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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Super Easy Dinners for When Time Just Isn't on Your Side

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated May 20, 2026 · Published May 27, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    When you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal, quick and easy dinners are the way to go. These 19 recipes are perfect for busy nights, requiring minimal prep and cooking time while still being delicious and filling. From simple toasts to easy pastas, you'll find plenty of options to keep your evenings stress-free.

    Ricotta Toast

    Herbed ricotta toasts.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This recipe is perfect for when you're short on time. Simply spread herbed ricotta cheese on sourdough bread and top it with whatever you like.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken leg quarters cooked in the air fryer are a quick and easy meal when you're short on time. The lime juice in the marinade gives the chicken a nice flavor while keeping the skin crispy and the meat juicy.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Chickpea Tacos

    Easy Chickpea Tacos Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These Chickpea Tacos are quick to prepare and packed with classic taco flavors. Topped with a zesty Cilantro Lime Slaw, this dish is a fresh and easy option for busy nights.

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    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pan-fried gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms is a simple and tasty meal that comes together in no time. This dish combines classic flavors for a satisfying dinner when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

    An air fryer baked potato.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for the perfect baked potato recipe? These air fryer baked potatoes minimize your cooking time and result in a tender, flavorful inside wrapped in a crispy delicious shell. With only three ingredients, this recipe will become your new favorite side dish, or top it with whatever you have in the fridge to make it a main!

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    When time is tight and you want a satisfying meal, air fryer hamburgers are a great choice. These juicy burgers are made entirely from scratch and cook in under 10 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This tahini pasta is perfect for a quick meal. With its creamy and tangy sauce, it's a tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is quick and simple, using just salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Ham Fried Rice

    Ham Fried Rice.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Make this easy Ham Fried Rice for a meal that the whole family will love! This takeout-style fried rice pairs well with so many dishes and is ready in a flash - and a great way to repurpose any leftover ham.

    Get the recipe

    Vermicelli di Positano

    Vermicelli di Positano.
    Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

    This simple Vermicelli di Positano with fresh tomatoes is perfect for a quick meal. Just cook the pasta and toss in the marinated veggies and herbs for a tasty dish.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes

    Fish cakes.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy salmon fish cakes can be ready in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. Fry them up for a crunchy outside and a soft, tender inside.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetable Ramen with Spicy Miso Broth

    Bowls with vegetable ramen.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Instant ramen can be easily upgraded with some fresh vegetables and a few extra spices. This is a quick and satisfying meal for when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    A skillet of pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is full of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, creating a quick and tasty meal with ingredients you likely have on hand. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something easy to whip up.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops

    Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pork chops can be cooked in your air fryer straight from the freezer in just 12 minutes. They come out juicy and tender, making a quick and easy dinner when served with your favorite sides.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Tostadas

    Tuna tostadas.
    Photo credit: Midwexican.

    Tuna tostadas are a simple and delicious option for dinner. They offer a light and flavorful meal that comes together in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Coconut Lentil Soup

    A bowl of coconut lentil soup topped with chili flakes and cilantro.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple soup is creamy, warming, and ready in under 30 minutes - whether made on the stove top or in your instant pot. Despite being so simple to make, it has amazing flavor from coconut milk, ginger and garlic, and is perfect for quick and cozy weeknight dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Steak

    A sliced rib eye steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cooking a frozen steak in your air fryer is a fast and simple way to enjoy a delicious meal. In just 10-15 minutes, you can have a juicy steak that rivals one cooked from fresh.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Dumplings

    A dumpling picked up with chop sticks.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Dumplings are a quick and easy dinner that you can have ready in just 10 minutes. With a little oil, they turn out perfectly cooked with crispy edges, perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Skirt Steak

    Sliced air fryer skirt steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make perfectly tender Air Fryer Skirt Steak with just 6-10 minutes of cooking. With a flavor-packed marinade to tenderize the meat, so you end up with a juicy steak without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      12 Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes So Good They'll Make You Drool
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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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