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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    34 Quick and Easy Meals for Hectic Evenings

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 23, 2024, updated December 4, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    When life gets busy, cooking can feel like a chore. These 34 quick and easy meals are perfect for those hectic evenings when you need something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. From simple pastas to one-pan dishes, these recipes will help you whip up dinner in no time.

    Air Fryer Shrimp

    A bowl of air fryer shrimp.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Frozen shrimp can be cooked quickly in the air fryer, taking only 3-5 minutes. With a bit of garlic and paprika for flavor, and a touch of fresh parsley on top, this dish is both easy and tasty.

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    Ham Fried Rice

    Ham Fried Rice.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This easy Ham Fried Rice is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's quick to prepare and a perfect way to use up leftover ham.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi wraps are a favorite among kids and adults alike. Filled with halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, they’re delicious and can be made in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon can be quickly pan-fried and seasoned, then served with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa for tasty Salmon Tacos. This is a healthy meal that busy families can enjoy without any stress.

    Get the recipe

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Lobster and scallop pasta is a fantastic option for a special dinner at home. It's quick and simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Vermicelli di Positano

    Vermicelli di Positano.
    Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

    This tomato vermicelli dish is a great option for a lighter pasta dinner. Just cook the pasta and toss in some veggies and herbs for a quick and delicious meal that's suitable for everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a simple and delicious twist on the traditional Italian dish. With its creamy sauce and tender shrimp, this meal is perfect for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings together all the great flavors of tacos in one simple dish. With ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese, it's ideal for a quick dinner or to share at a gathering.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta brings a fresh twist to your weeknight meals with its zesty coconut lime sauce. This dish is quick to prepare, taking only about 30 minutes to get on the table.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta is quick and easy to prepare in under 10 minutes. With bright lemon and garlic flavors, this creamy dish is perfect as a main course or a side to go with your favorite protein.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is simple and quick to prepare, using just salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning. It's a great option for busy families looking for a delicious meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon creme fraiche pasta in a pan.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives is a simple and delicious meal for busy weeknights. Whether you use fresh or frozen salmon, the creamy sauce adds a nice touch, making it a great option any time of the year.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon Risotto

    Smoked salmon risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Smoked Salmon Risotto is an easy way to simplify dinner time. With bright lemon, fresh asparagus, and tasty cold smoked salmon, it's great for busy family nights.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is perfect for busy weeknights. It's a quick meal that's easy to prepare, making it ideal for families with a lot going on.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

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

    This pasta dish features crispy pancetta, green peas, orecchiette pasta, and grated parmesan cheese. It's quick to prepare in under 20 minutes, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is quick and easy, using rotisserie chicken for convenience. It's packed with bright lemon flavor and aromatic rosemary, perfect for a busy night.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops

    A pork chop on a small chopping board.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Bone In Pork Chops are a great option for busy nights when you need a quick and tasty meal. They come out juicy and tender in under 25 minutes with just a few easy ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta with Roasted Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a simple dish packed with vegetables and full of flavor. It comes together in under 30 minutes, with only 15 minutes spent on prep and cooking, and you can use either homemade or store-bought pesto.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick dish that brings together juicy shrimp, tender pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce. This is a good dinner for busy families who need something tasty in a hurry.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Hamburgers

    An air fryer burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryers are great for whipping up tasty homemade burgers quickly. They turn out juicy and well-cooked, just waiting for your favorite toppings.

    Get the recipe

    Roast Salmon with Spring Greens

    A plate with salmon and spring greens.
    Photo credit: Australian Gluten-Free Life.

    A quick and easy meal for your family is Roast Salmon with Greens. This dish is simple to prepare and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    Shrimp tacos.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Taco night is easy and fun with the help of your air fryer. This is a simple way to enjoy delicious tacos without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Air fryer salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Frozen salmon in the air fryer is an easy dinner choice that requires minimal effort. It comes out perfectly cooked with a bright lemon flavor, just like fresh salmon.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Stuff salmon with garlic butter and wrap it in bacon for a quick and delicious dinner. This is a simple meal that the whole family will love.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick way to whip up a tasty pasta sauce. It’s full of classic flavors and uses everyday ingredients, so you can spend less time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Orzo Pesto Salad

    Orzo Pesto Salad.
    Photo credit: Healthfull Blondie.

    This orzo pesto salad is packed with veggies and fresh mozzarella, all tossed in a nut-free homemade basil pesto. It's a great option for dinner, lunch, or as a side dish!

    Get the recipe

    Black Lentil Salad with Feta

    Black Lentil Salad with Feta.
    Photo credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad with Feta is full of great flavors and easy to prepare. It's a healthy option for busy family dinners or quick lunches, featuring protein-rich lentils, creamy feta, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful dressing.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

    This salmon dish is really simple to prepare and only requires three ingredients. It's perfect for busy families looking for a quick and tasty meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto is loaded with shrimp, asparagus, lemon, basil, and parmesan for a tasty meal. This quick dinner is ready in just 40 minutes, making it a great choice for any night.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stir-fry

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

    This stir-fry is quick to make and loaded with veggies, plus it has a nice citrus flavor. It’s perfect on its own or served with some rice.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes & Halloumi

    A bowl of zucchini noddles, halloumi and cherry tomatoes.
    Photo Credit: hey nutrition lady.

    This dish is a delicious and healthy choice for a fast family meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    The Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a quick and easy dinner that busy families will appreciate. With fresh summer flavors, it can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    30-Minute Sushi Bake

    30-Minute Sushi Bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A quick and easy sushi bake can be made with imitation crab, sushi rice, kewpie mayo, cream cheese, and furikake. You can adjust the ingredients to suit your family's tastes, making it a simple dinner choice.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Sweet Potato & Feta Cheese Salad

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

    This sweet potato salad is a filling and healthy choice for any meal. It's great when served warm and also tastes good as leftovers.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Taco soup.
      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
    • Coq au vin.
      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play

    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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