Recipes and Cooking Quick and Easy Recipes 30-Minute (or Less) Dinners Our Best 20-Minute Dinners for Simple Yet Flavor-Packed Meals By Katlyn Moncada Katlyn Moncada Instagram Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on August 21, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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. These Easy Pasta Recipes Will Be On the Table in Just 20 Minutes 03 of 21 Apple-Pecan Pork Chops View Recipe 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. Quick and Easy Fall Dinner Recipes Ready in 20 Minutes Flat 04 of 21 Lemon-Ginger Fish View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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. Our Fastest-Ever Mediterranean Recipes for Every Meal of the Day 08 of 21 Smoked Salmon Flatbread View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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. 25 Innovative Rotisserie Chicken Recipes You Can Make for Dinner Tonight 10 of 21 Jamaican Pork Stir-Fry View Recipe 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. 5-Ingredient Dinners You (Yes, You!) Can Create on the Busiest Evenings 11 of 21 Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Veggies View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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 View Recipe 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. Fast and Healthy Taco Recipes Worthy of a Fiesta 20 of 21 Beef and Cabbage Wraps View Recipe 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. These Easy Grill Recipes Call for 8 Ingredients or Fewer (But Are Full of Flavor) 21 of 21 Air-Fryer Scallops with Lemon-Herb Sauce View Recipe 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? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit