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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Simple Meals for When You’re Totally Wiped

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 10, 2025 · Published December 17, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    When you're pressed for time but still want a satisfying meal, quick and easy dinners can be a lifesaver. These 21 effortless recipes are perfect for busy nights, requiring minimal prep and cooking time while still delivering on flavor. From one-pan dishes to simple stir-fries, these meals will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is loaded with veggies and is a simple dinner choice that's both tasty and healthy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something quick to prepare.

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    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A simple salmon dish can be prepared with just salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning. This is a quick and easy dinner option that doesn't require much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Mushroom Ramen

    a bowl of miso mushroom ramen.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make a quick, flavorful dashi and serve with the most flavor-packed mushrooms you've ever had.

    Get the recipe

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 15 minutes, you can put together a fresh salad with spinach, sweetheart cabbage, chickpeas, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This dish is healthy, tasty, and easy enough to win over even those who aren't big fans of salads.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A simple Lemon Chicken Marinade can be whipped up quickly with just a few basic ingredients. This marinade, featuring olive oil, lemon, and basil, keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavor, whether you grill, pan fry, or bake it.

    Get the recipe

    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These vegetarian tacos are packed with refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, all topped with fresh pico de gallo. This is a simple and tasty dinner that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A caprese dish is a simple and delicious option for dinner. It comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a simple dinner that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes. Loaded with vegetables and flavor, it works well with either homemade or store-bought pesto and is delicious served hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops

    A pork chop on a small chopping board.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a tasty dinner option that you can whip up quickly. With just a handful of ingredients, this meal can be on the table in 25 minutes or less.

    Get the recipe

    Red Curry Tofu Stir Fry

    Red curry tofu stir-fry in a pan.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    A delicious curry can be made right in your kitchen, saving you the trip to a restaurant. This is a great option for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish brings together two favorites for a simple and tasty cheesy, spicy meal. It's perfect for a quick dinner during a busy week.

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    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is a quick and easy dinner option that everyone will love. This cheesy and crispy dish is perfect for dipping and can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Baked Salmon

    Spicy Baked Salmon.
    Photo credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    This baked salmon is fresh and full of flavor. It comes together in under 30 minutes and pairs well with potatoes, vegetables, or a salad.

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    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Beef Chow Fun is a quick dinner that you can whip up in no time. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, it's a filling meal that hits the spot.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Rib Eye

    How To Cook A Rib Eye Steak
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This air fryer rib eye is a game changer for cooking steaks, offering a juicy and tasty meal with less grease. It's quick to prepare, taking just 15 minutes total, with only a minute needed for prep.

    Get the recipe

    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features a tangy tomato sauce paired with crispy bacon, creating a tasty meal. It's perfect for a quick dinner that doesn't take much time to prepare.

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    Orange Ginger Chicken

    Whole orange ginger chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Orange Ginger Chicken is a simple and tasty roast dinner that combines a whole chicken with fresh oranges. The mix of sweet oranges, spicy ginger, and savory dark soy sauce creates a flavorful dish perfect for any night.

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    Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes & Halloumi

    Zucchini and cherry tomato bowl.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This dish combines halloumi and cherry tomatoes for a flavorful and quick dinner. It's a healthy option that you can whip up in no time.

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    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This paella is a straightforward dish that everyone enjoys. It's filled with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, making it perfect for dinner parties and delicious as leftovers.

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    Turkey Burgers

    An air fryer turkey burger on a blue plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Homemade Turkey Burgers are quick to prepare and require very little effort. With some simple spices and a bit of lemon juice for added juiciness, you can cook these burgers in an air fryer or on the grill.

    Get the recipe

    California Burrito

    California burrito with fries.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dinner features a soft flour tortilla filled with tender marinated steak, gooey cheese, guacamole, seasoned fries, and sour cream. It's a tasty California-style meal that's simple to put together.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chili.
      24 Restaurant-Quality Ground Beef Dishes You Can Make at Home
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      27 Quick and Easy Dinners You Can Just Set and Forget
    • Beef and noodles.
      21 Delicious One-Pan Dinners That Make Clean-Up a Breeze
    • A plate full of buffalo cauliflower wings.
      19 Easy Dinner Party Dishes Your Guests Will Beg You to Make Again

    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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