No matter how much you love to cook, sometimes half the battle of making dinner is finding the motivation to get started. At the end of a long day, you want to sit down to something that’s healthy and interesting — and something that comes together fast.
We created this collection of easy weeknight dinner ideas that you can whip up in a pinch when you come home tired and hangry. Each recipe showcases pantry staples to help you make the most out of what’s already in your kitchen. And all feature flavorful, organic spices that get you excited to cook. Because with the right recipe and the right ingredients at your side, good food is within reach — even when you’re in a hurry.
Large Batch Freezer Meatballs
...for when you need something easy
Freezer meals like these meatballs are a HUGE lifesaver on busy nights when you have no time (or energy) to make dinner from scratch. Make a big batch on the weekend, portion them out and pop them in the freezer, and BOOM! Eight servings of delicious meatballs, ready to go when you want them.
The best thing about this recipe is that it’s a blank slate — you can create an entirely new meal every time you make leftovers just by switching up the sauce you cook them in. Yesterday’s meatball spaghetti could be today’s Southwestern meatball sub, or tomorrow’s korma meatball lettuce wraps. Minimal effort. Zero flavor repeats.
Spicy Tuna Pasta with Oregano and Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
...for when you’re looking to impress
Special occasions don’t care if you’re busy — but this elegant recipe does. This gorgeous, flavorful pasta studded with oil-packed tuna, sun dried tomatoes, capers and lemon comes together FAST. But your guests won’t ever know!
The truly awesome part about this recipe is that it uses pantry staples and dried herbs, saving you a trip to the store. Sustainably-sourced canned tuna is the star of the show, meaning you can make this dish any time of the year.
Sauteed Cauliflower Mild Tacos
...for when you’re hungry NOW
Don’t let the world “mild” fool you — these tacos aren’t spicy, but they’re still bursting with vibrant Southwest flavor, thanks to Simply Organic Mild Taco Simmer Sauce. All you need to do is chop a few veggies, toss them in a skillet and let the simmer sauce do the heavy lifting. It all comes together in about 20 minutes, making this the perfect recipe for days when you get home late and need to switch up your dinner plans.
Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup
...for when you want to sit back and relax
Mmmm. We’re not sure what’s more delicious: the smoky chipotle flavor in every. single. bite. of this rich, tomatoey soup — or the crispy tortilla strip garnish covered in gooey cheese and chunky sea salt.
Flavor aside, the biggest plus to this recipe is that it lets your slow cooker do most of the work for you. There’s only about 20-minutes of hand-on time needed, giving you the chance to take a break (even sneak in a few shows, perhaps) — or get a couple chores done if you must — before it’s time to sit down to dinner.
Creamy Curry Tofu Noodle Bowl
...for when you crave something plant-based
This satisfying vegan noodle bowl is loaded with awesome, interesting texture — from fresh veggies and crispy tofu to springy rice noodles smothered in a creamy soy-curry sauce. Simply Organic Curry Powder is the stand-out in this recipe, which lends outrageous depth and dimension thanks to its blend of 11 organic spices.
Taco Pizza
...for when you need to shake up “Taco Tuesdays”
In almost every home, there are two dishes that never disappoint: tacos and pizza. So you know you can’t go wrong with this tangy and spicy (but not-too-hot) Taco Pizza.
Made with your choice of ground meat (or plant-based protein) and perfectly seasoned with Simply Organic Southwest Taco Simmer Sauce, this super-customizable pizza is just what you need to infuse more flavor and fun into Taco Tuesdays.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Pesto Sauce
...for when you want to up your cooking skills
This recipe will leave you feeling like a top chef in under half an hour. Not only is it absolutely STUNNING to look at, it’ll leave you drooling — thanks to powerhouse Mediterranean ingredients like balsamic vinaigrette, Simply Organic Oregano and sweet basil pesto.
Shortcut alert: this recipe uses Simply Organic Sweet Basil Pesto Mix, so there’s no need to cut herbs, chop nuts or bust out the blender.
Baked Salmon with Rosemary Root Vegetables
...for when you want to eat clean
Sheet pans are the real heroes of quick, weeknight dinners — since you bake everything on one pan, there’s minimal cleaning and no scrambling to find an extra pot or the right lid. As an added bonus, since everything is baked (not fried), you can treat yourself to a super clean and delicious meal composed of nothing more than protein-rich salmon and nutrient-packed root veggies. Turns out healthy cooking isn’t so hard after all!
Ready to start cooking? Keep your pantry stocked with the spices, sauces and shortcuts you need to make weeknight meal prep easy and delicious. Use our store-locator tool to find Simply Organic spices and herbs near you.
