After a long day, preparing a meal can feel overwhelming, but with Mr. Food weeknight recipes, dinner is easy, quick, and delicious. These recipes are specifically crafted to save you time in the kitchen while still delivering flavorful and satisfying dishes perfect for busy evenings.
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1. Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, rice, cream of chicken soup, milk, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, celery, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Why It’s Great:
This cheesy chicken and rice casserole is a comforting, all-in-one meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd.
2. Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked egg noodles or rice for serving
Instructions:
- Cook the Beef: Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in the hot oil, then remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add onion and garlic and sauté until softened. Stir in mushrooms and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Gradually add beef broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add Beef: Return beef to the skillet. Stir in sour cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through and the sauce is creamy.
- Serve: Serve over cooked egg noodles or rice.
Why It’s Great:
Beef Stroganoff is a classic comfort dish that’s rich, creamy, and perfect for a hearty dinner.
3. Quick Veggie Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup snap peas
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1/2 cup onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Instructions:
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Add bell pepper, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and onion. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add Garlic and Sauces: Stir in garlic, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until everything is well-coated and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
Why It’s Great:
This veggie stir-fry is a quick and healthy meal that’s packed with flavor and can be made in under 20 minutes.
4. Italian Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage links
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausages and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables: In the same skillet, add onion and bell peppers. Sauté until tender. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Make the Sauce: Add diced tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Slice the cooked sausages and return them to the skillet. Heat through and serve garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Why It’s Great:
This Italian sausage and peppers dish is a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a casual weeknight dinner.
5. Creamy Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Blend Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches in a countertop blender.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in heavy cream and dried basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve hot.
Why It’s Great:
Creamy tomato soup is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Pair it with grilled cheese sandwiches for a complete meal.
6. Easy Beef and Noodles
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups egg noodles
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Cook Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until beef is browned and onion is softened.
- Add Liquids: Stir in beef broth and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- Add Noodles: Add egg noodles and cook for about 10 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
- Add Peas: Stir in frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Why It’s Great:
This easy beef and noodles dish is a one-pan meal that’s quick to prepare and satisfying, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
7. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 corn tortillas, cut into strips
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, black beans, and corn.
- Layer Casserole: In a greased baking dish, layer half of the tortilla strips. Top with half of the chicken mixture, then sprinkle with half of the cheeses. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro if desired. Serve warm.
Why It’s Great:
This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the flavors of traditional enchiladas into an easy-to-make casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
8. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients:- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Make Sauce: Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in fresh parsley.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Why It’s Great:
This lemon garlic shrimp pasta is a light yet flavorful dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
9. Creamy Chicken and Spinach Skillet
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add heavy cream, chicken broth, and dried basil. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add Spinach and Chicken: Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Return chicken to the skillet and heat through.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Serve with rice or pasta.
Why It’s Great:
This creamy chicken and spinach skillet is a rich and satisfying dish that comes together in one pan, making clean-up a breeze.
10. Southwestern Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed. Let cool.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, and cilantro.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Toss Salad: Pour dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss to combine. Chill before serving.
Why It’s Great:
This Southwestern quinoa salad is a fresh and healthy option that’s perfect for lunch or as a side dish for dinner.