Easy Weeknight Dinners: 10 Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes
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When time is tight, finding a quick, easy, and delicious meal can feel like a challenge. That’s why we’ve compiled the ultimate list of easy weeknight dinners that are ready in 30 minutes or less. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create tasty meals that will satisfy the whole family and make dinner time stress-free.
1. Easy Weeknight Dinners: One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetables
Packed with flavor, this One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken is a lifesaver. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a balanced meal that’s both filling and easy to clean up.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange chicken, broccoli, and carrots on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving.
2. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
Perfectly seasoned shrimp over angel hair pasta is a classic that’s easy to prepare. With the right ingredients, you’ll enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz. angel hair pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup white wine (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, then add shrimp.
- Sauté shrimp until pink, about 3-4 minutes, then add white wine (optional) and parsley.
- Toss with pasta and serve.
3. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Black Bean and Corn Tacos
For a vegetarian twist, these Black Bean and Corn Tacos are both satisfying and packed with protein. This dish is ready in no time and will add a bit of zest to your evening.
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Corn or flour tortillas
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add black beans, corn, and tomatoes.
- Season with cumin, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Spoon mixture into tortillas and top with your choice of salsa or avocado.
4. Easy Weeknight Dinners: 15-Minute Garlic Butter Salmon
This Garlic Butter Salmon recipe is both delicious and nutritious, and it’s on the table in just 15 minutes. High in omega-3 fatty acids, this dish is a perfect healthy option for busy nights.
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, pepper, and parsley for garnish
- Lemon slices
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Place salmon fillets in the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve with lemon slices and parsley.
5. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Quick and Easy Beef Stir Fry
In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a flavorful Beef Stir Fry with crisp vegetables. It’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and the stir fry sauce adds rich flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add beef and cook until browned, then set aside.
- In the same skillet, add broccoli and bell pepper. Sauté until tender.
- Return beef to skillet, add soy sauce and sesame oil, and stir until combined.
6. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
For a lighter meal, these Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps are ideal. Ready in minutes, they combine the crispness of fresh veggies with creamy Caesar dressing.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup Caesar dressing
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Whole wheat or flour wraps
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, lettuce, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese.
- Spoon mixture into wraps, roll up, and serve.
7. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
This classic Italian dish, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, is incredibly easy to make and only requires a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Toss spaghetti with garlic oil, garnish with parsley, and serve.
8. Easy Weeknight Dinners: 20-Minute Chickpea Curry
This vegetarian Chickpea Curry is hearty, flavorful, and ready in 20 minutes, making it a great option for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot, add diced onion, and cook until softened.
- Add chickpeas, coconut milk, and curry powder. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Season to taste, serve with rice or naan.
9. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Baked Pesto Chicken
Baked Pesto Chicken is a simple yet flavorful meal. The pesto adds a rich herbaceous flavor, while the mozzarella makes it extra creamy.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken breasts in a baking dish, top with pesto, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
10. Easy Weeknight Dinners: Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos
For a fun twist on nachos, try Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos. They’re both delicious and nutritious, packed with fiber and sweet flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- Salsa, sour cream, and green onions for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange sweet potato slices on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until crispy.
- Top with black beans and cheese, then bake until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with salsa, sour cream, and green onions.
These easy weeknight dinners make meal planning simpler and ensure you always have a delicious recipe on hand, even on the busiest nights. Try them out and enjoy these quick, satisfying meals with minimal prep and cleanup.
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