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My dinner ideas list can help you answer the age-old question of ‘what should I/we eat tonight?’ I have this list on the fridge door, so that I can quickly scan it in the morning, make a decision, and have the rest of the day to prepare.
This list is packed full of classic and delicious ideas. There’s nothing too complicated on there. All these dinner ideas you should be able to find plenty of recipes for online, and the ingredients at your local store.
Dinner Ideas List
Want to have this list on your refrigerator like me, so you’ve always got some inspiration for dinner? Read through to the bottom of this list for a link to download this list as a PDF for free!
There’s so many on there. If your dietary requirements and beliefs allow for it, why not try to make them all throughout the year?
Popular Dinner Ideas
You won’t have to look hard to find tasty recipes for these popular choices! Paired with some sides, these are great for feeding the whole family.
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Salmon
- Grilled Steak
- Pan-Fried Sausages
- Hamburgers
- Spaghetti with Meatballs
- Chili
- Meatloaf
- Pizza
- Mac and Cheese
Comfort Foods
Maybe winter is setting in, or you’re feeling under the weather. If so, cook up some of these classic comfort dishes to make you feel better and satisfy your stomach!
- Lasagna
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Fried Chicken Burger
- Roast Chicken
- Chicken Parmigiana
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Beef Stroganoff
Chicken Dinner Ideas
I cook with chicken a lot in my house, so I find it’s always good to have more than a few chicken recipes on hand. These are some beloved chicken dishes that draw from cuisines all over the world.
- Chicken Alfredo
- Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Marsala
- Chicken Piccata
- Butter Chicken
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Shawarma
- Chicken Stir-Fry
Pasta Dinner Ideas
When I’m pushed for time, a pasta dish usually gets me out of a jam! There are thousands, probably millions, of pasta recipes online. These ten are real crowdpleasers, and you’ll find recipes online or in cookbooks in no time.
- Pesto Pasta
- Ravioli
- Penna alla Vodka
- Baked Ziti
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Creamy Chicken Orzo
- Pasta Salad
- Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
- Baked Feta Pasta
- Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Beef Dinner Ideas
Beef is more of a treat in our household, but it’s the most popular red meat to cook with in many places. These dishes use beef in fun, creative, and very yummy ways.
- Steak Diane
- Steak Frites
- Steak Tacos
- Beef Bourguignon
- Sloppy Joes
- Beef Teriyaki
- Swedish Meatballs
- Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
- Beef Stew
- Braised Short Ribs
Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
These dishes are really tasty and don’t use any meat. For some much-loved veggie specials, start with this list.
- Eggplant Parmigiana
- Mushroom Burger
- Chickpea Curry
- Bean Chilli
- Lentil Soup
- Mushroom Risotto
- Cauliflower Steaks
- Vegetable Stew
- Rice Bowl with Roasted Veggies
- Mediterranean Farro Salad
Fish and Seafood Dinner Ideas
Seafood is so good for you, so I try to have it at least once a week. Cooking with it can be daunting, so use these ideas to help you cook delicious seafood dishes in fun and simple ways.
- Shrimp Scampi
- Fish and Chips
- Seared Ahi Tuna
- Fish Cakes
- Fish Tacos
- Salmon Burger
- Seafood Gumbo
- Mussels in White Wine
- Pan-Seared Scallops
- Sushi and Sashimi
Easy and Quick Dinner Ideas (Under 30 Minutes)
I’ll have to admit that I visit this section fairly often. Life can often get really hectic, and in those moments, it can feel hard to find the time to cook.
This list is great for busy evenings. You should be able to make all these dishes in under 30 minutes with not too many ingredients.
- Lemon Spaghetti (with Parmesan)
- Grilled Chicken with Couscous
- BLT Sandwich
- Frittata
- Baked Salmon
- Paninis
- Tortilla Wraps
- Egg-Fried Rice
- Pan-Fried Basa
- Hot Dogs
Dinner Ideas on a Budget
Budgeting is important for every household. So, if you do shop on a budget, consider some of these dinner ideas. They are made with a handful of ingredients that you should be able to find for cheaper.
- Spaghetti with Marinara
- Pasta Aglio e Olio
- Red Beans and Rice
- Baked Potato
- Black Bean Quesadillas
- Fried Rice
- Potato Salad
- Vegetable Curry
- Canned Tuna Sandwich
- Bean and Rice Burritos
Dinner Salads
If you’re feeling something lighter, or the weather is warmer, why not try a salad for dinner? These are some classic choices, with plenty of recipes and variations for each.
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Salad Niçoise
- Greek Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Grilled Salmon and Avocado Salad
- Grilled Steak Salad
- Pad Thai Salad
- Grilled Shrimp Salad
Soups for Dinner
Especially in the winter, I love to make soup. Not only is it comforting, but you can easily make a big batch and feed everyone a few more times. Try some of these favorites.
- Corn Chowder
- Roasted Tomato Soup
- Minestrone
- French Onion Soup
- Chicken Tortellini Soup
I really hope this list saves you hours of deliberation! Having this on hand has been a real game-changer for me.
I would love to know in the comments your favorite go-to dinners, and whether you tried something new off this list and now it’s a family staple.
Feel free to download it using the link below and print it off. Let this simple list help you answer a question we have to answer every single day!
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Make sure you always have this dinner ideas list on-hand by saving it to one of your recipe idea boards. You can always scan the article, or download the PDF, to help you decide what to make for dinner.
