30 Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas in 30 Minutes or Less

Do the words “what’s for dinner tonight?” fill you with dread? If so, don’t worry — there are plenty of delicious, simple, and quick dinners that will not only please your family but also won’t take hours to make. From salads to one-pan wonders and slow cooker recipes, we’ve got you covered with 30 amazing dinner ideas for this week (and beyond!). It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated cooking anymore. You can have a homemade meal in no time!

Spaghetti and meatballs 

This classic dish is always a hit with the whole family. It’s easy to make, and you can even get the kids to help with the meatballs!

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Read more: How To Cook Omaha Steaks Meatballs To Perfection

Grilled chicken breasts 

Grilled chicken is a healthy and quick option for dinner. Season your chicken breasts with your favorite spices and grill them up in just a few minutes.

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Read more: Can You Fry Chicken Without Flour? Simple And Delicious Recipe

Salmon fillets 

Salmon is a delicious and nutritious option for dinner. You can bake or grill your salmon fillets, and they’ll be ready in just a few minutes.

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Quinoa and black bean salad 

This salad is packed with protein and fiber, making it a filling and satisfying meal. It’s also quick and easy to make, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.

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Roasted vegetables 

Roasted vegetables are a healthy and flavorful side dish or main course. Simply toss your favorite veggies with olive oil and sea salt, then roast them in the oven until they’re tender and golden brown.

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Tomato soup 

Tomato soup is a comfort food classic that can be made quickly and easily. Serve it with grilled cheese sandwiches for a complete meal that will please the whole family.

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Vegetable stir-fry 

Stir fries are a great way to use up any veggies you have on hand. They’re quick and easy to make, and you can customize them however you like. Serve them over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

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Chicken Caesar salad 

This classic salad is easy to make at home, and it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken breast from dinner the night before. Add some croutons and shredded Parmesan cheese, and you’ve got a delicious and satisfying meal.

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Spaghetti squash with marinara sauce 

Spaghetti squash is a healthy alternative to pasta, and it’s just as quick and easy to make. Simply top it with your favorite marinara sauce for a delicious and healthy meal that the whole family will love.

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Chicken Parmesan 

This dish is a bit more time-consuming than the others on this list, but it’s well worth it. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the sauce is flavorful and hearty. It’s a great meal to make on a weekend when you have some extra time.

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Chili 

Chili is a great meal to make ahead of time and then simply reheat when you’re ready to eat. It’s also perfect for feeding a crowd, as it can easily be doubled or tripled. Serve with some cornbread or tortilla chips for a complete meal.

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Tacos 

Tacos are another great option for feeding a crowd. They’re also quick and easy to make, and can be customized to each person’s liking. Simply cook up some ground beef or chicken, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

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Pizza 

Pizza is always a hit, no matter who you’re feeding. You can either order delivery or make your own dough from scratch (it’s not as hard as it sounds!). Add your favorite toppings, bake, and enjoy!

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Read more: How Long To Cook French Bread Pizza In Air Fryer? Get Crunchy Yet Chewy

Pasta with Red Sauce 

This classic Italian dish is quick, easy, and delicious. Plus, it can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat. Simply cook the pasta according to package directions, add your favorite red sauce, and enjoy!

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Fried Rice 

Fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice from the takeout night. It’s also quick and easy to make and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Simply sauté some vegetables and chicken (or shrimp) in a pan, add the rice and some soy sauce, and voilà! Dinner is done!

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Quiche 

Quiche is another classic dish that makes for an easy and delicious dinner option. You can either make your own quiche from scratch or buy one pre-made from the store (just be sure to check the cooking time so you don’t end up waiting forever for it to finish!). Quiche is typically made with eggs, milk, cheese, and meat (bacon is always a popular choice), but feel free to get creative with your ingredients – veggies would be great in there too! Once your quiche is cooked through (usually takes about 30 minutes), slice and serve warm – yum!

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Stir-fry 

Stir fries are a great way to use up whatever vegetables you have on hand. Simply chop up your veggies into bite-sized pieces and stir-fry in a hot pan with some oil until they’re cooked to your liking. You can also add in some protein – chicken, shrimp, tofu – if you want. Season your stir-fry with soy sauce or another type of sauce/seasoning, then serve over rice or noodles.

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Turkey burgers 

Turkey burgers are a leaner alternative to traditional beef burgers and can be just as flavorful. Mix ground turkey with diced onion, bread crumbs, egg, and your favorite seasonings, then form into patties. Grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Serve on whole wheat buns with lettuce, tomato, and avocado slices.

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Sausage and Peppers 

This is a great dish for those nights when you want something hearty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s also perfect for feeding a crowd. To make sausage and peppers, you’ll need some Italian sausage (mild or hot), bell peppers (any color), onion, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can serve this dish over some cooked pasta or with a side of crusty bread.

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Lasagna 

Lasagna is another great option for feeding a crowd. It can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat. To make lasagna, you’ll need ground beef, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper…

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Read more: Should You Cover Lasagna When Baking? Tips for Perfectly-Baked Lasagna 

Beef Stroganoff 

Beef stroganoff is a rich and creamy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. Start by cooking some egg noodles according to the package directions. While they are boiling, brown some beef in a pan with some olive oil. Once the beef is cooked through, add mushrooms, onion, sour cream, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, then serve over the cooked egg noodles.

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Shepherd’s Pie 

Shepherd’s pie is a traditional British dish that makes for a delicious and comforting meal. Start by cooking diced potatoes in boiling water until they are soft. While they are cooking, brown ground lamb in a pan with some olive oil. Once it is cooked through, add peas, carrots, and onion…

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Source: BellyFull

PB&J Sandwich 

This childhood favorite is a quick and easy way to get a nutritious meal on the table. Just grab some bread, peanut butter, and jelly, and you’re good to go!

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Macaroni and Cheese 

This creamy dish is always a hit with kids (and adults!) It’s quick and easy to make, and you can usually find all the ingredients you need in your pantry. Just cook up some macaroni noodles, add some cheese, and voila! You’ve got a delicious meal.

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Chicken Nuggets 

These bite-sized pieces of chicken are perfect for a quick dinner or snack. You can usually find them frozen at the grocery store, so they’re always ready when you need them. Just pop them in the oven or fry them up in a pan, and you’re good to go!

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Burritos 

These hearty Mexican dishes are perfect for a quick dinner or snack. You can use pre-made shells or make your own using soft tortillas. Just fill them with your favorite burrito toppings like beans, rice, salsa, cheese, and sour cream, and you’re good to go!

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Spaghetti Carbonara  

This classic Italian dish is made with pancetta or bacon, parmesan cheese, eggs, and spaghetti pasta. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and is a great way to use up any leftover bacon that you may have lying around. 

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Coconut-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers 

All you need for this easy dish is some shrimp (preferably de-veined), coconut milk, lime juice, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes (optional), and fresh cilantro (optional). Marinate the shrimp for 10 minutes before skewering them onto wooden skewers and grilling until done—about 8 minutes per side. 

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One-Pot Chicken Fajitas 

Fajitas are always a crowd-pleaser but they usually take quite a bit of time to prepare…not anymore! This one-pot chicken fajitas recipe uses bell peppers and onions along with store-bought taco seasoning mix for flavor which cuts down on prep time significantly! 

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Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies  

This is one of those dishes where you just dump everything onto a sheet pan then pop it into the oven for about 25 minutes—it doesn’t get much easier than that! You can use any combination of veggies that you like; we recommend using potatoes, carrots, onion slices, bell peppers etc., along with your favorite sausage links or ground sausage crumbles.  

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Conclusion

In conclusion, having 30 delicious meals that can be cooked in 30 minutes or less makes a busy day a little bit more manageable. Whether it’s time to spend some time with family, take care of errands, or simply relax and enjoy some me-time, having these recipes to rely on is sure to save the day. And if you’re wondering what to make tomorrow night? You’ve now got 30 options from which to choose! So no matter what your preference or situation is, rest assured that these recipes will offer something special for any occasion. Now get cookin’!