In Need of a Quick Dinner Idea? These Are Our Readers' Six Favorite Recipes for Busy Weeknights

We asked and you answered! When our social media team posed the question "what's your go-to weeknight dinner recipe from marthastewart.com," there were plenty of enthusiastic replies. Here, we're sharing the recipes that you, our loyal readers, rely on. These are the recipes that you turn to over and over, that help you get dinner on the table on a busy weeknight.

Yes, there are plenty of easy pastas and some one-pot dinners, and that's because these are the dishes that work for you and those you feed night after night. We hope that you discover a new recipe to add to your weeknight rotation from this tried-and-tested selection.

One-Pan Pasta

The outright winner in our non-scientific sampling was this One-Pan Pasta; it's been an internet sensation since we published it in 2013. It's easy to make and very kid-friendly yet fancy enough to serve friends who you want to impress. Plus, you probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen already. (Pro tip: cherry tomatoes and fresh basil are your friends!) Oh, did we mention it only takes 20 minutes to get this winner dinner on the table?

One-Pot Pasta with Broccoli and Lemon

A close cousin to our original One-Pot Pasta, this version is even easier and maybe even more kid-friendly (no herbs!). It's a great way to get anyone who isn't a big fan of vegetables to eat more greens. If you're ready to take it to the next level, try this extra cheesy one-pot pasta with broccoli, otherwise known as our Cheater's Mac and Cheese.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Rounding out our pasta trifecta is this bacon pasta favorite. Our Pasta Carbonara is made with six everyday ingredients and the texture of the egg-and-cream sauce that just can't be beat. It's a classic comfort food, and you can make it in 30 minutes.

Tortellini Soup

Maybe you're already a fan of store-bought tortellini, but have you ever tried it in Tortellini Soup rather than covered in sauce? This quick, comforting dinner is vegetable packed thanks to the easy additions of frozen peas and baby spinach, two ingredients we always have on hand. And it takes just 15 minutes to make, so it's the fastest weeknight dinner our users love.

Quick Chickpea Curry

A plant-based dinner that's so versatile, this Quick Chickpea Curry is a must-make dinner. It's made with canned chickpeas, another of our pantry staples, and takes about 30 minutes of mostly hands off cooking. Serve it with rice or another favorite grain or pair it with flatbreads and salad. Truly the options are endless.

Quick Jamblaya

Another one-pot favorite, this recipe takes some shortcuts on the time-honored ways of making jamblaya, but we're sure even Louisiana natives would appreciate a bowl of this hearty dish. Our Quick Jambalaya clocks in at just under an hour of mostly hands-off cooking time and is packed with chicken, spicy andouille sausage, and of course bell pepper, celery, and onion.