Escape the dinner rut with these 23 recipes you’ve never tried

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These 23 standout dinners are the perfect solutions for when you feel stuck in a dinner rut. Each recipe is designed to yield a memorable and impressive meal without needing to spend too much time in the kitchen. Prepare any of these meals quickly and break free from your typical menu with minimal effort.

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken offers an efficient way to diversify your dinner routine. It blends golden-brown chicken with a smooth sauce and is ready in just 40 minutes using a single pan.
Get the recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is a delightful combination of sirloin steak, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese. You can prepare this meal in under an hour and can then successfully get out of a dinner rut.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce garnished with fresh herbs.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Opt for this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce when you want a quick and uncomplicated choice. Within 30 minutes, you can present this one-pan dish to your dinner table.
Get the recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is an adaptable dish that can be served on its own or over rice or pasta. It promises a protein-rich dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a well-rounded meal combining ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. It’s prepared in only 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With this Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach, you can serve an impressive meal that is bursting with flavor in only 30 minutes. It’s a dish that is restaurant-worthy but is surprisingly easy to make.
Get the recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a delightful dinner option. You’ll combine chicken thighs with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce in a single pan.
Get the recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is a perfect idea for dinner. It combines roasted squash, cauliflower, bacon, and spinach for a balanced and nutritious meal.
Get the recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bowl of creamy bacon asparagus pasta with a fork.
Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Introduce this Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta into your dinner menu rotation. This easy-to-make pasta dish with asparagus promises readiness in 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Try out this easy low-carb version of the famous Olive Garden soup, Keto Zuppa Toscana, ready in just 1 hour and a great choice if you’re in the mood for a comforting meal.
Get the recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy spinach chicken bake in a glass baking dish.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is a straightforward dish. The recipe is a great way to change up the usual recipes you make for dinner, and it can be completely prepared and served in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is an effortless meal. In this one-pot dish, you’ll combine Italian sausage, tomatoes, and cream, all ready in 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs are a great dinner option for nights when you have no idea what to make. This dish uses ground turkey and coconut ingredients to deliver a unique palate in 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Cheesy cauliflower soup in a white bowl with a white spoon.
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This comforting Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup is made easily with steamed cauliflower, chicken broth, butter, heavy cream, and cheese, garnished with crispy bacon. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and is a great choice for times you want to try something new.
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Lemon Garlic Scallops are a great option for dinner, especially for nights you want to serve something impressive without the hassle of spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Make these and serve a restaurant-quality meal at home in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe for Pollo Asado brings marinated chicken thighs to your table, easily cooked on the grill or in the oven. If you are in the mood for tacos or burrito bowls, make this chicken, let it shine as the superstar of your meal, and successfully get out of your dinner rut.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Chicken thighs in cream sauce with artichoke hearts in a pan with a spoon.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Change up your regular dinner with these Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Enjoy chicken thighs in a flavorful sauce topped with artichokes.
Get the recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Sausage Curry is a one-pan dish that blends sausages with a smooth curry sauce and vegetables. It’s perfect for a new and memorable meal choice that’ll get you out of a dinner rut.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Change up your dinner routine with the Shawarma Kebabs. Prepared in the oven, these kebabs are a protein-rich meal that’s both simple and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Two bowls of Crock Pot taco soup with cheese and sour cream.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Crock Pot Taco Soup is a great choice when you want to make something new and different, but don’t want to spend endless time in the kitchen. This recipe requires just 20 minutes of prep time. To make it, you’ll brown some ground beef on the stovetop, add all of the remaining ingredients to your slow cooker, set it to cook, then garnish and serve.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Bowl of instant pot butter chicken atop cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced,

This Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a time-efficient choice and can help you get out of your dinner rut. It combines marinated chicken with a rich sauce and spices and can be made and ready in 40 minutes.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Switch up your dinner plans and make this Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. The dish is ready in 30 minutes and can be served on its own or paired with your choice of protein.
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant pot chicken adobo in a bowl atop cauliflower rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try this Instant Pot Chicken Adobo when you want to change your meals. It’s a Filipino-inspired dish ready in 40 minutes and is excellent when served with cauliflower rice or white rice.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

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