Dinner for two doesn’t have to be a whole song and dance—sometimes, it’s the simple things that hit the spot. Picture this: the aroma of garlic sizzling in olive oil, a soft playlist humming in the background, and a table set for two. Whether you’re whipping up a quick pasta or trying your hand at a new stir-fry, these 15 easy and affordable recipes are perfect for those nights when you just want something delicious without the fuss.
Steps
- Simple Lemon Herb Chicken: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over chicken breasts and season with pepper and oregano. Cut the chicken into strips and serve over a green salad, such as spinach and pomegranate. This combination is nutritious and perfect for starting your week.
- Pork Fried Rice: Cook boneless pork loin chop, or substitute with chicken or shrimp if preferred. Mix with rice and vegetables to create a dish reminiscent of restaurant-style fried rice. This quick meal is flavorful and budget-friendly.
- Stuffed Tomatoes: Hollow out fresh tomatoes and fill them with a mixture of canned tomatoes, peppers, bread crumbs, Cheddar cheese, and smoked sausage. Bake until the tomatoes are tender and the cheese is melted. This dish offers a new take on the classic cheese and tomato combination.
- Tomato Basil Salmon: Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet, top with dried basil and fresh tomato slices, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake until cooked through. Serve the salmon over rice for a simple yet elegant dinner.
- Eggplant Sandwiches: Slice eggplant and grill until tender, then layer with your choice of vegetables and cheese between slices of bread. Grill the sandwich until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. This meatless option is budget-friendly and satisfying.
- Chana Masala: Combine chickpeas with tomatoes, onion, and a variety of spices for a flavorful dish. Serve alongside naan bread or rice for a complete meal. This vegetarian option is both healthy and filling.
- Broken Spaghetti Risotto: Toast broken pieces of spaghetti in butter or oil until nut-brown, then cook as you would risotto. Add liquid gradually, stirring until the pasta is tender. This method creates a dish with a unique flavor and texture.
- Baja-Style Chicken Bowl: Assemble burrito bowls using leftover chicken and rice, adding beans, vegetables, and salsa. Cook the salsa with the ingredients for added flavor. This meal is a cost-effective alternative to takeout.
- Authentic Thai Basil Chicken: Stir-fry chicken with fresh basil and other ingredients quickly to preserve the basil’s flavor. Add the basil just before serving for the best results. This dish is a fast and delicious way to use fresh herbs.
- Turkey Avocado Panini: Layer turkey, avocado, provolone cheese, spinach, and roasted red peppers between bread slices. Grill using a panini press or a skillet with a heavy weight on top until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. This simple sandwich is perfect for a quick meal.
- Cheesy-Crust Skillet Pizza: Create a pizza crust using shredded mozzarella, topping with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Cook until the cheese forms a crispy crust and the toppings are heated through. This gluten-free pizza is quick and easy to make.
- Asian Salmon Wrap: Mix canned salmon with green onions, radishes, cucumbers, and soy sauce, then wrap in tortillas. This affordable wrap is a delicious alternative to sushi. It’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
- Zucchini Caprese: Combine zucchini with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, then toss with pasta. Add grilled chicken for extra protein if desired. This salad-inspired dish is a refreshing use of summer zucchini.
- Easy and Spicy Thai Basil Chicken with Egg: Stir-fry chicken with Thai basil, peppers, and a fried egg for a quick and flavorful meal. Use regular basil and serrano peppers as substitutes if needed. This dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor.
- Garlic-Herb Linguine: Cook linguine and toss with garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Add grilled or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal. This dish uses pantry staples for an easy and delicious dinner.
- Orange Chicken with Asparagus: Cook chicken and asparagus in an orange-soy sauce, then serve over brown rice. For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce as it cooks. This meal is well-balanced and flavorful.
- Mushroom and Black Bean Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with mushrooms, onions, black beans, cilantro, and mozzarella cheese, then grill until the cheese melts. Serve with lime juice and salsa if desired. These quesadillas are satisfying for both vegetarians and meat-eaters.
- Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage: Cook penne pasta and toss with sausage and pesto for a quick meal. Use either homemade or store-bought pesto for convenience. This dish is creamy and ready in just 25 minutes.
- Quinoa Dijon and Swiss Burger: Form quinoa patties and cook until golden, then serve on a toasted bun with your preferred toppings. Pair with sweet potato fries for a complete meal. These burgers offer a satisfying vegetarian option.
Ingredients
- Fresh lemon juice
- Ground pepper
- Dried oregano
- Chicken breasts
- Boneless pork loin chop (or chicken/shrimp, if substituting)
- Fresh tomatoes
- Canned tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Bread crumbs
- Cheddar cheese
- Smoked sausage
- Salmon fillets
- Dried basil
- Fresh tomato slices
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Rice (for serving)
- (Specific ingredients for sandwiches not provided)
- Chickpeas
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Various spices
- Indian Naan Bread (optional)
- Basmati or jasmine rice (optional)
- Spaghetti (broken into pieces)
- Butter or oil
- Style Chicken Bowl
- Chicken
- Rice
- Salsa (optional, to add during cooking)
- Fresh basil
- (Other specific ingredients not provided)
- Turkey
- Avocado
- Provolone cheese
- Fresh spinach
- Roasted red peppers
- Oil (for skillet, optional)
- Crust Skillet Pizza
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Canned salmon
- Green onions
- Radishes
- Cucumbers
- Rice
- Soy sauce mixture
- Zucchini
- (Other specific ingredients not provided)
- Thai basil (or regular basil)
- Thai peppers (or serrano peppers)
- Herb Linguine
- Linguine
- (Optional: grilled or sautéed vegetables)
- Chicken
- Asparagus
- Orange-soy sauce
- Brown rice
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening sauce)
- Water (optional, for thickening sauce)
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Black beans
- Cilantro
- Mozzarella cheese
- Lime juice
- Salsa (optional)
- Penne pasta
- Pesto (homemade or jarred)
- Sausage
- Quinoa
- Dijon mustard
- Swiss cheese
- Burger buns
- Sweet potatoes (for fries, optional)
FAQ
- How can I make the meals more budget-friendly?
- To keep costs low, consider using canned or frozen ingredients when fresh ones are out of season. Also, substitute ingredients with what’s already available in your pantry.
- What can I do with leftover ingredients?
- The meal plan includes tips on how to utilize leftover ingredients. For example, extra rice from one dish can be used in another, like the Baja-Style Chicken Bowl.
- Are there vegetarian options in this meal plan?
- Yes, the plan includes several vegetarian recipes such as Mushroom and Black Bean Quesadillas and Eggplant Sandwiches, catering to those who prefer meatless meals.
- Can I substitute ingredients in the recipes?
- Absolutely, many recipes allow for substitutions. For instance, chicken can be swapped for shrimp in the Pork Fried Rice, and regular basil can replace Thai basil in the Thai Basil Chicken for convenience.
- What if I don’t have a panini press for the Turkey Avocado Panini?
- No worries! You can make the panini in a skillet with a little oil, using a heavy skillet to press it down instead.
Tips
- When making the Tomato Basil Salmon, consider serving it over a bed of rice to make it a more filling meal.
- For the Turkey Avocado Panini, if you don’t have a panini press, use a skillet with a little oil and apply pressure with a heavier skillet on top to achieve a similar effect.
- When preparing the Baja-Style Chicken Bowl, enhance the flavor by adding salsa during the cooking process rather than as a topping.
- For the Garlic-Herb Linguine, incorporate grilled or sautéed vegetables to transform it into a complete meal.
Equipment
- Panini Press – For making Turkey Avocado Panini.
- Heavy Skillet or Cast Iron Pan – As an alternative to a panini press for pressing sandwiches.
- Cheese Grater – If not already owned, for grating mozzarella cheese for the Cheesy-Crust Skillet Pizza.
- Baking Sheet or Baking Dish – For baking recipes like the Tomato Basil Salmon.
- Salad Spinner – Useful for preparing salads such as the Spinach Pomegranate Salad.
