Mix It Up: Not Your Average Weeknight

Here's something I'm probably not supposed to admit: I have no problem eating the same thing for breakfast every single day. Lunch is a similar story—as long as I have a few recipes on rotation I don't get bored. But dinner? Now that's a different story. Dinner is the time to get creative in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong, sometimes sticking to a routine (Taco Tuesday!) just makes things easier, but I also believe there's something important about changing things up. Dinner, after all, is the time to unwind after a long day and connect with your friends and family, and making this time a little more special can be a matter of choosing a new-to-you recipe or zhuzhing up a familiar dish.

Allrecipes is here to help you mix it up for dinner, and trust me when I say it doesn't need to be complicated. We talked to an Allrecipes Allstar about her favorite way to use up leftovers by turning them into pizza toppings; we share our favorite ways to turn crispy rice and focaccia into memorable dinners; and we divulge a handful of super smart one-ingredient upgrades that will transform your favorite dinner recipes. Say it with me now: average weeknight dinners, begone!

One of the best ways to mix it up at home for dinner is pizza. But don't take it from me, just ask Allrecipes Allstar Ashley Schuering, who has been making pizza at home for 20 years now. Here, she talks about turning your weeknight pizza party into a potluck, why leftovers make the best toppings, and her favorite unexpected topping combos.

Read the story: The Secret to a Low-Stress DIY Pizza Night, According to an Allrecipes Allstar

Rice is a culinary blank canvas. It's great as a side dish, the main event, or as the platform for other ingredients. Features Editor Bridget Olson's current obsession? Turning crispy rice into a dreamy dinner. From Chicken Teriyaki to BBQ Pork, here's how to turn this humble grain into something spectacular.

Read the Story: 4 Flavor-Packed Ways to Turn Crispy Rice Into Dinner

Lately it seems like you can't go on social media without seeing a focaccia recipe. But not just any plain focaccia—this Italian staple is the bedrock for creativity. Here, writer Molly Adams shares her four favorite ways to make focaccia a meal, from loaded potato variety to cheeseburger.

Read the Story: These 4 Easy Focaccia Recipes Make Weeknight Dinners More Exciting

Whether you're making classic chicken noodle soup, tomato soup, egg drop soup, or cream of mushroom soup, adding a knob of butter before serving is a simple way to instantly upgrade your meal. Here, we talk about the kind of butter to use and why it's such a soup game-changer.

Read the Story: The 1 Ingredient That Instantly Makes Any Soup Taste Better

Cheese? Check. Noodles? Check. Red sauce? Check. By themselves, these three ingredients are mighty, but when they're combined to create lasagna, the results are pure magic. There is, however, a missing ingredient. When it comes to this classic dish, a dash or two of this common pantry find can make a huge difference.

Read the Story: I Don't Make Lasagna Without Adding a Splash of This 1 Ingredient

An exceptional vinaigrette can take a meh salad to something you'll want to eat for dinner over and over again. And the vinaigrette doesn't need to be complicated to be great! Learn how one powerhouse ingredient can transform your favorite salad, from a classic Cobb salad to a savory steak and spinach salad.

Read the Story: The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Vinaigrette (It's a Game-Changer)

Sometimes the easiest way to get inspired for dinner is a simple shift in perspective. Take the above three recipes, for example. All you're doing is taking the flavors of three iconic soup recipes—Minestrone, chicken noodle, and French onion—and turning them into easy dinner casseroles. You already know and love those flavors, you're just using them in a different way.