• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Cozy Meals Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on December 18, 2024, updated December 19, 2024 - 2 Comments

    When you're short on time but still want a warm and comforting meal, these cozy dishes are perfect. Each recipe can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, making them ideal for busy weeknights or quick weekend dinners. From hearty soups to satisfying pasta, these meals will keep you feeling cozy and satisfied.

    White Bean Soup with Kale

    30 Minute White Bean Soup with Kale
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    A quick and tasty vegan white bean soup can be made with basic pantry items and fresh veggies. This cozy dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for a satisfying dinner on busy nights.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Apple Risotto with Marcona Almonds

    Apple risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 30 minutes, you can prepare a delicious Apple Risotto filled with the flavor of fresh apples. This dish works well as a side or a hearty meal, topped with crunchy Marcona almonds for added texture.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara has a tasty twist and is quick to prepare. It's perfect for a satisfying meal when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Red wine chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty meal that brings together comforting fall flavors like red wine, mushrooms, and thyme. It's ideal for a satisfying dinner and works well as leftovers too.

    Get the recipe

    Pumpkin Chicken Curry

    Pumpkin and chicken curry on a bed of white rice in a blue bowl.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Tender chicken pieces simmer in a creamy pumpkin sauce, resulting in a comforting and delicious meal. This is a satisfying dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    Pan fried gnocchi is very easy to make and so much better than boiled - pair with bacon & mushrooms for maximum flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Layer and Bake Reuben Casserole

    Layer and Bake Reuben Casserole
    Photo Credit: feast and farm.

    A Reuben casserole can be ready in under 30 minutes and has all the flavors of the classic sandwich. Using easy-to-find ingredients, this layered dish is a comforting and filling choice.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of flavor, combining a spicy kick with a creamy texture. It's a satisfying dish that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Vegetable Soup

    A bowl of miso vegetable soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This miso vegetable soup is packed with healthy ingredients, tasty broth, and tender veggies, making it a great choice for a cozy meal. It's easy to prepare and you can customize it to fit what you like.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Mac and Cheese

    Spicy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: Sice Cravings.

    This dish gives a fun spin to the classic mac and cheese with a mix of cheese, jalapeños, and Indian spices. It's a quick and delicious meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes, whether you use an Instant Pot or the stove.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are ready in just 25 minutes. With flavors from garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and cooked in red wine for added juiciness.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    A spoonful of cheesy tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Easy, cheesy and totally delicious - this is comfort food at its best!

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is quick and easy, using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience. It's packed with bright lemon flavor and aromatic rosemary, perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick carbonara is made with simple ingredients and comes together in no time. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    30 Minute Instant Pot Chicken Chili

    30 Minute Instant Pot Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    Instant Pot Chicken Chili is a quick and easy meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, with only 5 minutes of prep time. This creamy southwest chili is perfect for busy evenings, staying warm in the pot for everyone to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and tasty bolognese can be made easily with your Instant Pot. This dish brings the classic flavors of a slow-cooked pasta sauce together with simple ingredients for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    In under 30 minutes, you can prepare a cozy chicken pasta dish featuring creamy alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles. This is a satisfying meal that's great for busy weeknights and will please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy and flavorful dish that brings a taste of Eastern Europe to your table. It's a quick meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a cozy and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe.

    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Enjoy a comforting mix of creamy tomato sauce and bacon that comes together in just 30 minutes. This is a cozy meal perfect for a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This skillet lasagna is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic dish without spending hours in the kitchen. You can have it on the table in just 20 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Goat cheese mac and cheese.
      19 Summer Casseroles That Will Make You the Star of the BBQ
    • Strawberry peach cobbler.
      23 Spring Baking Recipes So Good, They’ll Become New Traditions
    • Chicken parmesan pasta.
      17 Mother’s Day Chicken Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
    • Smash burger quesadilla.
      19 Ground Beef Recipes That Might Surprise You

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SANDY

      October 06, 2023 at 6:50 pm

      YOU HAVE FANTASTIC RECIPES!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        October 08, 2023 at 7:18 am

        Thank you so much, Sandy!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Chicken enchilada casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Bake Dinners That Always Hit the Spot
    • Chicken noodle soup.
      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Taco soup.
      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB