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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Quick Fix Meals That Taste Like You Cooked All Day

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 12, 2025 · Published December 31, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    When you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal, these quick-fix dinners can be lifesavers. These recipes are packed with flavor and can be whipped up in no time, making them perfect for busy weeknights. From hearty pastas to cheesy casseroles, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.

    Baked Halloumi with Ratatouille

    Halloumi and ratatouille in a bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This simple one-pot meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of fuss. It's so easy to make that you'll want to have it on your dinner menu all the time.

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    One-Pot Greek Salmon with Feta & Peppers

    A plate of rice, salmon and veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This salmon dinner is packed with flavor and everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. It's a simple yet delicious meal that brings a lot to the table.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Sandwich with Roasted Red Peppers

    Halloumi Sandwich with Roasted Red Peppers
    Photo credit: Hey nutrition lady

    This Halloumi Sandwich features roasted red peppers, creamy avocado, fresh tomatoes, and crispy pan-fried halloumi. It's a satisfying meal that's packed with flavor.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta comes together in just 30 minutes and is always a hit. With rich flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, it makes for a simple yet satisfying dinner that's great for leftovers too.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

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

    These chicken legs cook in just 15 minutes, and offer a great mix of crispy skin and juicy meat. The marinade with lime juice adds extra flavor and helps keep the chicken tender.

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    Cobb Pasta Salad

    Cobb pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Suburban Simplicity.

    This is a tasty twist on the classic Cobb Salad, adding in some pasta for extra heartiness. With ingredients like crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, tender chicken, hard-boiled eggs, creamy avocado, and blue cheese dressing, you can whip this up in under 30 minutes.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a weekly favorite that's both healthy and satisfying. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts for added texture.

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    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can have flavorful skin-on salmon cooked in your air fryer, making it a perfect meal for any night. Seasoned with lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce is full of flavor from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of dried herbs.

    Get the recipe

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thin chicken breasts come together in the air fryer for a fast and tasty dinner. In just 6 minutes, they're packed with flavor from garlic and basil.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and tasty take on the classic Italian dish. In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy creamy pasta combined with perfectly cooked shrimp, making it a satisfying meal that brings together the best of seafood and pasta.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer steak bites are a fast and tasty dinner option that everyone in the family will enjoy. They're marinated in a mix of lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, making any cut of steak flavorful and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to make and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a meal you'll want to make again and again.

    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 and are full of flavor. Cooked with garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine for incredibly juicy chops.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Buffalo chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It combines spicy buffalo sauce and tangy blue cheese with pasta and chicken for a satisfying dinner.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak comes out tender and juicy in just 8-10 minutes. A flavorful marinade does all the work, ensuring a delicious meal in no time.

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    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

    A bowl of fried spaghetti with green curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thai curry mixed with spaghetti creates a tasty meal that's sure to become a regular favorite. It's a simple yet flavorful dish that brings together the best of both worlds.

    Get the recipe

    Orange Chicken

    Air fryer orange chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Orange chicken can be made at home - and it's healthier and more affordable than takeout. With air-fried chicken coated in a delicious orange sauce, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes with just a few easy steps.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner features a delicious mix of spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese. It's a quick and satisfying meal that packs a lot of flavor.

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    Cod Piccata

    Cod piccata.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Cod in a creamy piccata sauce is a simple dish that can be made in just 30 minutes, perfect for a busy evening. It's rich and flavorful, making it a meal that everyone at the table will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Kale White Bean Soup

    Lemon Kale White Bean Soup.
    Photo Credit: Spabettie.

    This soup is packed with fresh veggies and vibrant flavors, making it a go-to meal for any night. You can whip it up in just about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken pot pie.
      35 Chicken Casseroles You Can Make in Under 1 Hour
    • Pasta with pancetta and peas.
      45 Quick 20-Minute Meals to Save You on Busy Nights
    • Cheesy taco skillet.
      12 Cozy Skillet Dinners Perfect for Chilly Nights
    • Cranberry grilled cheese.
      15 Creative Pecan Dishes That Go Way Beyond Pie

    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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