19 Quick dinners so good, you’ll never believe how fast they are

Photo of author

| Published:

After a long, hectic day, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner. Here is a collection of quick dinner recipes that are so tasty and easy to make, you’ll be amazed at how little time they require.

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pork Kebobs

Three pork kabobs with pineapple on a wooden cutting board.
Pork Kebobs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Thread some pork onto sticks, season, and grill; it’s like a dinner shortcut on a skewer. These kebobs are so quick to cook, they’re practically fast food—but without the drive-thru. Plus, they’re a hit with the ‘I don’t want to eat my veggies’ crowd.
Get the Recipe: Pork Kebobs

Fajita Burgers

A burger topped with peppers and onions with guacamole.
Fajita Burgers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Fuse the sizzle of fajitas with the classic burger, and you’ve got a weeknight fiesta on a bun. These burgers are the kind of easy that’ll have you ditching the takeout menus. With a 30-minute cook time, you’ll be the dinnertime MVP with time left to spare.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Burgers

Naan Pizza

Naan pizza with chicken and bacon in the basket of an air fryer.
Naan Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Naan pizza is your express ticket to Flavortown, where the crust is ready-made and the toppings are just a sprinkle away. It’s the no-stress, yes-impress dinner that’s as easy as pie—pizza pie, that is. When the pizza craving strikes, this naan concoction is your deliciously speedy solution.
Get the Recipe: Naan Pizza

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dive into a bowl of this Instant Pot minestrone soup and find yourself wrapped in the coziest of food hugs, stat. It’s a veggie-packed, flavor-stacked bowl of comfort that’s ready almost as fast as you can say “Mamma mia!” End your day on a high note with a soup that says ‘home’ in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Thai Red Curry Chicken

A plate of Thai chicken curry with rice and vegetables.
Thai Red Curry Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get your curry in a hurry with a Thai dish that’s all about bringing the heat—and the eat—faster than you can say “Sawasdee ka!” Creamy, spicy, and ready to party, this curry doesn’t mess around when it comes to flavor or time. It’s the weeknight lifesaver for when you need a little Thai-me out.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Legs – Crispy Drumsticks

Four chicken drumsticks with parsley on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs – Crispy Drumsticks. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Discover the magic of air frying with chicken legs that come out so crispy, you’ll swear they’re straight out of the deep fryer. These drumsticks are a 30-minute miracle, giving you the crunch you crave without the wait. Dinner’s ready before you can even start arguing about what to watch on TV.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs – Crispy Drumsticks

Steak Bites

Air fried steak bites on a white plate.
Steak Bites. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Satisfy your steak hankering with bite-sized morsels that are all flavor, no fuss. These speedy little guys are seared to perfection and ready faster than you can debate ‘medium rare or well done?’ Whip these out for a protein-packed punch that’s quick enough to make any weeknight feel a little more weekend.
Get the Recipe: Steak Bites

Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Wave goodbye to your local takeout joint because this Mongolian Beef is about to become your new weeknight staple. In the time it takes to say “Where’s my fortune cookie?” your air fryer serves up this sweet and savory sensation. Tender beef in a dash? Check!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Reuben Pizza Rolls

Cheesy Reuben rollups with pastrami and Swiss cheese.
Reuben Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Take the iconic Reuben, roll it up pizza-style, and you’ve got a quirky twist on two classics that’s ready before your oven has time to ask, “That’s it?” They’re the quick-bake heroes for when you want to shake things up at the dinner table. Snarky sandwich lovers, this one’s for you.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Pizza Rolls

Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

Two slices of cast iron skillet pizza on a white plate.
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This cast iron skillet pizza is your DIY answer to “What’s for dinner?” and it’s ready in less time than it takes to argue about toppings. Crispy crust, melty cheese, and a whole lotta love in every slice, this pizza is a half-hour from dough to ‘Wow!’ It’s the homemade pizza hack that’ll have you kissing delivery goodbye.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

Pork Medallions with Apples

Pork chops with apples and onions in a skillet.
Pork Medallions with Apples. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet apples and savory pork join forces in a dish that’s a shortcut to fancy without any of the fuss. Quick to cook and a treat to eat, it’s the dish that’ll elevate your weeknight without the need for a culinary degree. Impress the pants off dinner guests, or just treat yourself to a midweek pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Pork Medallions with Apples

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Imagine a world where tacos and comfort food have a delicious love child, and it’s served straight from your skillet. This one-pan wonder is the Tex-Mex mashup you never knew you needed, until now. Cleanup’s a breeze, leaving you more time for that post-dinner siesta.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Air fryer pork tenderloin on a plate with potatoes on a cutting board.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

If you thought ‘quick gourmet’ was an oxymoron, this air fryer pork tenderloin is here to prove you delightfully wrong. In just 30 minutes, you’re biting into a crispy yet tender slice of heaven. Say goodbye to hours in the kitchen and hello to more ‘me’ time, thanks to your trusty air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Nacho Fries Supreme

Nacho fries covered with beans and cheese.
Nacho Fries Supreme. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When nachos and fries fall in love, you get a dish that’s a one-way ticket to Flavor Town, no GPS required. A quick bake is all it takes to achieve snack nirvana with a cheesy, crunchy topping. It’s the couch-potato’s dream meal for maximum munching with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Nacho Fries Supreme

Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes

Kielbasa with Potatoes on a plate.
Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This kielbasa and potato duo is like the power couple of the air fryer world—delicious, reliable, and ready in no time. It’s the kind of meal that says, “I’ve got my life together,” even if you just found your socks in the microwave. Hearty and quick, it’s the culinary equivalent of a high-five.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kielbasa with Potatoes

French Bread Pizza

Pepperoni pizza on a plate next to a jar of the best pizza recipes.
French Bread Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

French bread pizza is the no-knead, no-wait, all-delight dinner that’s as customizable as your playlist. Slice, top, bake, and boom—you’re in pizza paradise. It’s the crowd-pleasing, belly-filling wonder that turns a loaf of bread into a feast.
Get the Recipe: French Bread Pizza

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Fried chicken with lemon wedges on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cheer for these air fryer chicken thighs that come out so crispy on the outside, you’ll want to give your oven the night off. Quick, effortless, and downright delicious, they’re the weeknight win you’ve been searching for. Now you can be the weeknight warrior with a secret weapon: your air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Hot honey chicken on a bed of rice.
Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This hot honey chicken is like a sweet little lie: it’s all dressed up in crispy goodness, but secretly it’s the easiest dish of the night. It’s the sticky, spicy star that’ll have your family buzzing around the dinner table. And it’s done so fast, you’ll be left wondering what to do with all your newfound free time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Instant pot pulled chicken sliders on a cutting board.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot BBQ chicken is so fall-apart tender, it’s like it’s been slow cooking all day—except it hasn’t. In a few quick minutes, you’ve got a dish that screams “summer cookout” even on the coldest of weeknights. It’s the ‘I can’t believe it’s not grilled’ meal that’ll save your evening.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.