15 Quick and Delicious Dinners That Will Save Your Monday Night

Soba Noodle-and-Shrimp Bowls
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Monday has a bad reputation–and for good reason. You're tired after the weekend, moody from sitting at a desk all day, and busy getting set up for the rest of the week. It's understandable that the last thing you want to do is whip up a 5-star feast that takes hours to prepare for dinner. But between Friday night's movie popcorn and a lazy to-go dinner on Sunday, you resolved that you'd cook at home, save money, and eat healthier this week. Don't succumb to takeout just yet—there's a way to get a healthy dinner on the table, and fast. Let these 45-minute (and under!) Monday night dinners make your day a little less manic. After a weekend of cheat meals, you want to eat light, but after a long Monday, you want to eat comfort food. Luckily, these Monday night dinner ideas can satisfy both needs.

These Monday night dinners won't just be a treat for you, because with wholesome recipes like quesadillas, easy homemade Bolognese, and pork stir-fry, the kids will be happy, too. Don't let Monday bully you. Take control of the week with these quick and easy Monday night meals.

01 of 15

Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables

Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables

This healthful meal should become part of your weekly rotation, if not for the heart-healthy salmon then for the savory, tangy glaze on top.

02 of 15

Quesadillas al Pastor

Quesadillas al Pastor
Skyler Burt

Recipe: Quesadillas al Pastor

Stuffed with good-for-you ingredients and so easy to make, these quesadillas would make a great tote-able lunch the next day, too.

03 of 15

Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables

Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables

This beautiful dish packs a wholesome, healthful meal in just one skillet. Another win for cast iron.

04 of 15

Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage

Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage

This dinner proves that pasta doesn't have to be drowning in unhealthy sauce to be delicious. This filling and colorful dish will satisfy pasta cravings without going overboard.

05 of 15

Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

Crab cakes might seem fancy, but you'll be amazed at how simple they are to make. Paired with a tangy slaw, crab cakes make a perfect summer dinner.

06 of 15

Chicken Bog

Chicken Bog
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Bog

A Lowcountry favorite, Chicken Bog is a one-dish meal that your kids will love.

07 of 15

Vidalia Onion Soup

Vidalia Onion Soup

Recipe: Vidalia Onion Soup

Cozy up with this easy soup that's topped with Gruyère cheese and broiled at the last second for the best cheese pull.

08 of 15

Creamy Rice with Scallops

Creamy Rice with Scallops
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Creamy Rice with Scallops

This soft rice will remind you of risotto, and the flavors of scallops, corn, and bacon were meant to be.

09 of 15

Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Crisping the chicken in the oven rather than the deep-fryer cuts down on grease and calories without sacrificing taste. This salad is full of textures and flavors that make it anything but boring.

10 of 15

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

With just 25 minutes, you can have this kid-friendly dish on the table, and no one will realize that you doctored up a quality jarred pasta sauce and didn't make it from scratch.

11 of 15

Pork and Bok Choy Stir-Fry

Pork and Bok Choy Stir-Fry
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Pork and Bok Choy Stir-Fry

Bok Choy is packed with vitamins, and this easy stir-fry will satisfy all those takeout cravings.

12 of 15

Fig Flatbread

Fig Flatbread
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Fig Flatbread

This sweet and savory flatbread recipe is the ideal dinner after a weekend trip to the farmers' market.

13 of 15

Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Remoulade Sauce

Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Remoulade Sauce
Max Kelly

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Rémoulade Sauce

A classic po'boy might feel indulgent, but grilled shrimp is super light. You'll want to make an extra batch of our homemade Rémoulade sauce to keep in the fridge.

14 of 15

Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet Pan Nachos
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

Make tonight's dinner a fast and fun meal that's completely customizable.

15 of 15

Soba Noodle-and-Shrimp Bowls

Soba Noodle-and-Shrimp Bowls
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Soba Noodle-and-Shrimp Bowls

You might be tempted to get takeout on a Monday night, but you can get Asian flavor in a healthier way with this quick recipe.

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