25 Easy Monday Night Dinner Ideas

When I’m looking for Monday night dinner ideas, I’m looking for no-muss, no-fuss. 

The start of the week can be hard enough without having to worry about feeding the family.

That being said, I still want something satisfying! Just because I have the Monday blues doesn’t mean I’m going to settle for a sad, frozen lasagna.

Maybe you’re under a time-crunch or had to bring some work home with you.

Or maybe you’re just looking at the long week ahead and want something delicious but lazy.

Well, how does tender pulled pork sound? Or homemade pad Thai?

I promise, everything on this list of Monday night dinner recipes is easy, tasty, and doesn’t require too much effort to throw together. 

1. Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chops

You might be wondering just how easy these pork chops are.

Well, they need just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes of your time (half of that being cooking time)!

The beauty of these pork chops is that you don’t even need to marinate them. They can be cooked on the fly and still end up super flavorful. 

2. 10-Minute Quesadillas

The beauty quesadillas is that you can make them with almost anything. Try leftover chicken and add some cheese and peppers!

Or do you have a can of black beans in the cupboard? Toss those with some tomatoes and corn!

Just be sure to use decent cheese that you grated yourself, and always cook on medium heat to allow the cheese to melt and get a nice toast on the tortilla. 

3. Barilla Lasagna Recipe

Lasagna is such a classic. It’s comfort food at its best and will brighten up any gloomy Monday. 

It can also be time-consuming to make.

Not with this recipe! The noodles only need 4 minutes to soak, and you can have the rest assembled in less than 20 minutes.

The simple mixture of cheeses acts as a snappy substitute for cheese sauce, and it will be bubbling on the table in under an hour.

4. Creamy Red Pepper Shells

I know how tempting it is to open a jar of pasta sauce, and honestly, some are pretty tasty. No judgment here; I have a couple in my pantry for a rainy day.

But this sauce is not only fast, it’s dreamy! Blending chicken stock with red peppers = game changer!

5. Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

The thing about stuffed bell peppers is that you’ll get such great flavors along with a generous helping of veggies all in one.

Not to mention, they’re so easy to make vegetarian-friendly. 

Another bonus is that you can make these ahead and just bake when you need them.

6. Best-Ever Turkey Burger

The key to making a good turkey burger is to stop pretending it’s beef. It’s not. And that’s ok!

With the right seasoning and some egg for moisture, you won’t miss that beef burger. 

This recipe keeps it simple with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and parsley, but I also like to add some red onion for a peppery crunch.

7. Mediterranean Quinoa Burger with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta

I’ve really been trying to stick to meatless Mondays, and with recipes like this, it’s been a breeze. 

If you want to try out some new vegetarian-friendly meals, these little burgers are for you.

They’re so tender and absolutely packed with flavor. I added some tahini to my mix and served with a spoonful of sun-dried tomato and roasted garlic mayo.

8. Cheeseburger Meatloaf

If you’re going to make a meatloaf, it really should be covered in melted cheese. 

This recipe is already tasty and perfectly moist, but adding in a spiral of cheese is a genius way to infuse extra flavor and moisture. I also like to brush a layer of ketchup inside.

9. Creamy Tortellini Soup

Soup is such a great dinner option. It’s fast, warm, and can be made and frozen for future use. 

But sometimes, soup can be a little lacking in substance. That’s why I like this recipe so much. It’s full of pasta and ground meat, making it a meal to fill you up.

Everything gets cooked in one pot, and you can play around with the tortellini to add fun new flavors. 

10. Chicken Mie Goreng Recipe

We’ve all seen the Tik Tok chefs making these incredible bowls of food. They make it look so easy!

The thing about this dish is that it’s easy and just needs a few ingredients. But don’t panic!

You have them all somewhere, and it’s just a matter of adding them at the right time.

Make this once, and it will be your new go-to for a speedy Monday meal. 

11. Steamed Bao Buns

Ok, this one isn’t a quick meal. In fact, you’ll need to let the dough rise a couple of times, which can take a couple of hours altogether. 

But for those foodies that find cooking relaxing, you’ll love this.

Even on a dark Monday night, spending some time in the kitchen can actually help you to relax. Focus on the dough, and let everything else go. 

12. Easy Crab Cakes Recipe

My only requirement for this is fresh crab meat. I get it from the counter, so I know it hasn’t been frozen or overly processed.

But if you can’t find that, the packaged stuff will still taste great when mixed into the crunchy cakes. 

Broiling these will help to ensure that crisp coating, and cuts down on the oil you’d use for frying. 

13. How to Cook Steak – Like a Chef!

Cooking steak doesn’t have to be an adventure. Once you have the basics down, you’ll kick yourself for not trying it sooner. 

Always start with a good cut of meat. I like rib-eye. You’ll want some marbling of fat to ensure a tender bite, and it should be pretty thick.

Be sure your meat is at room temperature and that your pan is smoking hot.

Sear it unmoved for 2 to 3 minutes on either side to create a wonderful crust, and always let it rest after cooking. 

14. Tofu Stir Fry

If you’ve ever had sad, mushy tofu, you may have been turned off for like. I get it!

I hated it for the longest time. Then I found extra-firm tofu. 

You’ll want the extra-firm kind, so it holds its shape as it cooks. Trust me, this will make all the difference.

And for an even crispier coating and meatier bite, always press the excess moisture from the tofu before cooking. 

15. Pad Thai

Pad Thai really doesn’t have to take hours to cook. With this recipe, all you’ll need to prep for the sauce is to mix a few ingredients together.

The beauty of this dish is that you can add any veggies you have on hand, and if you use shrimp, it can be ready in a matter of minutes. 

16. Coca Cola Pulled Pork

How can pulled pork be a quick Monday night meal? It takes hours to cook!

That’s true, but it only needs 5 minutes of prep in the morning, and then the slow cooker does all the work.

Set this baby going before you leave for work, and you’ll come home to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth meal. All you’ll need are some burger buns. 

17. Sichuan Cold Noodles

You can serve these hot or cold, and they’ll be delicious. But on a warm night, they make a great, filling meal and still pack quite a punch without being hot. 

The sauce is super straightforward, and I often cheat by using chili paste in place of the oil. 

18. Vegan Winter Lentil Stew

We definitely don’t use lentils enough, which is a shame. They’re super nutritious and make for such a filling meal. 

In this stew, you’ll get a mouthful of tender veggies in every bite, and it only needs 10 minutes of your time.

19. Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

How can you possibly make a chicken pot pie in 10 minutes? Use a frozen vegetable medley and cream of chicken soup! Oh, and store-bought pie dough, of course. 

This recipe actually calls for Bisquick covering, which makes such a nice change to the thick pastry. It will be delicious either way!.

20. Pizza Casserole

If you’re making a pasta bake, why not add in some pizza toppings? Between the pasta sauce and pepperoni, you’ll dive in for seconds. 

Don’t be shy with the cheese on top, and feel free to change up the fillings. BBQ chicken and bacon would make a great alternative. 

21. Ham, Apple, and Swiss Panini

Sandwiches for dinner might seem an odd choice, but these are big, thick, cheesy, and super filling. 

Between the thick ham, mustard-mayo, and thin slice of apples, you’ll want to make extra.

22. Cheesy Vegetable Melts

Not a ham eater? Then you have to try these veggie melts. Not only are they gorgeous and vibrant, but they are loaded with flavor. 

You can use any veggies you like here, but I particularly like to use spinach and red peppers for their color.

And be sure to use some decent cheese. Nothing bland in here, please!

23. White Chicken Chili

As much as I love a good hearty chili with ground beef and tomatoes, I just can’t resist this creamy chicken version. 

And the best part? It cooks in the slow cooker, so all you’ll have to do is add the ingredients and wait.

24. Chicken Piccata

Crispy chicken and a sauce that only needs five or six ingredients is such a lifesaver on a busy Monday night.

And all you’ll have to do is throw it in a pan and let the sauce cook!

This whole thing gets cooked in one pan, keeping all that flavor right in the dish. Serve with some roasted potatoes or a side of vegetables. 

25. Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

This dish is the perfect combination of lasagna and enchiladas. It incorporates layers just like lasagna, but the flavors are wonderfully Mexican. 

If salsa verde isn’t your favorite, feel free to use regular salsa in its place. And for another shortcut, just use a taco seasoning mix to flavor the chicken.