9 Best Dinner Ideas 2024: Make Your Suppers Super

Planning dinner can be a huge challenge, and it’s easy to fall into a suppertime rut. One of the best things about meal delivery services is the variety. You get a wide range of meals to choose from and lots of chances to try new recipes or enjoy old favorites.

I’ve put together a list of the best dinner ideas from different meal delivery services. These meals come with recipes and instructions that make putting together delicious new meals easier than you ever imagined. And some of these meals arrive prepared, so all you do is heat them, and dinner is served! 

Factor’s Sour Cream & Chive Chicken with Yukon Mash is my pick for the best dinner idea. But if you have other plans for supper, don’t worry! Whatever your dietary needs or menu preferences, there’s a recipe here for you. Read on for more!

The Best Dinner Ideas Reviewed

1. Sour Cream & Chive Chicken With Yukon Mash – Best Factor Dinner

Preparing suppers as a single person can be challenging, especially if you’re on a specialized diet. With Factor’s fully prepared single-serving meals, 2-3 minutes in the microwave is all it takes for a delicious and healthy meal. Sour Cream and Chive Chicken with Yukon Mash and Garlic Broccoli is 1 such dish.

What’s on the Menu?

While it sounds indulgent, this delightful Calorie Smart dinner has just 420 calories per serving, 24 g of carbs, and only 8 g of saturated fat. Yukon Gold potatoes are combined with sour cream, roasted garlic, toasted garlic powder, and dried chives. Then, they’re topped with an herb-grilled chicken breast and a side of roasted broccoli topped with whipped garlic-chive powder.

Sour Cream and Chive Chicken is also a Protein Plus meal, providing 31 g of clean protein per serving. And as 1 of Factor’s Top-Rated recipes, you can be assured that many other Factor customers have given this recipe their highest ratings.

Be aware if you're lactose intolerant because this meal contains milk. Consider looking for alternatives among the service's extensive menu, which offers 35 prepared meals weekly. Among them, you’re bound to find suitable meals catering to different diets.

What Makes It Special?

Dieters who are looking to lose weight or fitness buffs looking to add muscle will love this recipe. But while it’s low in carbs, it doesn’t have quite enough fat to qualify as a keto meal. If you’re on a keto diet, check out Factor’s excellent menu of keto recipes. Then you’ll see why Factor always scores highly on our list of the best keto meal delivery services.

Without needing a Factor account, you can have a free 20-minute online consultation with a certified dietitian. Should this introductory session meet your needs, there's the option to sign up for the company's nutrition coaching programs. Subsequent consultations come with a cost but provide valuable guidance on your diet and eating habits.

Is It Good Value?

Factor meals are free of GMOs and artificial preservatives. The chicken, like all Factor proteins, is free of antibiotics and hormones. All recipes are designed by dietitians, then prepared by chefs and delivered fresh, never frozen. Our Factor reviewer was very impressed with the taste and quality of Factor’s meals.

Factor pricing varies by order size, with larger orders providing the best savings. For example, you can get 18 meals for $103.41 on your first order with our link.

2. Chicken With Spicy Apricot Pan Sauce – Best Green Chef Dinner

Green Chef's Chicken with Spicy Apricot Sauce is a delightful combination of ingredients that creates a memorable dining experience. It's a time-saving meal that's ideal for people who don't want to spend all night in the kitchen. 

What’s on the Menu?

The pan sauce combines apricot jam, tamari sauce, Sriracha, and a touch of sugar. It perfectly balances sweet, savory, and spicy while offering a subtle umami undertone. The sauce is generously spooned over succulent slices of pan-roasted chicken, allowing its robust flavors to infuse every bite.

The chicken is served on a bed of steamy rice infused with scallions for a mild oniony zing. The rice provides a comforting base for the chicken and serves as a perfect canvas for soaking up the pan sauce. Crunchy sautéed broccoli with earthy sesame seeds adds a finishing touch that blends perfectly with the complex flavors of the pan sauce.

Many Green Chef meal kits come with premade sauces, which saves you cooking time. While you have to prepare the pan sauce for this recipe yourself, it only takes a couple of minutes. And you can use your new sauce-making skill to liven up your meals going forward. (I think this pan sauce would also go beautifully with sauteed cod or pork chops.)

What Makes It Special?

Green Chef uses USDA-certified organic produce, eggs, and antibiotic and hormone-free proteins raised with high animal welfare standards. This ensures your meal is not only delicious but also free of artificial pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs.

Like many of the Green Chef meals, this recipe is certified gluten-free. While Green Chef also offers recipes that contain gluten, gluten-free meals are produced and stored separately, so there’s little risk of cross-contamination. Green Chef is a perennial favorite on our list of the best gluten-free meal delivery services.

Is It Good Value?

I tried Green Chef at home and produced some of the best meals I’ve ever cooked. I’m an enthusiastic amateur at best in the kitchen. But with Green Chef’s recipe cards, I was able to produce restaurant-quality meals.

Green Chef is great for families, and you can order between 2 and 4 recipes for 2, 4, or 6 people, depending on your choice. Prices start at $9.99 per serving.

3. Smoky Butter Shrimp & Orzo – Best Blue Apron Dinner

Blue Apron delivers sophisticated meal kits that’ll never get boring. Smoky Butter Shrimp and Orzo may sound complicated. But Blue Apron’s recipe cards and the video tutorials on its website or the Blue Apron app will guide you through any difficult spots. And with an estimated 30-minute cooking time, this meal won’t have you spending hours in the kitchen.

What’s on the Menu?

Instead of rice, this recipe uses a rice-shaped pasta called orzo. Orzo is commonly found in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. It can be used in soups, salads, pilafs, and casseroles. Blue Apron adds tomatoes, zucchini, and plump shrimp. You can experiment with other combinations in your orzo dishes later or create your own variations on this recipe.

The real secret to this recipe is Blue Apron’s tomato chipotle butter. The butter gives the dish richness. It also brings out the sweetness of the shrimp and the tanginess of the grape tomatoes, as well as adding a hint of smoky heat. The chopped garlic also adds a sharp and savory note that brings it all together.

The finishing touch on this meal is a combination of mascarpone cheese and Parmesan. Mascarpone’s rich sweetness cools the chipotle, and Parmesan adds a salty and umami note. And you get all this flavor with just 550 calories per serving. This meal is a bit high in sodium, with 1,500 mg as prepared, though you can lower that to 890 mg by not adding any additional salt while cooking.

What Makes It Special?

Blue Apron offers both Meal Kits and Prepared & Ready meal plans. You can order 2 to 5 Meal Kits for 2 or 4 people, or 4, 6, 8, or 10 Prepared & Ready meals. You can add even more meals once you’re set up with an account. There doesn’t appear to be a maximum. 

However, if you wish to mix and match Meal Kits & Prepared & Ready meals in one week, you will need to create 2 separate orders. You can easily switch from Meal Kits to Prepared & Ready week by week.

To add a Blue Apron touch to your other meals, the Blue Apron Market offers specialty meal kits and seasonal holiday boxes. The add-ons section includes desserts, salads, proteins, and a few microwaveable prepared meals.

Is It Good Value?

Our expert reviewer declared that Blue Apron is a great choice for couples and families thanks to its high-quality ingredients. It offers recipes for reasonable prices, and you can choose from over 80 weekly meal options.

Meals start at just $4.00 per serving. Note that Prepared & Ready meals are more expensive than Meal Kits offerings unless you choose the smallest order of meal kits containing 2 meals for 2 people each.

4. One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes – Best HelloFresh Dinner

HelloFresh's One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes is a Mexican-inspired one-pan take on enchiladas. You can prepare this recipe quickly and feed 2 or 4 people with it. 

What’s on the Menu?

Ground beef is seasoned with a Southwest spice blend, adding a zesty and aromatic touch to the dish. After you char green pepper strips, add the beef and some salsa verde. Then use the mix as a flavorful filling for warm tortillas.

Once assembled, the enchiladas are smothered with more tangy green salsa. Salsa verde is made from tomatillos, which are small, slightly tart green tomatoes, combined with onion, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. 

You then cover the enchiladas with shredded Mexican cheese and drizzle them with crema, which is a combination of sour cream and hot sauce. Then mix it with water until the crema becomes a thick liquid. Finally, the enchiladas are broiled in an oven-proof pan or baking dish until they become bubbly and the cheese melts to golden-brown perfection.

What Makes it Special?

This is 1 of HelloFresh’s Hall of Fame recipes and is rated very highly by subscribers. Once you try it, you’ll give them a thumbs-up too. And if your family likes HelloFresh meals, you can order up to 6 meals a week, plus lunches and other extras.

This recipe is an example of many of the things that HelloFresh does well. It has an international flair that’ll please enchilada lovers. But it’s also family-friendly and easy to prep and cook. It’s labeled an Easy Cleanup meal because you only have 2 bowls and a pan to clean after you finish. And because you add the hot sauce when making the crema, you can make the dish as spicy or mild as you like.

Is It Good Value?

HelloFresh isn’t just America’s most popular meal delivery, it’s the world’s largest meal delivery! My colleague tried HelloFresh at home and declared its crowd-pleasing dishes a great choice for families with picky eaters.

HelloFresh offers affordable prices, especially with larger orders. A 6-meal box for 4 costs $107.75 with our link, and shipping is a flat fee no matter the order size. If you’re new to meal delivery services, HelloFresh is a great place to start.

5. Creamy Roasted Tomato Chicken – Best Home Chef Dinner

Home Chef's Creamy Roasted Tomato Chicken features tender chicken breasts with a creamy sauce, flavorful roasted tomatoes, and a side of Tuscan-inspired zucchini and kale. It’s a dish ideal for cooks with intermediate cooking experience. What’s more, you can swap the original protein with any of a few alternatives. 

What’s on the Menu?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cooked to perfection and then topped with a creamy sauce. The cream sauce base adds a luscious and velvety texture, enhancing the overall richness of the dish.

The chicken is accompanied by Tuscan-style buttered zucchini and kale. The zucchini is cooked in a flavorful Tuscan herb butter that combines aromatic basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram with a touch of red pepper for a little heat. Nutrient-packed kale provides a sharp and earthy component to the overall composition. And salty and umami Parmesan brings everything together.

This recipe is suitable for calorie-counters and keto dieters. It has just 530 calories with 17 g of carbs and 33 g of fat. But with 1,370 mg of sodium, this may not be a good choice for people who are watching their blood pressure or trying to limit their sodium intake.

What Makes It Special?

If you like the recipe but don’t care for chicken, Home Chef will let you swap it for something else. Thanks to Home Chef’s Customize It feature, you can swap out the chicken for sirloin steaks or USDA Choice strip steak. While a few meal delivery services let you swap proteins or sides on a few entries, most Home Chef recipes can be customized.

After preparing several Home Chef meals, my colleague was very impressed with Home Chef’s stellar customer service and clear recipe instructions.

Is It Good Value?

Large and hungry households will love Home Chef’s generous serving offers. You can order up to 6 meals of 6 servings every week. Home Chef scores highly on our list of the best family-friendly meal delivery services. And it also offers extras like desserts, smoothies, and breakfast bundles.

Prices start at $9.99 per serving. You can order a minimum of 2 recipes for 2 people per week and a maximum of 6 meals for 6 people per week. That’s a huge 36 servings per week.

6. Chicken, Rice & Cheddar Casserole – Best BistroMD Dinner

BistroMD’s Chicken, Rice, and Cheddar Casserole is a great choice for dieters. Losing weight is hard, and the heavily processed and tasteless food you get from many diet meal delivery services doesn’t make it any easier. With BistroMD, you get fresh, flash-frozen meals designed by dietitians and supervised by BistroMD’s bariatric physician owner.

What’s on the Menu?

You may not think of Chicken, Rice, and Cheddar Casserole as a diet meal. But this recipe contains just 290 calories, though it doesn’t taste that way. 

The meal features pulled chicken breast tossed in a rich and creamy cheddar sauce for a comforting and satisfying flavor profile. Brown and wild rice add textural contrast and filling fiber. To take things to the next level, the casserole is topped with additional cheddar cheese. It melts beautifully during heating and creates a golden and cheesy crust.

As a side dish, you get emerald green broccoli florets. These are both tasty and packed with essential nutrients. You can see why BistroMD is on our list of the best weight loss meal delivery services.

What Makes It Special?

BistroMD also offers a number of diet plans tailored to different medical conditions. With only 21 g of carbs, 8 g of fat, and 370 mg of sodium, this casserole is also suited for those on the Diabetic, Keto Flex, Menopause, or Heart Healthy plans. Our expert reviewer was very impressed by BistroMD’s range of specialized diets, including its Vegan plan.

Besides low-calorie recipes, you can buy EATS (Essential and Tasty Snacks) for those times between meals. These come at an extra cost, though. Some I particularly like are Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, Southwest Nacho Chilli Chips, and Strawberry Kiwi Protein Punch. 

Is It Good Value?

This provider is a great fit for health-conscious people and those who want to shed pounds. Like most weight loss services, BistroMD offers complete meal plans that cover every meal of the day. Prices start at $6.59 per serving. 

You can order 2 or 3 meals per day for 5 or 7 days per week. This makes weight loss dieting much easier, as you have filling and tasty meals throughout the day without the hassle of preparation and cooking.

7. Aleppo-Lemon Butter Mafaldine – Best Purple Carrot Dinner

Purple Carrot has a commitment to creative plant-based recipes. This is showcased in the Aleppo-Lemon Butter Mafaldine with Eggplant and Garlicky Breadcrumbs. 

What’s on the Menu?

You cut eggplant into small cubes and season with salt to draw out excess moisture for better texture and flavor. Meanwhile, toast panko breadcrumbs in a skillet with garlic to create a crunchy and aromatic topping. These breadcrumbs will serve both as the sauce and a topping.

While the eggplant is cooking, prepare mafaldine pasta separately. Malfadine looks like fettuccine but has wavy edges and a wide surface that help it hold thick, chunky sauces. Once cooked to al dente, the pasta is drained, reserving some pasta water to create a silky sauce later.

You then create a luscious, tangy sauce using vegan butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, crushed Aleppo pepper flakes, Castelvetrano olives, and the reserved pasta water. Aleppo pepper has a fruity flavor with notes of cumin and smoke and a moderate heat that adds a bit of zing to the buttery, garlicky sauce and complements the richness of the olives.

What Makes It Special?

The dish is complete when you add the cooked mafaldine and toss it with the sauce, then add fresh, peppery arugula for a green, vibrant note. The finished dish is then portioned into bowls and garnished with the remainder of the breadcrumbs for an aromatic, garlicky crunch. One bite, and you’ll see why Purple Carrot is on our list of the best vegan meal delivery services.

With its creative combination of ingredients, this recipe offers a satisfying and nourishing meal for vegans and pasta lovers alike. Our meat-eating reviewer tried Purple Carrot at home and found its meals were great for vegans and omnivores alike.

Is It Good Value?

Aleppo-Lemon Butter Mafaldine is a Purple Carrot Less Prep meal that takes just 25 minutes. The recipe may look complicated, but if you follow the instructions, you’ll have a great plant-based meal in less time than it takes to order takeout.

Prices start at $11.00 per serving. The minimum order of meal kits is 3 meals for 2 people, while the maximum is 3 meals for 4 people. You can order prepared meals in bundles of 6, 8, or 10 single-serving meals.

8. Chili-Rubbed Cod – Best Marley Spoon Dinner

Chili-Rubbed Cod with Rice and Beans is a culinary treat from Marley Spoon. Chipotle chili powder complements flaky oven-roasted cod and is accompanied by fluffy jasmine rice, black beans, and tender peppers and onions. Then there’s creamy guacamole sauce and crunchy toasted pepita seeds, which bring all the components together harmoniously.

What’s on the Menu?

You cook the jasmine rice, then combine it with the drained and rinsed black beans to provide the base. After patting the cod filets dry and rubbing them with oil, salt, and chili powder, you slice the onion and poblano pepper.

Brown the onion and peppers in a nonstick skillet to create a flavorful bed for the fish. Then sear the cod in the skillet until it’s lightly browned on 1 side, and finish in the oven until it flakes easily. While you’re cooking the cod, you make a creamy sauce with guacamole and sour cream and add cilantro to the rice and beans.

Put the cod, peppers, and onions atop the rice and beans, drizzle them with the guacamole sauce, and garnish with cilantro leaves and toasted pepita seeds. All this may seem like a lot of work, but if you follow the recipe, you’ll be cooking top-quality meals in your kitchen in no time.

What Makes It Special?

This recipe, and many others on the menu, offer great value for money, and since most of the meals can be prepared in just 5 or 6 steps, you won’t find yourself chained to the kitchen all evening.

Marley Spoon expects customers to have a fully stocked pantry. Many recipes call for ingredients like white wine vinegar and kosher salt or utensils like microplane graters. When you place an order with Marley Spoon, you should check to make sure that you have all the required ingredients and tools on hand to avoid unpleasant surprises when you start supper.

Is It Good Value?

In addition to its selection of sophisticated meals, Marley Spoon also offers family-friendly meals. Your children may turn their noses up at Chili-Rubbed Cod. But they’ll love Martha’s burgers, meatloaf, and pasta recipes. Our expert reviewer declared that Marley Spoon is a great choice for both foodies and families.

You can order 2 to 6 meals for 2 or 4 people each week, and prices start at $4.99 per serving. As well as meal kits, there is a small selection of prepared meals, cookies, and desserts.

9. No Chop! Baked Spaghetti With Meat Sauce – Best Dinnerly Dinner

Dinnerly's Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a great choice for a quick and delicious meal on a busy evening. No chopping or extensive prep work is required. You can bid farewell to the stress and mess of meal preparation. Instead, you can enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience and have a satisfying meal on the table in no time.

What’s on the Menu?

Your meal kit includes a 0.75 oz piece of Parmesan that you grate yourself. Once you’ve tried home-grated Parmesan, you’ll never go back to the pre-grated stuff you find in stores. You also get mild, buttery fontina cheese to sprinkle on top for a rich golden crust.

Boil the spaghetti and brown the beef. Then stir in the tomato paste and aromatic, savory Tuscan spice blend with a bit of water, salt, pepper, and sugar. Bake for about 15 minutes until the fontina topping has melted and browned. Then let the dish cool for 5 minutes, and serve.

Be aware that Dinnerly prepares food in a facility that deals with various allergens. If you have allergies, please exercise caution. This particular dish contains milk and wheat.

What Makes It Special?

Dinnerly is 1 of the least expensive meal delivery services on the market. But it still provides you with grass-fed ground beef in this recipe. You even find some organic vegetables and fruits on occasion. Dinnerly is 1 the stars of our best cheapest meal delivery services list.

Dinnerly’s menu tends toward filling comfort foods and recipes that use a few high-quality ingredients. But you get over 100 recipes and add-ons to choose from every week, including a selection of vegetarian meals and even some vegan meals. You can even choose slightly more expensive PremiYUM meals for special occasions or when you feel like splurging.

Is It Good Value?

Our expert reviewer found that Dinnerly gives you great value for the price. If you’re looking for filling family meals with high-quality ingredients and lots of recipes to choose from, you’ll love Dinnerly.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Dinner Ideas

Finding the meal delivery service that fits your supper needs can be a challenge, especially with all these dinner ideas. Here are some pointers on finding the 1 that works best for you:

• Consider your dietary needs: If you’re on a specialized diet, look for a service that offers menus tailored to your dietary needs. For example, Green Chef offers various dietary plans, including plant-based, gluten-free, and keto. BistroMD is tailored to weight loss dieters and can accommodate many different medical conditions.

• Evaluate your budget: Find a meal delivery service that you can afford. Don’t be afraid to pay a little extra for a service that offers meals you love. But even if you’re on a tight budget (and who isn’t nowadays?), you can find great meals with high-quality ingredients even with a more inexpensive service like Dinnerly.

• Check for additional items: Many of these services offer extras like snacks and groceries that can save you even more trips to the grocery store. Blue Apron offers a variety of additional items, including individual proteins, breakfasts, and desserts.

• Don’t be afraid to switch: If you’re not satisfied with your choice, there are many other meal delivery services that may be better suited for your needs. All the services on this list offer flexible cancelation policies, so don’t be afraid to try out another company on our list of the best meal delivery services.

FAQ

Are meal delivery services worth it?

Meal delivery services are worth it for several reasons. Services like HelloFresh eliminate meal planning and grocery shopping. And they offer a variety of cuisines and dietary options. Besides, they promote portion control and healthy eating habits, and feature chef-crafted recipes using high-quality ingredients.

What is the best prepared meal delivery service?

Factor is my pick for the best prepared meal delivery service. With a diverse menu of chef-crafted meals and fresh ingredients, Factor brings you delicious, nutritionally balanced meals. These cater to individual dietary preferences and make healthy eating as fast and easy as 2-3 minutes in the microwave.

What is the best organic meal delivery service?

Green Chef is the best organic meal delivery service on my list. It provides a wide range of organic ingredients and sustainably sourced proteins, as well as many gluten-free recipes. Its commitment to organic farming practices and eco-friendly packaging also support a healthier planet.

What is the best diet meal delivery service?

BistroMD stands out as my best diet meal delivery service. For that, it can thank its physician-designed programs, personalized menus, and portion-controlled meals. BistroMD’s fresh, flash-frozen prepared meals ensure a calorie-controlled yet delicious approach to helping individuals lose weight.

Best Dinner Ideas in 2024 — Final Score