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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    16 20-Minute Dinners That Will Help You Survive Winter

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 10, 2025, updated January 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Winter can make cooking feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be. With these 16 quick and easy 20-minute dinners, you can whip up satisfying meals that warm you up without spending hours in the kitchen. From hearty soups to comforting pasta dishes, these recipes are perfect for busy nights when you need something delicious and filling.

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a delicious twist on carbonara that packs in even more flavor than the traditional version. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for any night.

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    Beet Pasta

    Beet Pasta.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Stories.

    This Beet Pasta Sauce is a simple way to add veggies to your pasta. Blending tender beets with cream, feta, sautéed onions, and garlic creates a smooth sauce that's great on any pasta.

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    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon is quick and easy, ready in just 15 minutes. Topped with a mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, this baked salmon is great for busy weeknights and packed with flavor.

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    Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Mushroom Cream Sauce

    Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Mushroom Cream Sauce (Vegan)
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Gone Rogue.

    This creamy, dairy-free gnocchi with mushroom sauce is the perfect comfort food. It's a simple and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Creamy Lentil Soup

    Creamy Lentil Soup
    Photo Credit: Aline Made.

    This creamy red lentil soup is incredibly simple to make and packed with healthy ingredients. It's a great option for a light lunch or dinner, perfect for those chilly winter days.

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    20 Minute Mac and Cheese Pizza

    20 Minute Mac and Cheese Pizza
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Bacon mac and cheese pizza is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes, perfect for using up leftover mac and cheese. Your family will enjoy this fun twist on comfort food that brings together the best of both worlds: mac and cheese and pizza.

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    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple to prepare and uses everyday ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store. It's perfect for a quick meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This Italian pasta dish is simple to prepare and only needs a few ingredients. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Curry Lentil Soup

    Curry Lentil Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This vegan curry lentil soup is packed with pantry staples like curry spices, garbanzo beans, coconut milk, and split red lentils. It's a comforting dish that your family will love, and they won't even realize it's full of healthy ingredients!

    Get the recipe

    Easy 20 Minute Marry Me Chicken Recipe

    Easy 20 Minute Marry Me Chicken Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Marry me chicken is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With juicy chicken breast covered in a creamy sauce made with Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, it's great for a special dinner or a simple weeknight meal.

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    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick and tasty weeknight dinner that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce is full of flavor from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and dried herbs.

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    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of Vodka Pasta is spicy, creamy, and packed with flavor. It's a great choice for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    20 Minute Sweet and Spicy Noodles

    20 Minute Sweet and Spicy Noodles
    Photo Credit: Served From Scratch.

    Sweet and Spicy Noodles offer a quick and easy dinner option with an Asian twist. This dish can be ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked ravioli casserole is quick to prepare, taking only about 20 minutes total with just 5 minutes of prep. Using store-bought cheese ravioli makes it a simple option for busy weeknights, and you can even make it ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon

    Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon
    Photo Credit: Nourish Nutrition Blog.

    This easy maple mustard salmon with Brussels sprouts is a quick dinner option that only takes 20 minutes to prepare. You can use frozen salmon and any vegetables you have on hand, making it a flexible choice for a meal.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup with Bacon

    Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup with Bacon
    Photo Credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup with Bacon is packed with fresh veggies and crunchy bacon. Sautéing the vegetables in some bacon fat adds a nice flavor boost.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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