Dash for dinner: 33 lightning-fast meals cheaper than drive-thru

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Discover the speed of Dinner Dash Lightning-Fast Meals and redefine your dinner routine. These recipes are not only quick to prepare but also sidestep the expense of frequent drive-thru trips. Experience a blend of convenience and wholesome, home-cooked satisfaction. Elevate each mealtime with efficiency and flavor at the forefront.

Chicken shawarma wrap with cucumbers and tomatoes.
Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Carnitas

Low angle shot of 3 carnitas tacos on a white plate with lime wedges.
Air Fryer Carnitas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Using the efficiency of an air fryer, this dish achieves the desired crispy exterior of traditional carnitas without hours of slow roasting. Bypassing the tedious process makes it an ideal quick dinner choice, while still allowing for the rich flavors associated with classic Mexican cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carnitas

Chana Aloo Masala

Chana aloo masala in a white bowl with a spoon, on top of a brown and white linen.
Chana Aloo Masala. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A staple in Indian cooking, this dish melds chickpeas and potatoes in a savory tomato-based sauce. It offers an expedited way to taste the depths of Indian spices, melding familiar ingredients in a transformative way. Speedy preparation ensures it’s on your table faster than a takeout option.
Get the Recipe: Chana Aloo Masala

Thai Chicken Curry

Low angle shot of a blue and white striped bowl filled with Thai chicken curry.
Thai Chicken Curry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This flavorful dish brings the aromatic wonders of Thailand right into your kitchen. By combining chicken with coconut milk and a medley of spices, a rich curry is achieved in a fraction of the traditional cooking time. It’s a race to flavor without the wait typical of curries.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Low angle shot of kalua pork on a white plate with pineapple and pepper chunks.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Paying homage to Hawaiian cuisine, this dish uses the Instant Pot to replicate the smoky and tender flavors of a luau. It captures the essence of pit roasting without the need for an actual pit or prolonged cooking. A taste of the islands, quickly and effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Korean Bulgogi Tacos

Horizontal shot of 3 korean tacos: corn tortillas filled with sliced steak, kimchi and pico de gallo salsa, and chopped cilantro. In the background are lime wedges, sliced red cabbage, and cilantro leaves.
Korean Bulgogi Tacos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Fusion at its finest, this recipe marries Korean marinated beef with the convenience of tacos. Using thinly sliced meat ensures rapid cooking, yet it remains bursting with flavor. An international taste experience achieved in minimal time.
Get the Recipe: Korean Bulgogi Tacos

Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Low angle shot of ramen noodle stiry fry in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Turning the Instant Pot into a quick-fix noodle station, this recipe introduces stir-fry to the traditional ramen. Combining veggies, protein, and noodles, it serves up a well-rounded meal in mere minutes. A dash to a hearty, Asian-inspired meal without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Ramen Fried Chicken

Hand reaching into a bowl of ramen fried chicken pieces.
Ramen Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This inventive dish uses ramen seasoning and noodles to craft a crunchy, unique chicken coating. It elevates the humble ramen packet into a dinnertime star, presenting fried chicken in a novel way. A creative spin that’s surprisingly quick to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Fried Chicken

Instant Pot Country Ribs

Country pork ribs on a plate next to an instant pot.
Instant Pot Country Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This method employs the Instant Pot to drastically cut down the cooking time for these otherwise slow-cooked ribs. The result is tender, flavorful meat that evokes memories of Sunday dinners. A homestyle classic achieved in a fraction of the time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Country Ribs

Chicken Biryani

Chicken biryani on a plate with raita.
Chicken Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A beloved Indian dish, Chicken Biryani layers rice, chicken, and a host of spices. Through streamlined steps, it offers a rapid route to a symphony of flavors and textures, evoking authentic Indian eateries. Cooking excellence at express speed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani

Beef Yakisoba

Beef yakisoba noodles with veggies and pickled ginger.
Beef Yakisoba. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Japanese stir-fry noodle dish uses beef as its main protein, combining it with vegetables and a savory sauce. A street food favorite, it’s transformed into a quick and delightful home-cooked meal. An Asian noodle classic on your table faster than you’d think.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yakisoba

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

A bowl of grits topped with cajun shrimp.
Cajun Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Transporting you to the American South, this dish combines spicy shrimp with creamy grits. A harmonious blend of texture and taste, it offers a fast pass to southern comfort food. A satisfying, speedy solution for dinner cravings.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Fish tacos on a small baking sheet with limes.
Air Fryer Fish Tacos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Utilizing the air fryer, this recipe achieves crispy fish without the mess of deep frying. Paired with a tortilla and your choice of toppings, it’s a faster route to a coastal Mexican favorite. Seafood delight in a snap, skipping the usual wait.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Sliced flank steak with chili butter.
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

The rapid grilling of flank steak, paired with melting chile butter, creates a dish that’s both flavorful and quick. It embodies the essence of grilling without a prolonged marinating time. Savor the spicy and savory without much ado.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Closeup of a chicken shawarma wrap.
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Transforming the kitchen with Middle Eastern flavors, this dish replicates the taste of street-side shawarma using an air fryer. Juicy chicken wrapped in a soft tortilla makes for a quick, flavorful wrap. An international trip that’s just a short prep away.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Air Fryer Enchiladas

A hand holding a n empanada that is broken open so you can see the inside filling.
Air Fryer Enchiladas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Enchiladas meet modern technology as the air fryer crisps them to perfection quickly. Filled with your choice of fillings and smothered in sauce, they deliver a taste of Mexico in record time. Authentic flavors without the prolonged oven time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Enchiladas

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Overhead shot of a striped bowl with kung pao chicken.
Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This classic Chinese dish gets a modern, speedy twist with the air fryer. Succulent chicken meets spicy, nutty flavors for a taste that rivals any restaurant offering. A dash to dinnertime with a favorite Asian classic.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Fried chicken pieces in orange sauce garnished with sesame seeds in a black bowl with chopsticks and a green and white napkin.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: all Ways Delicious.

Offering the sticky-sweet allure of orange chicken without the need for deep frying, the air fryer steps up. The end result is a dish that’s both healthier and faster, maintaining the beloved flavor profile. Crispy, tangy, and ready in a jiffy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Air Fryer Pork Belly

Stack of air fryer pork belly strips in hoisin glaze.
Air Fryer Pork Belly. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

The air fryer offers a shortcut to crispy, succulent pork belly, often a time-consuming endeavor. By accelerating the process, it makes this rich and flavorful dish a feasible weeknight option. Satisfy gourmet cravings in less time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly

Air Fryer Salmon

Air fryer salmon on a plate with sauteed zucchini and lemon.
Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Achieving perfectly flaky salmon in an air fryer reduces cooking time and hassle. A healthful choice that’s uncomplicated and swift, making it an ideal pick for quick meals. Omega-rich goodness served up speedily.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This dish employs the air to turn chicken into a crispy, sesame-infused delight. Echoing the flavors of popular Chinese takeout, it provides a quicker, homemade alternative. Satisfy takeout tastes with a kitchen shortcut.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Beef bulgogi in a bowl with rice and cucumbers.
Beef Bulgogi Bowls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Marinated, thinly sliced beef is quickly cooked and served over rice for this Korean staple. A harmonious blend of sweet and savory, it offers a direct path to Asian barbecue flavors. Satisfy cravings for international dishes in minimal time.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Lamb chop with fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Lamb Chops. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

With the efficiency of an air fryer, lamb chops achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior in a short time. Bypassing the usual grill or oven methods, this dish delivers gourmet results quickly. Fine dining flavors without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Burmese Garlic Noodles

Low angle shot of a plate of burmese garlic noodles.
Burmese Garlic Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Originating from Myanmar, these noodles infuse garlic’s aromatic essence into every bite. A simple yet flavorful dish, it offers a fast track to Southeast Asian flavors without a lengthy process. Dive into a bowl of garlicky goodness quickly.
Get the Recipe: Burmese Garlic Noodles

Shrimp Yakisoba

Shrimp yakisoba on a plate.
Shrimp Yakisoba. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Taking the classic yakisoba and incorporating shrimp as the star protein, this dish becomes a seafood lover’s delight. Noodles, veggies, and shrimp meld in a savory sauce, creating a complete meal quickly. A twist on a Japanese favorite served up swiftly.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Yakisoba

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Shrimp stuffed into soft corn tortillas with lime wedges on the side.
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Mexican shrimp dish champions garlic, immersing the seafood in its aromatic flavor. The blend of butter and garlic ensures a savory treat, delivered without a lengthy cooking process. A garlic lover’s seafood dream realized promptly.
Get the Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Char Siu

Sliced char siu pork with lettuce leaves.
Char Siu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Cantonese classic involves barbecuing pork with a sweet and savory glaze. By optimizing the process, it becomes a faster way to enjoy the sticky, flavorful exterior and tender meat. A shortcut to a beloved Chinese barbecue treat.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu

Chicken Enchiladas

Low angle shot of chicken enchiladas on a plate with salad.
Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These rolled tortillas, filled with chicken and smothered in sauce, encapsulate the essence of Mexican comfort food. A streamlined preparation process ensures that this dish comes together rapidly. Enjoy a taste of Mexico without a time-consuming endeavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Crab, Shrimp, and Sausage Gumbo

A bowl of crab, shrimp, and sausage gumbo.
Crab, Shrimp, and Sausage Gumbo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This gumbo is a hearty stew that blends seafood and sausage in a rich, flavorful broth. Originating from Louisiana, it’s adapted here for quick preparation without skimping on the depth of flavor. A Southern experience delivered faster.
Get the Recipe: Crab, Shrimp, and Sausage Gumbo

Blackened fish tacos

Blackened fish tacos in taco holders.
Blackened fish tacos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Featuring spiced, quickly seared fish in tortillas, these tacos bring a taste of the coast with every bite. Blackening the fish provides a smoky flavor, and this method ensures a fast track to dinner. Coastal cuisine in a flash, without compromising on taste.
Get the Recipe: Blackened fish tacos

Dan Dan Noodles

Dan dan noodles in a white bowl with chopsticks.
Dan Dan Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A Sichuan classic, these noodles come with a spicy, savory sauce and minced meat. By simplifying the traditional method, this dish becomes an express route to fiery, fragrant Chinese flavors. Dive into a bowl of spice and warmth without the usual lengthy process.
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles

Gochujang Chicken

Gochujang chicken on a platter with fresh herbs.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Infusing chicken with the spicy and savory notes of Korean gochujang, this dish is a flavor explosion. Quickly cooked, it provides a swift journey to the robust flavors of Korean cuisine. A tantalizing poultry experience, served up without delay.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

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