Non-Diet Cookbooks for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Some of my favorite non-diet cookbooks and websites for easy and enjoyable meals!

When I'm working with clients, one of the most common requests I get is help coming up with easy meal ideas—especially for dinner. Obviously, there's an endless supply of recipes online, which is wonderful. But sometimes I love turning to a cookbook because it offers a thoughtfully curated, less overwhelming collection of options.

At the same time, many cookbooks are geared toward specific diets or include nutrition information, which can be unhelpful for anyone working to step away from diet culture.

With that in mind, I've gathered a few of my favorite non-diet cookbooks for anyone looking for dinner inspiration. Non-diet cookbooks focus on enjoying food rather than following restrictive eating rules. They encourage flexibility, variety, and satisfaction instead of counting calories or eliminating foods. Each offers something unique while providing straightforward recipes that don't require a long list of specialty ingredients.

For simple recipes that can easily be adapted for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans:

The Workweek Lunch Cookbook by Talia Koren

Don't let the title fool you—the recipes in this book work just as well for dinner as they do for lunch. Chapters include meals that don't need reheating, freezer-friendly recipes, "Better Than Takeout," and "Bowls with Soul," among others. Some of my favorites include the Swiss Chard and Ground Beef Pasta Skillet, Chicken Banh Mi–Inspired Wraps, and Mango Tofu and Coconut Rice Bowls.

For unfussy dinner recipes:

Dinner Uncomplicated by Claire Tansey

Claire Tansey has put together a broad range of meal ideas that are, as the title suggests, uncomplicated. The cookbook includes recipes that take 15 minutes or less, 45 minutes or less, or require fewer than 15 minutes of prep before finishing in the slow cooker or oven. Favorites of mine include Sticky Korean Beef, Quick Lemon Chicken (which I pair with rice for a more filling meal), and Caramelized Onion Pasta with Sausage.

For flexible recipes based on how much time you have:

What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers

This book is organized by the amount of time you have available: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or one hour. The recipes are interesting yet approachable, and Chambers includes plenty of suggestions for swaps and variations throughout. I return to the Veggie Peanut Noods, Cannellini Caprese with Burrata, and White Chicken Chili again and again.

For flavorful vegetarian meals:

The Weekday Vegetarians Get Simple by Jenny Rosenstrach

Jenny Rosenstrach is one of my favorite recipe creators because she's all about food that's simple yet delicious. Two of my favorites from this cookbook are the Green Enchiladas and Crunchy-Cheesy Bean Bake. The Eggplant and Tofu with Sweet-Hot Chili Glaze and the Sweet Onion, Spinach, and Cheddar Quiche are also delicious.

For family-friendly dinners:

Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach

I've already mentioned that I'm a Jenny Rosenstrach fan, so I couldn't resist including a second one of her cookbooks. Dinner: A Love Story was the first cookbook of hers that I owned, and it has become one of my most-used favorites. (I've also given it as a wedding gift to many friends!)

Part cookbook and part memoir, it follows the author's early years of marriage as she and her partner developed their own dinner routines and how those routines evolved after having children. She offers great suggestions for deconstructing meals to make them more accessible for kids while still creating something delicious for the adults.

Some of the recipes I make most often are the Salmon Salad; Kale, Sausage, and White Bean Stew; Black Bean Burritos; and Pork Shoulder Ragù with Pappardelle. The ragù isn't a quick meal, but it requires very little hands-on time and is perfect for a cozy winter day.

For fellow Trader Joe's fans:

Trader Joe's One-Stop Meals by Brittney Hanks

I'm fortunate enough to live close to a Trader Joe's, and I love it so much that I'm not sure I could ever live somewhere without one nearby. They carry so many fun, unique products while also stocking plenty of everyday kitchen staples. And can we talk about how friendly the employees are?

Okay, okay—I'll stop waxing poetic and get to the cookbook.

The recipes are divided into Snacks, Brunch, Dinner, and Desserts. All four sections are full of great ideas, but since this post is about dinner, I'll focus there. Some of my favorites include Egg Roll Bowls, Fig and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Lasagna Soup, Mini Wonton Stir Fry, and Gyros with Tzatziki. Most recipes come together with just a handful of ingredients and relatively few steps.

Prefer recipes online?

If you enjoy finding recipes online, here are a couple of websites that offer a wide variety of recipes without displaying calorie information.

How Sweet Eats by Jessica Merchant

How Sweet Eats is one of the first places I look when I need meal inspiration. The site has an enormous collection of recipes. Some are more involved, but there are plenty of quick options, including Weeknight Maple Turkey Chili, Marinated Tomato BLATs, and numerous sheet pan meals.

Smitten Kitchen by Deb Perelman

Smitten Kitchen is another favorite. While some recipes are more ambitious, there are plenty of approachable options, including Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Cabbage, Skillet Ravioli with Spinach, and One-Pan Ditalini and Peas.

Finally, one of the most common frustrations I hear from clients is that many recipes make far more food than they need or want. If that sounds familiar, I highly recommend the Paprika app.

Paprika allows you to save recipes directly from websites and easily scale them to half or even one-quarter of the original servings. It automatically adjusts the ingredient amounts, so you don't have to do any math yourself. You can also add notes to recipes and generate grocery lists within the app.

As dietitians, we're always happy to help clients come up with meal ideas that fit their needs, but hopefully this list provides some extra inspiration the next time you're wondering what to make for dinner.

Do you have a favorite non-diet cookbook or recipe website? We'd love to hear your recommendations in the comments!