Our Best 20-Minute Dinners for Simple Yet Flavor-Packed Meals

Turkey Steaks with Spinach, Pears, and Blue Cheese
Photo: Andy Lyons

Say good-bye to takeout and hello to fast, fresh, never-boring meal ideas—all ready in 20 minutes or less. With plenty of quick and easy dinners to choose from, including pork chops, pasta dishes, and hearty stir-fries, our fast recipes will fit right into your busy schedule. Try our 20-minute dinners the next time you find yourself in a dinnertime rut.

01 of 21

Garlic-Lime Pork with Farro and Kale

Garlic-Lime Pork with Farro and Kale
Karla Conrad

This zesty pork recipe is a 20-minute meal the whole family will love. The tender meat gets its bold flavor from a tantalizing mix of peanut butter, honey, garlic, and lime. The quick cooking time is thanks to using thin cuts of pork that require less time in the skillet.

Buy It: Lodge Pre-Seasoned 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet ($25, Walmart)

02 of 21

Chicken with Parmesan Noodles

Chicken Parmesan Noodles
Blaine Moats

Dish up our 20-minute dinner for your next larger gathering (it makes 6 servings). We love the way it combines rich butter, robust Parmesan, and basil pesto to flavor the chicken and angel hair pasta.

03 of 21

Apple-Pecan Pork Chops

Apple-Pecan Pork Chops
Jacob Fox

This mouthwatering recipe might be our favorite savory way to use apples. Create a full-bodied, flavorful 20-minute dinner with just a handful of ingredients. Brown sugar and butter create the sweet sauce for pork, apples, and pecans to simmer in.

04 of 21

Lemon-Ginger Fish

Lemon-Ginger Fish
Kritsada Panichgul

Make the most flavorful frozen fish you've ever had with this easy 20-minute meal. Cod (or other meaty white fish of your choice) gets a zippy sauce of lemon, fresh ginger, and sugar. After just a few minutes on the stove top, your fish is perfectly cooked and ready for the dinner table.

05 of 21

Turkey Steaks with Spinach, Pears, and Blue Cheese

Turkey Steaks with Spinach, Pears, and Blue Cheese
Andy Lyons

Sage-rubbed turkey tenderloins are paired with wilted spinach, sautéed pears, and pungent blue cheese for a 20-minute healthy meal that's super delicious. Not only does it ring in at just 240 calories (for the entire meal!), but it also has a whopping 31 grams of protein.

06 of 21

Quick Pork-and-Vegetable Fried Brown Rice

Quick Pork-and-Vegetable Fried Brown Rice
Karla Conrad

Precooked pork, cooked brown rice, and a mix of frozen veggies cut down the cooking time in our fried rice recipe. Fresh ginger, garlic, and five-spice powder bring big flavor to this 20-minute dinner. Feel free to swap in leftover ham or chicken for the pork.

07 of 21

Greek-Seasoned Pork with Lemon Couscous

Greek Seasoned Pork with Lemon Couscous
Karla Conrad

Oregano, thyme, and marjoram compose the simple Greek-inspired rub for our healthy 20-minute dinner. Couscous pairs with garlic-roasted eggplant and fresh spinach to complete the meal.

08 of 21

Smoked Salmon Flatbread

Smoked Salmon Flatbread
Andy Lyons

Smoked salmon, radishes, and capers fill these flatbreads to make a tasty and unexpected dinner-ready sandwich. A swipe of cream cheese sets the stage for the indulgent sammies to shine.

09 of 21

Smoked Chicken Salad with Broken Raspberry Vinaigrette

Smoked Chicken Salad with Broken Raspberry Vinaigrette
Jason Donnelly

Get ready for a quick and easy 20-minute meal to make all summer. Smoked chicken (or turkey) from the deli serves as the shortcut ingredient to top a bed of crisp greens. The fresh raspberry dressing adds the perfect amount of sweet and tangy flavor to every bite.

10 of 21

Jamaican Pork Stir-Fry

Jamaican Pork Stir-Fry
Peter Krumhardt

Bring a taste of the Caribbean to the table with this spicy stir-fry. Thin cuts of pork and frozen vegetables make cooking a breeze, and a dash of Jamaican jerk seasoning adds irresistible flavor.

11 of 21

Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Veggies

Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Veggies
Blaine Moats

Our gorgeous fettuccine is delicious enough for company (and they'll never guess it only takes 15 minutes to make). You'll love the four different vegetables, including asparagus and Brussels sprouts, and the creamy homemade Alfredo sauce.

12 of 21

White Bean Tuna Salad

White Bean Tuna Salad
Andy Lyons

Our protein-packed dinner salad features a tasty combination of cannellini beans, tuna, and arugula. Drizzled with a simple red wine vinaigrette, this 20-minute meal is perfect for a quick work lunch or hot summer nights when you don't want to turn on the oven.

13 of 21

Chicken with Capers

Chicken Capers
Andy Lyons

Enjoy this amazing take on chicken piccata from the comfort of your home. Yes—it's even breaded! Chicken breasts are simply coated with mustard, salt, pepper, and bread crumbs for a 20-minute dinner that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.

14 of 21

Stout, Beef, and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Stout Beef Cabbage Stir-Fry
Andy Lyons

A 20-minute meal with beer? Don't mind if we do. Grab your favorite nutty stout and add it to this fast and filling stir-fry twist on corned beef and cabbage, complete with tender carrots, onions, and crisp-tender cabbage.

15 of 21

Skillet Vegetables on Cheese Toast

Skillet Vegetables on Cheese Toast
Andy Lyons

For a healthy 20-minute meal that's filling (and totally meat-free), spread tangy goat cheese on toasted rustic bread and top with a medley of fresh vegetables. Cook baby carrots, button mushrooms, and onion in a skillet to bring out the veggies' flavors.

16 of 21

Chunky Bean and Chicken Chili

Chunky Bean and Chicken Chili
Andy Lyons

Our hearty chili recipe is perfect for a cozy evening meal in 20 minutes flat. It combines green chiles, chicken, and white beans, plus a topping of cheesy tortilla crisps that adds a delicious crunch.

Buy It: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($80, Amazon)

17 of 21

Chimichurri Chicken

Chimichurri Chicken
Kritsada Panichgul

Chimichurri is a traditional Mexican sauce made from parsley, oil, vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Here it adds bite to grilled chicken for one of our best weeknight recipes. Microwave frozen green beans for a fast side dish.

18 of 21

Lemon-Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo

Lemon Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo
Karla Conrad

Here's a delicious way to use those cans of tuna in the pantry. Our easy, grown-up version of tuna-noodle casserole combines thick egg noodles and tuna with creamy Alfredo sauce, salty capers, and lemon juice.

Buy It: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 12-Inch Skillet ($40, Amazon)

19 of 21

Fish Tostadas with Chili-Lime Cream

Fish Tostadas with Chili-Lime Cream
Jason Donnelly

Instead of making tacos, pile crispy tostadas with flaky fish, shredded cabbage, avocado, and tomatoes. Tangy chili-lime cream lends fresh flavor to the dish.

20 of 21

Beef and Cabbage Wraps

Beef and Cabbage Wraps
Andy Lyons

Shortcut ingredients like packaged veggies make easy work of this quick 20-minute dinner. Barbecue beef with corn is wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with crunchy cabbage.

21 of 21

Air-Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce

Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce
Jennifer Causey

You're just 6 ingredients (plus salt, pepper, and oil) away from this superb 20-minute meal. The showy, low-carb entrée combines scallops with capers, tangy lemon, and peppery parsley. No one will guess this quick and easy seafood dish came from the air fryer.

Buy It: Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer ($110, Amazon)

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles