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    Home » Uncategorized

    26 Last-Minute Dinners That Are a Breeze to Prepare

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 15, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When time is tight and dinner needs to be on the table fast, having a few quick and easy recipes can make all the difference. Here are 26 last-minute dinner ideas that are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. From one-pan meals to quick bowls, these dishes will help you whip up a satisfying meal in no time.

    Poached Egg Potato Bowls

    Breakfast bowl with egg.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Leftover boiled potatoes can be transformed into a quick and satisfying bowl in just 10 minutes. Topped with a poached egg that oozes over delicious Feta cheese and crispy potatoes, this dish is perfect for a hearty meal anytime of day.

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    Vegan Chili with Black Beans

    Vegan Chili Recipe with Black Beans
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This vegan chili is quick to prepare in just 15 minutes and is packed with delicious flavors, featuring black beans and split red lentils. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    This classic Italian pasta dish is simple to prepare and uses just a handful of ingredients. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.

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    Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breasts

    Stuffed chicken breast on a black skillet.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken breasts stuffed with Mediterranean flavors are a great choice for dinner. With ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and feta cheese, this dish is sure to please.

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    Garlic Chicken with Honey Sauce

    Garlic chicken with honey and chopped green onions.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Garlic chicken with honey sauce is quick to prepare, taking only 20 minutes in one pan. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s packed with flavor.

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    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Tuna pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Homemade Interest.

    Tuna pasta salad is full of fresh veggies and flavors. This dish skips the mayo, making it a light and healthy option that's great for sharing.

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    Garlic Bread Pizza

    Garlic bread pizza with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish features quick homemade garlic butter, store-bought pizza sauce, and gooey cheese. It's a great choice for movie nights or as a fun appetizer to share with friends.

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    Lemon Garlic Shrimp

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Curry Trail.

    Lemon garlic shrimp is simple to prepare and ready in just 15 minutes. The buttery sauce adds a delicious flavor that makes this a great choice for a busy evening.

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    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pan-fried gnocchi is a hidden gem that’s way tastier than the boiled version. When you add bacon and mushrooms, it really brings out the flavor.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

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

    This Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe gives you crispy skin and juicy meat with minimal effort. The air fryer cooks them to a nice golden brown outside while keeping them tender inside.

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    Green Pesto Salmon

    Green Pesto Salmon.
    Photo credit: Cooking with Mama C.

    This Baked Pesto Salmon is quick to prepare and ready in just 25 minutes. It's simple enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to serve to guests.

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    Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs

    Chicken meatballs on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Honey garlic chicken meatballs are simple to prepare and full of great flavors from green onion, garlic, and ginger. They work well for a quick dinner during the week or as a tasty snack for gatherings.

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    Pistachio Pesto Pasta

    A plate of pistachio pesto pasta.
    Photo Credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This dish features soft pasta tossed with a flavorful homemade pistachio pesto, sweet tomatoes, tender artichoke hearts, and fresh greens. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    The Easiest 15 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Air fryer chicken tenders are crispy and juicy, and they come together in no time. This is a great option if you want something better than frozen chicken tenders.

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    One Pot Chicken Corn Chowder

    A bowl of chicken corn chowder.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish brings comfort right to your table. It features tender rotisserie chicken, sweet corn, hearty potatoes, and crispy bacon in a rich and creamy broth.

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    Air Fryer Rib Eye

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

    Air fryer rib eye steak is a simple way to enjoy a delicious meal any night of the week. It's juicy, full of flavor, and a healthier option that cuts down on grease.

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    Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes & Halloumi

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

    This is a healthy noodle dish packed with flavor from halloumi and cherry tomatoes. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.

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    Roasted Parsnip Soup

    Roasted Parsnip Soup.
    Photo Credit: Occasionally Eggs.

    This roasted parsnip soup is hearty and satisfying, featuring potatoes and white beans for added creaminess. It's a simple and tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry

    Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This creamy coconut chickpea curry is packed with wholesome spices and is perfect for a filling plant-based meal. It's a hearty dish that comes together easily, making it great for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese

    Creamy feta cheese chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Feta cheese adds a delicious twist to creamy pasta sauces. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying.

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    Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes

    Fish cakes.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy salmon fish cakes are ready in about 20 minutes using just a few simple ingredients. A quick fry gives them a nice crunch on the outside while keeping them soft and tender inside.

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    Chunky Roasted Veggie Soup

    Chunky Roasted Veggie Soup.
    Photo Credit: Debra Klein.

    This is a healthy and easy way to get dinner ready on a busy weeknight. It helps you put a meal together quickly without much effort.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet pan chicken and vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is a simple way to prepare a complete meal that's both healthy and satisfying. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and delicious.

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    Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Lemon Chicken Marinade is quick to whip up using simple and healthy ingredients. Perfect for grilling, pan frying, or baking, it keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavor with olive oil, lemon, and basil.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon is seasoned and pan-fried in no time, creating a tasty filling for healthy salmon tacos. The addition of a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa adds a burst of flavor, making this a great option for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    20 Minute Burrata Pizza

    Burrata pizza topped with arugula.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Pesto and burrata pizza is a quick and tasty option that your family will love. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious twist on pizza night with this easy recipe featuring basil pesto and creamy burrata.

    Get the recipe

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      31 Effortless Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

    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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