30 Weeknight Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes (or Less)

Getting dinner on the table is no sweat with these easy recipe ideas.

arugula salad with parmesan crisps and strawberries
Photo:

BHG / Ana Cadena

If you have 30 minutes, you've got time to whip up one of these weeknight dinners that's sure to be requested again and again. Fast cooking methods and shortcut ingredients get these delicious and easy suppers on the table in a flash—without compromising on flavor. You're sure to please the dinner crowd with these simple recipes for piled-high sandwiches, cheesy pizzas, hearty pastas, tender steaks, and more.

01 of 30

Smoky Chicken Pizzas

Smoky Chicken Pizzas
Andy Lyons

Let the supermarket lend a hand and start with prebaked pizza crusts or flatbreads and a rotisserie chicken to make these barbecue chicken-inspired pies. A handful of arugula dressed with a bit of olive oil makes this an all-in-one weeknight supper you can't beat.

02 of 30

Broccolini, Chicken Sausage, and Orzo Skillet

Broccolini, Chicken Sausage, and Orzo Skillet
Marty Baldwin

Already-cooked chicken sausage plus a handful of ingredients allows this weeknight dinner (for six people!) to be on the table in 30 minutes flat. Broccolini added to the skillet meal provides the green for your one-dish dinner. Top with feta cheese and some crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of tang and heat.

03 of 30

Sloppy Turkey and Chili Joes

Sloppy Turkey and Chili Joes
Andy Lyons

Sloppy joes are a family favorite for good reason. They're easy to stir together in less than 30 minutes, if you have a handful of kitchen staples (ground meat, bread rolls, canned tomato sauce, and a few common seasonings) at the ready. Using ground turkey keeps the recipe lighter on the fat and calories.

04 of 30

Mediterranean Flat-Iron Steaks

Mediterranean Flat-Iron Steaks
Andy Lyons

Sear steaks in a hot skillet to reach a lovely medium-rare finish in just 10 minutes. Complete this quick weeknight dinner by plating it with sautéed kale or Brussels sprouts and tomatoes.

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Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna cooling on wire rack
Jacob Fox

Lasagna in just 30 minutes? Yes, it is possible. The secret: Start with quick-cooking egg noodles and stir everything together in a skillet, rather than laboriously layering in a casserole dish. We promise it's got the same classic lasagna flavors you love minus the work.

06 of 30

Pressure Cooker Moo Shu Chicken

Moo Shu Chicken
Jason Donnelly

Here's a quick weeknight dinner that's just as delicious as takeout. Toss boneless chicken thighs in your pressure cooker with shredded veggies and a tangy soy sauce mixture. Cook for 5 minutes and voilà! A delicious Asian-inspired meal ready to dig in.

07 of 30

Original Pizza Margherita

margherita pizza
Jacob Fox

Grab a can of refrigerated pizza dough to get a head start on this vegetarian pan pizza. Splurge on good-quality mozzarella cheese and fresh basil, so the Italian flavors can really sing. Serve with a side salad for quick weeknight family meal everyone will love.

08 of 30

Mediterranean Chicken-Pomegranate Stir-Fry

Mediterranean Chicken-Pomegranate Stir-Fry
Blaine Moats

This 25-minute chicken skillet recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet (via pomegranate seeds) and savory (from the chicken and warm spices). Rice and onions last a long time in the pantry, so stock up on some of each, to be ready for this flavorful weeknight meal.

09 of 30

Korean Beef Cabbage Wraps

Korean Beef Cabbage Wraps
Blaine Moats

Looking for a lower-carb weeknight dinner that still packs a flavor punch? Sauté lean ground beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic chili sauce, then scoop everything into cabbage leaves and top with broccoli slaw.

10 of 30

Chicken Dijonnaise

Chicken Dijonnaise
Blaine Moats

A quick Dijon mustard pan sauce with green onions and white wine complements tender chicken in this 30-minute easy supper. A light coating of flour on the chicken creates a fried flavor without the extra calories and fat.

11 of 30

Chicken with Basil Sauce and Cucumber-Radish Salad

Chicken Basil Sauce Cucumber-Radish Salad
Andy Lyons

A skillet and a couple of bowls are all that's required to get this healthy chicken dinner on the table, so cleaning up is just as easy as (if not easier than) the 30-minute meal prep.

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Pesto Veggie Gyro

Pesto Veggie Gyro
Jason Donnelly

Go meatless with a delicious and fast spin on Greek gyros. We've swapped traditional gyro meat for grilled halloumi cheese and fresh veggies, such as zucchini and bell peppers. Spread pitas with homemade Parmesan-basil pesto to complete your flavor-packed weeknight meal.

13 of 30

Luau BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

Luau BBQ Chicken Foil Packs
Matthew Clark

Quick-cooking and even quicker to tidy up after, this chicken and vegetable foil-pack dinner cooks right on the grill. The all-in-one weeknight meal idea features boneless chicken breasts in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. The veggies also cook right in the pack, so they're tender and infused with flavor.

14 of 30

Spring Chicken Stew

Spring Chicken Stew
Andy Lyons

Yes, a hearty stew can in fact be a quick weeknight dinner. We've lightened up classic chicken stew with the best of spring vegetables, inclduing crunchy baby carrots, bok choy, and fresh lemon thyme. Lemon juice brightens up the broth and adds a hint of zest to the chicken.

15 of 30

Beef and Blue Pizza

Beef and Blue Pizza
Andy Lyons

A pre-made Italian bread crust helps get this gorgeous pizza on the table for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Tender roast beef, red onion, and bell peppers bake with bold blue cheese for a fast and easy homemade pizza you'll love.

16 of 30

Shrimp and Tomato Piccata

Shrimp and Tomato Piccata
Scott Little

A zesty sauce made with lemon peel, lemon juice, and capers lends big, fresh flavor to sautéed shrimp, green beans, and juicy tomatoes in this fast weeknight dinner recipe. Toss with your favorite pasta, such as linguine or fettuccine, then dig in.

17 of 30

Open-Face Flounder Sandwich

Open-Face Flounder Sandwich
Blaine Moats

Satisfy your fish and tartar sauce craving with this pan-fried fish sandwich served in an elegant open-faced format. While this 20-minute weeknight dinner looks like it came out of a restaurant kitchen, it's actually a cinch to make.

18 of 30

Classic Minestrone

Minestrone soup in bowl
Andy Lyons

Put your can opener in its place when you serve a made-from-scratch batch of hearty minestrone soup. Easy ingredients like canned diced tomatoes and chickpeas keep this vegan weeknight dinner's cook time to 20 minutes. Yellow bell pepper and spinach add color and flavor to each bite.

19 of 30

Blue Cheese-Stuffed Burger with Red Onion and Spinach

Blue Cheese Stuffed Burger with Red Onion and Spinach
Andy Lyons

These blue cheese-stuffed beauties are surprisingly quick and easy to make. Simply spoon the cheese onto each patty, then top with another patty. Worcestershire sauce gives the meat a little kick, and fresh spinach lends a helping of vitamins.

20 of 30

Pork-Zucchini Tacos

Pork-Zucchini Tacos
Brie Passano

Adding sliced zucchini to the pork filling of these easy tacos gives this weeknight dinner a boost of veggies. Spice up the mix with cumin and cinnamon and serve in corn tortillas with radishes, parsley, and queso fresco.

21 of 30

Pumpkin, Gouda, and Bacon Pasta

dutch oven of cheesy pasta topped with cooked bacon
Jacob Fox

This is the perfect weeknight dinner for anyone craving a cozy bowl of pasta on a chilly fall night. Smoky bacon, Gouda, and a can of pumpkin combine for some seriously mouthwatering flavors. Top with parsley and extra bacon for a tasty finish.

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22 of 30

Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Pan Sauce

Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Pan Sauce
Andy Lyons

Put down the canned tomato sauce and try our easy pan sauce, bursting with fresh tomato goodness. Toss with shrimp, feta, basil, and bucatini—which is slightly thicker than a spaghetti noodle—for a foolproof 30-minute weeknight dinner idea.

23 of 30

Sesame Chicken and Noodles

Sesame Chicken Noodles
Andy Lyons

Sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce are the star ingredients in this takeout-inspired noodle bowl. If you prefer, swap shrimp or strips of pork for the chicken. Add a sprinkle of cilantro for a touch of herby brightness.

24 of 30

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon
Andy Lyons

Here's a quick weeknight dinner that looks like it belongs in a fancy restaurant. Maple syrup, orange juice, bourbon, and chopped pecans put a fall spin on healthy salmon. Quick-broiling gives the fish delicious texture, while sealing in the flavors.

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Strawberry and Arugula Salad with Manchego Fricos

Strawberry and Arugula Salad with Manchego Fricos
Andy Lyons

Arugula and strawberries bring a delicious balance of sweet and peppery flavor to this simple weeknight dinner salad. Shredded Manchego cheese turns into crispy wafers when browned in the skillet for a tangy finishing touch.

26 of 30

Greek-Style Pizza

Greek-Style Pizza
Andy Lyons

Skip the takeout menus and when you've got a craving for pizza, opt for this easy supper. Top flatbread with feta cheese, fresh spinach, roast beef, and potatoes, then broil until warm and bubbly for an irresistible weeknight dinner.

27 of 30

Citrus Salmon with Broccoli

Citrus Salmon Broccoli
Andy Lyons

Salmon is the perfect quick-cooking protein for healthy, fast, and simple weeknight meals. Top these tender salmon fillets with a traditional flavor combination of lemon and fresh dill. Serve with garlicky broccoli for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

28 of 30

Adobo Chicken and Black Beans

adobo-chicken-black-beans-RU362891
Kelsey Hansen

This one-skillet chicken dinner is packed with flavor thanks to quick pickled peppers and a spicy chipotle sauce. Serve each bowl with a layer of black beans, cut chicken breast, and peppers. It will be on the table in just 25 minutes.

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Zesty Salmon Pasta Salad

Zesty Salmon Pasta Salad
Andy Lyons

Torn ribbons of lasagna noodles make the base of this weeknight dinner idea. Round out the plate with fresh veggies, glazed salmon, and a handful of greens. If you don't have lasagna noodles, substitute your favorite pasta shape.

30 of 30

Air-Fried Meatballs and Bell Peppers

Meatballs and Bell Peppers on black plate
Brie Passano

Turn to your trusty air fryer to have a complete dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. Combine homemade beef meatballs with a soy sauce glaze and cook until crisp with sliced peppers. Finish the meal with green onions and a scoop of rice.

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