Quick & Easy
Dinner Tonight

Dinner Tonight

April 01, 2010

Bow Ties with Tomatoes, Feta, and Balsamic Dressing

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Serve up easy, delicious dinners in 45 minutes or less every night of the week with these healthy, family-friendly recipes.

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Spaghetti with Sausage and Simple Tomato Sauce

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Mary-Ellen Weinrib

This versatile Italian dish goes from stovetop to table in less than 30 minutes. Serve with a simple salad for a filling weeknight meal.

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Spaghetti with Sausage and Simple Tomato Sauce Recipe

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Greek Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto

Photo: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Rose Nguyen

Sweet onion, rich feta cheese, and fresh dill provide dynamic flavor in this easy weeknight meal. The hardest part about making risotto is the constant stirring, so grab a magazine or plan to call out homework while you let this dish simmer, about 20 minutes. Balance the plate with a lively fennel salad.

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Greek Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto Recipe

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Asian Chicken Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

This no-cook salad is perfect for summer. Rotisserie chicken adds lean protein, and napa and red cabbage add a cool crunch and bright color. The flavor-packed dressing highlights familiar Asian flavors such as sesame oil and fresh ginger, and is great with other salads.

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Asian Chicken Salad Recipe

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Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn-Lime Rub

Photo: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Rose Nguyen

Try a fresh, quick, and satisfying quinoa-vegetable salad with your broiled fish to round out the meal.

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Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn-Lime Rub Recipe

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Crispy Fish with Lemon-Dill Sauce

Photo: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver

For sustainability reasons, be sure to choose Alaskan cod, or substitute halibut or even tilapia.

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Crispy Fish with Lemon-Dill Sauce Recipe

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Grilled Cumin Chicken with Fresh Tomatillo Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Rose Nguyen

Bring the heat of the southwest to the dinner table with a delicious take on the weeknight meal of grilled chicken. Serve with chipotle rice.

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Grilled Cumin Chicken with Fresh Tomatillo Sauce Recipe

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Prosciutto, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwiches

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie Clark

Update the traditional BLT sandwich with this scrumptious stacker. The grocery deli will slice prosciutto in very thin pieces, making three ounces of the good stuff more than enough for four sandwiches. For a zesty and pretty garnish, attach 1 small sweet gherkin pickle to the top of each sandwich with a toothpick. A toss-together fruit salad makes a speedy side.

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Prosciutto, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwiches Recipe

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Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Use rotisserie chicken from the deli to cut preparation time on this no-cook chicken pasta salad recipe. Make this the night before for a portable lunch.

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Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe

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Pork Medallions with Pomegranate-Cherry Sauce

Photo: Ellen Silverman; Styling: Toni Brogan

Tender pork medallions are covered with a sweet and tart reduction of pomegranate juice, cherries, and balsamic vinegar. Pair with rice and vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

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Pork Medallions with Pomegranate-Cherry Sauce Recipe

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Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Sear the scallops while the orzo cooks. Serve this easy but impressive meal with a green salad, garlic bread, and a crisp white wine.

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Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo Recipe

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Peanutty Baked Chicken Cutlets

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

A quick spritz of cooking spray on the cutlets before they hit the hot oven enhances the crispness and color of the crust. Serve with baked sweet potatoes and broccoli spears.

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Peanutty Baked Chicken Cutlets Recipe

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Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Thanks to savory spices and a quick-cooking roux, this gumbo cuts back on time (and calories!) and keeps the rich flavor.

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Shrimp and Okra Gumbo Recipe

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Barbecue Sirloin and Blue Cheese Salad

Photo: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Lean sirloin steak sits atop a bed of fresh veggies for an easy weeknight main-dish salad. Top with crumbles of rich blue cheese to bring out the bold flavors in the homemade vinaigrette.

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Barbecue Sirloin and Blue Cheese Salad Recipe

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Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Sautéed asparagus makes a fine accompaniment.

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Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

We replaced beef with seasoned chicken for a fresh take on this traditional Mexican dish.

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Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions Recipe

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Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops

Photo: Kana Okada; Styling: Sara Quessenberry

A hint of brown sugar rounds out the flavors of the smoky, robust spice rub. Although this recipe serves two people, you can easily double or even triple the ingredients to serve more.

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Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe

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Chipotle Sloppy Joes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Add Mexican-inspired spice to this traditional family favorite.

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Chipotle Sloppy Joes Recipe

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Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Arugula, a peppery salad green, makes a tasty bed for pan-seared steak. Asiago garlic bread is a fitting accompaniment. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 minced garlic clove; brush evenly over 4 (1-inch-thick) French bread slices. Top each bread slice with 1 tablespoon grated Asiago cheese. Broil 2 minutes or until cheese melts and bread is toasted.

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Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad Recipe

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Soft Chicken Tacos

Dennis Gottleib

Forty percent of WOW's cafeteria sales come from its healthful Mexican station, where tacos and burritos are assembled to order. Learning to prepare this recipe teaches students grilling techniques, as well as knowledge about Mexican spices and basic salsas. Thigh meat makes these tacos especially moist, but you can use breast meat instead. Serve with Pico de Gallo or Tomatillo Salsa.

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Soft Chicken Tacos Recipe

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Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Serve a light-and-fresh turkey burger flavored with pesto and feta cheese. Prepare a spicy and creamy tzatziki sauce to spread on the burgers or to serve on the side for dipping.

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Mediterranean Turkey Burgers Recipe

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Two-Step Macaroni and Cheese

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Processed cheese is a must in this quintessential quick-and-easy dish. It melts easily and gets smooth and creamy without help from flour, eggs, or other ingredients used in fancier counterparts. You can make prep even simpler by heating the first four ingredients in the microwave for about 3 minutes in a covered dish instead of cooking them on the stovetop.

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Two-Step Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Introduce your taste buds to Vietnamese cuisine with this quick and easy soup. The rich broth, aromatic herbs, and tender steak will leave you wanting more.

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Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens Recipe

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Black Pepper and Molasses Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

This sauce delivers great barbecue taste. Chili powder and cumin add smokiness, while ketchup and molasses provide sweetness. 'Cue lovers in North Carolina put the slaw on the sandwich. Try it for a change.

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Black Pepper and Molasses Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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Tuscan Pork Kebabs

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie Clark

Coming in at under 200 calories per serving, this colorful grilled summer dish is perfect for a light picnic on the patio. Sautéed chard makes a simple side.

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Tuscan Pork Kebabs Recipe

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Tofu Fried Rice

Oxmoor House

This veggie fried rice packs a protein punch with the addition of firm tofu. Its fantastic flavor comes from the combination of soy sauce, sake, hoisin sauce, and dark sesame oil. For more fried rice dinners, see our complete collection of Chinese recipes.

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Tofu Fried Rice Recipe

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Southwest Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Pair quesadillas with a rich and creamy soup for a delicious meal in about fifteen minutes.

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Southwest Shrimp and Corn Chowder Recipe

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Greek Mahimahi

Photo: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Serve a delicious fish dinner that takes just 15 minutes to prepare and has under 250 calories per serving.

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Greek Mahimahi Recipe

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Pizza Provencal

Photo: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Leigh Ann Ross

Upgrade pizza night by making a pie loaded with fresh basil, rotisserie chicken, and all the best of Italian-inspired ingredients. A food processor makes quick work of the homemade sauce. Serve with artichoke–green bean salad.

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Pizza Provencal Recipe

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Chicken Tamale Casserole

Photo: Lee Harrelson

This Chicken Tamale casserole is a quick and easy swap for more traditional tamales - but just as delicious!

"I came up with this Mexican dish to satisfy my cravings for the tamales I had at Mexican restaurants when I was growing up in Houston. Homemade tamale recipes are too time-consuming to prepare for weeknight meals, but I discovered a corn bread mix approximates the flavor." —Risë Minton, Smyrna, GA

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Chicken Tamale Casserole Recipe

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Bow Ties with Tomatoes, Feta, and Balsamic Dressing &#

Photo: Lee Harrelson

This recipe features a surprise ingredient–green grapes–that add the just-right amount of sweetness to the simple, two-step pasta dinner. Serve with pan-grilled asparagus.

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Bow Ties with Tomatoes, Feta, and Balsamic Dressing &# Recipe

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Dinner Tonight

1 of 30

Spaghetti with Sausage and Simple Tomato Sauce

1 of 30

2 of 30

Greek Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto

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Asian Chicken Salad

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Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn-Lime Rub

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Crispy Fish with Lemon-Dill Sauce

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Grilled Cumin Chicken with Fresh Tomatillo Sauce

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Prosciutto, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwiches

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Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad

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Pork Medallions with Pomegranate-Cherry Sauce

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Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo

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Peanutty Baked Chicken Cutlets

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Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

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Barbecue Sirloin and Blue Cheese Salad

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Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

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Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions

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Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops

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Chipotle Sloppy Joes

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Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad

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Soft Chicken Tacos

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Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

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Two-Step Macaroni and Cheese

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Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens

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Black Pepper and Molasses Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

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Tuscan Pork Kebabs

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Tofu Fried Rice

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Southwest Shrimp and Corn Chowder

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