Some of my favorite easy meals never actually make it to the blog or Instagram feed.

They’re usually the dinners I throw together after a grocery run, the lunches I build from leftover ingredients, or those “what can I make with what’s already in my fridge?” kind of meals. They’re simple, usually packed with protein, and don’t require a long ingredient list or complicated recipe.

So instead of letting them disappear into my camera roll, I rounded up five recent meals I’ve been making on repeat. Most of them are more of a formula than a recipe, which honestly makes them even better because they’re easy to customize with whatever you have on hand.

If you make one of these, let me know which is your favorite in the comments!

Now let’s get into the recipes…

1. Spicy Ground Beef Bowl

This is one of those meals that comes together in about 20 minutes and literally never gets old (especially if you’re addicted to chili crunch like me).

Make this bowl: Brown lean ground beef in a skillet and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, a splash of soy sauce, and a spoonful (or two) of chili crisp. Serve over cooked rice with sautéed broccoli.

Easy swaps:

• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
• Swap broccoli for green beans, Brussels sprouts, or whatever vegetables you have in the fridge
• Top with a fried egg or avocado for more flavor!

2. Dijon Salmon Bowl

I’m usually always making some type of Asian salmon so this was a fun way to switch things up! The Dijon topping keeps the salmon super flavorful while the breadcrumbs add the perfect crunch.

Make this bowl: Season your salmon filets with salt and pepper then sear them in a pan (both sides) until fully cooked. Drizzle the dijon sauce over the salmon then sprinkle with seasoned breadcrumbs. Serve over rice with sautéed broccolini, and enjoy!

Dijon Sauce: dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper

Easy swaps:

• Swap the broccolini for your favorite veg
• Roasted potatoes instead of rice (perfect for summer!)
• Top with parsley or dill

3. Loaded Taco Bowl

If Taco Tuesday met meal prep, this would be it. It’s hearty, customizable, and perfect for using up whatever taco toppings you already have.

Make this bowl: Start with rice, then layer on seasoned ground beef, sautéed peppers and onions, corn, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and your favorite salsa.

Easy swaps:

• Use ground turkey or chicken
• Add avocado, black beans, jalapeños, Greek yogurt or sour cream
• Add cilantro and lime to the rice for more flavor
• Swap the rice for tacos!

4. Spicy Vodka Chicken Pasta

This is one of those comfort meals I ALWAYS come back to. Creamy spicy vodka sauce, chicken, and pasta: the perfect weeknight dinner that’s just as good for leftovers.

Get the full recipe here!

5. Mediterranean Chicken Bowl

Whenever I need something fresh that still feels filling, this bowl is usually what I make. Rotisserie chicken keeps it incredibly easy while the fresh vegetables and garlic sauce bring everything together.

Make this bowl: Layer cooked rice with shredded rotisserie chicken (I sautéed mine in a pan with some mediterranean seasoning for more flavor), cucumber salad (cucumber, dill, olive oil, lemon juice), pickled red onions, and a generous dollop of garlic sauce.

Easy swaps:

• Use grilled chicken, steak, or even chickpeas
• Add tomatoes, feta, olives, or hummus
• Swap rice for quinoa or chopped romaine for a lighter summer option