I’m sure you often find yourself in a similar situation, knowing you have to eat but don’t have a lot of time to prepare a meal. That’s where these recipes come in. I’ve combed our archives for a variety of dishes that you can cook in 30 minutes or less, whether you’re craving pasta, meat, seafood or salad. Have a look, stock up on the necessary ingredients and be comforted by the fact that a satisfying dinner is only a half-hour away.
Need more ideas? Go to our Recipes site and use the “ready in” drop-down filter to pick your desired time frame.
Sriracha Pork Burgers
Total time: 30 minutes
Pictured above. Here’s a quick, flavorful dinner for two that uses a skillet-oven combo to brown and cook the meat. Prefer alfresco dining? Toss these on the grill, if you’d like. Get the recipe.
Pasta Salad Kebabs
Total time: 20 minutes
Store-bought tortellini and a homemade Italian dressing come together for a quick, fun and family-friendly meal that’s also great for eating on the go. Get the recipe.
Quesotacos With Peppers and Onions
Total time: 30 minutes
Not quite quesadilla, not quite taco, this recipe features thin patties of crispy griddled cheese attached to corn tortillas and topped with sauteed vegetables. Get the recipe.
Lemon and Apricot Cinnamon Chicken
Total time: 25 minutes
Quick-cooking orzo and pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast help this aromatic dish come together in a jiffy. Get the recipe.
Gnocchi With Creamy Spinach Sauce
Total time: 20 minutes
Shelf-stable potato gnocchi, evaporated milk and frozen spinach make for a pantry-friendly dinner that’s doable even on busy nights. Get the recipe.
Roasted Broccoli Tartine With Spicy Whipped Beans
Total time: 30 minutes
These elegant, vibrant toasts from our Plant Powered II newsletter lend themselves well to advance prep if you roast the broccoli and make the bean spread ahead of time, meaning you can get a meal on the table in mere minutes with just assembly required. Get the recipe.
Pasta With Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Total time: 30 minutes
Here’s a great example of how just a few bold ingredients can create a memorable, flavorful dish, with arugula and blue cheese both assertive enough to share the spotlight. Get the recipe.
Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)
Total time: 25 minutes
What came first — the chicken or the egg? You won’t have to settle that debate when they join forces in this comforting Japanese classic. Get the recipe.
Shrimp and White Bean Salad With Pesto
Total time: 15 minutes
With canned beans, cooked shrimp and pesto (store-bought or homemade) at the ready, this main-course salad is satisfying and speedy. Get the recipe.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Total time: 15 minutes
If you’re forever in search of the crispiest grilled cheese out there, I highly recommend giving the air fryer a try. Get the recipe.
