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With the price of eggs surpassing record highs, you may be scrambling to find weeknight dinner options that won’t break the bank.
Sure, you could look for egg ingredient swaps or vegan substitutes like mung beans. Or, you could find recipes where they’re not used at all.
We’ve done the work for you. Here are 10 weeknight dinners that don’t require eggs, from chicken enchiladas to swordfish and crusted tuna.
Honey Balsamic Short Ribs
“Beef short ribs are first rate candidates for preparing in a slow cooker,” writes Cathy Thomas, an award-winning food writer who has written three cookbooks. “They turn out tender and juicy without supervision. Generally, they are slow-cooked in a wine mixture and served over mashed potatoes. This rendition switches it up in a delicious way, using a balsamic mixture as its sauce.” Get the recipe.
Recipe: These Honey Balsamic Short Ribs turn out tender and juicy in a slow cooker
Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta
“Shrimp and pasta are alluring partners, the shrimp lending a subtle sweetness and slight saltiness to the starchiness of the tender pasta,” according to Thomas. “Tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic come to the party, too, making this quick-to-prepare dish a weeknight winner.” Get the recipe.
Recipe: Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta is an easy and delicious weeknight dinner
Mango Lobster Spring Rolls
“Growing up in Wuhan, China, cookbook author Ying Chang Compestine says it was frustrating learning how to use chopsticks as a kid,” writes Kate Bradshaw for Bay Area New Group. “Watching her son experience the same frustration as a small child, she turned to spring rolls and other wrapped dishes that can be eaten by hand. These mango lobster spring rolls are one of her son’s favorites.” Get the recipe.
Creamy Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
“This enchilada recipe showcases cooked chicken, but if you wish you can substitute thin strips of steak or small shrimp,” Thomas suggests. “The recipe is from Tieghan Gerard’s cookbook ‘Half Baked Harvest Quick and Cozy’ (Clarkson Potter). The author uses a smooth mixture of cream cheese and milk as the base of the sauce, with store-bought green chili enchilada sauce added to the mix.” Get the recipe.
Recipe: These easy-to-make creamy chicken enchiladas are a tasty, convenient meal
Meaty Beany Chili
“Nothing solves problems, especially those of a cold and cranky drama queen in knock-off Uggs from Stein Mart, like food,” writes Amy Drew Thompson for the Orlando Sentinel. “In this particular case, Meaty Beany Chili, a vegan superstar of a recipe from chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz, is a solver supreme.” Get the recipe.
Spatchcock Chicken with Mint and Green Onions
“Celebrity chef Michael Mina is sharing his family recipes in his new cookbook, ‘My Egypt’ (Voracious, 2024) where he hopes to inspire the next generation of Egyptian chefs — or anyone with an adventurous palate,” writes Jason Mastrodonato for Bay Area News Group. Submerging this spatchchock chicken in feta brine overnight makes a world of difference. Get the recipe.
Grilled Lemon Harissa Chicken
“Firing up the grill is a great way to cook up something delicious — and fast,” says Bradshaw. “This recipe for grilled lemon harissa chicken comes from recipe author Caroline Chambers, who includes it in her new cookbook, ‘What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking’ (Union Square & Co.).” Get the recipe.
Kitty’s Swordfish with Mustard Cream Sauce
“Comedian, actor, and TV host Stephen Colbert and his wife Evie McGee Colbert have written a lovely cookbook, ‘Does This Taste Funny?’ (Celadon Books),” according to Thomas, who “dogeared many pages.”
“The easy-to-prepare swordfish was my first try, and it paid off big time,” Thomas adds. Get the recipe.
Recipe: Comedian Stephen Colbert suggests this method for cooking swordfish
Everything-Crusted Tuna with Snap Peas and Tahini-Jang Sauce
“This sophisticated recipe cooks up in 15 minutes — perfect for elevating a harried weeknight,” writes Bradshaw. “It comes from Caroline Chambers, the popular Substack food writer and author of the new ‘What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking’ (Union Square & Co.).” Get the recipe.
Easy weeknight meals: Everything-Crusted Tuna with Snap Peas and Tahini-jang Sauce
Chicken Mark Nuggets
“This chicken nugget recipe comes from legendary cookbook author Mark Bittman, whose latest installment in his “How to Cook Everything” series is built around kids’ cooking,” writes Bradshaw. “‘How to Cook Everything Kids’ (Harvest) is written especially for the younger set, teaching them cooking techniques as they prepare their favorite dishes.” Get the recipe.
Contributing: Cathy Thomas for Southern California News Group; Kate Bradshaw and Jason Mastrodonato, Bay Area News Group; Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel