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    Home » Uncategorized

    31 Satisfying Dinners You Can Whip Up in No Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 28, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. Here are 31 quick and satisfying dinner ideas that you can prepare in no time. From simple pastas to hearty soups, these meals are perfect for busy evenings when you still want something delicious.

    Hummus Chicken Wraps

    Chicken wraps.
    Photo credit: Fit Mama Real Food.

    This Mediterranean hummus wrap is a quick and healthy lunch option. Packed with fresh veggies, creamy hummus, and protein-rich chicken, it’s all wrapped up in a convenient tortilla.

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    Ground Beef & Cabbage Skillet

    Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet.
    Photo credit: Real Food Real Deals.

    This one pot ground beef and cabbage skillet is a quick and healthy dinner option. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again!

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Southwest Salad

    Spicy Southwest Salad.
    Photo credit: The Oregon Dietitian.

    This dish features chicken marinated in honey and lime juice, then grilled until it's just right. Served on a bed of lettuce with avocado, fresh veggies, and a zesty homemade ranch dressing, it's a salad that's hard to resist!

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    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This stir-fry is packed with fresh vegetables and has a bright, citrusy taste that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect on its own or served alongside some rice.

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    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    The Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a simple meal that you can whip up any night. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is packed with great flavors.

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    30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup

    30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Creamy chicken taco soup combines shredded chicken, taco spices, black beans, and corn in a smooth broth. Topped with sour cream and tortilla strips, it’s a warm and comforting meal that's quick to prepare.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp come together in just 30 minutes and are packed with vibrant colors and bold flavors. Pair them with coconut rice for a fun, tropical dinner any night.

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    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad is a quick vegetarian meal that takes just 10 minutes to prepare. It's packed with garbanzo beans, cucumber, Kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, red onion, and fresh parsley, all mixed together with a simple white wine vinaigrette.

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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 mid-week meal.

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    Balsamic Chicken

    Balsamic chicken on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Balsamic chicken is a quick and flavorful dinner that you can whip up in under 30 minutes. The tangy glaze gives it a delicious kick, making it a hit for busy weeknights.

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    Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos.
    Photo credit: Confetti & Bliss.

    When you're hungry, there's no need to go out. This simple recipe can be put together in just 20 minutes and tastes just as good as takeout.

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    Chicken Club Sandwich

    Chicken BLT.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    The Chicken Club Sandwich is loaded with chicken, ham, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes. It's a great option for a quick meal or a light snack.

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    One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

    A bowl of One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This homemade hamburger helper is a warm and satisfying meal that combines tender macaroni noodles with crumbled ground beef in a creamy cheese sauce. It's a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in no time.

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    Roasted Sweet Potato & Feta Cheese Salad

    A plate of sweet potato salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweet potato salad is a healthy and satisfying option. It's warm, filling, and tastes great even the next day!

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    Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Salmon

    Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Salmon.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish features sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan mixed into a creamy sauce with perfectly seared salmon. It's a quick and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy!

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    Shrimp Masala

    A bowl of shrimp masala curry.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Shrimp masala curry is a flavorful dish made with shrimp in a rich Indian sauce of onions and tomatoes, seasoned with ginger, garlic, and spices. This is a quick and satisfying dinner option that comes together in no time.

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    Tuna Niçoise Salad

    Tuna Niçoise Salad.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tuna Niçoise Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish that will change your view on canned tuna. Packed with crunchy green beans, tender potatoes, briny olives, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette, this salad is a perfect light meal.

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    Sweet Chili Salmon

    Sweet Chili Salmon.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This salmon dish is quick and easy, taking less than 20 minutes to prepare. The fillets are coated with a blend of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice, then baked until they are perfectly flaky.

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    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This simple dinner comes together in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy nights. It's vegetarian as is, but you can easily make it vegan or add chicken if you prefer a meatier option.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    20 Minute Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This 20-minute marry me chicken pasta is a simple and satisfying meal. With rotisserie chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, you can enjoy a delicious dinner in no time.

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    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi wraps are a hit with everyone, from kids to food lovers. With halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, these wraps are full of flavor and can be ready in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Cashew Chicken

    Thai Cashew Chicken with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Cashew Chicken is a quick and tasty dish that brings a burst of flavor and crunch to your meal. It's easy to prepare and a great choice for busy weeknights.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    Dutch oven with Cheeseburger Macaroni.
    Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    This cheeseburger macaroni is a quick and simple dinner option for busy weeknights. It combines soft pasta and seasoned ground beef, all topped with melted cheese, and can be prepared in just one pan.

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    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thin chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer make a quick and tasty dinner. With just 6 minutes of cooking time and plenty of garlic and basil seasoning, this dish is simple and satisfying.

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    Korean Beef Bowls

    Korean Ground Beef Bowl.
    Photo credit: I Heart Naptime.

    This Korean ground beef bowl is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With a flavorful sweet and savory sauce, it’s an easy and budget-friendly option for busy weeknights.

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    Chicken Veggie Pesto Pasta

    A serving of veggie pesto pasta chicken.
    Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

    This meal is quick and easy, ready in just 30 minutes with some simple cooking tips. It's a complete dish that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

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    Kung Pao Chicken

    Photo Credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This dish is quick to prepare and packed with flavor, offering a healthier version of your favorite take-out meal. With a great mix of salty and sweet, it’s sure to be a favorite for easy dinners at home.

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    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy and flavorful dish that brings a taste of Eastern Europe to your table in just 30 minutes. This is a good dinner option when you want something comforting without spending all evening cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    Loaded with fresh asparagus, canned salmon (or fresh!), hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all tossed together in a creamy lemon dill dressing. This recipe is absolutely delicious, easy to make and sure to become a new spring/summer fave!

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    Creamy pesto gnocchi.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This creamy dish is sure to be a hit at the dinner table. It's quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Air Fryer Salmon With Avocado And Cucumber

    Salmon served with avocado salsa.
    Photo Credit: Nkechi Jaeroh.

    Cajun Air Fryer Salmon with Avocado and cucumber is ready in under 20 minutes. This is a simple and tasty dinner that's great for quick weeknight meals.

    Get the recipe

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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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