23 must-try dinners made in 30 minutes or less

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Busy days call for dinners that can be made in 30 minutes or less. These 23 recipes are simple, quick, and full of flavor — a great choice for weeknights or anytime you need a fast meal. They use straightforward ingredients with easy-to-follow instructions, making them perfect for cooks at any skill level. Enjoy stress-free cooking with these go-to meals that will become favorites in your kitchen.

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

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.

Prepare this ground beef and cauliflower rice skillet in just 30 minutes. It’s a simple mix of beef, cheese, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Great for a quick and hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Cabbage and Sausage

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

This cabbage and sausage meal is both easy and quick, ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s a straightforward one-pan dish, perfect for a speedy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try this 30-minute spinach and chicken bake for a quick meal. It combines chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach for a straightforward, filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A fork with cheesy broccoli on it being pulled up from a loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can make and enjoy this broccoli and cauliflower casserole. It’s a combination of steamed vegetables, cheese, and bacon, creating a hearty meal for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken, ready in 30 minutes, features seasoned chicken topped with a mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and bacon. It’s a quick and flavorful choice for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try this easy Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner for a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. It combines roasted sausage with a variety of vegetables, offering a straightforward and delicious dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a simple yet flavorful dish. Enjoy tender chicken in a velvety mushroom sauce for a quick and memorable dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach dish is a quick, 30-minute meal. It features shrimp in a garlic sauce with grape tomatoes and spinach, providing an elegant and flavorful dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes, this Cheesy Beef Casserole combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese. It’s a straightforward choice for a filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Garlic Chicken

Garnished creamy garlic chicken over cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Chicken, a one-pan dish, is a hassle-free dinner option. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s flavorful, high in protein, and delicious on its own or served atop pasta or rice with some veggies on the side.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken

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.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a quick, 20-minute dish. Cooked on the stovetop, these bite-sized chicken pieces are juicy and tender, coated in a buttery garlic sauce for a simple and appealing meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

A dish of cauliflower risotto with mushrooms with a fork.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms, a creamy and flavorful dish you can make in 30 minutes. This meal is a great option for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

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.

Italian Sausage Soup is a 30-minute meal that combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream for a creamy texture. It’s an easy choice for a warm and hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken, a one-pan dish, is ready in 30 minutes. It features chicken thighs in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, making for a flavorful dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

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

In just 30 minutes, enjoy Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken. Seasoned chicken is topped with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, offering a flavorful meal for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts, ready in 30 minutes, includes tender chicken thighs in a creamy sauce. It’s a protein-packed dish that’s simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Canned Chicken Patties

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

These Canned Chicken Patties can be made in just 20 minutes. Serve them alone, in a sandwich, or with vegetables for a quick and easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

Try Fried Cabbage with Bacon for a flavorful 25-minute meal. It combines cabbage, bacon, and onion for a simple and filling dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Bell Pepper Sandwich is a fun, 10-minute twist on a classic sandwich. Use bell peppers instead of bread and fill them with your favorite ingredients for a quick and creative meal.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Sticky Sauce Chicken

Sticky sauce chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds in a pot.
Sticky Sauce Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sticky Sauce Chicken, ready in 30 minutes, features chicken thighs in a sweet and tangy sauce. It’s a delicious option for a protein-packed dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs in 30 minutes for a richly flavored meal. Ground turkey, coconut milk, and curry spices come together for a fulfilling dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Easy keto cauliflower cheddar cheese bacon soup in a pot with a spoon.
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, you can enjoy Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. It combines cauliflower, broth, and cheese, topped with bacon, for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

Bowl of creamy bacon asparagus pasta with a fork.
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon is a flavorful 30-minute meal. Enjoy asparagus noodles with homemade Alfredo sauce and bacon crumbles for an impressive dinner that comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

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