These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (2024)

Sometimes, you just need dinner fast. Bookmark these 15-minute meals for those nights when time is extra tight, and everyone is hungry. Keep your freezer stocked with frozen shrimp and peas—and make sure you have some fresh vegetables in your crisper drawer. Eggs and jarred salsa should be on hand in the refrigerator; of course, you'll have pasta and rice in your kitchen cupboard. If there's leftover cooked rice in the fridge or freezer, all the better.

These ingredients will help you make dinner quickly, whether it's an easy pasta, main dish salad, quick chicken entrée, or dinner-party-worthy fish dish.

20 Budget-Friendly Meals You'll Want to Add to Your Regular Dinner Rotation

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Sunny-Side-Up Egg and Baby-Spinach Flatbread

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (1)

A quick route to a delicious, healthy dinner is to top store-bought, whole-wheat flatbread with baby spinach, thinly sliced red onion, and fried eggs.

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02of 17

15-Minute Lentil Soup

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (2)

This hearty soup is made with canned lentils and store-bought vegetable or chicken broth—that's why it's so fast. There are also onions, carrots, and celery in the soup. All you need for serving is some crusty bread.

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03of 17

Broccoli Rabe Pesto With Whole-Wheat Pasta and Turkey Sausage

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (3)

Lean, spicy turkey sausage adds heat and might to this simple pasta dish. The recipe calls for whole-wheat linguine, but use any long noodles you have to make this quick dinner.

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04of 17

Chicken, Red Cabbage, and Carrot Salad With Soy-Lime Dressing

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (4)

Use rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken, or extra chicken thighs you grilled on the weekend to top this colorful salad of shredded red cabbage and carrots, fresh cilantro, and mint leaves. Everything is tossed with a lively dressing made with soy sauce, lime juice, and minced jalapeño.

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05of 17

Tuna-Salad Hand Rolls

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (5)

Our easy homemade sushi hand rolls are a fabulous way to use good-quality canned tuna in something other than a sandwich. Toss the tuna with a little mayonnaise, lemon juice, and cilantro, then arrange the mixture on toasted nori sheets along with rice, sliced vegetables, and avocado. Roll up and enjoy!

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06of 17

Avocado, Salsa, and Cilantro Omelet

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (6)

Breakfast for dinner is a fast and satisfying way to get a meal on the table stat. Our avocado-and-salsa stuffed omelet gives the concept a fresh flavor and takes less than 15 minutes to make. Pair with toast or tortillas—or chips.

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07of 17

Easy Chicken Posole

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (7)

Using store-bought ingredients like chicken stock, guajillo chile salsa, and shredded cooked chicken in this simple soup means dinner comes together in 10 minutes.

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Breakfast Bowl With Fried Eggs, Yogurt, and Vegetables

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (8)

Another breakfast for dinner option? Yes, please! Start by cooking fried eggs in heart-healthy olive oil, then serve over plain Greek yogurt alongside leftover roasted vegetables, sliced chiles, and plenty of fresh herbs.

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09of 17

Crispy Panko Shrimp Salad

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (9)

We give shrimp an extra dose of flavor by coating them in Dijonaise (a genius combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) and crispy panko breadcrumbs. Serve them over spring-mix greens for a hearty dinner salad.

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10of 17

Broken Noodles With Tomato Sauce and Ricotta

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (10)

All you need is four ingredients for this 15-minute meal—jarred marinara sauce, pappardelle pasta, ricotta cheese, and fresh basil. It's creamy, comforting, and guaranteed to please your family.

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11of 17

Pasta With Preserved Lemon and Anchovies

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (11)

Dress your choice of noodles—think spaghetti or linguine—with minced garlic, oil-packed anchovies, chopped preserved lemon, flat-leaf parsley, and plenty of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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12of 17

Seared Halibut Tacos With Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (12)

When Taco Tuesday rolls around, make these refreshing bites. Serve pan-seared halibut filets with segmented ruby red grapefruit, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and shredded Napa cabbage.

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13of 17

Soy-Honey-Glazed Arctic Char

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (13)

Arctic char is the start of this 15-minute dinner for two. It's similar to salmon and just as delicious and nutritious. The fish is glazed with soy sauce, lime juice, and honey, and served with sautéed baby bok choy.

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Tofu With Ginger-Cilantro Sauce

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (14)

Extra-firm tofu is brushed with olive oil, then grilled and served with a flavor-packed sauce made from fresh cilantro, chopped jalapeño, fresh ginger, lime juice, and scallions in this vegan main. Serve over spring greens or noodles or sandwich in a fluffy bun for dinner.

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Spaghetti With Collard Greens and Lemon

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (15)

In just 15 minutes, you can make this nutritious and satisfying meal. We used farro or whole-wheat spaghetti, but whatever you have on hand works here. Toss the cooked pasta with toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, collard greens, and plenty of freshly grated Pecorino Romano.

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16of 17

Easy Tuna Rice Bowl

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (16)

Layer canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and edamame over cooked rice for this easy bowl. Dress everything with a mixture of soy sauce, fresh lime juice, and olive oil.

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17of 17

Fried Omelet With Shrimp and Snap Peas

These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (17)

Save time on dinner prep by using pre-cooked shrimp and blanched sugar snap peas in this easy eggs-for-dinner recipe. Serve the omelet over cooked rice with spicy chili sauce for a complete meal.

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These Quick Dinner Recipes Take Just 15 Minutes to Make (2024)

FAQs

What to eat that is fast and easy? ›

Dinner
  • Zucchini Pasta with Vegan Cashew-Basil Pesto.
  • Veggie Fried Rice.
  • Spicy Cilantro Shrimp with Honey-Lime Dipping Sauce.
  • Oven-Baked Tostadas.
  • Broccoli and Parmesan Soup.
  • Pan-Roasted Salmon with Arugula and Avocado Salad.
  • Quick and Easy Black Beans and Rice.
  • Low-Carb Chili.
Jun 14, 2019

What can I cook in 30 min? ›

Our Best 30-Minute Recipes
  • Chili and Cheese Pockets.
  • Easy Beef Stew in Biscuit Cups.
  • 2-Ingredient Chicken and Dumplings.
  • Biscuit Hamburgers.
  • Garlic Cheddar Biscuit Turkey Club.
  • Cheesy Chicken-Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls for Two.
  • Cheesy Southwest Chicken Crescent Rolls for Two.
  • Crispy Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Crescent Rolls.

What is the fastest thing to cook? ›

56 Fast Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less
  1. One-Pot Pasta Limone. Time Commitment: 15 minutes. ...
  2. Pan-Seared Fish with Pomegranate Salsa. Time Commitment: 20 minutes. ...
  3. Healthy Chicken Parmesan. ...
  4. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa. ...
  5. Skillet Pepper Steak. ...
  6. Cheater's Pad Thai. ...
  7. Shrimp Scampi Zoodles. ...
  8. Cacio e Pepe.
Apr 29, 2024

What is the number 1 most popular fast food? ›

Most popular fast food companies

McDonald's is by far the most popular fast food chain in the United States. It has about 13,500 locations in the U.S., 40,000 worldwide, and it operates in 118 countries. McDonald's serves 69 million people every day, more than the population of Thailand and the United Kingdom.

What's a good dinner idea for tonight? ›

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make
  • Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast. tasty.co. ...
  • Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon. tasty.co. ...
  • The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast. tasty.co. ...
  • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas. ...
  • Upgraded Ramen. ...
  • Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli.
May 16, 2024

What's the easiest thing to cook? ›

17 Of The Easiest Recipes Of All Time (Seriously)
  • Honey Balsamic Chicken. ...
  • Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps. ...
  • White Bean Soup With Vegetables. ...
  • Smoked Gouda and Mushroom Quesadillas. ...
  • Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage. ...
  • Scrambled Egg Tacos. ...
  • 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. ...
  • One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Artichokes.
Jan 2, 2019

What's for dinner?: 30 minute quick and easy family meals.? ›

So, dig in for delicious dishes such as Halloumi Bean Bake, BLT Pasta, Peanut Pork Noodles, Tortilla Pizzas, Chorizo Risotto, Crispy Pesto Cod, Steak Fajitas, Lentil Linguine, Tikka Naan Burgers, plus weekend breakfasts and sweet treats – all ready in 30 minutes or less!

What's the cheapest thing to cook? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  • Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  • Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  • Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  • Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  • Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  • White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Jun 8, 2024

What food can be made quickly? ›

Quick recipes
  • Vegetarian ramen. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  • Sweet & spicy broccoli noodles. A star rating of 3.5 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer pork chops. A star rating of 2.8 out of 5. ...
  • Tahini noodles with red cabbage & Sichuan peppercorn slaw. ...
  • Reuben sandwich. ...
  • Quick chicken hummus bowl. ...
  • Air-fryer garlic bread. ...
  • Creamy garlic pasta.

What is the best thing to eat fast food? ›

Focus on grilled or roasted lean meats.

Try to avoid or limit fried and breaded items, such as crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish filets. Instead, opt for turkey, chicken breast, lean ham, or lean roast beef. Many fast food restaurants offer a grilled chicken item, which is often your best bet.

What meal to start fast? ›

A typical pre-fast meal would include brown rice, baked chicken, a cooked veggie like carrots or broccoli, a tossed salad and fresh fruits for dessert.

How to make food in 5 minutes? ›

5-minute meals recipes
  1. Storecupboard pasta salad. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  2. Pan-fried camembert sandwich. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  3. Prawn & coconut soup. ...
  4. Classic French omelette. ...
  5. Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato, salad leaves & tomatoes. ...
  6. Creamy tomato courgetti. ...
  7. Speedy tuna pasta salad. ...
  8. Easy pea & mint soup.

What food fills you up the quickest? ›

Some of the most filling foods include baked potatoes, eggs, and high fiber foods. People sometimes refer to the feeling of fullness as satiety. In 1995, researchers at the University of Sydney put together a satiety index to measure how effectively various foods achieve satiety.

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