17 Dinners for When Everyone's Tired of Chicken

Chicken might be the usual dinner choice, but sometimes everyone is ready for something different. These satisfying meals give you plenty of options, from juicy pork chops and slow-cooked beef to seafood, cheesy casseroles, and hearty meatless dishes. They're just what you need to shake up the dinner routine without making things complicated.

Dutch Oven Pot Roast with Red Wine

Shredded pot roast with cooked carrots on a white rectangular plate. — Dutch Oven Pot Roast with Red Wine. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

When chicken isn't sounding appealing, a tender beef roast makes a welcome change. This Dutch oven version cooks in red wine until the meat is fall-apart tender, with a rich sauce that's delicious spooned over mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast with Red Wine

Baked Maryland Crab Cakes

A crab cake garnished with parsley and served with a lemon wedge. — Baked Maryland Crab Cakes. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

These Maryland-style crab cakes let the sweet crab meat shine, with just enough filler to hold everything together. Baking keeps preparation simple, and a fresh salad or roasted vegetables turns them into a satisfying seafood dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Maryland Crab Cakes

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

A cheeseburger topped with a generous portion of caramelized onions held in a hand. — Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Thinly sliced onions cook right into juicy beef patties, giving these old-fashioned Oklahoma burgers their signature flavor. Add your favorite toppings and a side of fries for a fun change from the usual weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

Pork Ragu

Pasta topped with a meat and tomato sauce, garnished with shredded cheese. — Pork Ragu. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Slow-braised pork turns into a deeply savory sauce that's especially good tossed with pasta. It's a comforting alternative to chicken dinners, and the leftovers make another delicious meal with very little extra work.
Get the Recipe: Pork Ragu

Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables

A plate with a pork chop, roasted brussels sprouts, diced sweet potatoes, and sliced roasted apples. — Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Juicy pork chops and roasted vegetables cook together on one sheet pan, giving you a complete dinner without juggling several pots. With less than an hour from start to finish, it's an easy way to add variety to a busy week.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables

Eggplant Lasagna

A slice of baked lasagna topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs on a white plate. — Eggplant Lasagna. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Layers of tender eggplant, tomato sauce, and melted cheese give you everything comforting about lasagna without using pasta noodles. It's a hearty vegetable-forward dinner that feels anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Lasagna

Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam

Meatballs in a creamy gravy served over bow tie pasta and garnished with parsley. — Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender meatballs in creamy sour cream gravy make a cozy dinner that's especially good over noodles or mashed potatoes. A spoonful of lingonberry jam adds a sweet-tart contrast that makes this classic feel special.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam

Colorado Pork Green Chili

A bowl of pork and tomato stew garnished with herbs, served with tortilla chips. — Colorado Pork Green Chili. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Chunks of tender pork simmer with green chiles and peppers for a hearty stew with plenty of bold flavor. Serve it in bowls or alongside warm tortillas when you're craving something different from another chicken dinner.
Get the Recipe: Colorado Pork Green Chili

Cajun Red Beans and Rice

A bowl of red beans and rice with sliced sausage, topped with green onions. — Cajun Red Beans and Rice. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

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Smoky andouille sausage, ham, and seasoned red beans make this Louisiana favorite a filling dinner without a chicken breast in sight. Spoon the flavorful beans over rice for a hearty meal with a little Cajun kick.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Bierock Beef and Cabbage Casserole with Crescent Rolls

A slice of meat and cabbage pie on a white plate with a fork. — Bierock Beef and Cabbage Casserole. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Seasoned beef, cabbage, and cheese bake beneath a golden crescent roll crust in this comforting twist on traditional bierocks. You get those familiar savory flavors without having to shape individual stuffed pastries.
Get the Recipe: Bierock Beef and Cabbage Casserole with Crescent Rolls

Cider Braised Pork Shoulder with Apples

Roasted pork with sliced apples and fresh sage leaves on a serving platter. — Cider Braised Pork Shoulder with Apples. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Apple cider, bacon, onions, and fresh apples give this slow-braised pork shoulder a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors. The meat cooks until tender, making it an inviting dinner for a cool fall evening.
Get the Recipe: Cider Braised Pork Shoulder with Apples

Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Ground Beef

Baking dish filled with beef stroganoff pasta topped with mushrooms and herbs. — Creamy Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Ground beef makes this creamy stroganoff an affordable way to put comfort food on the table. The savory sauce pairs beautifully with egg noodles, and dinner can be ready in about 35 minutes using everyday ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Ground Beef

Biscuit Topped Beef and Guinness Pie

Beef stew in a skillet topped with biscuits and herbs. — Biscuit Topped Beef and Guinness Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A rich beef and mushroom filling bakes beneath fluffy buttermilk biscuits in this Southern-inspired savory pie. The biscuits soak up the flavorful sauce, making every serving especially satisfying on a chilly evening.
Get the Recipe: Biscuit Topped Beef and Guinness Pie

Easy Sausage Peppers and Onions in a Crock Pot Dinner

A white platter of cooked sausages with sautéed onions and bell peppers in a red sauce. — Sausage Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Italian sausage slowly cooks with colorful bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce for a flavorful dinner that requires little attention. Pile everything into rolls or serve it over pasta for an easy family meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sausage Peppers and Onions in a Crock Pot Dinner

Baked Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

Cooked salmon fillet topped with pineapple and cucumber salsa, served with a lime wedge. — Baked Salmon with Pineapple Salsa. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Flaky baked salmon gets a bright, refreshing finish from juicy pineapple salsa. It's a colorful seafood dinner that brings something lighter to the table when you're ready for a break from the usual meat-and-potatoes routine.
Get the Recipe: Baked Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

Eggplant Rollatini

Tender eggplant slices are rolled around a creamy cheese filling, then baked with tomato sauce until bubbly. This Italian-inspired dish makes a satisfying meatless dinner when you want something comforting without another chicken recipe.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Rollatini

Smothered Beef Skirt Steak Crock Pot Recipe

A fork lifting shredded beef with mushroom gravy over a bed of brown rice. — Smothered Beef Skirt Steak. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Skirt steak becomes tender in the slow cooker alongside mushrooms and a creamy onion gravy. Serve the beef and sauce over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a comforting dinner that doesn't demand much hands-on cooking.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Beef Skirt Steak Crock Pot Recipe