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    Home » Uncategorized

    31 Effortless Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 30, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make cooking feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be that way. With these 31 easy dinner ideas, you can whip up satisfying meals in 30 minutes or less. From quick salmon to simple pasta dishes, these recipes will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Matsutake Pasta with Miso Butter

    Matsutake Pasta with Miso Butter.
    Photo credit: The Sage Apron.

    This recipe features Matsutake mushrooms, which are also called pine mushrooms, and it only requires five ingredients. It's a straightforward dish that showcases the unique flavor of these mushrooms.

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    Veggie Loaded Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

    Pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad with Italian dressing is quick to prepare and packed with fresh vegetables. It's perfect as a hearty side dish or for simple meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is great for warm weather. It's a healthy and easy dish that you can whip up quickly, making it ideal for a BBQ.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Blackened Chicken Tenders

    Blackened chicken.
    Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Blackened chicken tenders are simple to prepare and perfect for a quick meal. You can either mix your own spices or grab a bottle of blackening spice from the store to save time.

    Get the recipe

    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 in no time. With air frying, you get deliciously golden chicken legs that are easy to make.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

    Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit Cuisine and Travel.

    Chicken fajitas are quick to prepare in your air fryer and can be on the table in under 30 minutes. They are packed with flavor and are sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple to prepare and takes no time at all. It uses everyday ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole,.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Walking Taco Casserole is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. It combines all the cheesy goodness of a walking taco and can be ready in just 30 minutes using a cast iron skillet.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Spicy Honey Chicken

    Slices of baked spicy honey chicken.
    Photo Credit: Well Fed Baker.

    This baked chicken is cooked in a spicy honey sauce that gives it a delicious glaze. It's a simple dish that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad

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

    This pizza pasta salad is a fun twist on a classic dish. It's loaded with pepperoni, fresh vegetables, and a simple vinaigrette, and it all comes together in just a few minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Copycat Noodles and Company Pasta Fresca

    Copycat Noodles and Company Pasta Fresca.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This 15-minute pasta fresca is just like the popular dish from Noodles and Company, and you can whip it up in your own kitchen. It's a quick and tasty option for dinner that won't take much time at all.

    Get the recipe

    Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

    Grilled chicken with pineapple slices.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    Tender chicken is a great choice for dinner, and this easy grilled chicken recipe with just eight ingredients is hard to beat. The combination of chicken and pineapple brings together sweet and tangy flavors for a delicious meal.

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    Herb Crusted Salmon

    Herb crusted salmon.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    Herb crusted salmon fillets are topped with a mix of parsley, arugula, lemon, and pistachios, then baked or roasted until just right. This is a quick and tasty dinner option that you can whip up in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Creamy Vegetable Soup

    One pot creamy vegetable soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish is perfect for using up whatever vegetables you have on hand or for clearing out leftovers from the fridge. It's a quick and easy meal that can be customized to fit your preferences.

    Get the recipe

    Naan Pizza

    Easy 15-Minute Naan Pizza
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This naan pizza is super simple to make with just three ingredients and can be ready in no time. It's a great option for weeknights when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a simple and impressive meal ready in just 30 minutes. With only a few ingredients, this dish is both visually appealing and full of flavor.

    Get the Recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches come together in under 30 minutes, offering a tasty meal that's sure to impress. The spicy buffalo chicken paired with a zesty blue cheese coleslaw creates a fantastic combination.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy salmon recipe is quick to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you use store-bought teriyaki sauce or whip up your own, it’s perfect for a fast dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Fried Rice

    One Pan Tuna Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Pure and Simple Nourishment.

    This dish combines canned tuna, white rice, eggs, and vegetables with a tasty homemade sauce, all ready in just 25 minutes. It's a quick and healthy meal that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

    Get the recipe

    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features a rich and creamy tomato sauce with crispy bacon, creating a delicious combination. It's a quick and satisfying meal that's perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

    Rotisserie chicken tacos.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos are a fun twist on Taco Night that are super quick to make. With corn tortillas, shredded chicken, a tasty avocado spread, pickled red onions, and your favorite salsa and cheese, this is a great dinner option.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Red Pepper Soup

    Roasted red pepper soup with cheese.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a creamy and smoky roasted red pepper soup. With jarred roasted red peppers, smoked Gouda, heavy cream, and some dried herbs, this vegetarian soup is packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is a quick and easy dinner that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy, crispy, and perfect for dipping, all ready in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    A vegan sloppy joe.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegan version of a classic dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It's a quick and easy dinner option that can be ready in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Green Pesto Salmon

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

    This Baked Pesto Salmon is ready in just 25 minutes and is simple to prepare. It's a great option for a quick dinner that feels special enough to serve to guests.

    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, perfect for a cozy meal. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy evenings.

    Get the Recipe

    Miso Mushroom Ramen

    a bowl of miso mushroom ramen.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and tasty dashi pairs perfectly with some of the most flavorful mushrooms you'll ever enjoy. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Probably the best salmon version ever - all done with just 3 ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Thai Basil Chicken is a tasty and easy dish that combines chicken, green beans, and fresh Thai basil in a flavorful sauce. This is a good dinner option that you can whip up in about 15 minutes, especially if you use ground chicken.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops with Rosemary

    Garlic parmesan pork chop with sprigs of rosemary on a black skillet.
    Photo Credit: Enza's Quail Hollow Kitchen.

    This dish features tender pork loin chops that are seasoned with rosemary and parmesan cheese, then pan-fried to a golden brown. It's all brought together with a simple garlic and white wine sauce, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    More Uncategorized

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      31 Satisfying Meals You Can Prepare in Just 30 Minutes

    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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