Quick dinners for when you’re racing against the clock can be a lifesaver, especially during busy workweeks or when unexpected events throw off your schedule. In 60 minutes or less (many in just 30 minutes), you can prepare these meals that are all easy to make and filling. Each recipe has straightforward instructions, ensuring that even beginner cooks can successfully tackle dinner time.
Many of these meals require just one pan or pot, simplifying the cooking process and cleanup. They’re also versatile and suitable for tweaking according to your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. The focus is on efficiency without sacrificing quality, making these recipes ideal for busy weekdays or when you’re simply short on time. So, whether you’re looking for quick comfort food or lighter fare, this list has something for everyone.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake takes marinated chicken thighs to the next level with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach. The dish is simple yet elegant, providing an indulgent experience without the extensive preparation time. It’s perfect for those who are looking for a quick yet special dinner, as it’s ready in just 30 minutes. The combination of protein and vegetables makes it a balanced meal. A side of steamed vegetables or a salad would complement the dish perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole combines steamed broccoli and cauliflower with cheese and bacon. The vegetables offer a nutritious base, while the bacon adds a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the melted cheese. The dish is satisfying and quick to prepare, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish. Ideal for busy weeknights, this casserole features comforting flavors with minimal effort in the kitchen required.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is a delicious and high-protein dish. In just 30 minutes, you can prepare and cook chicken breasts smothered in a creamy garlic sauce. This is a one-pan meal, which makes both cooking and cleanup especially convenient. Pair it with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded, quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet features a blend of seasoned ground beef and sautéed mushrooms, served over a bed of cauliflower rice. The melted cheddar cheese adds a delightful finishing touch that elevates the dish. With a total cooking and prep time of 30 minutes, this is an excellent option for any busy evening. The one-pan design also simplifies cleanup, making it even more convenient. Its comfort food appeal makes it a hit with both adults and children alike.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a versatile and colorful meal. With its combination of roasted sausage and vegetables, you get a burst of different flavors and textures. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time. The sheet pan format ensures that cleanup is a breeze. You can easily swap out the vegetables for seasonal ones to keep the dish fresh and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cabbage and Sausage
A simple yet flavorful dish, Cabbage and Sausage pairs the natural sweetness of cabbage with the rich, spicy notes of sausage. This skillet meal can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners. The one-pan method also simplifies cleaning up afterward. The dish offers a variety of flavors and textures, perfect for even the pickiest of eaters. Serve it with crusty bread or a small side dish.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Fajita Baked Chicken
This Fajita Baked Chicken is a delicious twist on a Tex-Mex classic. Chicken breasts are seasoned with traditional fajita spices and baked alongside cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. The dish offers a playful blend of flavors and textures and comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s an excellent choice for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal. Both kids and adults will love this crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
This Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of the classic sandwich in a one-pan meal. Tender pieces of steak are cooked in butter and garlic, then mixed with sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Melted provolone cheese adds the final touch for that authentic Philly Cheese Steak experience. Despite its luxurious flavors, the dish takes less than an hour to prepare and cook, making it an ideal choice for quick weeknight dinners. Serve with a side of green salad for a well-rounded meal.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
Sausage Curry
This Sausage Curry combines sausages and vegetables in a rich and creamy curry sauce. This one-pan meal is perfect for spicing up your usual weeknight dinner routine, and it takes just 45 minutes from start to finish. The curry is versatile enough to accommodate any vegetables you have on hand. The dish is hearty enough to stand on its own but can also be served over rice for an even more filling meal. It’s a flavorful option that will please both adults and children.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This Cheesy Beef Casserole offers a trifecta of ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach, all bound together with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a straightforward dish that can be prepared and cooked in just 30 minutes. The incorporation of spinach adds a nutrient boost to this comforting meal. This casserole is perfect for busy weeknights and leaves minimal dishes for cleaning up. Serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Creamy Dijon Chicken
This Creamy Dijon Chicken features seasoned chicken covered in a Dijon mustard sauce, enhanced with spinach and bacon. This dish is simple and memorable, making it a versatile option for weeknights or special occasions. It’s ready in 30 minutes and can be served with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. The creamy sauce is full of flavor, ensuring that this dish is anything but bland. Adding bacon adds a delightful smokiness that complements the tanginess of the mustard.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon offers a harmonious blend of tender cabbage, smoky bacon, and sweet onions. The cabbage cooks down to a tender texture that pairs wonderfully with the crispy bacon. It’s a simple dish with a relatively short cooking time of just 25 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying dinner option. This meal is great as a stand-alone dish but can also be served with a portion of grilled meat for added protein.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce presents seasoned chicken breasts in a luxurious mushroom sauce. This one-pan wonder is ready in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal quick weeknight meal. The creamy mushroom sauce adds depth and richness to the chicken, elevating it from a simple meal to something special. Because it’s a one-pan meal, cleanup is minimal. Serve it with steamed green beans or asparagus for a restaurant-quality dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs
These Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs are comforting and filling. Ground turkey is paired with rich coconut milk and spices like curry powder and red curry paste. Despite its complex flavors, the dish can be prepared and served in just 30 minutes. It’s a unique and memorable choice for those who want to step out of their comfort zone. Serve over jasmine rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken features boneless, skinless chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce. The dish comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s a one-pan meal, so you’ll have fewer dishes to wash, making your evening even more relaxing. This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. The richness of the cream sauce makes it feel like a treat, but it’s quick enough for any weeknight.
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Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken showcases crisped chicken thighs in a creamy sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Despite its complex flavors, the dish can be prepared and served in just 40 minutes. It’s perfect when you want a gourmet meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The creamy sauce melds the flavors together beautifully. Serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or crusty bread to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken showcases crisped chicken thighs in a sumptuous sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Despite its complex flavors, the dish can be prepared and served in just 40 minutes. It’s perfect for when you want a meal that feels gourmet but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The creamy sauce melds the flavors together beautifully. Serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or crusty bread to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon
This recipe for Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce replaces traditional pasta with spiralized asparagus. The creamy Alfredo sauce is made from scratch but is simple to prepare. The dish is both light and filling, thanks to the combination of asparagus and cheese. Preparing and cooking takes just 25 minutes, making it a quick option for any night of the week.
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Keto Zuppa Toscana
This low-carb take on the famous Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup is full of hearty flavors. The radishes are an innovative stand-in for traditional potatoes, allowing the soup to maintain its robust texture while keeping the carb count low. Sausage and kale round out this creamy soup, providing both protein and greens. With a total prep and cooking time of under an hour, this makes for a quick and comforting meal. Serve it piping hot for a fulfilling dinner experience.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is perfect for a light, refreshing meal. Fresh cucumbers and crisp onions are tossed in a delightful blend of sour cream and mayo, providing a creamy contrast to the crunchy vegetables. The dill adds a hint of herbaceous flavor that elevates the entire dish. The salad can be prepared and served in 30 minutes, making it a speedy yet satisfying main dish. Consider this the go-to option when you’re looking for a quick and light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
This delicious dish features chicken thighs cooked to perfection and then bathed in a creamy sauce rich with the tangy flavor of artichoke hearts. The combination of flavors is complex enough to impress your family, yet it’s straightforward to prepare. The best part? The dish comes together in just 30 minutes, so you can have a filling dinner on the table in no time. Pair it with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad to round out this quick and impressive meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts