19 Monday Meals So Good That Make You Forget the Weekend’s Over

Mondays don’t have to feel like punishment, especially when there’s something really good to eat waiting at dinnertime. These easy recipes bring big flavor without piling on more stress, so you can shake off the weekend blues and get back into the groove. When the day drags and motivation is low, these favorites make the evening something to actually look forward to.

Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

This shrimp scampi with zoodles is the kind of bright, flavorful dinner that makes Monday feel like a treat instead of a chore. With lemon, garlic, and juicy shrimp tossed in one pan, it’s ready in 20 minutes flat, no wine or fuss required. Perfect for easing back into the week with something that feels a little fancy without any of the stress.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

Italian Chopped Salad

Italian chopped salad might not sound like a weeknight dinner hero, but this one absolutely is. It’s loaded with bite-sized veggies, savory meats, and bold Italian flavors all wrapped up in a creamy homemade dressing. It’s one of those Monday meals that feels fresh, satisfying, and totally in control.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad

Korean Ground Beef

Korean ground beef is a quick-fix dinner that brings big flavor without dragging out the start of the week. Whether it’s served in a bowl, wrap, or lettuce cup, it turns a typical Monday into something to look forward to. It’s got just the right mix of comfort and ease to shake off that weekend hangover.
Get the Recipe: Korean Ground Beef

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet pan chicken is the kind of weeknight win that takes all the pressure off Monday. Juicy chicken and colorful veggies roast together in one pan, soaking up flavor while cutting back on cleanup. It’s easy to prep, even quicker to love; this is the meal that brings calm to the chaos and makes Monday feel like a fresh start.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These ham and cheese sliders bring serious comfort with zero complications, which is exactly what Monday calls for. Gooey melted cheese and savory ham get tucked into soft rolls, then baked with a buttery glaze that turns golden and crisp. They come together quickly but feel like something special, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just making dinner feel a little more fun.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders

Chopped Chicken Salad

Chopped chicken salad is equal parts hearty and refreshing, which makes it a perfect pick for Monday nights. With crunchy veggies, flavorful protein, and a creamy dressing, it brings just the right energy to kick off the week. Everything is chopped small for easy bites, making it feel like a total upgrade from boring desk lunch vibes.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Chicken Salad

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

These honey garlic pork chops bring major flavor without overcomplicating things, perfect for shaking off the Monday slump. The glaze is sticky, sweet, and savory with just the right amount of punch, coating each chop in craveable goodness. They sear up fast in a skillet and go with pretty much anything, from mashed cauliflower to simple roasted veg.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Copycat Alice Springs chicken turns a tired Monday into something to look forward to. Juicy baked chicken gets smothered in tangy mustard sauce, then loaded up with crispy bacon, mushrooms, and melty cheese. It’s cozy, filling, and tastes like a restaurant-style splurge without even leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air fryer pork chops are the kind of easy, no-stress dinner that Mondays practically beg for. They’re perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and cook up in under 10 minutes. No grease, no mess, they’re simple but flavorful enough to make you forget the weekend even ended.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey mustard chicken is exactly the kind of comfort food that turns a dreary Monday into something worth showing up for. The golden sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and bakes into the chicken like magic, leaving every bite juicy and full of flavor. It’s easy to pull off, but it tastes like it took real effort, one that checks every box for a weeknight dinner that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken

Philly Cheesesteak Casserole with Hamburger

Philly cheesesteak casserole is everything you love about the sandwich, baked into an easy weeknight meal that’s ready in 30 minutes or less. It’s cheesy, meaty, and packed with savory flavor without needing a long prep. Perfect for when Monday calls for comfort food with zero hassle.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Casserole with Hamburger

Herb-Crusted Chicken

This herb-crusted chicken packs big flavor with barely any effort, making it a Monday must. Seasoned with bold herbs and pepper, then pan-seared until golden, it’s juicy and satisfying from the first bite. It feels just fancy enough to brighten the start of the week, but is easy enough to make on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken

Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

This Italian beef skillet with cauliflower rice is fast, hearty, and loaded with cozy flavors that make Mondays a little easier. It’s all made in one pan with creamy tomato sauce, ground beef, and melty mozzarella. The cauliflower rice keeps it light but still filling; it’s one of those meals that comes together fast but feels like you did something right.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Chicken Francese

Chicken Francese brings a touch of restaurant elegance to the start of the week without the restaurant fuss. Lightly breaded chicken simmers in a lemony butter sauce that’s bright and rich at the same time. It’s easy enough for a hectic Monday but fancy enough to feel like a small win, the kind of dish that turns any weeknight into something special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Francese

Ground Beef and Broccoli Casserole

Ground beef and broccoli casserole is one of those simple, delicious meals that make Monday feel manageable again. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor thanks to the mix of seasoned beef and tender broccoli. Everything bakes together into a cozy dish that’s just as good the next day, a solid choice when you want dinner to be comforting without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Casserole

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Parmesan crusted chicken is crisp, cheesy, and golden on the outside, with juicy chicken on the inside, basically everything a Monday night dinner should be. It’s fast to prep, easy to cook, and feels a little fancy without the extra work. The crispy coating delivers bold flavor in every bite, perfect for when you want something reliable but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

New York Strip Steak

New York strip steak turns an ordinary Monday into a dinner worth looking forward to. Seared in a hot skillet with garlic and butter, it’s tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. No grill required, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a reward for making it through the day.
Get the Recipe: New York Strip Steak

Pork Chops and Applesauce

Pork chops and applesauce are a sweet and savory duo that makes Mondays feel a lot cozier. The pork chops are seared with herbs and finished with a simple homemade applesauce that adds just the right balance. It’s hearty, comforting, and simple enough to pull off without breaking a sweat, a weeknight favorite that feels like a warm hug.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce

Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

Cabbage and sausage Alfredo is the weeknight meal you didn’t know you needed. Tender cabbage ribbons and browned sausage get smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce that clings to every bite. It’s rich, hearty, and unexpectedly easy to throw together in 30 minutes, definitely a go-to when Monday calls for comfort with a little edge.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo