Here is a collection of quick dinner ideas that are perfect for when you are in a hurried season of life! With these easy recipes, you can provide a flavorful, healthy dinner for your family on busy weekday nights!
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If you've got kids, chances are they are in some kind of extracurricular activity...or multiple activities. And that means that your life is on the go. I've got one child in football and another in soccer, and practice starts at our normal dinner time and goes until bedtime. When are they going to eat?
It's tempting to just drive thru a fast-food restaurant on the way to practice. But that's not your only option! This collection of meals is curated to help you solve the different challenges that arise when feeding your family during a busy season.
- Short on time? Take a look at the meals that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less.
- Have family going in and out all night, and needing to eat at different times? Pick one of the recipes that reheat well.
- Need to eat dinner in the car or at the game? Check out the recipes perfect for enjoying on the go!
20-Minute or Less Meals
For the nights when you have just a little bit of time to cook, I have curated 10 easy dinner recipes that take less than 20 minutes to make from start to finish. These recipes are easy, but pack in lots of flavor, because short on time does not have to mean boring!
Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is an easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to make! Your family will love this simple weeknight dinner!
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Thai-Inspired Cashew Chicken
Better than takeout, this flavorful Cashew Chicken is inspired by Thai flavors and is so fast to prepare! It is on the table in under 30 minutes!
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Pasta with Ricotta Recipe (One Pot)
Rich and hearty pasta is cooked all in one pot. So easy! And then topped with heavenly clouds of creamy ricotta. Simple gourmet!
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Air Fryer Orange Chicken
This easy Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe takes crispy chicken and coats it with a sweet and sticky fresh citrus sauce. It is bursting with fresh flavors and can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is a flavorful dish of juicy chicken coated in a tasty sauce that is both sweet and savory. With this recipe, you can have a delicious dinner on the table in just 20 minutes.
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Chicken Burrito Skillet Dinner
This chicken burrito skillet dinner comes together in one pan to make a quick, easy, and healthy dinner the whole family will love! This simple recipe has everything you love in a burrito but is made in a skillet!
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Shrimp Scampi
Buttery garlic shrimp scampi is a flavor-packed classic recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes! Served over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes or with crusty bread for a delicious easy dinner recipe anytime!
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Beef Bulgogi
This beef bulgogi is made with thinly sliced beef chuck and cooked to tender juicy perfection. It's pan-cooked in red wine and soy sauce to bring out its naturally delicious flavor.
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Pan Seared Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes
These pan seared chicken breasts are so tasty you'd never guess they're so easy to make. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's the perfect meal for a busy day.
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Air Fryer Salmon
Salmon comes out tender and juicy with a perfect brown crust when cooked in the air fryer. And it's ready in 10 minutes!
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Garlic Butter Chicken
This juicy chicken in a garlic butter sauce is delicious on its own or served on pasta or potatoes. It is also delicious in a wrap if you need to eat on the go.
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Steak and Asparagus Stir Fry
Steak and asparagus, stir fried along with mushrooms and peppers makes a healthy and delicious dinner in just 20 minutes.
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Bean and Cheese Tacos
Satisfying vegetarian-friendly bean and cheese tacos are a quick and easy Tex-Mex dinner. Simply season up some refried beans, shred cheese, and fill warm tortilla shells for an effortless meal ready in minutes.
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Meals That Reheat Well
It can be challenging to serve great food when you have people needing to eat at different times. These next 10 recipes reheat well, so each person can eat when they are ready and still get a hot meal that tastes great!
Taco Hotdish Recipe
A classic Minnesota recipe with a Texas twist. This taco hotdish is a spicy crowd-pleaser!
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Loose Meat Sandwich (Maid-Rite Copycat)
In Iowa, they call this a Maid-Rite sandwich! Flavorful ground beef, cooked loose instead of packed like a hamburger. Our recipe has a couple of secret ingredients that make it sweet and tangy!
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Turkey Enchilada Casserole
This delicious enchilada casserole makes a perfect meal for a family. It’s tasty with a bit of Mexican flair – and the calorie count is just right!
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Lazy Lasagna
This Lazy Lasagna Casserole is a no-fuss way to satisfy your craving for lasagna. Bake it after assembling or freeze it for an easy meal on a busy day.
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Butter Chicken with Vegetables
This Butter Chicken is sweet with savory spices, but is not spicy, so it is something the whole family can enjoy! Cook in advance and put portions on rice ready for reheating.
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Taco Rigatoni and Cheese
Taco Rigatoni and Cheese is a creamy, dreamy and tasty pasta. This will save your time and money all while feeding a crowd. A special topping of Dorito Nacho Cheese chips is the special ingredient. This dish has all of the flavor and texture you want in a perfect pasta dinner.
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Dutch Oven Beef Stew
This Dutch Oven Beef Stew recipe is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter’s night! Made with tender stew beef, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms it is a hearty dinner that the entire family will love
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Taco Salad
No need to reheat this easy Taco Salad! Prep it ahead and it is ready to be enjoyed whenever your hungry family member arrives at home.
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This amazing chicken broccoli rice casserole is made simply from scratch. There's juicy and tender chicken, broccoli, rice, flavorful homemade mushroom sauce, all covered with sharp cheddar cheese and crunchy breadcrumb parmesan topping.
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Sweet and Spicy Noodles
These Sweet and Spicy Noodles are an Asian-inspired, fast, easy weeknight dinner that can be ready and on the table in just 20 minutes!
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On the Go Dinners
Let's be real, some nights dinner just cannot be enjoyed around the table. These recipes are easy to pack up and take with you, whether you are eating in the car or at the game.
Fluffernutter Sandwich
This New England favorite, combining creamy peanut butter with gooey marshmallow fluff, is so simple to make! It will bring out your inner child as you enjoy this tasty treat.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
Filling, flavorful, and easy to make, these chicken wraps can be packed in a cooler and enjoyed wherever you are!
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20 Minute Chicken Gyros Recipe
Simple ingredients and easy to customize to the taste of kids or adults, these 20 minute chicken gyros are filling and delicious!
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Paneer Kathi Rolls
Dinner on the go doesn't have to be boring! These Paneer Kathi Rolls have paneer masala filling, fresh vegetables, and a mango chutney. Tons of flavor packed into one tasty wrap.
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Cream Cheese Slider Sandwiches
Herbed cream cheese is layered with salami and ham on a Hawaiian roll. Easy to enjoy in the car or while watching your favorite sports game.
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Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
The perfect on-the-go dish! It's fresh, satisfying and takes less than 30 minutes to make.
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Italian Pasta Salad
A classic Italian pasta salad that's gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad you love, with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing! A super easy and quick meat-free vegetarian and dairy-free recipe that's perfect for a cold on-the-go dinner!
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Easy Zucchini Slice
These delicious zucchini slice is the perfect portable dinner! Filled with veggies and freezer friendly, it’s great for prepping in advance for busy nights!
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Winter Squash Soup
Grab your thermos and take this panera copy cat recipe for winter squash soup on the go the next time you have to eat dinner on the run!
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Buffalo Chicken Salad
Salad may not be your typical game-day food, but this buffalo chicken gives you the flavors you crave while watching the game, with crisp vegetables to nourish your body.
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Time Saving Cooking Tips
- Chop your vegetables in bulk. If you are preparing a recipe that calls for onions, for example, go ahead and chop all of the onions that you need for the next few days.
- If you have time earlier in the day, go ahead and measure out your ingredients. I love these prep bowls and it makes assembling the meal so fast!
- When boiling water, get your tap water hot before adding it to the pan. Then cover the pot with a lid to trap in the heat and allow the water to boil faster.
- Keep your knives sharp. It is a lot faster and easier to chop vegetables with a sharp knife.
- When making pasta, look at the label on the package before purchasing, and choose the brand that has the shortest cooking time. De Cecco Angel Hair Pasta cooks in just 2 minutes, where Barilla Angel Hair takes 5 minutes.
More Easy Recipes
Looking for more easy dinner recipes to add to your menu? Try out some of my family's favorites.
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