5 Easy Weeknight Dinners That Actually Get Made

We’ve all been there: it’s 6 p.m., you’re tired, and “what’s for dinner?” feels like a trick question. These five recipes are fast, flexible, and linked straight from our recipe library so you can save them to your meal plan and get cooking.

1. Hearty Chili Sin Carne

A one-pot vegan chili that’s filling and full of flavour. Great for batch cooking—make a big pot and reheat during the week. Serve with rice, tortilla chips, or a slice of cornbread.

Try it: Hearty Chili Sin Carne recipe →

2. Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

Few ingredients, big reward. Pasta, eggs, cheese, and pancetta (or bacon) come together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for when you want something indulgent without a long cook.

Try it: Classic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe →

3. Quick Chicken Quesadillas

Shredded chicken, cheese, and your favourite fillings in a crispy tortilla. Kids and adults love them, and you can prep the chicken ahead so dinner is just assembly and a quick toast in the pan.

Try it: Quick & Easy Chicken Quesadillas recipe →

4. Baked Cod with Lemon & Herbs

Light, flaky fish with minimal fuss. Baking keeps the kitchen cool and the dish healthy. Pair with a simple salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Try it: Baked Cod with Lemon and Herbs recipe →

5. Black Bean Burgers

A veggie burger that holds together and tastes great. Make a batch and freeze patties for future nights. Serve on buns with avocado and a squeeze of lime.

Try it: Black Bean Burgers recipe →

Plan once, eat all week

Use the Kitchen and Recipes section in Balance Builder to save these to your meal plan, generate a grocery list, and slot them into your calendar so dinner stops being a daily puzzle.