30-minute main dishes for busy nights

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We’ve all been there: staring into the abyss of our fridge, wondering what on earth we can whip up that’s quick, doesn’t require a culinary degree, and actually tastes good. These are some of the best 30-minute meals that are anything but boring. These recipes will get you in and out of the kitchen fast, with flavors that’ll make you look forward to dinner even on the busiest of nights.

Chinese gochujang chicken in a skillet on a table with black kitchen towel wrapped around the handle.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spicy Honey Salmon Vegetable Packets

Sriracha honey salmon vegetable packets cooked in foil.
Spicy Honey Salmon Vegetable Packets. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Wrap up your dinner plans with spicy honey salmon vegetable packets. These foil packets are a cinch to put together and cook, combining the sweet heat of sriracha honey salmon with a medley of vegetables for a complete meal with minimal cleanup required.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Honey Salmon Vegetable Packets

Creamy Tomato Farfalle

Creamy tomato farfalle with peas and prosciutto in a white bowl.
Creamy Tomato Farfalle. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This plate of creamy tomato farfalle is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s the perfect pick-me-up after a long day, blending peas and crispy prosciutto into a comfort food classic. Ideal for those nights when you want something special but are short on time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Farfalle

Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Lemon pasta with spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into a dish that screams Mediterranean ease with lemon, spinach, and feta. It’s a straightforward, no-fuss meal that’s perfect for a quick evening fix. Whether you keep it vegetarian or add a protein, it’s flexible, fast, and fabulous.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and steak fajitas with peppers and onions.
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up these steak and shrimp fajitas when you’re craving a surf and turf without the fuss. Seasoned to perfection and cooked on a single sheet pan, this dish brings the flavor without the hassle, proving that gourmet doesn’t have to mean complicated. Perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Turmeric chicken with chickpeas over rice.
Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into a skillet of creamy turmeric chicken with chickpeas for a meal that’s as comforting as it is quick. Perfect over a bed of rice, this one-dish wonder is ready in under 30 minutes, bringing warmth and flavor to your table with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Roasted chicken thighs with sweet potatoes and pecans.
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Here’s the deal: chicken and sweet potatoes, tossed on a sheet pan, and roasted to perfection. It’s your go-to for a minimal cleanup meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. A weeknight wonder that practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia

Almond crusted tilapia with fresh herbs.
Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This dijon almond crusted tilapia offers a crunchy, nutty exterior over a tender fish fillet, all ready in just 10 minutes. It’s a grain-free option that doesn’t skimp on flavor, making it a smart choice for a speedy dinner that keeps things light and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken in a white skillet.
Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Get ready for cream cheese chicken, a dish that brings a creamy, savory twist to your dinner routine. Seasoned with a blend of spices, it’s an indulgent yet easy meal that promises to break the monotony of weeknight cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef and sweet potato skillet.
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mix up your dinner routine with a southwestern inspired ground beef and sweet potato skillet. It’s a one-pan meal that’s as easy to clean up as it is to eat, filled with flavors that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for meal-prepping or a last-minute dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Bucatini pasta with shrimp in a white bowl.
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bucatini with garlic shrimp is your answer to a quick, seafood pasta craving. With cherry tomatoes adding pops of sweetness and garlic shrimp bringing the flavor, this dish is a weeknight winner that’s ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Soba Noodle Pasta

Soba noodles in a bowl with green onions, leeks and hard boiled egg.
Soba Noodle Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into a bowl of soba noodles, a straightforward dish that pairs the earthy flavor of noodles with the simplicity of onions and the richness of a soft-boiled egg. It’s a budget-friendly, easy-to-make option for those nights when time and energy are in short supply.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodle Pasta

Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Thai basil cashew chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This thai basil cashew chicken skillet offers a burst of fresh basil flavor mixed with a savory sweet sauce, all in one pan. It’s a hassle-free way to bring some excitement to your rice bowl, perfect for those evenings when you’re looking for something quick yet flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Pork chops with purple cabbage and apples on a baking sheet.
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pork chops, red cabbage, and apples all roast together on one pan in this easy recipe. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that promises a flavorful dinner with minimal effort. Perfect for busy evenings when you want a hearty meal without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Gochujang Chicken

Chinese gochujang chicken in a skillet on a table with black kitchen towel wrapped around the handle.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This gochujang chicken mixes up your dinner routine with its sticky, spicy, and sweet sauce that’ll have you forgetting about takeout. Ready in 30 minutes and served over fluffy white rice, it’s the weeknight warrior you’ve been looking for.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli stir fry served with white rice on a white plate.
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up a shaved beef and broccoli stir fry in just minutes, featuring thinly sliced beef and a sauce that’ll make you forget about takeout. This meal proves you can have a fast, flavorful dinner on the table faster than delivery could arrive.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These cheesy chicken stuffed poblano peppers are a flavor-packed escape from the everyday. With melted cheese, black beans, and the perfect blend of spices, they’re a comforting meal that comes together quickly, making your dinner decision an easy one.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef skillet recipe with melted cheese.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This mexican ground beef skillet spices up your dinner with taco seasoning, blending ease with a flavor punch in one pan. It’s the quick, satisfying solution for a busy night, ensuring you get a flavorful meal on the table in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

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