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    Home » Uncategorized

    29 Easy Dinners That Are Ready in a Flash

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 8, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can be a lifesaver on busy nights. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy. Here are 29 simple dinner options that are ready in no time, perfect for those evenings when you need to get dinner on the table fast.

    Chickpea Gyros

    Chickpea Gyros.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chickpea gyros are a fast vegetarian meal that you can whip up in just 10 minutes on the stovetop, with only a few minutes of prep time. You can go from walking in the door to enjoying dinner in about 15 minutes!

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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 pasta dish. It combines the creamy goodness of traditional Carbonara with perfectly cooked shrimp, making it a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.

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    3-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff

    Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo credit: Feast for a Fraction.

    This is a quick and easy dinner that won't break the bank. Ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and egg noodles combine for a creamy meal that's ready in just 15 minutes.

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    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot spaghetti is simple to prepare with just 9 ingredients and one pot. In under 30 minutes, you can have this classic dish ready for a busy weeknight dinner.

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    Chickpea Noodle Soup

    A bowl of chickpea noodle soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home and is packed with comforting flavors. It's a quick meal that will have everyone coming back for more.

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    One Pot Ravioli Soup

    One Pot Ravioli Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This homemade ravioli soup is quick to prepare and perfect for a cozy meal. With cheesy ravioli and Italian sausage in a flavorful broth, it’s a simple one-pot dish that’s great for busy weeknights.

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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 ready in your air fryer, perfect for a quick meal any night. Seasoned with lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Egg Roll in a Bowl

    Egg roll in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun with my Three Sons.

    Egg Roll in a Bowl features tender ground beef, fresh greens, and a savory kick from soy sauce, making it a simple and tasty dish to enjoy for dinner. This one-pan meal is packed with healthy ingredients and zesty spices, perfect for a quick, low-carb option.

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    Warm Vegan Pasta Salad

    Warm Vegan Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    This cauliflower gnocchi pasta is super quick to prepare, taking only 10 minutes. It's a great dish to take along to picnics or outdoor gatherings.

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    Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta

    Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta.
    Photo credit: Walder Wellness.

    This canned mackerel pasta is a simple and healthy meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's full of good nutrients and flavor, making it a great choice for a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Korean Beef Bowls

    KOREAN BEEF BOWL.
    Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

    This Korean Beef Bowl features a tasty mix of ground beef, mushrooms, and rice, all brought together with a flavorful Asian sauce. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy this dish topped with crunchy pickled carrots and cucumbers for a satisfying meal.

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    Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice

    Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice with sunny side up egg.
    Photo Credit: Plates by Nat.

    Tuna kimchi fried rice is a simple meal that comes together in just 15 minutes. It's savory with a bit of spice and full of rich flavor, especially when topped with a sunny side egg.

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    Vegan Tantanmen Ramen

    A bowl of Vegan Tantanmen Ramen.
    Photo Credit: Oh My Veg!

    This vegan tantanmen ramen features a rich, creamy broth that's both nutty and spicy, perfect for a cozy meal. The addition of vegan mince gives it a great texture, making it a satisfying choice for dinner.

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    4-Ingredient Chili

    Chili.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This is a filling meal that won't break the bank, and you only need four ingredients to whip it up. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and satisfying.

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    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a quick dinner. It's simple to prepare and rich in flavor, made with plenty of cream and no flour.

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    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is a quick meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With its creamy and nutty tahini sauce, it's a delicious option for a busy night.

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    Cheesy Gordita Crunch

    Crunchy tacos.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cheesy gordita crunch is a simple twist on taco night that you can whip up in no time. With fresh ingredients, these tacos are just as good as what you’d get at Taco Bell, but even better because you made them yourself!

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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 delicious fried potato bowl in just 10 minutes. Topping it with a poached egg and some Feta cheese creates a satisfying and hearty meal.

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    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    chicken pesto pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Barley & Sage.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in under 20 minutes. It's light and fresh, featuring creamy pesto, grilled chicken, spinach, and tomatoes, making it a great choice for dinner or lunch.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta is ready in just 30 minutes and is always a hit. With rich flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, it's a great choice for dinner and makes a tasty lunch the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

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

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters are ready in just 15 minutes, offering a great mix of crispy skin and juicy meat. The marinade with lime juice adds extra flavor and helps keep the chicken tender.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetable Ramen

    Vegetable Ramen with Spicy Miso Broth
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Spicing up a pack of ramen noodles can turn a simple meal into something special. This is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in no time.

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    One Pan Dorito Casserole

    One pan Dorito casserole on a dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This quick Dorito casserole comes together with just 10 ingredients in 30 minutes. It's a simple and satisfying meal perfect for busy nights.

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    One Pot Creamy Chicken Soup

    A bowl of creamy chicken soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish features tender ditalini pasta, shredded chicken, and fresh veggies in a creamy, flavorful broth. It's a warm and comforting meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Pasta Rosa

    20 Minute Pasta Rosa.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Penne pasta is cooked just right and mixed with a simple tomato cream sauce and fresh baby spinach. It's topped with grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some extra flavor.

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    Classic Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy Joes.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dish comes together quickly in just 15 minutes. Ground beef is sautéed with onions and garlic, then mixed with a simple homemade sloppy joe sauce for a satisfying meal.

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    Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos with salsa.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    These classic Ground Beef Tacos feature homemade taco meat loaded into freshly fried taco shells. Serve up with all your favorite toppings for an easy family meal that takes less than 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe.

    Cauliflower Steak

    Two cauliflower steaks in a pan.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    Vegan cauliflower steaks are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Just cut a whole head into thick slices, give them a quick pre-cook, season well, and pan-fry for a tasty dish.

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Spaghettios

    Homemade Spaghettios.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade Spaghettios offer a warm and comforting taste of nostalgia. This quick meal can be ready in just 30 minutes, bringing back childhood memories with real ingredients instead of the canned version.

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    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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