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Dinner Recipes

Weeknight dinners built around ground beef, chicken casseroles and vegetarian mains, with clear steps and realistic timings.

Recipe collection

Cook something satisfying

22 recipes

A sliced chicken pot pie reveals creamy filling with peas, carrots and celery on a rustic plate.
Dinner

Chicken Pot Pie with Homemade Crust

A chicken pot pie with a homemade butter crust and a thick, creamy chicken, carrot, celery, and pea filling that slices cleanly.
  • 45 Mins
A bowl of creamy chicken and dumplings with carrots and celery sits on a wooden table near a spoon.
Dinner

Chicken and Dumplings (Creamy, From Scratch)

Tender shredded chicken, sautéed carrots, celery, and onion, and fluffy drop dumplings simmered together in a rich, creamy homemade gravy — all made in one pot from scratch.
  • 40 Mins
A bowl of creamy rigatoni pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and basil sits on a wooden table.
Dinner

Vegetarian Marry Me Pasta

A creamy vegetarian marry me pasta made with sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, spinach, and fresh basil, ready in about 35 minutes in one skillet.
  • 25 Mins
A bowl of curry with tofu, potatoes, and carrots, garnished with cilantro and lime, on a wooden table.
Dinner

Vegetarian Massaman Curry

A creamy, warmly spiced Thai-style curry made with tofu, potatoes, and carrots simmered in coconut milk and vegetarian massaman curry paste.
  • 30 Mins
A wooden spoon lifts a cheesy portion from a baked chicken casserole in a rustic dish.
Dinner

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

A creamy baked casserole of shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese, topped with melted cheddar, mozzarella, and a buttery Ritz cracker crust.
  • 30 Mins
A wooden spoon rests in a cheesy chicken enchilada casserole on a rustic table near a sunny window.
Dinner

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

A layered chicken enchilada casserole with corn tortillas, shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and melted cheese, baked until bubbly for an easy weeknight dinner.
  • 35 Mins
A spoon lifts a cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole from a baking dish on a wooden table.
Dinner

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

A creamy baked casserole of shredded chicken, broccoli, and rice in a homemade cheddar sauce, topped with a buttery panko crust.
  • 30 Mins
A spoon rests in a baking dish of cheesy ground beef and rice casserole with peppers and corn.
Dinner

Ground Beef Rice Casserole

A baked ground beef and rice casserole made with browned beef, uncooked long-grain rice, diced tomatoes, corn, and melted cheddar, all cooked together in one dish for an easy weeknight dinner.
  • 45 Mins
A steaming bowl of ground beef chili with beans and peppers sits on a wooden counter near a pot on the stove.
Dinner

Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe

A thick, hearty ground beef chili made in one pot with kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and a bold blend of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Ready in about an hour and perfect for weeknights or game day.
  • 45 Mins

About these dinner recipes

The dinner collection covers three kinds of weeknight cooking. Ground beef recipes are the quickest: one-pan meals such as ground beef stroganoff, chili and tacos are usually ready in under an hour. Chicken casseroles spend longer in the oven but need little hands-on time, and most can be assembled ahead, from the chicken and rice casserole to enchilada and noodle bakes. Vegetarian mains such as the creamy chickpea curry and the black bean and brown rice casserole make meat-free nights feel like a full meal.

Cook ground beef to 160°F (71°C) and chicken to 165°F (74°C), checked with a thermometer in the thickest part. Each recipe states its total time, servings and nutrition per serving. For help choosing, read the guides to ground beef dinners, chicken casseroles and vegetarian dinners.

Helpful answers

Frequently asked questions

How do I decide between a casserole, a skillet dish, or a curry for dinner?

Think about your time and cleanup tolerance. Skillets like ground beef stroganoff or a rice skillet come together fast in one pan. Casseroles need oven time but can be assembled ahead. Curries and chilis are forgiving and great for stretching leftovers over a few days.

Can I make casseroles ahead of time?

Yes, most casseroles assemble well a day in advance. Build the dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate unbaked. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes since it's starting cold. This works well for chicken, rice, and beef-based casseroles alike.

What's the safest way to store and reheat ground beef or chicken dishes?

Cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate within two hours in a sealed container, using them within a few days. Reheat chicken dishes and leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F, and ground beef dishes to at least 160°F, stirring partway through for even heating.

Can I swap chicken or ground beef for a vegetarian protein in these recipes?

Often yes. Chickpeas, black beans, or extra vegetables can replace meat in casseroles and curries, though you may need to adjust liquid or seasoning since plant proteins absorb flavor differently. Dishes built specifically around ground beef or chicken, like tacos, work best kept as written.

How do I keep a casserole from turning out watery or dry?

Watery casseroles usually come from vegetables releasing moisture or sauces not thickening enough; pre-cooking watery vegetables like zucchini helps. Dry casseroles often result from overbaking or too little sauce. Cover with foil for most of the bake time and uncover near the end to brown the top.