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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Quick and Easy Dinners That Will Save You Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 3, 2025, updated February 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can make weeknight cooking a breeze. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy. Here are 26 recipes that will help you save time in the kitchen while still serving up delicious dishes.

    Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    Easy 15-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    Air-fried chicken nuggets are quick to prepare and only take about 10 minutes to cook. With a special ingredient, they turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

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    Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

    Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
    Photo Credit: Super Golden Bakes.

    This Chicken and Mushroom Casserole is full of delicious flavors from wild mushrooms and chestnuts. It's a comforting meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Lobster Tacos

    Lobster tacos.
    Photo Credit: Blinky's Culinary Carnival.

    These buttery lobster tacos are a quick and fancy dinner option. Ready in under 20 minutes, they bring a touch of gourmet flair to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Corn Fritters

    Zucchini fritters served with a dip.
    Photo Credit: Vintage Kitchen Notes.

    This is an easy and tasty way to use up your summer vegetables. With just a few common ingredients, you can quickly make these crispy fritters.

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    Italian Stuffed Peppers

    Italian Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    Italian Stuffed Peppers are a hearty and tasty meal. They are filled with a mix of seasoned ground beef and rice, then baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese until they're nice and tender.

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    Poached Egg Breakfast Bowls

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

    Leftover boiled potatoes can be transformed into a quick and satisfying breakfast bowl in just 10 minutes. Topped with a poached egg that adds a rich yolk over crispy potatoes and creamy Feta cheese, this dish is perfect for starting your day - or ending it.

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    Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    Beef and broccoli stir fry.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Beef and broccoli stir-fry is a tasty dish that's packed with good ingredients. It's a great option for busy weeknights and will keep everyone satisfied.

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    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    This stew features tender pork cubes simmered with spicy Hatch green chiles, creating a flavorful dish that's easy to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights, perfect to serve over rice, polenta, or in tortillas.

    Get the recipe

    Burrata Pizza

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

    This 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 the fresh flavors of basil pesto and creamy burrata.

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    Panang Curry with Tofu & Veggies

    A pot full of vegan panang curry.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This Panang Curry is creamy and has a nice mix of sweet and spicy flavors. It's really simple to prepare, making it a great option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken drumsticks can be ready in just 20 minutes after soaking in olive oil, lime juice, and spices. They turn out tender with a nice crispy outside, making this a go-to recipe for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    No Cream Italian Herb Pasta

    No Cream Italian Herb Pasta
    Photo Credit: Sprinkles and Sprouts.

    This pasta is full of flavor and has a light sauce that pairs well with grilled meats, roasts, and fried dishes. It's a great option for a simple dinner.

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    Zucchini Leek Soup

    Zucchini Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    This zucchini leek soup is comforting and full of healthy greens, potatoes, and herbs. It's a tasty dairy-free option that's great for a light dinner or lunch and can be ready in just 30 minutes.

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    Ground Beef Stir Fry

    Ground Beef Stir Fry.
    Photo Credit: Carmy.

    This healthy Ground Beef Stir Fry is quick to prepare and loaded with vegetables, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. With just a few basic ingredients for the sauce and some veggies, you can whip up a fresh and filling meal in no time.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Taco Pasta

    Instant Pot Taco Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    This Instant Pot Taco Pasta is a fun take on classic tacos. It mixes meat, cheese, and taco seasoning with soft pasta, creating a dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish brings together two favorites in a cheesy and spicy way. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner during the week.

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    Louisiana Dirty Rice

    Louisiana Dirty Rice.
    Photo Credit: Kenneth Temple.

    Dirty Rice is packed with flavors from ground organ meat, Cajun spices, and the classic holy trinity of vegetables. It's perfect for serving a big group at dinner, parties, or casual get-togethers.

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    Lebanese Chicken and Rice

    Lebanese Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Caroline's Cooking.

    Lebanese chicken and rice is a tasty mix of flavorful rice, ground meat, shredded chicken, and toasted nuts. It’s a satisfying dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

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    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

    Pasta with peas and pancetta.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    Pasta with pancetta and peas is the perfect easy dinner, made in less than 20 minutes! Thick-cut pancetta is cooked until perfectly crispy, mixed with green peas, and tossed with orecchiette pasta and grated parmesan cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon.
    Photo credit: Cassidy's Craveable Creations.

    This easy keto salmon is coated in a tasty sweet and spicy sauce. It’s quick to prepare in just 20 minutes and only needs one pan, so there’s no flipping involved.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A smooth and tasty lemon butter caper sauce goes perfectly with fish and broccoli. Everything is cooked in just one pan, making it easy to prepare.

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    Skillet Chicken with Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Skillet Chicken with Cream of Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Skillet chicken with cream of mushroom soup turns plain chicken breast and a classic pantry item into a flavorful one-pan meal. It's a simple and satisfying dinner option that requires minimal effort.

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    Broccoli Grilled Cheese

    Air fryer grilled cheese.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This air fryer grilled cheese features sharp cheddar, chopped broccoli, and a hint of chili flakes for a little kick. It's a quick and easy vegetarian sandwich that's crispy, cheesy, and buttery.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Burgers

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

    These chicken patties are easy to prepare and only take 10 minutes in the air fryer. With just a few simple steps and no chopping needed, they stay juicy thanks to some fresh lemon juice.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Jerk Chicken With Red Beans And Coconut Rice

    One Pan Jerk Chicken With Red Beans And Coconut Rice
    Photo Credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

    One Pan Jerk Chicken with Red Beans and Coconut Rice is a family favorite. It's packed with flavor and is a simple, colorful dish that comes together in just one skillet.

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    Sesame Chicken

    Sesame chicken served over rice.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Sesame Chicken is a go-to dish that everyone enjoys. It's simple to prepare and packed with comforting flavors, making it a great choice for any day.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Poor man's stew.
      25 Easy Dump-And-Cook Recipes to Make With Beef
    • Bacon wrapped salmon.
      23 Recipes That Prove Everything Is Better with Bacon
    • Buffalo chicken lasagna rolls.
      18 Cheesy Chicken Recipes That Are Simply Irresistible
    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Bake Dinner Casseroles That Get the Job Done

    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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