Easy Dinner Recipes For Busy Nights

Introduction

After a long, hectic day, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s where quick and easy dinner recipes come to the rescue. These meals are designed to be simple, healthy, and full of flavor, without taking too much time or effort. Whether you’re a working professional, a student, or a homemaker, these recipes will help you prepare delicious dinners in no time, so you can relax and enjoy your evening stress-free.

Masala Khichdi – The Perfect Comfort Food for Busy Nights

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• ½ cup moong dal
• 1 onion, 1 tomato (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp turmeric, red chili powder, salt
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Fresh coriander (for garnish)

Method:

1. Wash rice and dal thoroughly and soak them for 20 minutes.
2. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add tomato, ginger-garlic paste, and spices, and cook for 2–3 minutes.
4. Now add soaked rice and dal, pour 3–4 cups of water, and close the lid.
5. Cook until 3 whistles. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with papad or yogurt.

Paneer Bhurji with Roti – A Quick Protein-Rich Dinner

Ingredients:

• 200 g paneer (crumbled)
• 1 onion, 1 tomato, 1 capsicum
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chili powder
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp oil or ghee

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and sauté onion until golden.
2. Add tomato and capsicum, cook for 3–4 minutes.
3. Add spices and mix well.
4. Add crumbled paneer, cook for 5–6 minutes.
5. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with roti or paratha.

Vegetable Pulao – A One-Pot Healthy Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, beans, cauliflower)
• 1 onion, 2 green chillies
• 1 bay leaf,2 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups water
• Salt and ghee/oil

Method:

1. Wash and soak rice for 20 minutes.
2. Heat ghee in a cooker, add whole spices and onion, and sauté well.
3. Add vegetables and cook for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add rice, salt, and water. Cook until 2 whistles.
5. Serve with raita or salad.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Curry – A Quick Non-Veg Option

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken.
• 2 onions, 2 tomatoes
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• Turmeric, red chili, coriander powder, salt
• 3 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker, sauté onions until golden.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until fragrant.
3. Add tomatoes and spices, cook until oil separates.
4. Add chicken pieces, mix well, and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add 1 cup water, close the lid, and cook for 3 whistles. Garnish with coriander and serve.

Moong Dal Chilla – A Light and Nutritious Dinner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soaked moong dal
• 1 green chili, small piece of ginger
• Salt, cumin, coriander leaves
• Oil for shallow frying

Method:

1. Grind soaked dal with chilli and ginger into a smooth batter.
2. Add salt and coriander leaves.
3. Heat a pan, spread batter into a thin pancake.
4. Cook until golden on both sides.

👉 Serve with chutney or yogurt.

Quinoa Salad – A Dinner Idea for Fitness Lovers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• Cucumber, tomato, onion, capsicum (finely chopped)
• Lemon juice, black pepper, salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. In a large bowl, add cooked quinoa.
2. Mix in all the vegetables.
3. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

👉 Chill and serve fresh – refreshing and healthy!

Vegetable Pasta – A Healthy & Tasty Option for Kids

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled pasta
• ½ cup corn, ½ cup carrot, ½ cup capsicum
• 2 tbsp tomato sauce
• Oregano, chili flakes
• salt, oil

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan, sauté vegetables for 2 minutes.
2. Add tomato sauce and spices.
3. Add boiled pasta and mix well.
4. Top with cheese, cover, and cook for 2 minutes.

👉 Kids will love this cheesy pasta!

Homemade Veggie Pizza – Easy and Delicious Dinner

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat pizza base
• 3 tbsp pizza sauce
• Capsicum, onion, tomato, corn
• Cheese – as needed

Method:

1. Spread pizza sauce on the base.
2. Top with vegetables and cheese.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 10–12 minutes.

👉 Slice and serve hot!

Garlic Butter Noodles – A 10-Minute Dinner

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled noodles
• 6 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt, black pepper

Method:

1. Heat butter in a pan, sauté garlic until golden.
2. Add boiled noodles and toss well.
3. Season with salt and black pepper.

👉 Serve hot – a quick comfort dinner!

Mexican Tacos – A Flavorful Quick Dinner

Ingredients:

• Taco shells
• 1 cup boiled kidney beans (lightly mashed)
• Onion, tomato, lettuce
• Lemon juice, red chili powder
• Cheese (optional)

Method:

1. Season boiled kidney beans with salt and chili powder.
2. Fill taco shells with beans.
3. Add onion, tomato, and lettuce on top.
4. Drizzle lemon juice and sprinkle cheese if desired.

👉 Crunchy, spicy, and fun to eat!