Quick & Easy
Dinner Tonight: October 2018

Dinner Tonight: October 2018

October 01, 2017

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Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Serve up easy, delicious dinners every night (in 45 minutes or less!) with these healthy, family-friendly recipes.

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Lobster Roll Pizza

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

If you’re looking for a pie to impress, this lobster pizza is a must-make. The buttery, crisp crust topped with a rich cheese blend and brightened with a vibrant mix of fresh herbs, lemon zest, garlic, and celery serves as the perfect bed for decadent Maine lobster. Not a seasoned pro when it comes to buying and cooking lobster? Be sure to check out our complete guide to cooking with this incredible shellfish for all of the information and inspiration you need.

Lobster Roll Pizza Recipe

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Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Deb Wise

This hearty pasta bake is the ideal dish of cheesy comfort food for cooler weather. We love the depth of caramelized flavor roasted veggies bring to this dish; plus, and you can swap in your favorite vegetables to make your own perfect pan of baked ziti. In fact, this dish is also a delicious way to utilize leftover roasted vegetables you might have hanging out in the fridge. In order to keep the dish entirely vegetarian, be sure to double check the labels on your cheese (especially the Parmesan) to make sure you pick up a package that is free of rennet and vegetarian-friendly.

Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti Recipe

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Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad

Credit: Jennifer Causey

We love firm French green lentils, but you can also use standard brown lentils. You're not likely to find a whole butternut squash that's only 1 pound; just buy the smallest one you can find, and use 1 pound of it.

Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad Recipe

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Steak Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

Credit: Photography: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower.

A summer classic leans into fall with roasted butternut squash, tart-sweet dried cranberries, and fresh rosemary. Find peeled, diced fresh butternut squash in the produce section. You can sub crumbled goat cheese or feta for the blue cheese and walnuts or pecans for the hazelnuts.

Steak Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries Recipe

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Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Fennel and Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

One pan, a handful of ingredients, and 30 minutes are all you need to put this impressive pork chop skillet dinner on the table. This flavor-packed, single-skillet supper is an easy dinner for two that feels like something special. It’s also an ideal recipe for one, as the leftover chop and veggies reheat well for a next-day lunch worth looking forward to.

Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Fennel and Tomatoes Recipe

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Spicy Chicken Shawarma

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

This chicken shawarma is a Middle Eastern version of a gyro and features thin slices of chicken wrapped in pita bread spread with a tahini mixture and loaded up with fresh cucumber, tomato and onion.

Spicy Chicken Shawarma Recipe

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Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn-Lime Rub

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Rose Nguyen

Spice up fish night by giving salmon a delectable 4-ingredient rub before cooking. A quick quinoa-vegetable salad rounds out the meal.

Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn-Lime Rub Recipe

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20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Quick tip: While the sauce cooks, shred the chicken. For a spicy kick, top with chopped jalapeños.

20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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Szechuan-Style Tofu with Peanuts

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Spice up your supper with this Asian-flavored vegetarian dish. For meat-lovers, feel free to substitute chicken for tofu.

Szechuan-Style Tofu with Peanuts Recipe

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Black Bean Burrito Bake

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson

This five-star black bean burrito recipe is a reader favorite and sure to become one of your go-to weeknight meals.

Black Bean Burrito Bake Recipe

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Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bowl

Credit: Photo: José Picayo

The whole family will love this cheesy chicken and broccoli rice dish. Don't leave out the almonds—they add flavor and crunch to this one-dish meal.

Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bowl Recipe

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Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Claire Spollen

Finishing your peas and carrots is exponentially more exciting when bacon is involved. In fact, almost every dish is more exciting when bacon comes to play, so feel free to swap your family's favorite veggies into this versatile pasta.

Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas Recipe

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Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

One of the most popular Cooking Light chicken recipes of all time, these sweet and spicy broiled chicken thighs are flavored with chili powder, cumin, garlic and cider vinegar.

Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs Recipe

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Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson

This creamy, effortless soup gets rave reviews and takes only 30 minutes to make.

Broccoli and Cheese Soup Recipe

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Kale, Apple, and Almond Chicken Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

A simple lemon vinaigrette doubles as a marinade. Make sure to pat the chicken dry before searing, or the excess liquid will keep the meat from browning. This salad is packs a serious crunch and is loaded with superfoods and antioxidants to keep you satisfied and energized.

Kale, Apple, and Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

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Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette

Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette image

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

This elegant single-skillet meal for two is deceptively easy to make. Ready in under an hour, this skillet chicken dinner includes your protein (perfectly golden-crisp chicken thighs), green veggies (peas and asparagus), a starch (baby Yukon gold potatoes), and a whole lot of vibrant flavor (hello, shallot vinaigrette). A great recipe for anyone cooking for one or two, this easy weeknight chicken dinner is one you’re sure to come back to again and again.

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe

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Broiled Salmon and Asparagus with Crème Fraîche

Credit: Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Fanny Pan

This technique cooks salmon perfectly every time. The sauce is flavorful and rich, but not heavy--just right for a weeknight.

Broiled Salmon and Asparagus with Crème Fraîche Recipe

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Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Apples

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

This one-dish pork dinner is perfect for fall. Sweet spices coat lean pork tenderloin, while apples get a savory treatment with shallots and thyme.

Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Apples Recipe

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Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Try this quick, playful spin to turn pizza night on its head—in a good way. You get all the creamy goodness of chicken potpie, in a fun, eat-with-your-hands way that kids will love. Grown-ups will dig it, too, especially if you offer hot sauce at the table. Cooking the pizza in a preheated cast-iron skillet makes the crust wonderfully crispy so that it doesn’t sog out when the creamy sauce goes on. Be sure to use only 10 ounces of dough (though you’ll likely have to purchase in a 1-pound or larger ball); save the remaining dough to make breadsticks the next night.

Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza Recipe

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Herbed Chicken Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson

This lightened version of an Italian favorite loses some of the fat but none of the flavor.

Herbed Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Serve King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese to your family, and it will become a quick favorite.

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Cheesy Chicken Fajitas

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Styling: Paige Hicks

Chicken taco meets 7-layer dip in this fiesta of a skillet supper. You can swap in black beans or kidney beans for the pintos. For extra zest, serve with cilantro and lime wedges. Savor all the flavors of Taco Tuesday without any of the guilt. You can easily make vegetarian fajitas by removing the chicken and adding sliced zucchini, diced carrots and potatoes. Convert taco night into a buffet taco bar and let everyone build their own fajita.

Cheesy Chicken Fajitas Recipe

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White Bean and Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Claire Spollen

This easy bowl of brothy goodness is loaded with both veggies and umami depth--it's comfort food you can feel good about. It's also great for times when the food budget is tight, as it costs only about $11 for 4 servings.

White Bean and Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs Recipe

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Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Chicken fingers aren't just for kids. Savory-sweet and addictive, the tahini-tomato dipping sauce offers a palate intrigue adults will love but enough flavor familiarity to keep it kid-approved.

Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce Recipe

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Quick Chicken-Corn Chowder

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

This 5-star corn chowder can be on your table in less than 30 minutes for dinner tonight thanks to convience items like rotisserie chicken and frozen corn.

Quick Chicken-Corn Chowder Recipe

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Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

It doesn't get much easier, or more satisfying: a complete dinner in one pan in half an hour. Lemon brightens this hearty chicken and potatoes dinner.

Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner Recipe

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Pasta Pork Bolognese

Credit: Photo: José Picayo

This pasta bolognese recipe, made with ground pork, red wine, and grated carrot will be a quick dinnertime favorite.

Pasta Pork Bolognese Recipe

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Quick Black Bean Burger

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Sabrina Bone

Serve this meatless black bean burger on a bun with hot sauce-spiked ketchup, spinach, tomato, cheese, avocado slices, and onion. 182 calories? You read it right.

Quick Black Bean Burger Recipe

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Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Cacio e Pepe with Sauteed Shrimp

Our favorite peel 'n' eat seafood gets new life with one kitchen-friendly formula: Shrimp + Starch + Sauce = Delish

Cacio e Pepe with Sauteed Shrimp Recipe

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Ultimate Grilled Tomato Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Toasty bread, juicy tomatoes, melty cheese, and smoky bacon—what’s not to love? These decadent grilled sandwiches are the perfect place to put your ripe summer tomatoes, and pair beautifully with a light, refreshing summer soup. While you could certainly prepare them in a skillet on the stove, going to the grill takes these superb summer sandwiches to the next level.

Ultimate Grilled Tomato Sandwiches Recipe

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Dinner Tonight: October 2018

1 of 31

Lobster Roll Pizza

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Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti

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Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad

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Steak Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

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Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Fennel and Tomatoes

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Spicy Chicken Shawarma

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Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn-Lime Rub

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20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas

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Szechuan-Style Tofu with Peanuts

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Black Bean Burrito Bake

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Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bowl

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Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas

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Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs

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Broccoli and Cheese Soup

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Kale, Apple, and Almond Chicken Salad

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Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette

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Broiled Salmon and Asparagus with Crème Fraîche

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Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Apples

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Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

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Herbed Chicken Parmesan

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

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Cheesy Chicken Fajitas

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White Bean and Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

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Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce

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Quick Chicken-Corn Chowder

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Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner

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