When time is not on your side, dinner needs to pull its weight. This is where simple weeknight dinners earn their place, offering faster prep and fewer moving parts when the day runs long. Each recipe is built for dependable results, using methods that produce juicy centers and crisp finishes without slowing you down. The lineup delivers variety across proteins and cooking styles so you can pick what fits your night and keep dinner moving.

Baked salmon fillet surrounded by seasoned potato wedges on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Baked Creamy Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cast Iron Skillet Steak

Cast iron steak with a deep sear and butter juices pooling in the pan.
Cast Iron Skillet Steak. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

High heat builds a crisp, golden crust while the skillet keeps the center juicy. We rest the steak briefly so those savory juices stay locked in.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Steak

Roast Beef Sliders with Horseradish Sauce

Roast beef sliders layered with horseradish sauce on toasted buns ready to serve.
Roast Beef Sliders with Horseradish Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Oven heat melts cheese and warms roast beef into juicy, pull-apart sliders fast. We cover the rolls early so everything heats through without drying out.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Sliders with Horseradish Sauce

Cowboy Butter Burgers

Cowboy butter burgers stacked high with melted butter spread and herbs on toasted buns.
Cowboy Butter Burgers. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Direct grill heat chars the patties while cowboy butter melts into smoky, spicy richness. Brushing the butter at the end keeps flare-ups in check.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Butter Burgers

Greek Ground Lamb Recipe with Whipped Ricotta

Seasoned ground lamb served over whipped ricotta with herbs sprinkled across the top.
Greek Ground Lamb Recipe with Whipped Ricotta. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Skillet browning delivers tender, herby lamb with bold savory notes. Cooking hot and fast prevents excess grease and keeps flavor clean.
Get the Recipe: Greek Ground Lamb Recipe with Whipped Ricotta

Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Seared steak topped with creamy mushroom sauce served hot on a cast iron skillet.
Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Pan searing creates golden edges before mushrooms simmer into a silky sauce. Scraping the pan captures every browned, savory bit.
Get the Recipe: Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Pan-Seared Cod with Blistered Cherry Tomato Sauce

Pan-seared cod fillet topped with blistered cherry tomatoes and herbs on a clean white plate.
Pan-Seared Cod with Blistered Cherry Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Even skillet heat forms a golden crust without sticking or breaking. Waiting to flip once lets the fish release cleanly.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Seared Cod with Blistered Cherry Tomato Sauce

French Dip Sliders

Small French dip sliders with melted cheese on toasted rolls served next to warm au jus.
French Dip Sliders. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Oven roasting crisps buttery rolls while the beef stays juicy inside. Warming the au jus separately keeps it rich and concentrated.
Get the Recipe: French Dip Sliders

Perfect Steak Alfredo

Creamy Alfredo noodles topped with sliced steak and cracked black pepper in a shallow bowl.
Perfect Steak Alfredo. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

One skillet sears steak, then simmers a glossy, creamy sauce quickly. We pull the steak early and fold it back in to stay tender.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Steak Alfredo

Chimichurri Steak

Sliced grilled steak drizzled with bright green chimichurri sauce on a wooden cutting board.
Chimichurri Steak. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

The grill delivers deep char with a juicy center every time. Spoon the chimichurri just before serving for the brightest bite.
Get the Recipe: Chimichurri Steak

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air fryer pork chops browned with juicy centers served beside fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Pork Chops. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Circulating heat crisps the edges while keeping the center juicy. We flip halfway so browning stays even.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Easy Turkey Enchiladas Verdes

Turkey enchiladas verdes topped with melted cheese and green sauce across the dish.
Easy Turkey Enchiladas Verdes. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A quick bake melds creamy sauce and tender turkey into zesty layers. Warming tortillas first keeps them from tearing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Turkey Enchiladas Verdes

Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops with golden sear marks and juices pooling beneath the sliced meat.
Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Direct heat builds char fast while locking in steady moisture. Watching the internal temperature prevents dry results.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Chicken parmesan meatballs covered in melted cheese and marinara sauce in a cast iron skillet.
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Oven baking keeps meatballs tender with golden tops and melty cheese. We space them out so they brown instead of steaming.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Pan Seared Denver Steak

Pan-seared Denver steak with browned crust sliced to show a warm red interior.
Pan Seared Denver Steak. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A hot skillet unlocks beefy flavor with crisp edges quickly. Simple seasoning lets this cut shine.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Denver Steak

Shrimp Creole

Shrimp creole simmering in spicy tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs visible throughout.
Shrimp Creole. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A short simmer builds rich sauce around plump, tender shrimp. Adding shrimp at the end keeps them juicy.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Creole

Air Fryer Shrimp

Air fryer shrimp lightly crisped with golden edges arranged on a white plate.
Air Fryer Shrimp. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

High-speed heat cooks shrimp tender with lightly crisp edges in minutes. Avoiding overcrowding ensures even cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Griddle Burger

Griddle burger smashed with crisp edges and melted cheese dripping down the patty.
Griddle Burger. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Flat-top heat creates a shatteringly crisp crust with a juicy center. We smash once and leave it alone for maximum browning.
Get the Recipe: Griddle Burger

Baked Creamy Salmon

Grilled salmon and potatoes on a baking sheet.
Baked Creamy Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Oven baking keeps salmon flaky while the sauce turns glossy and rich. Finishing uncovered helps the top stay lightly golden.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon

Steak Fajitas

Sizzling sliced steak with blistered peppers and onions on a steaming fajita skillet.
Steak Fajitas. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

High heat chars steak and peppers for smoky, juicy strips in minutes. We slice against the grain to keep every bite tender.
Get the Recipe: Steak Fajitas

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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