What to make for dinner tonight is a question that comes up often for a lot of people. It’s the first thing you think about when it’s time to get down to basics and create something to eat. My personal take is that cooking your own food is the best way to ensure you’re getting quality meals and giving your body what it needs, but there are a lot of other options too. There are so many different ways to cook delicious, healthy meals!
What to make for dinner tonight is a question of many people
What to make for dinner with ground beef?
1. Blackened Mahi-Mahi
The recipe for this dish is one of my favorites. It’s easy, fresh, and delicious. I start with a whole fish or fillet and place it on the rack of a grill pan. Then I coat it in blackening spices, which is just a combination of cayenne pepper and other spices that adds a lot of flavor without adding fat. From there I grill the fish on medium-low heat for a few minutes per side until it’s cooked through.
2. Beef Enchilada Casserole
This one takes a little more time than some other recipes, but it’s worth the wait! I start by cooking ground beef with onions and bell peppers in my cast iron skillet until browned and fully cooked. From there I make a blend of cheese, green chilies, enchilada sauce, and flour. We then mix the ingredients together and put it in a pan until it comes to a smooth consistency. Then we use tortillas to build the casserole with rice and add it to the skillet. It’s absolutely delicious!
Beef Enchilada Casserole
3. Mongolian Beef
Mongolian Beef is a fun one to make, as it takes a little prep work, but I can guarantee you’ll have a crowd-pleasing meal. Start by cooking lean beef with onion and garlic until browned. Then add bean sprouts and mushrooms to the skillet and continue cooking. After the contents of the pan have been cooked through, add soy sauce and a little water to thin out the mixture then serve over brown rice. It’s delicious!
4. Beef Gyros
This is a classic dish that’s easy to make and make ahead of time. I start by cooking ground beef with onion in my cast iron skillet until browned. Then I add bell peppers, tomatoes, and spices to the pan until it’s fully cooked through then serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce and dill pickles. It’s the perfect meal!
Beef Gyros
5. Beef Jerky
For the more adventurous cook, homemade beef jerky is a great thing to have on hand. It’s a great snack that’s high in protein and low in fat and calories. Truly a healthy choice!
6. Vegetable Beef Soup
This is the perfect way to eat healthy when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. I start by browning beef and adding it to a stockpot with vegetables and water. Then I just let it simmer until the meat is fully cooked then serve warm with crusty bread. This one’s great for a cold winter day!
Vegetable Beef Soup
7. Beef and Noodles
As good as this is the first time I have eaten anything like this. It’s a classic. Make sure to use soft noodles, and you can add celery and carrots for added flavor.
8. Beef Stroganoff
This dish has a little more prep work than some of the other dishes on the list, but it’s well worth the wait. Start by sauteing onion and garlic in butter then add ground beef to the pan. Cook until browned and fully cooked then add sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh parsley to the pan. Stir until it’s all mixed together then serve over egg noodles or rice.
Beef Stroganoff
9. Beef and Broccoli
It’s one of the many I make. If you have a wok, it’s even better. If you don’t, a large skillet still works fine! I start by cooking ground beef with garlic and onion in my cast iron skillet until everything is fully cooked. Then I add broccoli and cook it until soft then serve over rice or noodles. It’s delicious!
10. Ground Beef Chili
I’m sure everyone has their own way to make chili, but this is the way I prefer to do it! Cook ground beef with onions and peppers in your cast iron skillet until browned then add tomatoes, beans, beer (optional), and seasonings to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes more. It’s amazing!
Ground Beef Chili
See more: Garlic butter for pizza crust recipe
what to make for dinner with chicken
1. Chicken Curry
One of my favorite meals to prepare is this. I love that it is healthy, tasty, and easy to make. Start by cooking chicken in a little bit of butter in your cast iron skillet until it’s nice and browned then add curry powder, some turmeric, and the spices of your choice to the pan. Stir everything together until it combines fully then serve over rice or noodles with mango chutney on the side for a perfect meal!
2. Chicken Sesame Stir Fry
This is another dish you can easily make in your cast iron skillet or wok. I start by cooking chicken with garlic and onion in my cast iron skillet until browned. Then I add broccoli, red peppers, and soy sauce to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Then I just add sesame seeds and serve them over rice!
Chicken Sesame Stir Fry
3. Chicken Kebabs
This is a great thing to make for dinner when you’re entertaining or just having friends over! Prepare chicken skewers in your cast iron skillet with butter and spices then grill them on the grill of your gas stove or over an open flame until the chicken is fully cooked. Serve with hummus for an amazing meal!
4. Chicken Tarragon
This is another dish full of flavor that’s incredibly easy to make. I start by cooking chicken with onion and garlic in my cast iron skillet until fully cooked, then I add tarragon and a little white wine to the pan along with a little cream. Combine and serve over rice or noodles. It’s absolutely delicious!
Chicken Tarragon
5. Chicken Cordon Bleu
If you like chicken cordon bleu, you’re going to love this recipe! It’s incredibly easy to make, it’s healthy, and it doesn’t take long at all. You can serve this on top of rice for an amazing meal!
6. Chicken Chipotle Tacos
This is one of my favorite meals to make when I want something fast and filling. I start by cooking chicken in a little olive oil in my cast iron skillet then add chipotle sauce, some brown sugar, and the spices of your choice. Stir together then serve over flour tortillas and top with cilantro and chopped tomatoes. It’s so good!
Chicken Chipotle Tacos
7. Chicken Ramen
This is another great meal when you’re on a budget or if you just don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking. Cook ramen noodles as directed on the box then cook chicken in a cast-iron skillet with onion and garlic until fully cooked. Then add noodles and broth to the pan along with soy sauce, chili paste, fresh ginger, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. Put them together with rice or noodles and serve.
8. Chicken Tikka Masala
I’ve made this recipe in many flavors, but this is my favorite to make. It’s so yummy and delicious! I start by cooking chicken in a cast-iron skillet with onion and garlic until browned. Then I add the spices of my choice, simmer for a few minutes then serve over rice with fresh cilantro and naan bread on the side. Yum!
Chicken Tikka Masala
9. Creole Chicken Breast
I love to make this dish often because it’s so delicious! Cooking chicken breast in a cast-iron skillet gives the meat a unique taste that you just can’t get from other methods of cooking. Most of the time, it takes longer to cook chicken in a skillet than just grilling it, so I usually use my cast iron for this dish. I start by cooking chicken with extra spices in my cast iron skillet then cook according to the package directions. Serve over rice or wrapped lettuce leaves for a healthy and delicious meal!
10. Chicken and Orzo Soup
This is one of my favorite meals to make on a cold winter day. I start by cooking chicken with onion and garlic in my cast iron skillet then adding orzo, vegetables, broth, and vegetables, and simmering everything together until the chicken is fully cooked. It’s so delicious!
Chicken and Orzo Soup
What to make for dinner with shrimp
1. Shrimp Fried Rice
This is a quick meal to make and it’s delicious! Just start by cooking shrimp in your cast iron skillet with some vegetable oil and spice of your choice, then cook rice according to the directions on the box. When the rice is almost done, add it to the pan along with some frozen peas and stir until fully mixed. Serve over rice or noodles garnished with green onions for an amazing meal!
2. Coconut Shrimp Tacos
These tacos are delicious. You can use any flavor taco shell you like. I start by creating a coconut shrimp flavor in my cast iron skillet then add lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro for garnish before topping on my favorite taco shell for the perfect dinner!
Coconut Shrimp Tacos
3. Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
This is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight. I start by cooking shrimp with garlic in my cast iron skillet then adding vegetables to the pan. Once the veggies are cooked, I add rice noodles and serve over rice for an amazing meal!
4. Shrimp Tacos
These are so simple to make but they’re also really delicious! I start by cooking shrimp in a cast-iron skillet with garlic and spices until fully cooked then top flour tortillas with cabbage, avocado slices, and cilantro for garnish before serving on the side for an amazing meal!
Shrimp Tacos
5. Shrimp & Spinach Curry
I love making this recipe for an easy weeknight dinner. I start by cooking shrimp and spinach in my cast iron skillet with onion and garlic then serving it over rice, garnished with cilantro for a delicious meal!
6. Salmon and Shrimp Scampi
This is a delicious seafood dish that’s perfect for entertaining or just to spruce up your weekly dinners! I start by cooking shrimp and salmon in my cast iron skillet with olive oil, butter, garlic, and lemon juice. Serve over linguini or rice garnished with red pepper flakes for an amazing meal!
Salmon and Shrimp Scampi
7. Shrimp Pesto Pasta
This is a quick and easy meal to make when you’re running late or short on time. I start by cooking shrimp in a cast iron skillet with butter and seasonings; then cook asparagus, garlic, and spinach on the same side for a delicious side dish to accompany your shrimp!
8. Shrimp Pasta Bake
This is another simple dish to make that’s so delicious! It’s an amazing meal when you’re entertaining or if you’re trying to impress someone for dinner! I start by cooking shrimp with onions, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and the seasoning of my choice in my cast iron skillet with olive oil. Then I top pasta with tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese before baking in the oven. It’s so yummy!
Shrimp Pasta Bake
9. Shrimp Risotto
This is one of my favorite meals to make because it is delicious and cooks up in just about 15 minutes! I start by sautéing shrimp with onion and garlic in my cast iron skillet then cooking risotto according to the directions on the box. When the risotto is almost cooked through, add shrimp back into the pan along with a lemon zest for an amazing meal!
10. Scallops and Shrimp Sauté
I love to make this dish because it’s delicious and simple to make! I start by cooking shrimp and scallops in a cast-iron skillet with butter, garlic, and lemon juice for an amazing meal! It’s so easy but always tastes great.
Scallops and Shrimp Sauté
what to make for dinner with ground turkey
1. Turkey Chili
This meal is perfect for a cold fall or winter day. It’s also a meal that your family will love! I start by cooking ground turkey with onion, garlic, beans, and seasoning in my cast iron skillet then topped with cheese before serving on the side for an amazing meal!
2. Turkey Picadillo
I love this recipe because it’s simple to make and it’s delicious! I start by browning ground turkey in my cast iron skillet then adding seasonings to the pan. Serve over rice or beans for an amazing dinner!
Turkey Picadillo
3. Turkey and Stuffing
This is a delicious meal that’s always a hit at the dinner table. I start by browning ground turkey in my cast iron skillet with butter then add stuffing, seasonings, and lemon juice for an amazing dish!
4. Turkey Noodle Casserole
This is one of my favorite meals to make because it’s so healthy and delicious! I start by cooking turkey in my cast iron skillet with onions for about 30 minutes then add the noodles, seasonings, milk, and cheese for an amazing meal! Serve over rice or pasta noodles garnished with broccoli florets for an awesome meal!
Turkey Noodle Casserole
5. Turkey Hash Brown Casserole
This is another simple meal that always hits the spot. I start by cooking ground turkey in my cast iron skillet with onions and garlic for an amazing meal! Serve over sliced potatoes for a nutritious dinner.
6. Turkey Meatball Stroganoff
This is a delicious and quick meal to make on any day of the week. I start by cooking ground turkey with onions, garlic, sauce, and spices in my cast iron skillet then serving over egg noodles or rice for an amazing dinner!
Turkey Meatball Stroganoff
7. Turkey Meatloaf
This is another delicious and easy meal to make. I start by browning ground turkey in my cast iron skillet with onion, garlic, and seasoning then add breadcrumbs before topping with mozzarella cheese for an amazing meal! Serve over noodles or rice for a complete dinner!
8. Turkey Club Carver
This is one of my favorite meals to make because it’s simple and delicious. I start by browning ground turkey in my cast iron skillet with onion, Mexican seasoning, and garlic then add mayonnaise before topping with pepper jack cheese for an amazing meal! Serve over lettuce for an easy lunch or dinner!
Turkey Club Carver
9. Turkey and Beans
This is another delicious meal that’s so easy to make but also so good! I start by cooking ground turkey with onions and garlic in my cast iron skillet then cooking kidney beans in the same pan! Serve over rice after stirring everything together.
what to make for dinner vegetarian
1. Spinach and Cheese Enchilada
This meal is a great way to stretch your budget while still eating healthy. I start by cooking spinach in my cast iron skillet with onion, garlic, olive oil, and seasoning then topped with sauce for an amazing meal! Add cheese on top before baking in the oven then serve over rice with a garnish of sliced jalapeños if desired.
Spinach and Cheese Enchilada
2. Summer Salad
This is one of my favorite dinners to make when it’s hot outside because it’s delicious and light. I start by cooking all of the vegetables together in my cast iron skillet with olive oil and seasoning then add the pasta and cheese for an amazing meal!
3. Grilled Veggie Pasta
This is one of my favorite dinners to make when it’s hot outside because it’s delicious and light. I start by cooking all of the vegetables together in my cast iron skillet with olive oil and seasoning then adding the pasta for an amazing meal!
Grilled Veggie Pasta
4. Sweet Potato Casserole
This is one of my favorite dinners to make because it’s delicious and easy to make! I start by cooking sweet potatoes in my cast iron skillet with butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for an amazing meal! Top with marshmallows before baking for dessert or serve without the marshmallows for a nutritious dinner.
5. Mexican Stuffed Peppers
This is one of my favorite meals to make because it’s delicious and so easy! I start by cooking the rice in my cast iron skillet with onion then add the rice, beans, salsa, cheese, corn, pico de gallo, and olives for an amazing meal!
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
6. Grilled Veggie Kabobs
This is one of my favorite dinners to make when it’s hot outside because it’s delicious and light. I start by cooking all of the vegetables together in my cast iron skillet with olive oil and seasoning then adding the pasta for an amazing meal!
7. Spinach Lasagna
This is another budget-friendly meal that’s also healthy! I start by cooking pasta in my cast iron skillet with olive oil then adding veggies for an amazing meal! Top with tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce before topping with cheese for an easy dinner! You can also top it with parmesan cheese if desired.
Spinach Lasagna
8. Veggie Stir Fry
This is another light and delicious dinner to make on any day of the week. I start by cooking rice in my cast iron skillet then adding veggies for an amazing meal! Serve over rice with a garnish of sliced scallions if desired.
9. Veggie Burritos
Simple and delicious, this recipe is easy to prepare. I start by cooking beans in my cast iron skillet with onion, garlic, seasoning, and vegetable oil for an amazing meal! Stuff the beans into a tortilla with cheese, veggies, salsa, and sour cream before baking in the oven or serving without baking to make burrito bowls!
10. Veggie Tacos
You can make these in just a few minutes, and they’re delicious. I start by cooking beans in my cast iron skillet with onion, garlic, seasoning, and vegetable oil for an amazing meal! Stuff the beans into a tortilla with cheese, veggies before baking in the oven or serving without baking to make burrito bowls!
Besides you can see Salmon with garlic cream sauce recipe here
Veggie Tacos
It can be difficult to come up with new and exciting meals to cook on a daily basis. That’s why I hope these recipes were helpful and answered the “what to make for dinner” question for all of you! I do want to mention that if you follow me on social media I am always sharing new recipes so please follow me on my social media accounts so you don’t miss out! Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog as well for more delicious recipes!
Gemma Jane is the content editor for our website. She is a person with extensive knowledge and has many years of research in the field. The knowledge she shares is delicious, nutritious, healthy recipes. Currently she is living in the New York city with her husband and 2 sons.
