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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Speedy Dinner Recipes That Will Save Your Night

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 22, 2025, updated October 14, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When time is tight and hunger strikes, quick and easy dinner recipes can be a lifesaver. These 20 speedy meals are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to whip up something satisfying in no time. From crispy chicken to delicious pasta, these dishes will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    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 tacos are made with refried black beans, feta cheese, and fresh pico de gallo for a deliciously quick meal. They're ideal for those hectic evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 you can bake in the oven. This cheesy and crispy chicken is great for dipping and will please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Cavatappi

    Pesto Cavatappi.
    Photo credit: The Belly Rules the Mind.

    This is a tasty homemade take on the well-loved dish from Noodles & Company. With fresh basil pesto, it's a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Air fryer salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    The salmon comes out perfectly cooked with a bright lemon flavor that makes it taste fresh and delightful. It's a quick and easy dinner option that you'll absolutely enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cobb Salad Wraps

    Cobb Salad Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Cobb salad wraps offer a fast and delicious choice for those hectic evenings when dinner needs to be quick. They turn the traditional salad into a handy and filling meal that's easy to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Curry

    Shrimp curry in a skillet.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This quick Shrimp Curry is perfect for those who love a bit of spice and flavor. Made with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk, it comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a great choice for hectic weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    This upgraded ham and cheese sandwich, the Croque Madame, features a creamy bechamel sauce and a runny egg on top. It's a simple and tasty meal that works well for any time of day.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These tasty halloumi wraps are sure to please everyone at the table, from kids to adults. With halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, they come together in just 20 minutes, making them a great choice for hectic evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Tuna Patties

    AIR FRYER TUNA PATTIES.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin Mamas.

    This is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. Simply combine canned tuna with some chopped onion, red bell pepper, garlic, panko crumbs, and eggs, then air fry them for 8 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is a great option for busy nights, taking only 20 minutes to prepare. It's a light and refreshing meal that highlights the fresh flavors of the vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    This is a fast and delicious meal perfect for those hectic evenings when you want to treat your family. With a zesty coconut lime sauce that gives a fresh spin to pasta, you can whip it up in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Steak

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

    For those hectic evenings when time is tight, cooking steak in your air fryer straight from frozen is a great choice. It's a fast and tasty way to enjoy a meal that's just as good as fresh steak.

    Get the recipe

    Blackened Chicken Tenders

    Blackened chicken.
    Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Blackened chicken tenders are a great option for busy evenings when you need something quick and easy. You can whip them up using a simple spice mix you make yourself or just pick up some blackening spice from the store for a faster meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A classic noodle favorite that's very easy to make at home.

    Get the recipe

    Santa Fe Chicken Salad

    Santa Fe chicken salad.
    Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

    This is a quick and simple dinner that's perfect for busy evenings. With rotisserie chicken and a creamy salsa dressing, it's both tasty and healthy.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is a fast and easy dish that's great for hectic evenings. It's creamy and has a nice kick, and it's delicious even if you make it without the vodka!

    Get the recipe

    Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

    Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and satisfying. It comes together in under 20 minutes, making it a great choice for a speedy dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    You won't find a simpler pasta dish than this.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These chicken legs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a great choice for dinner. Cooking them in an air fryer is simple and quick, ideal for busy evenings when you want something tasty without a lot of hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

    Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This ginger chicken stir-fry is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and satisfying. With juicy chicken and a zesty ginger garlic sauce, you can make a tasty meal in just one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Beef & Rice Skillet

    MEXICAN BEEF AND RICE SKILLET.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    This skillet dinner is a quick and easy meal you can make all in one pan. It transforms ground beef into a delicious meal that's full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      24 Hearty Potluck Casseroles That Everyone Will Be Raving About
    • Pizza baked butter beans.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dishes That Will Keep You Cozy All Winter Long
    • Pad woonsen.
      22 Dinner Ideas That Will Make You Forget Takeout Exists
    • Cheesy potatoes.
      25 Best Crockpot Recipes to Get You Out of Your Weeknight Rut

    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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