13 Easy Dinners That Got Me Through a Week of Takeout Temptation
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When the week gets hectic and takeout tempts, these easy dinners come to the rescue. They’re fast, satisfying, and made with ingredients you already have, with no delivery, and no extra spending. These favorites crush cravings and show that dinner at home can be just as crave-worthy.
Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey mustard salmon is one of those feel-good meals I can throw together when I want something fast but still fresh and flavorful. The sweet-tangy glaze caramelizes perfectly in the oven, giving it that takeout-style finish without the grease or guilt. When I’m tired and tempted to order in, this is the easy dinner that always saves me.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This parmesan crusted chicken hits all the right notes: crispy, cheesy, juicy, and takes barely any time to make. I lean on it hard when I need something that feels indulgent but doesn’t involve leaving the house or cleaning a dozen dishes. It’s easy, filling, and delicious enough to shut down any craving for delivery.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Instant Pot Barbacoa
Instant Pot barbacoa is the kind of meal that makes skipping the taco joint completely worth it. In just about an hour, you get super tender, flavor-packed beef that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, without babysitting a stove. It’s one of those easy wins that knocks out cravings and keeps dinner stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Barbacoa
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Slow cooker apricot chicken is sweet, savory, and ridiculously easy to pull off with almost zero effort. The slow cooker handles the hard part while you go about your day, and dinner comes out tasting like you worked way harder than you did. On nights when fast food is tempting, this dish shows up with flavor that feels just as delicious.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
This slow cooker honey mustard chicken is rich, creamy, and dripping with bold, tangy flavor that makes it hard to believe how simple it is. Just dump the ingredients and walk away, no stress, no mess, and zero temptation to pick up takeout. It’s the kind of dinner that tastes like a splurge but fits perfectly into a weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Herb Crusted Chicken
Herb-crusted chicken gives major restaurant vibes with barely any work at all. Ready in just 15 minutes, this crispy, flavorful chicken is everything you need when you want dinner fast but don’t want to give in to ordering out. It’s light, filling, and totally dependable when the week gets wild.
Get the Recipe: Herb Crusted Chicken
Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken quesadillas are my built-in backup plan when I need dinner fast and don’t want to spend a dime on takeout. Crispy tortillas, melty cheese, and seasoned salsa chicken come together in one of the easiest, most satisfying meals ever. Add some sour cream or salsa, and it feels like comfort food without the cost or hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas
Honey Glazed Pork Chops
These honey-glazed pork chops are one of my favorite last-minute dinner solutions when I’m teetering on the edge of ordering in. They come out juicy and golden with a sticky-sweet glaze that totally satisfies my craving for something bold and flavorful. The fact that they’re fast, easy, and made in one pan is what keeps them on my weekly rotation.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Sheet Pan Chicken
Sheet pan chicken is the hero of my week whenever I want something low-effort for dinner but still delicious enough to rival takeout. Just toss everything on the tray, slide it in the oven, and get flavor-packed roasted chicken and veggies without standing over a stove. It’s hands-down one of my easiest, most reliable weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air fryer pork chops are my go-to move when I want dinner on the table fast and I’m trying to avoid hitting the drive-thru. They’re perfectly cooked in under 10 minutes with that golden, crispy outside and juicy middle I never get tired of. It’s just one of those easy dinners that shows I don’t need takeout to feel like I’m eating something great.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Baked Chicken Wings
Baked chicken wings are my secret weapon when I’m craving something crispy, buttery, and totally addictive. These wings come out perfectly every time with minimal effort, and they’ve saved me from takeout more than once. Whether it’s game night or a lazy dinner, they deliver big flavor without the extra mess.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Wings
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Salsa chicken in the slow cooker is my absolute favorite for hands-off cooking that still packs major flavor. Just toss in a few ingredients and come back later to juicy, flavorful chicken that’s ready for tacos, bowls, or whatever I’m craving. It’s the easiest fix when I’m tempted to order out but know I’ve got something better waiting at home.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Pork Chops and Applesauce
This pork chops and applesauce recipe hits that sweet-and-savory spot that takeout can never quite match. It’s an easy stovetop dinner with juicy chops and a cozy applesauce topping that comes together fast without making a mess. When weeknights get hectic and takeout starts calling, this trusty combo always saves the day.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce
