25 Easy Tuesday Night Dinner Ideas

I don’t know about you, but I need some fun new Tuesday night dinner ideas. Preferrably something quick and easy for those busy midweek meals.

So today I have 25 new, easy dinner recipes you can whip up in 30 minutes or less.

I’m not going to lie; we take Taco Tuesday seriously in my house, so you’ll see plenty of fun new ways to keep the tradition alive. 

I’ve also found some family faves that are nice and simple but sure-fire winners. Let’s dig in!

1. Walking Taco Casserole Recipe

Have you seen the posts of people making taco casseroles right in a bag of chips? I love the idea but prefer this version. 

You’ll still get all the same flavors – Frito chips, ground beef, tomatoes, and lettuce – but this way, everyone can share.

2. Easy Chicken Chimichangas

Just when you thought burritos couldn’t get any better, someone decided to deep fry them!

The key to making chimichangas is not to make them too big. I know, that’s what we love about burritos!

But you’ll need them smaller to ensure they don’t burst open.

3. Easy Crockpot Taco Soup Recipe

Taco soup is full of corn, beans, and perfectly seasoned beef (try pork or turkey if you want it leaner), and all you’ll have to do is throw it in the Crockpot.

This recipe is similar to how you might make chili, but the difference is, you won’t want to drain those cans.

You’ll want all that fantastic flavor to help make the broth.

4. Penne Pasta Bake

Pasta bakes are my go-to when it comes to lazy simple, and effortless dinners. Did you know you won’t even need to precook the pasta?

For the fastest pasta bake ever, add the pasta and sauce to a baking dish, then add enough water to cover the pasta.

Pop it in the oven and let it cook away while you take the dog out for that evening walk.

5. Easy Mexican Rice Recipe (Restaurant-Style)

I have to admit that we’ve been extending Taco Tuesday to Wednesday and even Thursday in my house. When it’s good, why go for anything else?

This rice is the perfect side for your Taco Tuesday fun, and it’s so easy to modify. Just add in some chopped jalapeños or habanero peppers to spice things up.

6. Easy Homemade Ramen

Don’t worry; I’m not talking about microwaved noodle cups here. Ramen is so much more than that and will fill you up like nothing else. 

Homemade noodles with boiled eggs, mushrooms, and spinach might sound like a lot of steps, but it’s super straightforward.

And once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to start trying all kinds of fun new versions.

7. Dump-and-Bake Ravioli Casserole

If there was ever a way to make a pasta dish better, it’s to add more cheese, right?!

How can you not love a plate full of cheese-filled ravioli with flavorful marinara?

Top tip: use cheese and spinach ravioli, and the kids will never know they’re eating veggies, too!

8. Mexican Buddha Bowl

There’s no way you haven’t seen these gorgeous Buddha bowls popping up in your social feeds!

Made of four main ingredients, they’re such a fantastic way to eat healthily.

Aside from the basics – grains + veggies + protein + dressing – you can add in so many colorful extras to make this your own.

9. Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Pork chops might seem intimidating at first, but if you have the right method, they’ll come out juicy every time!

I love the crust these chops get from being cooked over high heat. The sauce is then made right in the pan, soaking up all those meaty juices. 

10. 30 Minute Posole

This traditional Mexican stew is made using leftover slow-cooked meat, hominy, and lots of seasonings. 

Being a soup, you can eat this alone or with some crusty bread or cornbread. Or if you want to make it a more filling meal, try it on the side of some rice.

11. Barilla Lasagna Recipe

I know what you’re thinking: lasagna isn’t the quickest Tuesday night dinner. But I have a secret – extra sauce!

The noodles need that extra bit of moisture to cook in this dish, and the marina adds moisture and incredible flavor. 

12. Taco Stuffed Tomatoes

This twist on stuffed peppers is such a clever way to get those veggies in! You already know tomatoes are a hit, so why not use them as little bowls for your taco mix?

I like to roast my tomatoes to soften them slightly, but leaving them raw is like adding chopped tomatoes to your tacos.

Better still, they’re gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Just swap out the meat for some tofu, and you’ve got a tasty vegan dinner. 

13. Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Here’s another recipe that should take hours to put together, but I have another trick up my sleeve.

Bisquick is the perfect pie topping. Not only is it super simple to mix up, but you don’t even have to roll anything out.

Just spoon it over the filling and let the oven do its thing.

14. Easy Fish Tacos

I’ve been lucky enough to visit California a few times, and every time I must eat my body weight in fish tacos.

They’re second to none and dangerously easy to make at home.

White fish is pretty mild, so a good rub is essential.

Make it as spicy as you like, and don’t be shy with the toppings! This spicy mango salsa is delicious in fish tacos.

15. Easy Layered Taco Bake

As far as taco bakes go, you just can’t beat a faux-lasagna. 

Tortillas make the perfect ‘noodle’ layer, and with all that cheese, it’s almost a cross between a lasagna and a pizza.

16. Yakisoba Chicken

This Japanese stir-fry is just what that chilly Tuesday night needs. 

Another hot tip: rather than using frozen veggies that can sometimes come out soggy, just throw in a handful or two of a good coleslaw mix right at the end.

It usually has all the right ingredients, and it will stay nice and crunchy.

17. Taco Pizza

This is a real taco pizza – fluffy pizza dough loaded with taco meat, beans, olives, tomatoes, and plenty of cheese.

Ground beef will always be easy and flavorful, but you can switch this up if you have some leftover chicken or pulled pork.

18. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Speaking of leftover chicken! If you’re anything like me, you just can’t resist a juicy rotisserie chicken.

But it’s time to do more with it than just pop it on a plate with some potatoes. 

This casserole is packed with flavor and serves a lot like lasagna. Don’t be shy with the cheese on top. That golden, bubbling crust is the best part. 

19. Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

I don’t know who made the rule that tater tots are just for kids. They’re bite-sized, fluffy, crunchy, and always a hit.

Make them into a meal with ground beef and mushroom soup. Or why not keep the taco Tuesday flavors rolling with some beans and taco seasoning?

20. Best Chicken Fajitas

As much as I love the simplicity of throwing everything on a sheet tray and roasting until cooked, you can’t beat the textures you get from using a skillet. 

Luckily, the peppers and onions don’t take long to cook, and I even prefer them with a bit of crunch.

21. No-Peek Chicken (Just 5 Ingredients)

Looking for something savory, snappy, simple, and scrumptious? This 5-ingredient chicken dinner has you covered. 

By adding the liquids to the rice along with the chicken, all those flavors have nowhere to go but right into the food, making each bite better than the last.

22. Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi might look like an expensive restaurant dinner, but it’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home. 

You can have the sauce and the shrimp cooked in under 10 minutes, and then it’s just a matter of pouring the whole pan right over the spaghetti.

23. Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork

The only caveat with this dish is that you need to think about it in the morning.

It requires a solid 6 to 8 hours on low to be fork-tender, so you’ll have to prep everything in the morning or even the night before. 

The good news? Prep takes just a few minutes, and everything goes right into the pot. Switch the slow-cooker on and forget about it.

24. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Risotto

Risotto does need a little tender-loving-care. I can’t deny that. But once it’s ready, it’s just so creamy and packed with flavor that it’s worth every second!

Be sure to use arborio rice and good white wine. Oh, and you just can’t beat freshly grated parmesan.

25. Creamy Salmon Piccata

Salmon piccata has all the same flavor as chicken piccata – butter, white wine, and capers – but then it gets a touch of dill for something really special. 

This one-pot wonder will leave you with tender salmon cooked right in the creamy sauce. It’s light, filling, and can be ready in just 15 minutes.