10+ Quick Recipes for Dinner That You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

After a long day, figuring out what to cook for dinner can feel overwhelming. Luckily, quick recipes can help you get a delicious meal on the table in no time.

These simple meals make it easy to enjoy home-cooked food without spending hours in the kitchen.

From pasta to tacos and everything in between, there are plenty of options that require minimal effort.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family, quick recipes can satisfy your hunger while keeping the stress at bay.

Embrace the joy of cooking without sacrificing your evening.

1) One-pot Cajun chicken and rice

This One-pot Cajun chicken and rice is a quick and tasty dinner idea. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare, all in one pan. The Cajun seasoning adds a delightful kick.

Start by cooking chicken thighs in a bit of oil until they are golden.

Then, add some chopped onions and bell peppers for extra flavor.

Mix in the rice and Cajun seasoning, followed by chicken broth.

Let everything simmer until the rice is cooked and has soaked up the flavors.

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is sure to please your family. Enjoy it with a side salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thigh cutlets (skin on)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 brown onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (or water)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chicken thighs and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add sliced onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in rice and Cajun seasoning, mixing well.
6. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
7. Return chicken to the skillet, cover, and reduce heat.
8. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
9. Fluff with a fork and serve.

2) Cheeseburger Nachos

Cheeseburger nachos are a fun and tasty twist on two favorite foods. They are quick to prepare and perfect for a busy night.

Start with a generous layer of tortilla chips. Then, top them with seasoned ground beef and all your favorite cheeseburger toppings.

These can include cheese, pickles, and tomatoes.

For a little kick, feel free to add jalapeños.

Bake everything in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 package tortilla chips
• 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (240g) diced tomatoes
• ½ cup (120ml) pickles, chopped
• Optional: jalapeños, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned.
3. Spread the tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
4. Add the cooked beef on top of the chips.
5. Scatter cheese, diced tomatoes, and pickles over everything.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
7. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious meal!

3) Tuna mornay jacket potatoes

Tuna mornay jacket potatoes are tasty and easy to make. You can enjoy them as a quick dinner option. The creamy filling is made with tuna and cheese, making it both delicious and satisfying.

Start with large potatoes, baked until soft. Once cooked, scoop out some of the insides and mix them with tuna, cheese, and a few spices.

Spoon the mixture back into the potato skins and top with more cheese. Then, bake them again until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

These stuffed potatoes are perfect for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes
• 1 cup canned tuna, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake the potatoes for about 45 minutes.
3. Cut and scoop out some potato insides.
4. Mix the potato with tuna, cheese, and mayonnaise.
5. Fill the potato skins with the mixture.
6. Top with more cheese and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

4) Sticky caramel pork stir-fry

Sticky caramel pork stir-fry is a quick and tasty dinner option. The mix of sweet and savory flavors makes it a hit with everyone. You can prepare it in just about 20 minutes!

For this dish, you’ll stir-fry pork with garlic, ginger, and a rich caramel sauce. The sauce is made with fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice, which gives it a delicious glaze.

Serve it over rice or noodles for a filling meal. Your family will love this quick recipe!

Ingredients

• 400g pork tenderloin, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the sliced pork and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Mix coconut sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, and lime juice in a bowl.
5. Pour the sauce over the pork and cook until caramelized.
6. Serve with rice or noodles. Enjoy!

5) Shrimp scampi with linguine

Shrimp scampi with linguine is a quick and tasty meal you can whip up in no time. The combination of shrimp, garlic, and lemon creates a delicious flavor. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

Start by cooking the linguine in boiling salted water until it’s al dente. While the pasta cooks, sauté garlic in olive oil and butter. Add fresh shrimp and cook until they turn pink.

Finish the dish by mixing in cooked linguine, lemon juice, and a bit of white wine for extra flavor. Serve with a sprinkle of parsley to make it look nice.

Ingredients

• 8 oz linguine
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 cup white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil salted water in a large pot.
2. Cook linguine for about 11 minutes or until al dente.
3. In a pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
4. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
5. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Mix in wine and lemon juice.
7. Drain linguine and add to the shrimp mixture.
8. Toss ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
9. Serve hot, garnished with parsley.

6) Pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes

Pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes is a delicious and quick dinner option. The vibrant flavors of basil pesto and sweet cherry tomatoes make this dish a favorite. Plus, it’s easy to make!

Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions. While it’s cooking, you can prepare your cherry tomatoes.

Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes.

Once the pasta is ready, drain it and mix in the pesto. Add the roasted cherry tomatoes, and give everything a gentle toss.

Serve it hot and enjoy the fresh taste of this meal!

Ingredients

• 12 oz linguini or any pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1.5 lbs cherry tomatoes, halved
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup basil pesto

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Roast the tomatoes for 15 minutes.
5. Drain the pasta and mix in pesto.
6. Add roasted cherry tomatoes and combine.
7. Serve hot.

7) Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are a quick and tasty dinner option. You can have them ready in about 20 minutes! The key is to use fresh ingredients and a simple seasoning mix.

Start with juicy chicken breasts. Cut them into strips for faster cooking. Toss in colorful bell peppers and onions to add flavor and crunch.

For seasoning, use chili powder, cumin, and lime juice. This gives your fajitas a delicious kick.

Sauté everything in a hot skillet until the chicken is cooked through.

Serve the fajitas in warm tortillas. You can top them with salsa, cheese, or avocado for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken breasts
• 2 bell peppers
• 1 onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Juice of 1 lime
• Tortillas

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice chicken, bell peppers, and onion.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until browned.
4. Add peppers, onion, and spices; cook until tender.
5. Squeeze lime juice over the mixture.
6. Serve in warm tortillas. Enjoy!

8) Beef stir-fry with broccoli

Beef stir-fry with broccoli is a quick and tasty dinner option. It’s packed with flavor and comes together in about 30 minutes. You can use thin strips of beef and fresh broccoli to make this dish.

To start, you’ll want to prepare a savory sauce to coat the stir-fry. This can include soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for extra flavor.

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights. You can serve it over rice or noodles to make it even heartier.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) beef strips
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• Cooked rice or noodles (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C).
2. Add beef strips and cook until browned.
3. Stir in broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add garlic and ginger, then pour in soy sauce.
5. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring well.
6. Serve over rice or noodles. Enjoy!

9) Teriyaki Salmon Bowls

Teriyaki salmon bowls are a quick and tasty dinner option. They combine fresh ingredients for a satisfying meal. In just 30 minutes, you can have a flavorful dish ready.

Start by cooking salmon fillets coated in teriyaki sauce. You can make this dish in the oven, on the stovetop, or even in an air fryer.

Pair the salmon with steamed rice, avocado, and veggies.

Add some cucumber and edamame for crunch and color. A drizzle of sriracha mayonnaise can bring extra flavor. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare this meal!

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 cup edamame
• Sriracha mayonnaise (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet and brush with teriyaki sauce.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.
4. While the salmon cooks, prepare your rice and steam the edamame.
5. Assemble your bowl with rice, salmon, avocado, cucumber, and edamame.
6. Drizzle with sriracha mayonnaise if desired. Enjoy your meal!

10) Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are a quick and healthy dinner option. They’re low in carbs and can be made in just a few minutes. Pair them with marinara sauce for a delicious meal.

To make this dish, simply spiralize your zucchini into noodles.

Heat some marinara sauce in a pan until warm.

Toss the zoodles in the sauce and let them cook for a few minutes until tender.

You can add your favorite toppings, like fresh basil or grated cheese, to enhance the flavor. It’s an easy dinner choice that feels light and fresh.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Olive oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or cheese for topping (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
2. Heat marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add the zoodles to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot with toppings if desired.