As registered dietitians and moms, we know what it’s like to need to get dinner on the table with as little work as possible. Plus, you have to navigate everyone’s different likes and dislikes. On those busy weeknights, no one wants to be slowed down by detailed instructions.

A bowl of Ramen noodles topped with a sunny-side-up egg and a generous serving of green peas sits on a vibrant orange surface. This family-friendly dish is presented in a blue bowl nested within a larger beige bowl, making it an easy dinner idea with no recipe needed.

These no-recipe-needed dinner ideas are perfect for weeknight cooking with cooking times that won’t leave everyone grumpy and overly hungry. Save time with fewer trips to the grocery store by keeping the items 

Why you love these simple no recipe dinner ideas

  • If you want to enlist kitchen help, these no-recipe meals are a great option for involving kids in the kitchen.
  • Each of these recipes uses pantry staples, simple ingredients, a short ingredient list and no-recipe-needed recipe formats.
  • No recipe cooking will save you time and simplify your weeknights.
  • Lefovers of these meals make simplify packed lunches.
  • These are truly no recipe needed. They’re not the style of cooking you see on cooking shows. No shame in watching cooking shows. I personally love them and have fond childhood memories of watching Julia Child with my grandmother. 
A family-friendly plate of ravioli topped with red tomato sauce and a sprinkle of grated cheese sits invitingly on a wooden table. Perfect for dinner ideas, the ravioli are neatly arranged on a gray ceramic dish.

Frozen ravioli with Rao’s marinara sauce

This is a perfect meal for those nights when you need dinner ready quickly. All you need to do is cook a bag of your favorite frozen ravioli and heat the contents of a jar of your favorite jar of pasta sauce. Serve the sauce on the side if you have picky eaters who don’t like pasta sauce. Serve with a hunk of fresh parmesan cheese for grating. Add a salad kit or salad greens with your favorite dressing and you’ve got a satisfying meal for the busiest weeknights. This will surely stay on your list of go-to meals.

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook the ravioli according to the package instructions and carefully drain once it’s cooked.
  3. While the ravioli cooks, empty the contents of the jar of pasta sauce into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium to medium-high heat, stirring once or twice. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Serve the ravioli separate from the sauce if you don’t want to clean 2 pots with tomato sauce in them. This also gives picky eaters the option of no sauce.
  5. Rinse the grapes, put the carrots and dressing/dip out on the table.
A blue plate holds a delectable hamburger topped with lettuce and tomato, complemented by tortilla chips, a small bowl of mustard sauce, and baby carrots. Perfect for family-friendly dinner ideas, this meal comes together effortlessly—no recipe needed!.

Salmon or veggie burgers with potato chips and fruit

Keep a package of salmon patties and veggie burgers in your freezer for any night you’re in the mood for fish or a plant-based meal. If you’re worried your children won’t eat either, they can always make do with a hamburger bun and a glass of milk. Resist the urge to take these out of your meal rotation if your kids don’t eat them. Remember, it can take seeing a food MANY times before a child will even try it. Serve with a large bowl of potato chips for the table or oven fries and fruit.

  1. Cook the rice according to package instructions. Or you can use the precooked frozen or shelf stable rice to get this dinner ready even faster.
  2. Heat salmon patties or veggie(or bean) burgers according to package instructions.
  3. Cook the green beans in salted water for 5 minutes or until they turn bright green. If you use frozen green beans, follow the package instructions.
  4. When the burgers are done, toast the buns.
  5. Serve with your favorite condiments.

Stuffed baked potatoes

Baked potatoes are simple and versatile. Plus, they work well in a Thermos lunch. Just scoop the potato out of the skin, reheat the potato, and add it to the warmed food jar. 

They’re also a great option for the whole family because you can top them with anything you like, from the classic sour cream or broccoli and cheese to black beans, roasted veggies, you name it. Next time try feta cheese, olives, diced tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce, or white beans, hummus, and olives if you’re in the mood for Mediterranian flavors. If you want to mix it up, make both baked potatoes and baked sweet potatoes. Top with your favorite chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives.

TO MICROWAVE

  1. Wash potatoes and prick with a fork a few times. If you’d like, you can brush each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
  2. Cook on high for 5 minutes. Turn potatoes
  3. over and cook for another 5 minutes. (Microwaves and sizes of potatoes vary and will determine length of time.)

TO BAKE

  1. Wash potatoes and prick with a fork a few times. If you’d like, you can brush each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. Preheat oven to 425 F. Cook potatoes for 45–60 minutes or until a fork can be easily inserted in the potatoes.
  3. Remove the potatoes from the oven and carefully cut them lengthwise down the center of each potato.
  4. Add shredded, cooked rotisserie chicken, cheese, beans and/or other protein. Bacon and sour cream always taste great on a potato.
  5. Add frozen or fresh cooked vegetables, such as broccoli or spinach.
  6. You might consider letting each person top their own potato. Kids love the opportunity to choose their toppings.

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Ramen noodles with peas and fried egg

Ramen noodles with frozen or fresh veggies and eggs is a quick and comforting meal. It’s often the simplest meals that become our weeknight favorites. 

Ramen noodles have long been criticized as “unhealthy.” Without going into it here in a short recipe headnote, we’ll just say they’re not “unhealthy.” They make a filling snack or meal. Our favorite brand is Momofuku noodles. They cook in a few minutes. While they’re cooking, scramble or fry some eggs and cook some frozen peas or frozen mixed veggies. Add soy sauce, a drizzle of fish sauce, and sesame seeds, and you’re all set. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little chili crisp if you like spicy foods. 

  1. Cook your favorite Ramen noodles according to the package instructions. (I don’t use the flavor packets. I like to season the ramen with soy sauce, but follow your taste preferences).
  2. While water boils, fry or scramble eggs.
  3. While the eggs and Ramen noodles cook, cook the frozen veggies in the microwave, according to the package instructions.
  4. Assemble everything in a bowl and season with soy sauce or your favorite seasoning.
A plate of golden-brown quesadillas, perfect for family-friendly dinner ideas, is cut into wedges and served on a wooden table. It's accompanied by a small bowl of salsa and another bowl of sour cream, offering a classic Mexican dish presentation.

Quesadilla with store-bought guacamole, salsa, and sour cream

With just a handful of ingredients, you can have dinner ready in less than 15 minutes. Keep flour tortillas and grated mozzarella cheese on hand (really any cheese that you like and that melts easily will work). You can make plain cheese quesadillas or add a Tablespoon or two of drained, canned black beans to each. Thawed, drained spinach or fresh spinach works well as an additional filling too. Serve with fruit or a salad kit, and you’ve got dinner ready in no time. Make a few extra quesadillas to send in packed lunches the next day and don’t forget to pack the tortilla chips and salsa,.

STOVE TOP

  1. Heat canola oil or other neutral oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the flour tortilla to the pan and top HALF of it with your choice of grated cheese and other fillings.
  3. Then fold the quesadilla in half.
  4. Cook for 3–5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

IN THE OVEN

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Brush one side of the tortillas with olive oil (or any oil !) and place them oil side down on a rimmed sheet pan.
  3. Top HALF of each tortilla with grated cheese and other filling you like. Fold the empty side of the tortilla over the side with the fillings.
  4. Bake for 5–8 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Turn the quesadillas over and bake another 5 minutes.

More Simple Recipes and No Recipe Needed Ideas

If you’re interested in an easy recipe or two, check out our recipe index. If you’d like more meal ideas that are no recipe cooking, our Super Easy Meals: No Recipe Required E-book is available for purchase on our shop page.

A number of years ago, Sam Sifton, of New York Times Cooking put together a no-recipe needed collection. We enjoy making some of those recipes still, especially weeknight fried rice using brown rice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, peas, carrots, and scrambled eggs. 

Two females in the kitchen making a salad.

We’re Elizabeth & Anna!

It’s great to have you here. We’re registered dietitians and we share tips to support you in raising kids with a healthy relationship with food.

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