21 Weeknight Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes (or Less)

2015-06-09
21 Weeknight Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes (or Less)

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 21

Smoky Chicken Pizzas

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 21

Broccolini, Chicken Sausage, and Orzo Skillet

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 21

Mediterranean Flat-Iron Steaks

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.

04 of 21

Skillet Lasagna

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.

05 of 21

Pressure Cooker Moo Shu Chicken

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.

06 of 21

Original Pizza Margherita

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.

07 of 21

Mediterranean Chicken-Pomegranate Stir-Fry

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.

08 of 21

Korean Beef Cabbage Wraps

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.

09 of 21

Chicken Dijonnaise

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.

10 of 21

Chicken with Basil Sauce and Cucumber-Radish Salad

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.

11 of 21

Luau BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

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.

12 of 21

Beef and Blue Pizza

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.

13 of 21

Open-Face Flounder Sandwich

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.

14 of 21

Classic Minestrone

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.

15 of 21

Blue Cheese-Stuffed Burger with Red Onion and Spinach

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.

16 of 21

Pork-Zucchini Tacos

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.

17 of 21

Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Pan Sauce

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.

18 of 21

Sesame Chicken and Noodles

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.

19 of 21

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon

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.

20 of 21

Adobo Chicken and Black Beans

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.

21 of 21

Air-Fried Meatballs and Bell Peppers

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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