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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 20-Minute Dinners That Will Save Your Sanity

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 5, 2025, updated December 18, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    When time is tight and dinner needs to be on the table fast, these 20-minute meals are here to help. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, these dishes will keep your evenings stress-free and satisfying. Whether you're cooking for yourself or the whole family, these quick recipes will make weeknight dinners a breeze.

    Shrimp Curry

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

    Shrimp Curry is a quick and flavorful dish that's great for busy nights. Made with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk, it comes together in just 20 minutes.

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    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are ready in just 6-8 minutes and are packed with flavor. With powdered seasonings, there's no chopping involved, making them a simple option for a busy night.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken

    Pesto chicken with a side of salad.
    Photo credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    This simple pesto chicken dish comes together in just 20 minutes with juicy grilled chicken breast and a creamy basil pesto sauce. It's a quick and easy meal that's perfect for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

    Air fried chicken cutlets.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These air fryer chicken cutlets are quick to prepare, making them a great choice for a simple dinner on busy weeknights. With a crispy outside and juicy inside, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is a quick and easy dish that comes together in just 20 minutes, including prep time. It's a light and fresh dinner that's great for busy families who want a simple meal full of vegetable flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This skillet lasagna is perfect for a quick and delicious meal when you're pressed for time. You can have it on the table in just 20 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    A skillet of pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is full of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, offering a quick and tasty dinner option. It's made with everyday ingredients, making it easy to whip up on a busy night.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Air fryer salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This seasoned salmon is ready in just 20 minutes and has a bright lemon flavor that everyone will enjoy. It's a quick and easy meal that's perfect for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Margherita Flatbread

    Margherita flatbread pizza.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Margherita flatbread pizza is a simple meal that busy families can whip up in no time. With crispy flatbread, fresh basil, homemade pizza sauce, and creamy mozzarella cheese, it’s a tasty choice for a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

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

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs are a quick and tasty option that can be ready in just 20 minutes. With their crispy skin and juicy meat, this dish is sure to please the whole family on busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Melts

    Tuna Melts.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    These quick tuna melts are an easy and tasty meal option. With a mix of tuna salad, melted cheese, and fresh tomato on open-faced sandwiches, they offer a satisfying and simple bite.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Steak Tips

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

    Air Fryer Steak Tips are ready in just 10 minutes, making them a great option for a quick family dinner. With simple seasonings you likely have on hand, this meal is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare a quick and flavorful Shrimp Scampi in just 10 minutes, and you won't need any wine. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley will make your kitchen smell amazing.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Spinach Pasta

    Vegan spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    A tasty pasta dish can be made without any dairy. This vegan recipe is simple and quick to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Wraps

    Easy Tuna Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    A quick tuna wrap can be put together in under 20 minutes with just a few basic ingredients. This is a great option for busy families looking for a simple meal.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a simple and fast meal that's great for busy families. It has a tasty Thai flavor and is topped with crunchy peanuts.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Coconut Lime Chicken & Pasta is a quick and easy meal perfect for sharing with family. The bright coconut lime sauce gives a fresh spin to regular pasta, and it comes together in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Wraps

    Cajun Chicken Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    This meal features a tasty Cajun chicken wrap that’s both quick and easy to prepare. The seasoned chicken is rolled up in a whole-grain tortilla, making it a satisfying option for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Cold soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This noodle salad is perfect for busy days when you need something quick and easy. You can add your favorite protein or just enjoy it on its own.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad

    Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: A Taste For Travel.

    This pizza pasta salad combines pepperoni, fresh veggies, and a quick vinaigrette for a fun twist on a classic dish. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can prepare a quick and easy dinner for your busy family using only a few ingredients and one pot. This is a simple solution for those hectic evenings when time is tight.

    Get the recipe

    Falafel Sandwich

    Falafel Sandwich
    Photo credit: Inquiring chef

    A falafel sandwich is a quick and delicious choice when you're pressed for time. Picture a warm pita stuffed with crunchy falafel, fresh vegetables, and a smooth tahini sauce, all ready in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    BLT Wraps

    BLT Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    BLT Wraps are a simple and satisfying meal for busy families. Filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, they offer a quick dinner solution.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Steak

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

    A steak can be ready in your air fryer in just 10-15 minutes, even if it's frozen. This is a simple way to enjoy a tasty and tender meal with no prep time needed.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak cookes in just 8-10 minutes. The marinade gives it great flavor and keeps the meat nice and juicy for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives is ready in just 15 minutes. It's a light and refreshing meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    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.

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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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