The 9 best fast and easy dinners for busy weeknights (or hectic weekends)

Let’s be real: As much as you might love to serve an aesthetic meal at a perfectly set table, sometimes you just need to get something delicious on the table ASAP. 

That’s where McCormick Recipe Mixes have got your back as the MVP of easy dinner ideas. They’re packed with layers of herbs, spices and other aromatics, so you get full-bodied flavor without the hassle of measuring out multiple seasonings. Or in other words, they make your meals taste delicious in an instant.

So, pick up a few packets on your next trip to the store and add these nine easy dinner recipes to your easy weeknight dinner lineup. You just might find your new family favorite!

EASY BEEF STEW RECIPE

Think beef stew requires painstaking hours in the kitchen? Think again. This deceptively simple recipe gets its deep, hearty flavor from McCormick® Classic Beef Stew Seasoning Mix. It transforms simple steak and frozen veggies into a soul-warming stew in just 30 minutes — yup, you read that right. 

WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI 

Everyone loves chili night, and this chicken chili makes it easy to put a fresh twist on a classic. It also couldn’t be easier: All you need is a can of white beans, chopped chicken breast and McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning Mix for a smoky, intensely flavorful chili, If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with sour cream and a lime wedge — but it’s also irresistible as-is. 

CHILI MAC RECIPE

This one-pot wonder has it all when you're searching for quick dinner ideas. Ground beef gets a glow-up with McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix, then it’s paired with kid-fave mac and cheese and finished with just enough veggies (green pepper, onion, tomatoes) to please everyone at the table.

CHICKEN TACOS

A taco bar comes together in no time as an easy weeknight dinner, thanks to McCormick Chicken Taco Seasoning Mix. The hardest part will be deciding how to top your taco when you offer your crew their choice of fixings: veggies, beans, cheeses, corn or flour tortillas, and of course some fiery salsa and rich dollops of sour cream.

TACO CRUNCH WRAP

Craving takeout? Try this takeout fakeout at home next Taco Tuesday. Each wrap is bursting with flavor, thanks to beef seasoned with McCormick Original Taco Seasoning Mix, along with crunchy corn tortillas, refreshing lettuce and rich sour cream. The best part? They’re ready in thirty minutes — less time than it’d take to order in. 

PEPPER STEAK STIR-FRY RECIPE

Don’t text that Asian noodle place yet! In Part 2 of Takeout Fakeout, you’ll get a vibrant, restaurant-quality stir-fry that comes together before your driver has even accepted your order. Tender beef mingles with colorful vegetables in an aromatic glaze that balances sweetness with deep Asian-inspired notes — and comes together in a snap, thanks to McCormick Brown Gravy Mix.

MCCORMICK MEATLOAF SEASONING RECIPE

You don't have to guess what gives this easy weeknight dinner its saucy good taste. The other secret ingredient? French's® Tomato Ketchup Squeeze Bottle. Serve alongside mashed potatoes and broccoli to round out this comfort food meal classic.

EASY CREAMY GARLIC ALFREDO

Italian cuisine remains a staple of easy dinner ideas for family, but endless marinara can leave you all craving something different. Enter this indulgent dish, where a packet of McCormick Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce Mix delivers that luxurious restaurant flavor everyone loves. It's just as simple as grabbing a jar from the pantry, yet feels significantly more sophisticated on the plate. Mix in broccoli, if you like, or serve a simple side salad.

EASY FRENCH ONION SOUP

Probably not what you were thinking of for easy dinner recipes, since this flavorful bistro-style soup typically requires hours of patient stirring and simmering. In this quick meal,  McCormick Au Jus Gravy Seasoning Mix provides that essential beefy depth without lengthy stock preparation. The caramelized onions take a while to develop their deep, golden sweetness, but the prep is worth it. Top each tempting bowl with petite grilled cheese sandos for a special touch.

SLOPPY JOE RECIPE

There's a reason Sloppy Joes are a perennial family favorite for quick meals. Kids love the name, and the chef loves the ease...brown ground beef and season with McCormick Sloppy Joes Seasoning Mix, mix in tomato paste, and this easy dinner recipe is ready to be served on a buttery bun. Pair with a salad or even carrot sticks for an hit of produce.