13 Delicious Dinner Recipes for Tonight

In my kitchen adventures, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the versatility of a 13×9 pan. Not only does it provide convenience with its generous size and easy handling, but it effortlessly translates into nutritious outcomes for dinner.

Today’s journey features 13 delightful recipes that cater to diverse cravings and dietary requirements. Whether you’re aiming for meaty satisfaction, exploring vegetarian delights, or switching up proteins, this list covers it.

Let’s explore these quick and healthy dinner ideas for tonight, which I assure you have personally taken my evening meals up a notch.

1. Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole

Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole has become one of those staple go-tos in my dinner rotations, a wholesome meal that never compromises on flavor. Spaghetti squash acts as a fantastic low-carb alternative to pasta, and let me tell you, it’s quite satisfying to fork through.

Layered with juicy turkey meatballs and a rich marinara, topped with melted mozzarella, this dish is a symphony of nourishing and robust tastes. A sprinkle of fresh basil ties it all together, providing a fragrant finish.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
• 1½ cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut spaghetti squash in half, scoop out seeds, and place cut-side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes until tender.
2. Prepare the meatballs: In a bowl, mix ground turkey, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs/almond flour. Form into small meatballs.
3. Brown the meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add a bit of oil, and brown the meatballs for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Assemble the casserole: Spread ½ cup of marinara on the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish. Add the meatballs, then pour the remaining marinara over them. Bake for 15 minutes.
5. Add the spaghetti squash: Once cooked, scrape out the spaghetti-like strands and mix them into the casserole.
6. Top with cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top and bake for 10 more minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

2. Pesto Halibut

When light, zesty seafood hits the table, I can’t resist it. Pesto Halibut is my simple yet elegant choice for dinner, pairing buttery fillets with fresh pesto and a Parmesan crust.

Lemons and parsley introduce a refreshing zing, making every forkful taste as though it’s fresh from the coast.

Ingredients:

• 6 halibut fillets (about 6 oz. each)
• ½ cup pesto
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 lemons, sliced
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Season the halibut lightly with salt and pepper, then place on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Spread 1-2 tbsp of pesto on each fillet, ensuring an even coating.
4. Top with Parmesan cheese and place lemon slices over each fillet.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a crispy Parmesan crust.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

3. Hearty Baked Beef Stew

A warm, comforting stew always has a way of bringing my family together. This Hearty Baked Beef Stew replaces all-day simmering with efficient baking, enveloping tender beef in a rich, savory broth.

Hearty chunks of carrot, potato, and celery complete the dish for a full-bodied dining experience.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2½ cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for optional searing)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Optional: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove from heat.
3. Add the vegetables (carrots, potatoes, celery, and garlic) into the Dutch oven. Stir in tomato paste, broth, and thyme/bay leaf.
4. Cover tightly and bake for 2 hours, stirring halfway through.
5. Check consistency – If too thick, add a little more broth.
6. Remove bay leaf (if used) and serve warm with crusty bread.

4. Dump-and-Bake Healthy Chicken Parmesan

One of the simplest ways to enjoy an Italian classic with less hassle, Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan is my secret to a busy weeknight win. There’s no need for elaborate breading or frying; just a generous swim of chicken in marinara, melted cheese, and you’re all set.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for crispy topping)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using breadcrumbs, for better crispiness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then place in the baking dish.
3. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the chicken.
4. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
5. If using breadcrumbs, mix them with olive oil and sprinkle on top.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) internally.
7. Serve hot with pasta or steamed veggies.

5. Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini

Reminiscent of something my mother used to whisk together after Thanksgiving, Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini combines succulent turkey leftovers with mushrooms and a lusciously creamy bridge thanks to mushroom soup. It’s comfort packed in every creamy, cheesy bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cooked turkey, shredded
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 8 oz. cooked spaghetti or egg noodles
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk or chicken broth
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil (for breadcrumbs)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Sauté mushrooms in a pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft.
3. In a bowl, mix cooked turkey, mushrooms, soup, and milk or broth. Stir in cooked pasta.
4. Transfer to the baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle over the top.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

6. Garlic-Ginger Turkey Tenderloins

Turkey tenderloins often steal the spotlight in my home with their succulent, tender nature. Infused with garlic and ginger, then caramelized with soy and brown sugar, this dish is a fragrant and savory delight tailored to impress.

Ingredients:

• 4 turkey tenderloins
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, olive oil, and pepper.
2. Marinate turkey in the mixture for at least 30 minutes (overnight for best results).
3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place turkey in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Pour extra marinade over the turkey and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serve with pan sauce drizzled on top.

7. Butternut & Portobello Lasagna

This Butternut & Portobello Lasagna often brings praises to my table, offering a delightful twist on traditional layers by pairing sweet butternut squash with earthy portobello.

Creamy ricotta meets gooey mozzarella, all wrapped up in a warm, comforting embrace.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and sliced
• 2 portobello mushrooms, sliced
• 8 lasagna noodles (or no-boil variety)
• 1½ cups marinara sauce (for layering)
• 1 egg (for ricotta mixture)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting squash)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss sliced butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast for 20 minutes until tender.
3. Sauté mushrooms in a pan over medium heat until golden.
4. Mix ricotta with 1 egg in a small bowl.
5. Assemble the lasagna:
   • Spread ½ cup marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
   • Layer noodles, roasted squash, mushrooms, ricotta, mozzarella, and more sauce. Repeat.
   • Top with Parmesan and remaining mozzarella.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.

8. Dump-and-Bake Chicken and Dumplings

There’s something about Chicken and Dumplings that whispers comfort food, and the Dump-and-Bake version tames the laborious affair into a simple, yet fulfilling task. Every spoonful delivers tender chicken encased in soft, buttery dumplings.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional, for flavor)
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 cups biscuit or dumpling mix
• ¾ cup milk (for dumpling batter)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and thyme, then spread them evenly in the baking dish.
3. Pour chicken broth over the chicken and scatter butter pieces throughout.
4. In a bowl, mix the dumpling mix with milk to form a thick batter.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter over the chicken and broth.
6. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until dumplings are golden and fluffy.
7. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

9. Dump-and-Bake Chicken Mac and Cheese

Talk about a childhood favorite reimagined! This single-pan Chicken Mac and Cheese captures your heart with its gooey, cheesy delight. Bursting with flavor and convenience, it’s always a hit across ages.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
• 1 box (16 oz) elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread uncooked macaroni and chicken pieces evenly in the baking dish.
3. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pour over the pasta and chicken.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
5. Remove from oven, stir in 1 cup of cheese, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
6. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until pasta is tender and cheese is melted.
7. Serve hot, optionally topped with chopped parsley or extra cheese.

10. Dump-and-Bake Country Comfort Casserole

This Country Comfort Casserole is for those times you crave a hearty, soul-warming experience without any fuzz. Savory sausage, crispy hashbrowns, and gooey cheese come together in this effortlessly delightful rendition.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
3. Layer the cooked sausage in the baking dish, followed by hashbrowns.
4. Whisk milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together and pour over the layers.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
6. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
7. Serve hot with diced green onions or extra cheese if desired.

11. Dump-and-Bake Creamy Shrimp Pasta

When shrimp’s involved, my palette does a little happy dance. This creamy pasta marries surf with savory flavors from mushrooms and cheddar, resulting in an easy bountiful meal for seafood admirers.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 box (16 oz) pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In the baking dish, mix uncooked pasta, cream of mushroom soup, broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
4. Remove from oven, stir in shrimp and heavy cream.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes, until shrimp is pink and pasta is creamy.
6. Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped parsley or Parmesan.

12. Dump-and-Bake Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

The blend of chicken, rice, and broccoli never seems to bore my tastebuds, perhaps due to its soul-soothing simplicity in a one-pan wonder. Perfectly cooked grains and tender veggies make each bite a celebration of mild and comforting flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra richness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread uncooked rice evenly in the dish. Layer the chicken pieces and broccoli florets on top.
3. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour over the rice mixture.
4. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
5. Uncover, stir, and check rice doneness. If still firm, add a little more liquid and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
6. Sprinkle cheese on top (if using) and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

13. Dump-and-Bake Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Beef Stroganoff is always a celebration of deep savory flavors, and this casserole version simplifies the preparation without losing an ounce of flavor, all thanks to the transforming powers of a 13×9 pan.

With beef and pasta nestled in a creamy sauce, this dish is just perfect for winding down.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound beef strips (sirloin or flank steak), thinly sliced
• 1 box (16 oz) egg noodles (uncooked)
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for depth)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional, but recommended for classic stroganoff flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Brown the beef strips in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Remove from heat.
3. In the baking dish, add uncooked egg noodles and mushrooms (if using).
4. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth and water, then pour over the pasta.
5. Top with the browned beef and cover tightly with foil.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until pasta is tender.
7. Remove from oven, stir in sour cream until fully incorporated, and serve hot.

Final Thoughts

This collection of 13 dinner recipes showcases a diversity that stands testament to the versatility of a trusty 13×9 pan. Each meal exhibits not just ease and speed but reignites tastes and nutrition through wholesome ingredients.

I encourage you to journey through these selections, creating fast, delightful dinners that resonate with both the soul and palate.

Embrace the practicality and satisfaction of one-pan meal preparation, and don’t hesitate to explore further into culinary creativity with your favorite fixings.