70 Best 30-Minute Meals to Make on Busy Weeknights
Get dinner on the table quickly!
Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Ree Drummond has been whipping up 30-minute meals for her family for years. It's all part of her "never-ending goal to make the most delicious food in the least amount of time," she says. So it's no wonder her arsenal of easy dinner recipes includes fast, doable, and delicious dishes, like her sheet pan suppers that require minimal cleanup or her air fryer recipes that make it easy to get a healthy dinner on the table in a half hour or less. Of course, all of the dishes on the list ahead are 30-minute meals so you can be prepared for the inevitable question, "what's for dinner?"
Naturally, there are many chicken recipes and pasta recipes to enjoy (you should definitely check out the cajun chicken pasta for a little bit of both), but you can also find a wide array of other options. For instance, try your hand at the beef-vegetable kebabs, the shrimp and grits, or the air fryer pork tenderloin. One of Ree's favorite quick comfort food recipes to make is a toasty, cheesy quesadilla—and there are a few variations here to choose from! As you can imagine, there are tons of one-pot meals and slow cooker recipes, too. Because these quick 30-minute dinners are so simple to put together, you'll have all the joys of a stress-free meal even if your day is anything but stress-free. Consider dinner to be one less thing you have to think about.
Shrimp and Grits
Ree calls this recipe "the quickest shrimp and grits known to mankind" and that's exactly the way we like 'em! You'll have a comforting bowl of cheesy grits, spicy shrimp, and bits of bacon ready to eat in no time.
Get Ree's Shrimp and Grits recipe.
Chicken Teriyaki
Make your own teriyaki marinade for this restaurant-worthy dish right at home. We promise it'll still get to the table in 30 minutes or less!
Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
You can't go wrong with chicken, vegetables, and carbs! It has all the major food groups, plus the addition of a flavorful cajun sauce.
Get Ree's Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
This juicy pork dish is seasoned with brown sugar, pepper, thyme, paprika, and garlic powder so it gets that nice crust when made in the air fryer. Serve it up with mashed potatoes or any vegetable side dish.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe.
Pasta Puttanesca
This classic Italian dish is loaded with olives, anchovies, tomatoes, and caramelized onions. Of course, parmesan cheese is highly recommended, too.
Get Ree's Pasta Puttanesca recipe.
Coconut Shrimp
Shredded unsweetened coconut gives this shrimp dish a tropical flavor and much-needed crunch. You can serve them up as an appetizer with the Thai chili dipping sauce or place them over a bed of rice.
Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This soup recipe is both comforting and filling thanks to the cheese-filled tortellini. The trick to getting it on the table quickly is using store-bought rotisserie chicken!
Get the Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe.
Lemon Pasta
It's hard not to smile when you're eating this bright, lemony pasta! It has an instant burst of freshness just like a sunny day.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Chicken Nachos
It doesn't need to be football season to make a big pile of nachos for dinner. We'll take any excuse to eat chips, cheese, and spiced chicken.
Get Ree's Chicken Nachos recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
Forget 30 minutes! This flaky salmon dinner is a 10-minute meal that you absolutely must try. Just leave it to your air fryer to do all the work.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Perfect Bison Burgers
This lean alternative to regular beef burgers is a fun alternative on busy weeknights. It'll keep things interesting especially when topped with BBQ sauce, grilled onions, pickles, and cheese.
Get the Perfect Bison Burgers recipe.
Sausage Gravy
This thick, creamy gravy loaded with breakfast sausage is delicious over eggs and biscuits for a 30-minute morning meal. But you can also serve it for dinner over fried chicken, if you prefer.
Get the Sausage Gravy recipe.
Asparagus Pasta
This weeknight dinner consists of creamy fettuccine with bright veggies and crispy bacon—what could be better? Feel free to swap out the asparagus for broccoli or kale depending on the season.
Get the Asparagus Pasta recipe.
Dumpling Soup
Frozen store-bought dumplings make this soup a quick and easy way to warm your family right up. If you like things extra spicy, add hot sauce or chili oil drizzled on top.
Get the Dumpling Soup recipe.
BBQ Salad
Everything you love about down-home barbecue but quick and healthier—this salad still has plenty of pulled pork, bbq dressing, and cornbread croutons!
Get the BBQ Salad recipe.
Peanut Noodles
This recipe is incredibly simple and flavorful, but if you want to make it heartier, just add shredded rotisserie chicken or serve with sliced steak.
Get the Peanut Noodles recipe.
Air Fryer Fish
This crispy, golden fish is dusted with a spicy breadcrumb and cornmeal coating. But since it cooks up in the air fryer, you don't have to worry about messy oil splatter.
Get the Air Fryer Fish recipe.
Reuben Sandwich
This classic diner dish is perfect for when you're craving a hearty sandwich. After all, it's piled high with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.
Get Ree's Reuben Sandwich recipe.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
This lightened-up dinner is just like your favorite fried rice, but instead of the carbs it uses riced cauliflower instead! Top it off with a runny fried egg and an extra drizzle of sriracha for a kick.
Get Ree's Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.
Pan-Fried Ribeye
Ree's method for cooking ribeye steak will impress everyone at the table and that's not just because it's ready in 15 minutes or less! It comes out perfectly juicy and flavorful every time!
Get Ree's Pan-Fried Ribeye recipe.
Watch Next
Affogato Is the Easiest, Dreamiest Dessert
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Has It All
30 Kid-Friendly Recipes for the Whole Family
Our All-Time Best Crock-Pot Recipes
