Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (2024)

From chicken to vegetarian dishes — you'll have these ready in no time!

By Becca Miller
Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (1)

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

What's better than a freshly made homemade dinner? One that's made in under 30 minutes of course! These flavor-packed, 30-minute meals mean that you can quickly cook up a delicious and healthy dish that the whole crew will love. Wondering, "what can I cook in 30 minutes?" The truth is that so many of our weeknight meals, and dinner party-worthy dishes (like creamy beef stroganoff), can be ready in no time, especially if you're multitasking.

Here's our playbook to speedy and easy suppers: First read through the recipe before you start and prep ingredients while others are cooking. Take advantage of our meal prep tips, too, whether that means cooking an extra batch of shrimp or washing all of your produce on Sunday night. That way, even on your busiest nights, you can whip up healthy 30-minute dinners for the family.

From easy pasta recipes, like linguine with clams tossed with herby pesto, to vegetarian recipes for the family that even the most loyal carnivores will adore (try our black bean nachos layered with melty cheddar and two types of beans!), these dishes serve up big flavor with fresh ingredients. Gone are the days of blah and boring dishes night after night when you're armed with these genius family dinner ideas. Dig in!

1

Garlicky Shrimp and White Bean Toast

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (2)

A quick meal doesn't have to mean boring! Example: this easy dinner recipe that serves up plenty of flavor thanks to heaps of garlic and fresh thyme.

Get the Garlicky Shrimp and White Bean Toast recipe.

RELATED: 28 Healthy and Delicious Ways to Eat All the Shrimp

2

Creamy Corn Pasta

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (3)

Corn gets puréed with Romano cheese into a creamy sauce to coat orecchiette. Pair it with basil for the ultimate seasonal pasta.

Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.

3

Air Fryer Squash Soup

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (4)

Add butternut squash, carrots, and aromatics to an air fryer and watch dinner happen in minutes. Sprinkle the finished product with a garlicky pepita topping for craveable crunch.

Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.

RELATED: 46 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That Are Fast and Super Delicious

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Grilled Chicken Caprese

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (5)

Turn the classic Italian salad of tomato, basil and mozzarella into a complete meal with juicy grilled chicken and fresh corn.

Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.

5

Crab Cakes and Creamy Sauce

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (6)

If you're craving a speedy seafood feast, this one's ready in only 25 minutes and loaded with zesty lemon, Dijon mustard and plenty of parsley.

Get the Crab Cakes and Creamy Sauce recipe.

6

BBQ Chip Chicken

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (7)

Crush barbecue-flavored potato chips to create the ultimate flavorful crust for chicken.

Get the BBQ Chip Chicken recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Grilled Cabbage Wedges with Creamy Caraway Dressing

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (8)

Looking for a light summer supper? Give this charred, caramelized cabbage a try. Smoky bacon adds enough richness to satisfy for dinner.

Get the Grilled Cabbage Wedges With Creamy Caraway Dressing recipe.

8

Beef Stroganoff

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (9)

Calling all comfort food lovers: This 1950's classic, packed with tender beef and rich mushrooms is an ideal cozy feast.

Get the Beef Stroganoff recipe.

RELATED: 75 Comfort Food Dishes That Are Perfect for Any Time of Year

9

BLT Shrimp Rolls

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (10)

Two stellar sandwiches become one in this creamy, crispy, fresh meal that makes perfect picnic food.

Get the BLT Shrimp Rolls recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

Light lager is the secret ingredient in these tasty tacos: It adds flavor and makes the crust light and crisp.

Get the Beer-Battered Fish Tacos recipe.

11

Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (12)

Layer labneh or Greek yogurt, salmon, veggies and feta on warm flatbread for a satisfying dinner in minutes. Fork and knife optional!

Get the Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads recipe.

12

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (13)

Herby homemade pesto adds so much flavor, you don't need many more ingredients (only 4 more!) to make these sandwiches great. Whip up a big batch and store in an air-tight jar in the fridge to stir into pasta, potato salad and more.

Get the Grilled Chicken Sandwiches recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (14)

This warming seafood soup takes only 30 minutes to make but is big on flavor. Consider it a weeknight dinner winner!

Get the Manhattan Clam Chowder recipe.

RELATED: 27 Best Dutch Oven Recipes: Cozy Dinners and Decadent Desserts

14

Aleppo Grilled Steak with Farro Salad

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (15)

Reach for strip steak, a classic cut of beef that cooks up quickly, for an easy and delicious better-than-restaurant quality weeknight steak dinner.

Get the Aleppo Grilled Steak with Farro Salad recipe.

RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy

15

Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (16)

Roast radishes with umami-rich miso butter for a fast side that delivers on flavor.

Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon With Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Green Curry Shrimp

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (17)

This fast fix is full of flavor, thanks to green curry paste, creamy coconut milk and heaps of fresh cilantro.

Get the Green Curry Shrimp recipe.

17

Air Fryer Meatball Sub

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (18)

Thanks to your trusty air fryer, the meatballs and fresh tomato sauce come together at the same time.

Get the Air Fryer Meatball Sub recipe.

RELATED: 50 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for True Meat Lovers

18

Pesto Linguine with Clams

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (19)

Upgrade the classic pasta dish with store-bought rich, herby pesto (we like Gotham Greens!). Delicious with briny fresh clams!

Get the Pesto Linguine with Clams recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Paprika Chicken with Crispy Chickpeas and Tomatoes

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (20)

Bonus: this 20-minute feast comes together on one sheet pan, so you'll spend all your time enjoying dinner, and no time cleaning up after.

Get the Paprika Chicken With Crispy Chickpeas and Tomatoes recipe.

RELATED: 18 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners That Make Cleanup a Breeze

20

Summer Rolls

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (21)

Turn dinner into a fun family activity: Set out all the no-cook ingredients (watermelon, bell peppers, red cabbage!) and let everyone build their own vegetarian summer rolls.

Get the Summer Rolls recipe.

Short on Time? These 30-Minute Meals Make Dinner Easy (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 6386

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.