Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (2024)

These 30-minute dinners are just the thing when time is of the essence!

By Christopher Michel

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (1)

If your weeknights are often so busy you're exhausted even trying to plan dinner (much less get it on the table) let us help.

Instead of relying on unhealthy takeout or tasteless freezer meals, scan these easy family-friendly dinner ideas. With dozens of recipes in our list, you're sure to find something you can make. And these yummy, easy recipes are healthy, and picky-eater approved, as well! Try a few, and we're sure you'll come back for more.

What's YOUR favorite easy dinner? Tell us in the comments, below!

1

Lasagna Soup

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (2)

This easy, 25-minute recipe gives you all the flavor of the world's favorite casserole in the world's favorite comfort-food form!

Get the recipe for Lasagna Soup.

2

Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (3)

Got 10 minutes? Besides that, all you need for this 10-minute meal is a pack of gnocchi, frozen spinach, some cream, some cheese, and a few pantry spices.

Serve it with a glass of wine and you've got a fancy dinner for two that tastes like it took a lot more work than it actually did.

Get the recipe for Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach.

3

Fast Easy Chicken Marsala

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (4)

If you're looking for ways to make chicken a little less boring, put this recipe in your pocket. The classic creamy, savory sauce is easy to make and so good you'll want to drizzle it over everything.

Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

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4

Migas with Chorizo

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (5)

There's nothing for a fast dinner like making breakfast for dinner! This recipe goes all out—scrambled eggs with corn tortillas, spicy chorizo, and plenty of toppings—and still takes just 15 minutes to make.

Get the recipe for Migas with Chorizo.

5

Salmon and Creamed Spinach Fettuccini

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (6)

This may be one of our favorites. If you're craving a tasty pasta dish that's a little more grown-up than jarred red sauce, give this dish a whirl. We're pretty sure it'll become a regular part of your dinner plans.

Get the recipe for Salmon and Creamed Spinach Fettuccini.

6

Tuna Melt

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (7)

The underrated tuna melt, that staple of diners and lunch plates everywhere, deserves to be making a big time comeback. First, it's as tasty as can be. Second, it's easy to make, and third, you probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge right now. What are you waiting for?

Get the recipe for Tuna Melt.

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7

Easy Weeknight Salisbury Steak

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (8)

This well-loved dish has been popular for decades—and for good reason: Few simple meals are more satisfying.

Get the recipe for Salisbury Steak.

RELATED: Check out more ground beef dinner ideas here.

8

Chicken and Veggies Stir Fry

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (9)

If you're hungry for takeout, skip the wait (and the delivery fee) and just whip this up. It's got an easy sauce made mostly out of pantry ingredients, is packed with fresh veggies, and the whole thing comes together faster than take-out.

Get the recipe for Chicken and Veggies Stir Fry.

9

Air Fryer Fajitas

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (10)

These still-sizzling fajitas will be a hit with the whole family. Cooking them in an air fryer makes the whole thing quicker, and cleanup's a breeze: No oil splatters on the stovetop!

Get the recipe for Air Fryer Fajitas.

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10

Crispy Gnocchi with Sausage and Sage Brown Butter

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (11)

Keep this four-ingredient dish in your back pocket for whenever you want a simple, filling meal in a flash.

Get the recipe for Crispy Gnocchi with Sausage.

11

Bagel Pizza

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (12)

Whether you're feeding kids, or just feeling young at heart, there's no denying that these fast, filling little pizzas are about as satisfying as they get. Plus, we've got a little trick to keep the sauce from spilling everywhere.

Get the recipe for Bagel Pizzas.

12

Asparagus Frittata

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (13)

Want a fast dinner that's still a little elegant? Consider a breakfast-for-dinner option! This delicious egg dish pairs well with quick-cooked bacon and a slice of toast. Serve it with a glass of wine!

Get the recipe for Asparagus Frittata.

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13

Air Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (14)

An air fryer cuts the bake time for our traditional salsa verde enchiladas down from 20 to just 6 minutes. Store-bought shortcuts like rotisserie chicken make assembling these individual dishes even faster.

Get the recipe for Air Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie.

14

Vermouth Air Fried Shrimp

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (15)

These quick-marinated shrimp cook in just 10 minutes. Serve them on a salad, over pasta, or with some steamed veggies for a light, fast, tasty dinner!

Get the recipe for Vermouth Air Fried Shrimp.

15

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Rosemary

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (16)

Your whole family will fall in love with these crispy chicken thighs (emphasis on "crispy"). Garlic and rosemary make them as aromatic as they are delicious. Serve with a fresh salad for an extra touch of green.

Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken Thighs.

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16

Stovetop Cheeseburger

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (17)

You don't need to break out the grill to eat a good burger. And these cook very quickly! There's a reason they're a fast-food staple.

Get the recipe for Stovetop Cheeseburger.

17

Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (18)

A can of evaporated milk and fresh shredded cheese makes this no-drain pasta recipe (you read that right) even easier than the boxed stuff! It's tastier, too.

Get the recipe for Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy.

18

Cornflake Crusted Fish and Chips

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (19)

Nothing beats fish sticks for that certain kind of kid—but that doesn't mean you need to fill your freezer with boxes of the stuff. This takes just 20 minutes from fridge to plate.

Get the recipe for Cornflake Crusted Fish and Chips.

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19

Grain Salad with Trout

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (20)

A light broil turns trout (or other white fish) into a delicate and tender topper for a tasty grain salad. It's perfect for a quick, filling dinner.

Get the recipe for Grain Salad with Trout.

20

Chicken-and-Spinach Tortellini Soup

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (21)

Honestly, we could eat this soup for days. It's simple, it's tasty, and it's a great way to stretch a rotisserie chicken!

Get the recipe for Chicken-and-Spinach Tortellini Soup.

RELATED: Check out more inexpensive family-friendly dinner ideas here.

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (2024)

FAQs

How to cook dinner in 30 minutes? ›

  1. Easy 30 Minute Meals. Taco Salad. Pizza Quesadillas. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. Hawaiian Meatballs. ...
  2. Kid Friendly 30 Minute Meals. Air Fryer Pizza. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Instant Pot Spaghetti. Ham Fried Rice. ...
  3. Air Fryer Recipes. Air Fryer Meatballs. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Air Fryer Grilled Cheese. Air Fryer Pizza.

What's for dinner?: 30 minute quick and easy family meals.? ›

So, dig in for delicious dishes such as Halloumi Bean Bake, BLT Pasta, Peanut Pork Noodles, Tortilla Pizzas, Chorizo Risotto, Crispy Pesto Cod, Steak Fajitas, Lentil Linguine, Tikka Naan Burgers, plus weekend breakfasts and sweet treats – all ready in 30 minutes or less!

What can I cook in short time? ›

Quick recipes
  • Vegetarian ramen. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer pork chops. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
  • Tahini noodles with red cabbage & Sichuan peppercorn slaw. A star rating of 3.4 out of 5. ...
  • Reuben sandwich. ...
  • Quick chicken hummus bowl. ...
  • Air-fryer garlic bread. ...
  • Creamy garlic pasta. ...
  • 10-minute couscous salad.

What takes 30 minutes to cook? ›

30-minute meal recipes
  • Mustard-stuffed chicken. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer fish tacos. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users. ...
  • Coconut fish curry. ...
  • Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) ...
  • Air-fryer sweetcorn fritters. ...
  • 30 minute chicken & tarragon pasta. ...
  • Thai prawn noodles. ...
  • Pork noodle stir-fry.

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

13 Emergency Dinners for When You Don't Have Time to Cook
  1. 01 of 14. Broiled Tilapia Parmesan. ...
  2. 02 of 14. Asian Beef with Snow Peas. ...
  3. 03 of 14. Vegetarian Chickpea Tacos. ...
  4. 04 of 14. Sicilian Spaghetti. ...
  5. 05 of 14. Waffle Pizzas. ...
  6. 06 of 14. Shrimp and Peanut Butter Noodles. ...
  7. 07 of 14. Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups. ...
  8. 08 of 14.
Jul 26, 2021

What are 5 small meals a day? ›

Five meals a day equals breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. To do this right, you need to plan what you'll eat every day for each “meal.” And you need to schedule eating every 2 to 3 hours. Stock up. Face it: You're going to grab whatever food is closest.

What to make for dinner when you are tired? ›

  • 1Creamy chicken and risoni tray bake. ...
  • 2Easy slow-cooker lasagne. ...
  • 3One-pan creamy chicken pesto pasta bake. ...
  • 4Chicken chow mein tray bake. ...
  • 5One-pot creamy chicken ravioli. ...
  • 6One-pan miso chicken drumsticks. ...
  • 7Chicken, chorizo and olive tray bake. ...
  • 8Slow-cooker beef brisket bourguignon.

What takes 20 minutes to cook? ›

Under 20-minute recipes
  • Salmon with beetroot, feta & lime salsa. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Basic omelette recipe. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Air fryer sausages. ...
  • Air-fryer lamb chops. ...
  • Air fryer salmon. ...
  • Burrata bruschetta. ...
  • Air-fryer garlic bread. ...
  • Smoked mackerel, courgette & butter bean salad.

How do you cook food quickly? ›

10 Tips to Help You Cook Faster
  1. Take one minute to mentally walk through what you're cooking. ...
  2. Set up appliances and heat the oven. ...
  3. Get the water boiling immediately. ...
  4. Load a pan with ingredients from the pantry or fridge! ...
  5. Clean your produce efficiently. ...
  6. Figure out your prepping order and multitask.

What can I cook in 5 minutes? ›

25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less
  • Pea and broad bean couscous.
  • Fast home-made baked beans.
  • Porridge.
  • Pasta with cherry tomatoes and rocket.
  • Home-made hummus.
  • Smashed avocado and wilted spinach.
  • Cucumber (or potato) raitha.
  • Quick pitta pizzas.

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