15 Dinners That Always Have Your Back When You’re Stumped

We’ve all been there—staring into the fridge, totally stumped on what to make for dinner. These 15 go-to recipes are your ultimate lifesavers, ready to save you from the dreaded ‘What’s for dinner?’ panic. Quick, easy, and seriously tasty, these dishes have your back when inspiration is nowhere to be found!

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with a cheesy, golden-brown lasagna garnished with fresh parsley leaves, just one of the 21 addictive casseroles you need to try. — Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

"Whip up this Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole for a quick, creamy meal! With bacon, ranch, and broccoli, it's a one-pot dish that’s sure to become your family’s new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta. — Meatball Pasta Bake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Who’s up for an effortless dinner? This meatball casserole is the way to go—dump the ingredients in a pan, mix it up, bake, and you’re ready to eat!
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole with corn and jalapenos. — Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Spice up your dinner with Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole—it's packed with bold flavor and the perfect balance of comfort and heat.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

A dish of braised chicken, enhanced with 12 onion pieces, served with various small potatoes and garnished with herbs in a white bowl. — Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Warm up with this Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken—tender chicken thighs, caramelized onions, and Gruyere cheese all in one cozy pot. It’s the ultimate comfort meal for chilly days!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Three tacos filled with shredded meat, slices of avocado, radishes, and other vegetables on a wooden board, garnished with lime wedges and served alongside a bowl of corn salsa. — Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Taco Tuesday just leveled up with these Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos! Tender pulled pork with a zesty garlic and citrus kick—ready in about an hour for tacos that are next-level delicious.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Bowl of pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with chopped green onions and drizzled with a dark sauce. A fork is in the bowl, making it one of the top 10 instant pot recipes for quick and delicious meals. — Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Mix things up at your next cookout with BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot! Creamy, cheesy pasta meets leftover grilled chicken for a one-pot side dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese

20-Minute Instant Pot Spicy Chicken Ramen

A hand holding a bowl of ramen topped with sliced mushrooms, carrots, soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and cilantro, with a drizzle of sauce and chopsticks on the side. Ingredients surround the bowl in one of these 10 no-fuss bowls. — 20-Minute Instant Pot Spicy Chicken Ramen. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

This 20-minute Instant Pot Spicy Chicken Ramen is the perfect weeknight fix! A customizable spicy broth, quick-cooked chicken, and fresh veggies make it the ultimate comfort meal.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Instant Pot Spicy Chicken Ramen

One Pot Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

A close-up of a pot of beef stroganoff with wide egg noodles being scooped by a spoon, showcasing one of our 14 easy dinner recipes. The dish is garnished with parsley. — One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Skip the canned soup and whip up this One Pot Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff for dinner tonight! Fresh mushrooms, lean beef, and egg noodles come together for a comforting, homemade classic.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Grilled chicken skewers glazed with a dark teriyaki sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served on a black slate tablet next to a bowl of white rice. — Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are the perfect addition to any BBQ! Juicy, flavorful, and so easy to make—everyone will be asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

A spoonful of creamy vegetable stew with visible carrots, herbs, and a rich sauce highlights the simplicity of 10 skillet meals enjoyed any night of the week. — Easy Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops take comfort food to the next level! A quick brine keeps the pork juicy, while a creamy Parmesan gravy with garlic, spinach, and tomatoes adds a burst of Italian flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

Cuban Pork Belly Sliders

Close-up of a group of small sandwiches secured with skewers and topped with pickle slices, featuring 15 pork. One sandwich is being pulled away, showing melted cheese stretching from it. — Cuban Pork Belly Sliders. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Everyone will be begging for more with these Cuban Pork Belly Sliders! Crispy, savory pork belly, garlic butter, and all the Cuban sandwich flavors make these sliders the perfect party snack.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Pork Belly Sliders

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

This Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—whip it up in less than an hour and enjoy a hearty, satisfying meal any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

A plate of cooked steak garnished with herbs, served with roasted potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and covered in a brown sauce. A fork is placed on the right side of the plate. — Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Keep things easy with these Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Vegetables! The pork is juicy and tender, and the mushroom and onion gravy takes this dish to a whole new level of comfort.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

Chicken Tikka Masala

In this delectable recipe, a black bowl contains rice topped with chunks of meat in a creamy orange curry sauce, garnished with cilantro. A piece of naan bread sits on the side, all presented on a dark surface. — Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

No need for takeout when you can make this Chicken Tikka Masala at home! Yogurt-marinated chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce—perfect for pairing with warm naan on a chilly evening.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

A picture of cabbage sausage white plate wooden fork. — Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo is the perfect 30-minute dinner! Creamy Alfredo sauce, cabbage noodles, and savory Italian sausage make for a family-friendly meal that’s both quick and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo