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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Easy Dinners That Will Save You Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated July 3, 2025 · Published July 18, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can make a busy week feel a lot more manageable. Here are 22 simple recipes that are not only fast to prepare but also satisfying for the whole family. From one-pan meals to quick stir-fries, these dishes will help you get dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Olive Garden Chicken Scampi

    Olive Garden Chicken Scampi.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This quick chicken scampi is perfect for busy evenings when you need a delicious meal fast. Tender chicken is sautéed with garlic, butter, and lemon, then tossed with pasta and fresh herbs. It's an easy dish that feels special, making it a great choice for any night.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can have delicious chicken drumsticks that are marinated in olive oil, lime juice, and spices. These drumsticks turn out tender, juicy, and crispy, making them a great choice for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp and Orzo

    15-Minute Shrimp and Orzo
    Photo credit: Tried and True

    In just 15 minutes, you can prepare a delicious shrimp and orzo dish that's easy to make and really filling. It's a great option for busy families who need a quick and tasty meal.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Grilled chicken skewers are packed with flavors from ginger, garlic, coconut cream, and soy sauce. Topped with a sweet coconut cream glaze and served alongside a tasty peanut sauce, this dish is quick to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey

    Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    This Turkey Brie Grilled Cheese is a quick and satisfying meal. Packed with turkey, fresh greens, creamy Brie, and a touch of mustard, it's perfect for when you need something delicious in a hurry. You can whip this up in no time, making it a great choice for busy days.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is quick and tasty, perfect for busy families, and can be ready in under an hour. You can grab teriyaki sauce from the store or whip up your own for a meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is ready in under an hour, making it a great option for a family meal. With a crispy herb coating on the outside and tender, juicy meat on the inside, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Taco casserole combines ground beef, salsa, and cheese into one tasty dish. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering. This meal is simple to prepare and satisfying, making it a go-to choice when you need something easy and delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

    One-Pan Italian Turkey Meatballs with Marinara
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    These meatballs are quick to prepare and full of flavor. With a mix of herbs, breadcrumbs, and onions, they come together easily and are sure to fill everyone up. They're a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    When time is tight, this sheet-pan dinner is a great option. It combines chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce all cooked together, making it simple and satisfying. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something easy yet delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

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

    This quick Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to make dinner easier. You'll end up with a rich and tasty pasta sauce that has the depth of a slow-cooked meal, but it's ready in under an hour. Perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending all night in the kitchen.

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    Texas Hash

    Texas Hash.
    Photo credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Texas Hash is a quick and easy one-pot meal that combines ground beef and rice with a Tex-Mex twist. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish is sure to please the whole family and can be whipped up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Paella is a dish that everyone loves and it's simple to prepare. Packed with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, it's perfect for sharing with friends and family. Plus, any leftovers taste just as good the next day. You can easily make a larger portion if you're feeding a bigger group.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

    Roasted cauliflower tacos.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Roasted cauliflower florets get a fun twist with taco seasonings, bringing a new flavor to taco night. This vegetarian dish is quick to prepare and can be on the table in under an hour, making it a great choice for a filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Prepare a delicious risotto quickly using your Instant Pot. It's ideal for busy families who need a meal ready in under an hour.

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    Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet

    Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet.
    Photo Credit: The Hungry Bluebird.

    This is a simple and cheesy skillet dinner featuring seasoned ground beef and pasta shells, all mixed together in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. It brings back memories of childhood favorites while offering the comfort of a homemade meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is quick to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.

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    Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake

    Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Slow the Cook Down.

    A beef and tomato pasta bake is a satisfying and cozy meal that everyone will enjoy. This dish features pasta baked in a flavorful tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheese. It's a simple dinner option that brings comfort to the table, perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Pork Dumplings

    Pork Dumplings
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These tasty dumplings come together in just over 30 minutes and are easy to prepare. They're satisfying and perfect for a quick meal when you need something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Sti Fry)

    Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Sti Fry).
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    Pad Woon Sen is a delicious Thai dish that features glass noodles stir-fried with chicken and a mix of fresh vegetables. It's full of flavor and comes together quickly, making it a great option for a busy weeknight dinner. The savory sauce ties everything together, creating a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Bolognese Pasta Bake

    Bolognese Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    This Bolognese pasta bake is hearty and full of flavor, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or when you have a group to feed. It's simple to prepare in large quantities, and you can even freeze leftovers for later. This dish combines pasta with a savory meat sauce, creating a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Burgers

    A stack of chicken patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 10 minutes, you can prepare delicious chicken patties with simple ingredients and a fast air frying method. These juicy patties are quick to make and sure to be a hit with your family.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features delicious lamb chops and fresh vegetables roasted together on a single sheet pan, making it a simple and satisfying meal. Everything cooks in under an hour, so it's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. The combination of flavors is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
      20 Easy Dump-and-Bake Recipes for Effortless Cooking
    • Chicken drumsticks & potatoes.
      25 Easy Family Dinners for Busy Evenings
    • Lemon pepper chicken thighs.
      22 Easy Slow Cooker Dinners for Hectic Weeknights
    • Salmon asparagus pasta salad.
      27 Easy Spring Recipes Ready in No Time

    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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