Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (2024)

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (1)

If your weeknights are often so busy you're exhausted even trying to plan dinner (much less get it on the table) let us help.

Instead of relying on unhealthy takeout or tasteless freezer meals, scan these easy family-friendly dinner ideas. With dozens of recipes in our list, you're sure to find something you can make. And these yummy, easy recipes are healthy, and picky-eater approved, as well! Try a few, and we're sure you'll come back for more.

What's YOUR favorite easy dinner? Tell us in the comments, below!

1

Lasagna Soup

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (2)

This easy, 25-minute recipe gives you all the flavor of the world's favorite casserole in the world's favorite comfort-food form!

Get the recipe for Lasagna Soup.

2

Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (3)

Got 10 minutes? Besides that, all you need for this 10-minute meal is a pack of gnocchi, frozen spinach, some cream, some cheese, and a few pantry spices.

Serve it with a glass of wine and you've got a fancy dinner for two that tastes like it took a lot more work than it actually did.

Get the recipe for Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach.

3

Fast Easy Chicken Marsala

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (4)

If you're looking for ways to make chicken a little less boring, put this recipe in your pocket. The classic creamy, savory sauce is easy to make and so good you'll want to drizzle it over everything.

Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

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4

Migas with Chorizo

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (5)

There's nothing for a fast dinner like making breakfast for dinner! This recipe goes all out—scrambled eggs with corn tortillas, spicy chorizo, and plenty of toppings—and still takes just 15 minutes to make.

Get the recipe for Migas with Chorizo.

5

Salmon and Creamed Spinach Fettuccini

This may be one of our favorites. If you're craving a tasty pasta dish that's a little more grown-up than jarred red sauce, give this dish a whirl. We're pretty sure it'll become a regular part of your dinner plans.

Get the recipe for Salmon and Creamed Spinach Fettuccini.

6

Tuna Melt

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (7)

The underrated tuna melt, that staple of diners and lunch plates everywhere, deserves to be making a big time comeback. First, it's as tasty as can be. Second, it's easy to make, and third, you probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge right now. What are you waiting for?

Get the recipe for Tuna Melt.

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7

Easy Weeknight Salisbury Steak

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (8)

This well-loved dish has been popular for decades—and for good reason: Few simple meals are more satisfying.

Get the recipe for Salisbury Steak.

RELATED: Check out more ground beef dinner ideas here.

8

Chicken and Veggies Stir Fry

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (9)

If you're hungry for takeout, skip the wait (and the delivery fee) and just whip this up. It's got an easy sauce made mostly out of pantry ingredients, is packed with fresh veggies, and the whole thing comes together faster than take-out.

Get the recipe for Chicken and Veggies Stir Fry.

9

Air Fryer Fajitas

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (10)

These still-sizzling fajitas will be a hit with the whole family. Cooking them in an air fryer makes the whole thing quicker, and cleanup's a breeze: No oil splatters on the stovetop!

Get the recipe for Air Fryer Fajitas.

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10

Crispy Gnocchi with Sausage and Sage Brown Butter

Keep this four-ingredient dish in your back pocket for whenever you want a simple, filling meal in a flash.

Get the recipe for Crispy Gnocchi with Sausage.

11

Bagel Pizza

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (12)

Whether you're feeding kids, or just feeling young at heart, there's no denying that these fast, filling little pizzas are about as satisfying as they get. Plus, we've got a little trick to keep the sauce from spilling everywhere.

Get the recipe for Bagel Pizzas.

12

Asparagus Frittata

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (13)

Want a fast dinner that's still a little elegant? Consider a breakfast-for-dinner option! This delicious egg dish pairs well with quick-cooked bacon and a slice of toast. Serve it with a glass of wine!

Get the recipe for Asparagus Frittata.

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13

Air Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (14)

An air fryer cuts the bake time for our traditional salsa verde enchiladas down from 20 to just 6 minutes. Store-bought shortcuts like rotisserie chicken make assembling these individual dishes even faster.

Get the recipe for Air Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie.

14

Vermouth Air Fried Shrimp

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (15)

These quick-marinated shrimp cook in just 10 minutes. Serve them on a salad, over pasta, or with some steamed veggies for a light, fast, tasty dinner!

Get the recipe for Vermouth Air Fried Shrimp.

15

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Rosemary

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (16)

Your whole family will fall in love with these crispy chicken thighs (emphasis on "crispy"). Garlic and rosemary make them as aromatic as they are delicious. Serve with a fresh salad for an extra touch of green.

Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken Thighs.

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16

Stovetop Cheeseburger

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (17)

You don't need to break out the grill to eat a good burger. And these cook very quickly! There's a reason they're a fast-food staple.

Get the recipe for Stovetop Cheeseburger.

17

Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (18)

A can of evaporated milk and fresh shredded cheese makes this no-drain pasta recipe (you read that right) even easier than the boxed stuff! It's tastier, too.

Get the recipe for Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy.

18

Cornflake Crusted Fish and Chips

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (19)

Nothing beats fish sticks for that certain kind of kid—but that doesn't mean you need to fill your freezer with boxes of the stuff. This takes just 20 minutes from fridge to plate.

Get the recipe for Cornflake Crusted Fish and Chips.

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19

Grain Salad with Trout

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (20)

A light broil turns trout (or other white fish) into a delicate and tender topper for a tasty grain salad. It's perfect for a quick, filling dinner.

Get the recipe for Grain Salad with Trout.

20

Chicken-and-Spinach Tortellini Soup

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (21)

Honestly, we could eat this soup for days. It's simple, it's tasty, and it's a great way to stretch a rotisserie chicken!

Get the recipe for Chicken-and-Spinach Tortellini Soup.

RELATED: Check out more inexpensive family-friendly dinner ideas here.

Here Are Dozens of Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (2024)

FAQs

What's for dinner?: 30 minute quick and easy family meals.? ›

So, dig in for delicious dishes such as Halloumi Bean Bake, BLT Pasta, Peanut Pork Noodles, Tortilla Pizzas, Chorizo Risotto, Crispy Pesto Cod, Steak Fajitas, Lentil Linguine, Tikka Naan Burgers, plus weekend breakfasts and sweet treats – all ready in 30 minutes or less!

What can I cook in 30 min? ›

30-minute meal recipes
  • Mustard-stuffed chicken. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer fish tacos. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users. ...
  • Coconut fish curry. ...
  • Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) ...
  • Air-fryer sweetcorn fritters. ...
  • 30 minute chicken & tarragon pasta. ...
  • Thai prawn noodles. ...
  • Pork noodle stir-fry.

What can I make for dinner tonight when nothing sounds good? ›

List of Easy Dinner Ideas – Not Diet Specific
  • Vegetable Stir-fry with Rice – Heat a splash of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. ...
  • Simple Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). ...
  • Naan Pizza – Grab a piece of naan bread and spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the top.
Feb 20, 2024

What to make for dinner when unsure? ›

20 dinners for when you don't know what to cook
  • Spaghetti puttanesca. It's amazing how much flavour a tin of anchovies can add to dinner. ...
  • Carrot biryani. ...
  • Chorizo chilli pepper pasta. ...
  • Paneer korma. ...
  • Lemony tuna pasta. ...
  • Pork noodle stir-fry. ...
  • Fish fingers & mushy peas. ...
  • Chinese chicken curry.

What to eat when you have no motivation to cook? ›

Pick a no-cook meal.

Think salads, sandwiches, and wraps. If that feels intimidating, just throw a bunch of stuff in a bowl (like canned beans, canned veggies, shredded cheese) and call it a day. Or you can put a bunch of snacks, dips, and other small bites on a plate and call it charcuterie.

What to make for dinner when you have nothing in? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  • 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  • 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  • 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  • 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  • 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  • 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What to make for dinner when tired? ›

  • 1Creamy chicken and risoni tray bake. ...
  • 2Easy slow-cooker lasagne recipe. ...
  • 3One-pan creamy chicken pesto pasta bake. ...
  • 4Chicken chow mein tray bake. ...
  • 5One-pot creamy chicken ravioli. ...
  • 6One-pan miso chicken drumsticks. ...
  • 7Chicken, chorizo and olive tray bake. ...
  • 8Slow-cooker beef brisket bourguignon.

What's a good dinner idea for tonight? ›

Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad.
  • Instant Pot Chicken Marinara With Polenta. ...
  • Broccoli Pesto Pasta. ...
  • Lemon Chicken. ...
  • Ratatouille Sheet Pan Dinner With Sausage. ...
  • Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment) ...
  • Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad.
Jun 10, 2024

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

30 Weeknight Dinner Ideas For People With Literally No Time
  1. Cauliflower Alfredo. ...
  2. Sesame Peanut Noodles. ...
  3. Thai Basil Chicken. ...
  4. Garlic Butter Chicken With Parmesan Cauliflower Rice. ...
  5. Gnocchi Skillet With Chicken Sausage and Tomatoes. ...
  6. Ham and Bean Soup. ...
  7. Sautéed Honey Mustard Pork Chops. ...
  8. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.
Jun 5, 2024

What are short order meals? ›

Short order cooking is the preparation of inexpensive restaurant foods that are quick to cook. Many small eateries serve only short-order items, which include griddled, fried, and broiled foods and sandwiches. Short order cooking is common at greasy spoon and diners.

What are 5 small meals a day? ›

Five meals a day equals breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. To do this right, you need to plan what you'll eat every day for each “meal.” And you need to schedule eating every 2 to 3 hours. Stock up. Face it: You're going to grab whatever food is closest.

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