23 Easy Meal Ideas for Dinner

If you are stuck at home due to the pandemic, these easy meal ideas will take some of the stress away. 23 easy dinner recipes that can be cooked in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, stovetop or oven and that the whole family will love!

If you have recently been impacted by school closures, you are probably stuck at home with the kids and possibly your spouse as well, which means there is a lot to deal with on top of keeping everyone fed and alive.

Making dinner is probably the last thing in you mind, so I wanted to share with you 23 easy meal ideas that I have in my recipe box for when things start to hit the fan.

I divided these recipes into Insta Pot/ slow cooker easy meal ideas and recipes that are quick enough to throw together on the stovetop or oven.

And as an added benefit, these recipes are mostly low carb as well so that you can feel good about eating an extra portion if you are stress eating.

I recently shared a list of 50 Indoor Activities for Kids, so if you need more ideas, check it out.

Stay safe and sane my friends!

Easy Meal Ideas for the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

Korean Beef Stew

This Korean beef recipe is easy to make in the Instant Pot and served in a bowl with rice and kimchi or as lettuce wrap tacos for a healthier version.

Instant Pot Korean Beef Recipe with white rice

Irish Beef Stew

This traditional Irish beef stew recipe is made with Guinness stout and cooked in the instant pot. It’s an easy recipe for a simple, but delicious week night dinner.

Carnitas

A popular Mexican dish, Carnitas go well with just about anything. It’s versatile, flavorful and tangy – just like good pork should be! Make it in the crock pot and finish it off on the oven.

Beef Brisket

This Instant Pot beef brisket recipe is a healthy dish that is easy to prepare and delicious to eat. If you are looking for easy meal ideas, this recipe is so versatile it can feed a small family or an army!

Thai Chicken Soup

Looking for a different version of a classic chicken soup? Then, this Thai chicken soup recipe is for you. Light and savory, it’s a great dish year round! And it’s not spicy, so kids will love it too!

chicken soup with potatoes, mushrooms and broth on white bowls

Traditional Pot Roast

If there is a staple in my recipe toolkit, it has to be Pot Roast. It’s versatile, delicious and so easy to make. You can roast it, braise it, slow cook it or pressure cook it!

Asian Boneless Pork Back Ribs

This Asian boneless pork back ribs recipe is so delicious and easy to cook. It can also be frozen to use later, so make a big batch.

Back ribs cooked with Asian spices and served with roasted Brussels sprouts.

Cuban Pork

Cuban pork or Lechon Asado, is part of my “freezer meal staple” so when I shop for groceries in my wholesale club, I usually buy large quantities of pork shoulder and batch prep it so I can have it at least a couple times a month.

Moroccan Chicken

As with most recipes I post on the blog, this Moroccan chicken is also super easy, affordable and practical, because this mama needs to reclaim any time she can and spending hours laboring in the kitchen just doesn’t do it for me.

Barbacoa

This succulent and delicious Barbacoa is super versatile. It can be served as a plate with rice and beans and can also be used in tacos, enchiladas, sandwiches, empanadas, etc…

Steak Diane

One of my favorite slow cooker recipes is this steak Diane. It’s cheaper and easier than the original version, makes less of a mess and can be thrown in the crockpot and left alone. At the end of the day, it looks like I Julia Childed the best dinner and yet, I didn’t even get my hands dirty. Hooray!

Easy Meal Ideas for Stovetop or Oven

Breakfast Egg Muffins

These sausage, veggies and cheese breakfast egg muffins are so easy to make! They are healthy, low carb, and perfect to make ahead for the week.

Low Carb Sausage and veggies Breakfast Egg Muffin Recipe

Sausage and Bacon Hand Pies

A pork lover’s dream, this sausage and bacon hand pie recipe comes together quickly with store bought pie crust and it’s super flavorful. Serve it as appetizers or make it into a dinner meat pie.

Ham, Leeks and Goat Cheese Quiche

This low carb ham, leeks and goat cheese quiche recipe is perfect for those who are on the keto diet. It’s savory and creamy and baked on a low carb pie crust. Perfect for a healthy brunch!

Honey Ginger Wasabi Salmon

Don’t neglect your seafood on your menu. This honey ginger wasabi salmon is an easy recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes. Pair it with the Chinese Cucumber Salad and you have an amazing meal!

3 fillets of salmon with honey ginger wasabi and soy sauce glaze. A bowl of Chinese cucumber salad served in a white bowl as a side dish

Cajun Shrimp and Sausage

This cajun shrimp and sausage recipe is freaking delicious and most of the ingredients I am sure you already have in your pantry. It only takes 30 minutes to cook and is great served with cauliflower rice to soak up the juices.

Cheesy Polenta and Shrimp

This cheesy polenta and shrimp will make you think you are on vacation. It’s velvety and salty with the just the right amount of spice for a colder night. And you won’t have to cook for hours to achieve a dish that makes you look like a chef!

Chicken Sitr Fry

You can’t go wrong when looking for an easy meal idea than to prepare a quick and delicious chicken stir fry. Use this recipe as a base and take advantage of leftover veggies and meat you have in the fridge to make this delicious dinner.

Chicken stir fry with vegetables and peanuts

Steakhouse Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

This steakhouse beef tenderloin with creamy mushroom sauce is the perfect dish for date nights at home. Tender, juicy and rich, it’s the type of indulgent dish that you are willing to pay a lot for in a steak restaurant, but can make at home for a fraction of the cost.