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    23 Easy Meal Ideas for Dinner

    March 19, 2020 by Jana Leave a Comment

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    This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

    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.

    Instant Pot Irish Beef Stew with Guinness and bacon

    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.

    Carnitas Slow Cooker Recipe

    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!

    Beef brisket served with apple vinegar slaw on a white bowl

    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!

    Pressure cooker pot roast traditional

    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

    Moroccan chicken with chick peas

    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

    Barbacoa beef recipe slow cooker

    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

    Steak Diane Recipe Slow cooker

    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.

    Sausage and Bacon hand pies empanadas recipe

    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!

    Ham, Leeks and Goat cheese Quiche with low carb pie crust

    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. 

    Cajun Shrimp and Sausage served with cauliflower rice

    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!

    Cheesy Polenta and shrimp recipe

    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.

    Steak tenderloin served with green beans topped with mushroom sauce on a white plate.

    Taco Soup

    You will love how quick and easy this taco soup recipe is. Ready in 30 minutes on the stove top and full of flavor! Make it with beef, chicken or turkey – it’s a great addition to your menu.

    Easy 30 minutes taco soup recipe

    Gumbo

    This gumbo is lightweight, but really flavorful and super easy to make. Mom life is already hectic enough, so fool-proof recipes that I can batch freeze and reheats well are my jam.

    Gumbo recipe 45 mins

    Goulash

    Tired of traditional beef stews? Then try this stovetop goulash recipe that can also be made in the slow cooker or instant pot.

    the best hungarian goulash recipe, easy recipe, how to make hungarian goulash, goulash, simple and easy recipe, affordable, instant pot, slow cooker, freezer meal,

    Turkey Bean Soup

    This hearty turkey bean soup is just perfect for when you are craving comfort food on a cold night. Feeds an army!

    turkey bean soup, soup, hearty, fall, recipes, winter, easy, filling, cheap, affordable, turkey, protein, one pot meal, dinner, recipe, food, how to, instant pot, slow cooked, homemade, delicious, best soup

    If you liked this recipe, you might also like Beef Gyudon!

    What recipe should I make next?


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    This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

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