17 last-minute dinner recipes you need to keep on hand

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Having a set of last-minute dinner recipes ready is essential for busy days. These 17 recipes are quick, easy, and perfect for those times when you’re pressed for time but still need to put a good meal on the table. They use simple ingredients, many already in your pantry, and turn them into delicious dinners — fast.

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Quick and easy, this Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is ready in 30 minutes. It’s great for last-minute meals and combines sausage with vegetables on one pan.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cheesy Beef Casserole is fast and simple, perfect for when you need a meal quickly. Just mix beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese. It’s a good choice for a speedy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cabbage and Sausage

A fork in a bowl of cabbage and sausage.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes. It’s a one-pan meal that’s great for last-minute dinners. Simple and filling, it’s a handy option for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet is a quick one-pan meal, ready in 30 minutes. It’s ideal for last-minute dinners, combining ground beef with cauliflower rice. This recipe offers a complete meal without taking much time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is easy to make. It mixes broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great choice for a quick, hearty meal on a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken is straightforward and good for those in a hurry. Combine chicken with cream cheese and sweet peppers for a quick meal. It’s perfect when you need something easy and fast.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a one-pot recipe that’s both hearty and easy to make. It takes an hour, making it a good option for a comforting family dinner when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Canned Chicken Patties are ideal for a quick meal, ready in 20 minutes. They’re great for beginners or anyone looking for a simple, fast recipe.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a straightforward, one-pot meal. Ready in about an hour, it’s a good choice for a filling meal that you can get on the table as quickly as possible.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy spinach chicken bake in a glass baking dish.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Spinach Chicken Bake is a quick, one-pan meal. It’s good for fast dinners and combines chicken, cheese, and spinach for an easy dish.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Italian Sausage Soup is ready in 30 minutes, making it suitable for quick meals. It’s a warm, comforting choice when you need a meal fast.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A person is holding a wooden spoon full of chicken in a sauce.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for an extra quick meal. They cook quickly on the stove and are ready in 20 minutes, great for when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is an easy, one-pan meal. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a good pick for a simple, quick dinner that’s high in protein. Serve it on its own, or with a side of rice, pasta, or veggies.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a simple, quick dish. Taking only 25 minutes to make, it’s a good option when you need a meal fast.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a one-skillet meal that’s done in 30 minutes. It’s a good choice for when you want to cook quickly and easily.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are quick to prepare and are always a family favorite. They’re great for when you’re in a hurry and need a casual, home-cooked meal. Serve them with a dipping sauce or some sauce drizzled on top.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you have cooked chicken leftovers or some rotisserie chicken at home, the Green Chile Chicken with Shredded Chicken Thighs is an excellent choice. This one-skillet recipe, taking only 20 minutes, is both easy and convenient. It’s perfect for a quick meal, making the most of leftover shredded chicken.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

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