by Alyssa RiversThis website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my privacy policy.
30-minute meals are my go-to meals at least a few times a week! Quick, easy, and incredibly delicious, there are so many to choose from!
There are just some days that a quick meal is a must! I have rounded up some of my very favorite meals that you can make in under 30 minutes! It doesn’t get much better than that! Start out with these shrimp fajitas, this honey garlic stir fry, or this amazing chicken parmesan!
Quick and Easy Meals in Under 30 Minutes
During the school year I am constantly on the go! Between all of my work, family events, and my kid’s school and activities, I am busy! And I know that I’m not the only one! My goal is to make sure that we have at least our meals together during the week. Even if it only means sitting down for 10 minutes together! But in order to do this, I can’t be spending the entire day in the kitchen! This is why I love all of these 30 minute easy meals!
I have rounded up all of my very favorite meals that are easy and take less than 30 minutes to make! That way, I can spend my time eating amazingly delicious food AND still have some time to sit down and ask my family how their day went. Plus, a meal that doesn’t take that long AND tastes like you’ve been cooking all day is a win in my book! Take a look at these recipes and try some of them out! You will be surprised at how good something can taste, even when it’s quick and easy! Enjoy!
Tips for Quick Meals
If you truly want to make these meals in 30 minutes, some of them require a little prep work! Here are a few tips to making that happen!
- Meal plan: If you plan your easy 30 minute meals ahead of time and do the grocery shopping at the beginning of the week then this will all work out! There is nothing more frustrating than going to cook a meal and realizing that you need to go to the store for ONE thing. And that definitely takes away from cooking it up in 30 minutes! So prepare your meal plan and groceries ahead of time and you will be so glad that you did!
- Room temperature ingredients: Some recipes (especially ones that you bake) call for room temperature ingredients. So pull those out a little bit ahead of time so that they are ready to go when you are!
- Thaw meat: If you have frozen meat, you will want to take that out and thaw it in the fridge overnight. These recipes will need thawed or fresh meat. If you forget, you can cook some recipes with frozen chicken in the pressure cooker. Find pressure cooker recipes here in case that happens to you!
Sugared Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients: and ½ cups buttermilk, pumpkin puree, large egg, and ½ tablespoons vegetable oil, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground allspice, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, white sugar, cinnamon, butter, Whipped Topping, Maple syrup
Honey Dijon Garlic Chicken
A quick and easy 30 minute meal that is packed with amazing honey dijon garlic flavor! The chicken is so juicy and tender and the sauce is sweet and tangy… you are going to love it!
Ingredients: boneless, olive oil, garlic cloves, honey, stone ground dijon mustard, salt and pepper to taste, green onions or fresh parsley for garnish
Thai Peanut Skillet Chicken
A 30 minute one skillet meal that is full of amazing flavor and veggies! The Thai peanut sauce glazes the chicken perfectly and this will be a hit for dinner!
Ingredients: chicken, Oil, Large Carrot, Red Bell Pepper, Orange Bell Pepper, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic cloves, Juice of one lime, steamed snow peas, Red pepper flakes, green onions
Winter Pomegranate Orange Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Greek Yogurt Dressing
A mouthwatering winter salad with quinoa, spinach, mandarine oranges, and crunchy pistachios. Topped with a creamy lemon greek yogurt dressing and feta cheese this makes one unforgettable salad!
Ingredients: quinoa, spinach, mandarine oranges, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, crumbled feta cheese, juice from one fresh lemon, apple cider vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper
Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta
Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta is made in just one pot and ready in 30 minutes! Fresh shrimp gets cooked in a buttery lemon garlic sauce and gets tossed in fresh parmesan cheese and pasta. It will become a new favorite!
Ingredients: Linguine Pasta, olive oil, butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, large shrimp, salt and pepper to taste, italian seasoning, baby spinach, parmesan cheese, parsley, lemon juice
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken
Tender and juicy chicken in the most amazing creamy and delicious garlic mushroom sauce! This makes one incredible 30 minute meal!
Ingredients: chicken thighs or breasts, olive oil, sliced mushrooms, garlic cloves, chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, flour
Creamy Shrimp Fajita Pasta Skillet
A quick and easy 30 minute meal that has all of the things that you love about a fajita. Bell Peppers, onions, pasta, and shrimp are in the most flavorful and creamy sauce that you are going to love!
Ingredients: pasta, olive oil, bell peppers, small onion, small shrimp, McCormick Fajita Recipe Mix, 14 ounce diced fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro for garnish
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Shells
Ditch the boxed mac and cheese and make these amazingly creamy and cheesy chicken broccoli shells. This meal is sure to be a huge hit with the family!
Ingredients: pasta shells, broccoli florets, chicken breast, butter, flour, milk, grated sharp cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
Denver Omelet Breakfast Muffins
Denver Omelet Breakfast Muffins are such a great breakfast and perfect for making ahead or on the go! Loaded with Peppers, onions, ham and ooey gooey cheese, these will become a favorite!
Ingredients: onion, green pepper, chopped fully cooked ham, shredded cheddar cheese, eggs, half and half cream, salt, pepper, Sliced green onion for garnish
Hawaiian Pork Chops
Quick and Easy Hawaiian Pork Chops. Pan fried pork chops simmered in a sweet and tangy Hawaiian sauce. Ready in under 25 minutes!
Ingredients: oil, salt and pepper, thin pork chops, low sodium soy sauce, ketchup, light brown sugar, 15 ounce can pineapple slices (including the liquid), divided, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, water, chopped parsley for garnish
Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
Oven Fried Coconut Chicken Tenders – tender chicken breaded in a delicious coconut panko mixture and baked to crispy perfection!
Ingredients: unsalted butter, boneless skinless chicken tenders or 4 chicken breasts, flour, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, large eggs, milk, Panko breadcrumbs, shredded sweetened coconut, dried basil, dried parsley
Canadian Bacon & French Toast Kabobs
Canadian Bacon and French Toast Kabobs make a fun and delicious breakfast! Loaded up with fresh fruit, canadian bacon, and french toast these will become a new favorite way to eat breakfast!
Ingredients: (6 ounces) Jones Canadian Bacon, frozen French toast sticks, strawberries, blackberries, bananas, Skewers, Optional: powdered sugar
One Pot Chicken with Tortellini
This one pot chicken with tortellini is a family friendly meal that’s ready in no time! It’s packed full of golden brown chicken, veggies and tortellini, all in a creamy parmesan sauce.
Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, of refrigerated tortellini, olive oil, butter, flour, chicken broth, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, chopped parsley
20 Minute Vegetable Lo Mein
20 Minute Vegetable Lo Mein is a super easy weeknight dinner that is loaded with veggies! Crisp vegetables and long noodles all combined in a flavorful sauce the entire family will love it!
Ingredients: uncooked lo mein noodles or spaghetti, oil, red bell pepper, carrot, snow peas, garlic, sesame seeds for garnish, low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, mirin
Easy and Quick Chicken Rice Soup
Hearty and delicious chicken and rice soup! Perfect with a loaf of crusty bread!
Ingredients: and ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, olive oil, medium red bell pepper, of 1 yellow onion, large carrot, large stalks celery, dried thyme leaves, 14.5 ounces EACH reduced-sodium chicken stock (or chicken broth) (stock has a richer flavor), and ½ cups water, package Knorr Rice Sides – Chicken Flavor Broccoli, prepared rotisserie chicken, Salt and freshly cracked pepper, Optional: fresh parsley
Awesome ideas! 🙂 Pinned