Some nights, there just isn’t enough time to make a complicated dinner, and you need something quick without giving up flavor. These 27 recipes come together fast using simple ingredients or premade pieces so you can get a meal on the table with minimal effort. With these options, getting a tasty meal doesn’t have to take hours or leave you stressed in the kitchen.
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Let the Instant Pot handle the cooking for a creamy risotto with peas and a touch of lemon that brightens every bite. The rice turns rich and smooth while staying light and fresh, giving a balanced meal that fills the plate. Bring comfort and flavor to the table in no time and watch this dish disappear first.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Fresh asparagus and creamy goat cheese come together on a simple crust for a pizza that tastes like it took hours. The combination cooks quickly and delivers a vibrant, satisfying flavor that stands out from ordinary pizzas. Share this colorful dish with the table and enjoy a weeknight meal that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Chicken Egg Roll Bowl
Seasoned chicken and crisp vegetables cook together in one skillet to capture all the flavor of takeout egg rolls without wrappers. The mixture turns into a hearty, filling dinner that comes together fast. Fill bowls with this skillet meal when hunger hits and see how quickly it disappears.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll Bowl
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
A tortilla crisps up in the air fryer and holds just the right amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings for a quick pizza night. It cooks in minutes and leaves almost nothing to clean afterward, keeping the kitchen stress-free. Grab a slice and enjoy a fast dinner that still feels fun and complete.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie chicken, tortillas, and cheese layer together into enchiladas that bake up hot, melty, and satisfying in very little time. The combination comes together quickly yet tastes like a dinner that took effort. Serve these enchiladas to fill plates fast while keeping everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and rich broth simmer together to create a soup that feels homemade and hearty. Using rotisserie chicken speeds up prep while still leaving a filling and satisfying dinner. Pour bowls of this soup to deliver warmth and flavor without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Premade dough and savory chicken filling turn into golden empanadas with minimal hands-on time. Each bite is crisp, flaky, and packed with flavor that feels special even on a busy night. Stack these on a plate to make dinner feel both quick and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Cacio e Pepe
Spaghetti, butter, cheese, and black pepper come together to create pasta that’s rich, creamy, and comforting without extra effort. It cooks in fifteen minutes and still tastes indulgent enough to impress anyone at the table. Serve a plateful of this pasta when you want a quick meal that still feels noteworthy.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Pesto Salmon
Bright pesto spread over salmon keeps the fish juicy while packing every bite with flavor. The dish comes together quickly and requires almost no cleanup. Place this salmon on the table when you want a weeknight supper that tastes fresh and satisfying without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Honey Glazed Chicken
Honey and a touch of spice coat chicken to make it golden, sticky, and flavorful in one pan. Minimal prep and quick cooking transform plain chicken into a meal that fills everyone up. Let this dish take over the plate when dinner needs to be fast and fully satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Pesto and sundried tomatoes mix with tuna to create a salad that tastes fresh, bold, and hearty. It’s ready in minutes and works for sandwiches, wraps, or bowls without extra work. Spoon this mix onto plates when you need a fast dinner that doesn’t cut corners on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Kefta Kebabs
Ground meat blended with warm spices cooks quickly in a skillet or grill, locking in juiciness with every bite. The bold flavors come together fast and fill the kitchen with an irresistible aroma that hints at the meal to come. Stack these kebabs on a plate to turn a simple weeknight dinner into something satisfying, flavorful, and easy enough to make any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Canned Chicken Salad
Toss canned chicken with a few pantry staples to create a meal that comes together quickly and keeps everyone full, whether it’s in sandwiches, wraps, or bowls. The combination is simple to prep but still delivers satisfying flavor and texture that feels complete without extra effort. Pile this chicken salad high on plates when dinner needs to be no-fuss, hearty, and ready in minutes, giving everyone something tasty without slowing down the evening.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Asian Glazed Salmon
Salmon coated in a sweet and savory glaze turns tender and flavorful in a short time. Minimal prep and fast cooking make it an effortless yet complete meal. Place this glazed salmon on the table for a weeknight dinner that delivers flavor without delay.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Chicken, orzo, and feta cook together with herbs in one pot to create a meal that is hearty, full of flavor, and ready fast. The ingredients blend perfectly, giving every bite a balance of protein, grains, and fresh taste, while cleanup stays simple. Bring this dish to the table for a satisfying dinner that feels wholesome, complete, and like it took more effort than it really did.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Creamy Pea Pasta
Pasta cooks with peas and a creamy sauce to create a dish that’s rich without being heavy. Everything comes together in one pot for a fast, comforting meal. Plate this pasta when you want a weeknight dinner that is simple but fills everyone up.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeno Mayo
Juicy chipotle-seasoned burgers get topped with creamy jalapeno mayo for smoky, bold flavor in every bite. They cook fast and feel exciting compared with ordinary burgers. Serve these patties when dinner needs to be quick, filling, and full of character.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Burger with Jalapeno Mayo
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chicken, rice, vegetables, and cheese cook together in foil packets that steam into a flavorful, filling meal. Minimal cleanup keeps dinner stress-free while flavors blend perfectly. Hand these packets out for a weeknight meal that feels complete without effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Simple Salmon Patties Recipe
Canned salmon, breadcrumbs, and spices form patties that fry crisp and golden in minutes. They’re versatile and hearty, pairing well with sides or sandwiches. Place these patties on the table for a quick dinner that delivers fullness and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Simple Salmon Patties Recipe
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Quinoa cooks in one pot with spinach and parmesan, turning simple ingredients into a meal that feels both light and hearty. Each bite is packed with protein and flavor, while prep and cleanup stay easy, giving more time for the rest of the evening. Scoop this onto plates for a weeknight supper that comes together quickly, keeps everyone full, and proves healthy meals can taste completely satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Juicy tomatoes and creamy ricotta mix with pasta to create a dish that tastes fresh, light, and flavorful. Minimal ingredients come together in about thirty minutes for a quick meal. Plate this pasta for a fast dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spicy chicken, crisp lettuce, and creamy dressing come together in a bowl that comes together in just minutes, giving big flavor without slowing you down. Each bite balances heat, crunch, and creaminess for a filling meal that satisfies without extra work. Stack plates high with this salad when dinner needs to be fast, flavorful, and completely satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Caprese Panini
Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil layered between bread to make a warm, melty panini in minutes. The flavors taste like more effort went into it than they really did. Serve this sandwich when dinner calls for something fast, comforting, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Spicy Harissa Pasta
Creamy harissa sauce blends with pasta for a dish that packs bold flavor and a lively kick in every bite. The recipe comes together quickly, and cleanup stays easy, making it a smart choice for busy nights. Serve this pasta straight from the pan to the table when you want a fast, spicy dinner that leaves everyone satisfied and impressed.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Harissa Pasta
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Juicy steak bites sizzle in garlic butter for a tender, flavorful dinner in minutes. Pair with rice, potatoes, or salad for a complete meal without extra effort. Bring these to the table when you want a quick, hearty dinner that pleases everyone.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta
Pasta tossed with creamy oregano pesto for a meal that comes together in minutes. The sauce is rich, velvety, and satisfying without extra steps. Plate this pasta when you want a fast dinner that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Oregano Pesto Pasta
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Coat pork chops with Shake and Bake for crispy, flavorful results that cook in just 25 minutes. The meal comes together quickly and works well for beginners or anyone short on time. Place these chops on the table when you need a fast, family-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops