with ricotta. Crowd pleaser for kids & adults. Get the recipe here.
13. Weeknight Ponzu Pasta -
This is the pasta preparation to make when you want to keep it light, clean, and healthy. Lots of bright green broccoli, green beans, garlic, and pasta tossed with a simple ponzu sauce. Trade in roasted winter squash as the seasons shift from away from tomatoes. Get the recipe here.
14. Walnut Strozzapreti -
Inspired by Mona Talbott's recipe in the new Coco cookbook, a pounded walnut pesto with marjoram and parsley, tossedwith farro pasta and Pecorino cheese. Get the recipe here.
15. 10 Minute Instant Pot Mushroom Broth -
You can use this Instant Pot mushroom broth a thousand different ways. If you have dried porcini mushrooms, a few cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, and a bit of thyme, you're in business. This broth, your favorite pasta, and whatever toppings you have on hand make an A+ on-the-fly meal! Get the recipe here.
16. Quick Shredded Tofu Stir-fry -
This is a snappy little stir-fry, it comes together in a flash, and is the perfect way to kick off the new year. Use it as a spring roll or lettuce wrap filling as well! Get the recipe here.
17. Orange Pan-glazed Tempeh -
This is a snappy little stir-fry, it comes together in a flash, and is the perfect way to kick off the new year. Use it as a spring roll or lettuce wrap filling as well! Get the recipe here.
Also, browse this list of dinner ideas. There are so many favorite recipes worth making in that list. Not all are as quick as those on this page, but you'll find some gems there!
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Comments
Great list, thank you so much! This is just what I needed right now, I plan to cook pretty much all of these recipes - can't wait to get started!
Thank you for giving multiple ideas for such instant dinner recipes.
You're welcome Riya!
Great list! These were the easiest recipes for me: Harissa Spaghettini, Classic Stuffed Shells, and Instant Pot Mushroom Broth.
My family and I come back to the Coconut Red Lentil Soup when we need something fast, nourishing, and comforting.
Heidi, I love all these new recipes just as much, but I wanted to highlight also what I think is the original “weeknight dinner” recipe from 101 Cookbooks: the Caramelized Tofu with brussels sprouts. This is the recipe that got me onto your site 10 years ago through a google ad, and I’ve probably made it once or twice a month since then—easily 100 times! It’s absolutely perfect.
HS: Yes Sam! You're totally right, I still love that tofu! And, you're super old-school(!) gmail used to link into some of the early blogs, that's probably how you found me :)! Thanks for sticking around. xx!