21 Easy Main Dishes That Make Surviving the Work Week Simple

We all know how hectic the workweek can get and the last thing anyone wants to worry about is what to cook for dinner. That's why I’ve put together a collection of easy main dishes that will save you time and keep you satisfied without the stress. These meals are simple, quick and perfect for those of us juggling busy schedules and still wanting something delicious on the table.

Spoonful of Hawaiian chicken served over rice. — Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Slow Cooker Pork Chops

These slow cooker pork chops are an excellent main dish for busy workdays, offering a hands-off cooking method. The pork becomes tender and flavorful as it cooks throughout the day, making it easy to come home to a hearty meal. With minimal prep required, this main dish simplifies your evening routine and ensures a satisfying dinner. It’s perfect for when you need a reliable and easy option.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Panko Chicken Breast

Panko chicken on a white plate. — Panko Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This panko chicken breast makes for a quick and easy main dish that provides a crispy exterior and juicy interior. It’s an ideal choice for busy nights when you need something simple yet flavorful. The panko coating adds a delightful crunch without complicating your meal preparation. This main dish helps you get through the week with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Panko Chicken Breast

Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels

Stuffed steak pinwheels sliced on platter. — Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Stuffed flank steak pinwheels are a great main dish that brings a touch of elegance to your weeknight dinners. The stuffing adds extra flavor, and the pinwheels are easy to prepare, making it a practical choice for busy evenings. This dish feels special yet manageable, simplifying your dinner routine with a flavorful main course.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Chicken and stuffing casserole is a comforting main dish that combines tender chicken with a savory stuffing layer. It’s an easy, one-dish option that minimizes prep and cleanup, making it perfect for hectic weeknights. This meal offers both ease and heartiness, making your weeknight dinners more straightforward and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Oven Baked Pork Steaks

Oven baked pork steak on a plate with green beans and a fork on the side. — Oven Baked Pork Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Oven baked pork steaks are a simple main dish that delivers a juicy and flavorful meal with minimal effort. The pork steaks cook evenly in the oven, making this a low-maintenance option for busy workweeks. It’s a practical choice for an easy dinner that still feels satisfying. This main dish helps streamline your evening meal preparation.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Pork Steaks

Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn chicken is a fun and easy main dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The crispy coating makes it a hit with both kids and adults, and the air fryer or oven keeps things straightforward. This dish is ideal for when you need something tasty without a lot of prep work. It’s a convenient option to make your dinner routine easier.
Get the Recipe: Popcorn Chicken

Braised Short Ribs

Braised short ribs offer a rich and hearty main dish that’s perfect for those days when you can let the slow cooker do the work. The meat becomes tender and flavorful over time, making this a rewarding option for a busy week. Though it requires some cooking time, the hands-off preparation makes it manageable. This main dish helps you get through the workweek with minimal hassle.
Get the Recipe: Braised Short Ribs

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Meatloaf on a white plate with a fork. — Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cracker Barrel meatloaf is a classic main dish that provides a comforting and filling meal with minimal effort. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying. The leftovers are great for subsequent meals, making it a practical choice for your week. This main dish helps you manage dinner time effectively.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Carne Asada in the Oven

Slices of baked carne asada on small wood cutting board. — Carne Asada in the Oven. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Carne asada in the oven is a flavorful main dish that brings the taste of grilled steak to your kitchen with less effort. It’s a practical option for a satisfying dinner that doesn’t require much time. The oven does the work, making it easy to enjoy a great meal with minimal preparation. This main dish simplifies your weeknight routine while delivering excellent taste.
Get the Recipe: Carne Asada in the Oven

Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Close-up of an air-fried barbecued rib with charred edges over a white plate. — Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer baby back ribs are a quick and easy main dish that gives you tender, flavorful ribs with a crispy exterior. The air fryer cooks them faster than traditional methods, making it a practical choice for busy nights. This dish is perfect for a hearty meal without a lot of hassle or cleanup. It’s an ideal option for simplifying your weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Chicken Divan

A casserole dish with cheese and broccoli on a napkin. — Chicken Divan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken divan is a comforting main dish that combines chicken with a creamy sauce and vegetables. It’s easy to prepare and bake, making it a great choice for a stress-free dinner. This casserole-style meal simplifies your weeknight cooking while still providing a hearty, satisfying option. It’s perfect for when you need a filling main dish without much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

Breaded Panko Pork Chops

Panko pork chop on plate with greens. — Breaded Panko Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Breaded panko pork chops are an easy main dish that offers a crispy, satisfying meal with minimal preparation. The panko coating ensures a crunchy exterior while the pork stays juicy inside. This dish cooks quickly in the oven, making it a practical choice for busy evenings. It’s an ideal way to enjoy a flavorful main dish with less effort.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

A bowl of rice and chicken in front of a crockpot. — Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken is an easy main dish that cooks slowly in the crockpot, allowing you to come home to a flavorful, ready meal. The sweet and savory sauce makes this chicken a comforting choice for busy nights. With minimal preparation, it simplifies your evening routine while delivering a satisfying main dish. It’s a practical option to make your weeknight dinners more convenient.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Close-up of a crispy air fried chicken drumstick on a white plate garnished with parsley, with hot sauce in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer chicken legs are a quick and easy main dish that delivers crispy, flavorful chicken with minimal effort. The air fryer cooks the chicken evenly, providing a convenient way to enjoy a hearty meal. This dish is ideal for when you need dinner fast and don’t want to deal with a lot of cleanup. It’s a smart choice for simplifying your weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

A plate of salmon on a white plate with lemon slices on it. — Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Lemon butter sauce for salmon is a simple yet flavorful main dish that adds a bright, tangy sauce to your fish. The combination of lemon and butter creates a rich, satisfying flavor without complicating your meal prep. It’s an easy way to enhance your salmon dinner, making it feel special while remaining straightforward. This main dish helps keep your weeknight cooking both simple and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Baked Lemon Butter Fish

Baked lemon butter fish is a straightforward main dish that offers a fresh and flavorful meal with minimal preparation. The lemon butter sauce infuses the fish with a light, tangy flavor while baking. It’s a great option for a quick, satisfying dinner that doesn’t require much effort. This dish simplifies your weeknight meals while providing a tasty and easy main course.
Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Butter Fish

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled shrimp skewers are a fast and flavorful main dish that’s perfect for busy evenings. The shrimp cook quickly on the grill, making this a convenient option for a light yet satisfying meal. The skewers simplify serving and cleanup, adding to the ease of preparation. This dish helps make your weeknight dinners both quick and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Bang Bang Shrimp

Fried shrimp on a plate next to a bowl of sauce. — Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Bang bang shrimp provide a crispy and flavorful main dish with minimal prep time. The spicy, creamy sauce adds a punch of flavor, making this dish a hit with minimal effort. It’s perfect for when you want a tasty meal quickly without spending too much time in the kitchen. This main dish is ideal for simplifying your weeknight cooking routine.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Individual Lasagna

Lasagna for One in small 10-ounce square baking pan. — Individual Lasagna. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Individual lasagna offers a convenient main dish with layers of pasta, meat, and cheese in single servings. It’s an easy-to-make option that simplifies preparation and cleanup, making it ideal for busy nights. Each serving provides a hearty, satisfying meal that fits well into a hectic schedule. This dish helps streamline your evening meals while offering comfort and ease.
Get the Recipe: Individual Lasagna

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Fried chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer chicken tenders are a quick and easy main dish that delivers crispy, flavorful chicken with minimal effort. The air fryer cooks the tenders evenly, providing a convenient option for a satisfying meal. This dish is ideal for busy evenings when you need something tasty and simple. It’s a practical choice for making weeknight dinners easier and more enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Frito Chili Pie

A plate of Fritos topped with ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, beans, and green onions. — Frito Chili Pie. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Frito chili pie is a fun and hearty main dish that combines chili with crunchy Fritos for a satisfying meal. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This dish provides both comfort and convenience, simplifying your cooking routine while delivering a flavorful meal. It’s a great option for making weeknight dinners easier to manage.
Get the Recipe: Frito Chili Pie