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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    45 20 Minute Dinners That Will Save Your Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 9, 2024, updated December 16, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make it tough to put a good meal on the table, but with these 45 quick dinner ideas, you can whip up something satisfying in just 20 minutes. From simple stir-fries to hearty pasta dishes, these recipes are designed to help you enjoy delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for those nights when you need to eat well but don’t have much time to spare.

    Vegetable Ramen with Spicy Miso Broth

    Bowls with vegetable ramen.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Upgrade a simple ramen package by adding your favorite seasonings, vegetables, and an egg for a quick and satisfying meal. This is a great option when you need something tasty in just 20 minutes.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Buffalo chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick and spicy pasta dish is ready in just 15 minutes. It's a perfect option for a simple weeknight dinner, blending tasty buffalo flavors with pasta.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Noodle Stir-fry

    Beef noodles.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    A quick and tasty beef stir-fry with onions, spaghettini, and soy sauce is perfect for a fast meal. This dish brings a great mix of flavors without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Un-sloppy Joes

    Air Fryer Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This is a tasty twist on classic sloppy joes, perfect for when you want great flavor without the cleanup. It's a simple meal that brings comfort and satisfaction to your weeknight dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stir-fry

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

    A quick salmon stir-fry comes together in just 20 minutes. It's loaded with vegetables and has a fresh taste from lime and cilantro, making it a great meal on its own or served with rice or noodles.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara with bacon and parmesan cheese is quick and easy to prepare. It's a straightforward take on the classic dish that still delivers great flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    This pasta dish combines tahini with simple ingredients, creating a quick meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. It's an easy option that won't take much time to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

    A bowl of fried spaghetti with green curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Leftover spaghetti can be transformed into a delicious meal with this fried spaghetti dish. It's a simple and quick option that combines red curry, coconut milk, chicken, and veggies, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta Fresca

    Pasta Fresca.
    Photo credit: Profusion Curry.

    Pasta Fresca is a quick and tasty dish that you can prepare in just 20 minutes. It features a delightful combination of al dente pasta, fresh tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and a hint of cream for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare a simple dinner in just 12 minutes with only 5 ingredients in one pot. This creamy pasta is vegan and nut-free, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare fresh salmon with a light seasoning and pan-fry it, then top it with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa for quick Salmon Tacos. This dish is both flavorful and healthy, ready in just a few minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A Cajun Alfredo pasta sauce adds a spicy twist to your meal. It’s quick to prepare in just 15 minutes, and you won’t need to chop any ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Chicken Salad, known as Larb Gai, is ready in just 15 minutes. It's full of fresh flavors from fish sauce, lime, chili flakes, mint, and cilantro, making it a healthy, low-carb option that's also gluten and dairy-free.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and packed with flavors from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's simple to make with just a few dried herbs and hardly any prep time.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This recipe delivers a tasty chicken dinner quickly, featuring crispy skin and juicy meat. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This tomato cream sauce pasta is quick and easy, ready in just 20 minutes with fresh tomatoes, cream, and parsley. It's a simple dish that doesn't even need vodka to be delicious!

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick and easy to prepare. With bright lemon and garlic flavors, it works well as a main course or a side to your favorite protein.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara dish is quick and easy, ready in just 15 minutes with only 6 simple ingredients. By using filled tortellini, it adds a fun twist to the traditional recipe.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Cheese Tortellini

    Cheese tortellini.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This creamy and cheesy tortellini dish is perfect for a fast family dinner. It's simple to prepare and everyone will love it.

    Get the recipe

    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Cacio e pepe is a simple and delicious pasta dish that you can whip up quickly with just pasta, pecorino cheese, and black pepper. It's a great option for a fast weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This flavorful fried rice can be ready in just 15 minutes, including prep time. With authentic Thai ingredients like fish sauce, curry paste, cashews, lime, and cilantro, it’s a delicious option for a quick dinner, and you can add Sriracha for some extra heat.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and satisfying meal that you can prepare in just 15 minutes. This dish combines tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Curry

    Shrimp curry on a plate with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and tasty Shrimp Curry with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk is ready in just 20 minutes. This is a satisfying meal for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Lamb Burgers with Tahini Sauce

    Lamb burgers.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    These delicious lamb burgers are topped with a tasty tahini sauce. They're great for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Pasta with Asparagus

    Lemon pepper pasta.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    This pasta dish with fresh asparagus is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It's easy to prepare and full of flavor, making it a great choice when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

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

    This simple pasta dish combines crispy pancetta, sweet peas, orecchiette pasta, and grated parmesan cheese for a quick and satisfying dinner. It's ready in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Spinach Pasta

    Vegan spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This vegan pasta is a delicious option that skips the dairy. It's quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes

    Fish cakes.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy salmon fish cakes come together quickly with simple ingredients. Fry them up for a crunchy outside and a soft, flavorful inside.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    Pesto pasta is an easy and delicious meal that's great for busy weeknights. It can be served hot or cold, and you can use homemade or store-bought pesto for a quick option.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and tasty spicy sausage pasta dish can be made in no time with just a few ingredients. This satisfying meal includes fresh sausage, garlic, parmesan, bacon, and a touch of spinach, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in no time. With a blend of Greek yogurt and pesto, this meal is perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Beef Chow Fun is a quick and easy meal that you can prepare in just 20 minutes. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, this dish is sure to satisfy your hunger.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

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

    This salmon pasta with lemon and chives is ready in just 15 minutes. With fresh or frozen salmon and a light touch of crème fraîche, it’s a great option for a weeknight dinner that feels special.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick Shrimp Carbonara offers a fresh take on the classic Italian dish. With creamy sauce and tender shrimp, it's a satisfying meal that comes together in just 10 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Mei Fun is a quick and delicious dish loaded with vegetables, making it ideal for a family dinner. This easy recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Harissa Tahini Pasta

    Harissa tahini pasta.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    This dish is rich and has a nice kick to it. It's full of flavor and perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick dish comes together in just 10 minutes and is full of flavor from garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley. It’s great served with bread or mixed with pasta for a filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Carbonara

    A bowl of halloumi carbonara.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegetarian carbonara is a simple dish that swaps halloumi for bacon or guanciale. It's perfect for a fast weeknight meal that doesn't take much time to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Herbed Ricotta Toast

    Herbed ricotta toasts.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Herbed ricotta toast is easy to make and delicious. You can add your favorite toppings to make it just the way you like.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dinner is great for a busy weeknight, offering a fresh taste that showcases the vegetables. It's a simple and quick option that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese salad comes together in under 10 minutes and is great for lunch or as a side. With fresh tomatoes, creamy cheese, and crisp greens, it’s a hit even with people who usually don’t like salads.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

    Teroyaki chicken and broccoli.
    Photo credit: Fit As A Mama Bear.

    Prepare a tasty chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet in just a few minutes. This is a great dinner choice for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Frisée Salad with Poached Egg

    Frisee salad with poached egg.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This quick salad combines poached eggs, crispy bacon, and crunchy sourdough croutons for a satisfying meal. It's a nutritious option that's perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pasta dish comes together in under 15 minutes. With hot smoked salmon and a splash of lemon, it's a simple and elegant choice for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Mushroom Ramen

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

    Homemade ramen can be ready in a flash, so there's no need to order takeout. Just pour a quick broth over egg noodles and add some flavorful miso mushrooms and fresh cilantro.

    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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    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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