17 Dinners That Don’t Require a Meal Plan or a Headache

17 Dinners That Don’t Require a Meal Plan or a Headache

Dinner does not always need a plan, a list, or extra mental energy at the end of the day. These 17 dinners are built for nights when you just want something that works without thinking too hard about it. The ingredients are familiar, the timelines are reasonable, and the flavors feel steady and comforting. Each recipe keeps things simple while still giving you a dinner that feels complete and worth sitting down to eat.

17 Dinners That Don’t Require a Meal Plan or a Headache
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Feta Pasta

Side view of baked feta pasta on a plate.
Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Feta Pasta is a creamy pasta dish made with roasted feta, tomatoes, and herbs tossed with noodles. The recipe takes about 40 minutes using pasta, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and olive oil. The flavor is tangy, salty, and lightly sweet from the tomatoes. It feels rich without requiring extra sauces or complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

A bowl of ajiaco colombiano soup with chicken, corn on the cob, and avocado.
Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ajiaco Colombiano is a hearty chicken and potato soup built around corn, herbs, and tender chicken. The soup takes about 60 minutes and uses chicken, potatoes, corn, and traditional seasonings. The flavor is rich, savory, and gently herbal. It eats like a full meal, with a thick texture that feels grounding and filling.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

A white bowl of soup with a spoon and basil.
Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup is a tomato-based bean soup made with white beans and paprika. The recipe takes about 60 minutes using dried or canned beans, tomatoes, onions, and spices. The taste is savory with gentle acidity and warmth from paprika. The soup is filling but not heavy, making it easy to finish a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

Baked Creamy Salmon

Grilled salmon and potatoes on a baking sheet.
Baked Creamy Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Creamy Salmon is a sheet pan salmon dinner cooked with potatoes and a garlic cream sauce. The recipe takes about 30 minutes using salmon, potatoes, cream, and garlic. The flavor is smooth, savory, and gently rich. The sauce ties everything together without overpowering the fish.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta

Meatballs with creamy white sauce, pita bread, and fresh dill on a gray plate, with a lemon wedge nearby.
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta are baked meatballs made from ground turkey, herbs, and feta cheese. The recipe takes about 35 minutes using turkey, garlic, herbs, and cheese. The flavor is savory with a mild tang from the feta. The meatballs stay moist and work easily with simple sides.
Get the Recipe: Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta

Chicken Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe

Close-up of roasted meatballs with a mix of colorful, chopped bell peppers and zucchini slices.
Chicken Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe combines sliced sausage with roasted vegetables on one tray. The meal takes about 30 minutes using chicken sausage, zucchini, peppers, and olive oil. The taste is savory with mild herb notes. The sausage adds richness while the vegetables keep it balanced.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes

Roasted chicken with parsley and potatoes on a plate.
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes is a roasted chicken dinner paired with seasoned potatoes on one pan. The recipe takes about 50 minutes using chicken pieces, potatoes, buttermilk, and simple spices. The chicken tastes savory and tender, while the potatoes roast until soft inside. The overall flavor is comforting and familiar without being greasy.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes

Belgian Endive Soup

Two bowls of soup on a wooden table.
Belgian Endive Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Belgian Endive Soup is a smooth vegetable-based soup built from endive, broth, and aromatics. The soup takes about 45 minutes using endive, onions, butter, and stock. The flavor is mild, slightly bitter, and deeply savory. Its simple profile makes it easy to enjoy as a calming dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Belgian Endive Soup

Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers

Instant Pot chicken with sweet peppers, carrots, herbs, and tomatoes on a white plate.
Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers is a pressure-cooked chicken dinner simmered in tomatoes, peppers, and warm spices. The dish takes about 40 minutes using chicken pieces, bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatics. The taste is savory with mild sweetness from the peppers. The sauce coats everything evenly, making the meal feel complete and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers

Moroccan Salmon with Peppers

Chicken stew with herbs and whole red chilies cooking in a white pot.
Moroccan Salmon with Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Moroccan Salmon with Peppers is a stovetop salmon dish simmered in tomato sauce with peppers and garlic. The recipe takes about 35 minutes using salmon fillets, tomatoes, peppers, and spices. The sauce tastes warm, savory, and lightly sweet from the peppers. The salmon stays tender and absorbs the surrounding flavors easily.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Salmon with Peppers

Fried Marinated Tofu

A bowl of soup with a spoon in it.
Fried Marinated Tofu. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fried Marinated Tofu is a protein-forward plant-based dish made with marinated tofu cooked until golden and crisp. The recipe takes about 30 minutes using tofu, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and oil. The flavor is savory and slightly salty with a clean finish. The texture contrast between crisp edges and tender centers makes it filling without feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Fried Marinated Tofu

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

A roasted cabbage steak is served on a pink plate. It is topped with a creamy sauce, pumpkin seeds, and chopped green onions. The cabbage is browned and slightly charred at the edges.
Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini are thick cabbage slices cooked until tender with crisp edges. The recipe takes about 25 minutes using cabbage, olive oil, harissa, and tahini. The flavor is nutty, savory, and lightly spicy. The creamy sauce balances the roasted vegetable texture well.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks With Tahini

Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Sheet pan salmon and cauliflower.
Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner is a roasted salmon meal paired with cauliflower, olives, lemon, and spices on one pan. The dish takes about 35 minutes and relies on salmon fillets, vegetables, olive oil, and warm spice blends. The taste is savory with subtle citrus and briny notes from the olives. Everything cooks together, creating a cohesive, well-rounded dinner.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Baked Harissa Salmon

Baked salmon fillets topped with lemon slices and fresh herbs on a sheet of parchment paper.
Baked Harissa Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Harissa Salmon is a sheet pan salmon dinner coated in harissa paste, lemon juice, and warm spices, then roasted until flaky. The meal takes about 30 minutes from start to finish using salmon fillets, olive oil, garlic, and citrus. The flavor is bold but balanced, with gentle heat and brightness from the lemon. It feels rich and savory without being heavy, making it easy to enjoy on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Baked Harissa Salmon

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies

Hands holding paprika chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies is a roasted chicken dinner paired with seasoned vegetables on one pan. The recipe takes about 40 minutes using chicken, paprika, potatoes, and vegetables. The flavor is savory with gentle smokiness from the paprika. Everything roasts together for a balanced, no-fuss meal.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies

Cheesy Eggs

A person scooping a dish of eggs in a skillet.
Cheesy Eggs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cheesy Eggs are eggs simmered in tomato sauce and melted cheese, similar to a shakshuka-style dish. The recipe takes about 25 minutes using eggs, tomatoes, cheese, and spices. The taste is savory and rich with a familiar comfort-food feel. The soft eggs and sauce make it easy to scoop and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Eggs

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

17 Dinners That Don’t Require a Meal Plan or a Headache
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks are roasted chicken legs seasoned with cumin, paprika, garlic, and lime. The recipe takes about 45 minutes and uses bone-in chicken drumsticks, citrus, and pantry spices. The chicken tastes savory, lightly smoky, and gently tangy from the marinade. Each bite stays juicy inside with a crisp exterior that feels satisfying and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

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