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!
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
Delicious Meatball Soup
This meatball soup is hearty and full of amazing flavor. It only takes about 30 minutes to cook up and can be made with homemade or frozen meatballs! It's a MUST TRY recipe for sure!
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, minced, carrots, sliced, zucchini, chopped, garlic, minced, diced Italian tomatoes, beef broth, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, meatballs, frozen or homemade, dry orzo, or dry small pasta of choice, marinara sauce , fresh parsley, chopped, fresh parmesan cheese, grated
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
Thai Basil Beef
Thai basil beef is simple and delicious! It's made with a homemade Thai sauce that has a bold and brilliant flavor and can be thrown together in less than 30 minutes. It is SOO GOOD!
Ingredients: vegetable oil, shallots, garlic, fresh ginger, red bell pepper, lean ground beef, brown sugar, fish sauce, low sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, Asian garlic chili paste, low sodium beef broth, water, cornstarch, basil leaves*, Cooked Jasmine rice
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
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
This easy and comforting philly cheese steak sloppy Joe is made in less than 30 minutes and instantly became a family favorite. The flavor combination and melted cheese makes these sloppy joes irresistible!
Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Ground Beef, Onion , Green Pepper , Steak Sauce, Beef Broth, Cornstarch, Water, Hamburger Buns, Provoline Cheese, Salt and Pepper to Taste
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
Walnut Crusted Maple Salmon
Walnut Crusted Maple Salmon is a savory salmon dish that is coated in a sweet maple syrup, delicious Dijon mustard coated with a thick walnut crust all baked to perfection. Baked in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients: salmon, salt and pepper, Maple Syrup, Dijon Mustard, Fisher Nuts Walnuts
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
Easy Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe
Moo Goo Gai Pan is a classic Chinese dish with tender chicken pieces and mushrooms then add in crisp vegetables such as carrots, water chestnuts, snow peas all stir fried together with a special white sauce poured over top and simmered all together. Way better than take out and only 20 minutes!
Ingredients: olive oil, chicken thighs, salt and pepper, large carrots, mushrooms, water chestnuts, snow peas, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, water, chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
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
The Easiest Homemade Pizza Ever!
Easiest Homemade Pizza Ever! Foolproof, dough is ready in 20 minutes, best pizza ever and taken from my quick and easy dough recipe. Crispy crust with all your favorite toppings to make your pizza night a bonus!
Ingredients: warm water, sugar, yeast, flour, Salt
Easy Instant Pot Lasagna
This Instant Pot recipe is filled with all the lasagna flavors you love! Layers of creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and ground beef seasoned with Italian herbs come together in this super easy dish!
Ingredients: olive oil, lean ground beef or ground turkey, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, dried Italian seasonings, jarred marinara sauce, dry bowtie noodles , water, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, shredded, fresh 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
20 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
These air fryer fajitas are packed to the brim with flavor but only take a few minutes to make! They are perfect for those on-the-go, busy nights, and everyone will go crazy over them!
Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper , Medium Sized Onion, Olive Oil, Homemade Fajita Seasoning, Flour Tortillas
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
10 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti
For those nights when you need something fast and easy turn to 10 minute Instant Pot Spaghetti. Superbly seasoned beef and tender noodles all cook together in a delectable sauce and is ready in no time.
Ingredients: olive oil, ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce, water
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
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup made with chicken thighs, veggies and egg noodles.This soup is comfort food at it's finest! Ready in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken thighs, onion, large dice, carrots, large dice, celery, large dice, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, low sodium chicken broth, fresh thyme (can substitute 1 tsp dried), bay leaves, sage leaves, chopped (substitute 1 tsp dried), uncooked egg noodles, fresh chopped parsley for serving
Awesome ideas! 🙂 Pinned