Weeknights are busy for everyone. Between work, school, and extracurricular activities, it can be tough to find time to cook a healthy and delicious meal. But that doesn’t mean you have to resort to unhealthy fast food or takeout. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily whip up a delicious dinner in just 30 minutes.
Tips for Making Quick and Easy Dinners
Plan your meals ahead of time. This will help you avoid last-minute scrambling and unhealthy choices.
Keep a well-stocked pantry and fridge. This way, you’ll always have the ingredients you need to make a quick meal.
Prep your ingredients in advance. This will save you time when you’re cooking.
Use simple cooking methods. Don’t try to get too fancy when you’re short on time.
Get the whole family involved.
- One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
This dish is simple to make and packed with flavor. The salmon is baked on a sheet pan with vegetables,
so there’s minimal cleanup.
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound broccoli florets
1/2 pound cherry tomatoes
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
Pour the lemon herb mixture over the salmon.
Arrange broccoli florets and cherry tomatoes around the salmon.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Skillet Chicken Fajitas
This is a fun and interactive meal that everyone can enjoy. You can customize it with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
1 bell pepper, sliced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 flour tortillas
Your favorite fajita toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
Add onion and bell pepper, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
Serve chicken fajitas with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
- Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon with Roasted Asparagus
This salmon dish is flavorful and easy to make. The honey garlic glaze is sweet and sticky, and the asparagus is roasted to perfection.
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and pepper.
Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
Pour the honey garlic glaze over the salmon.
Arrange asparagus around the salmon.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the asparagus is tender.
- Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach
This pasta dish is hearty and satisfying. The creamy tomato sauce is made with ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese, and the spinach adds a pop of color and nutrients.
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups baby spinach
Instructions:
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Drain pasta and toss with the tomato sauce.
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts
This is a simple and classic dish that is always a crowd-pleaser. The chicken breasts are seasoned with lemon pepper seasoning and cooked until tender.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Season chicken breasts with lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- One-Pot Pasta Primavera
This pasta dish is packed with vegetables and is easy to make in one pot. The pasta is cooked in a flavorful broth with vegetables, and then topped with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, diced
11 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a large pot.
Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli florets, and cherry tomatoes.
Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain pasta and add to the skillet with vegetables.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Serve immediately.
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are tender and flavorful. They are coated in a garlic Parmesan breading and then baked until golden brown.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Combine flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Dip chicken pieces in the egg, then coat in the flour mixture.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- 4-Ingredient Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Skillet
This dish is simple to make and full of flavor. The kielbasa is cooked with sauerkraut and onions, and then served on a bed of rice.
Ingredients:
1 pound kielbasa, sliced
1 (14.5-ounce) can sauerkraut, drained
1 onion, sliced
1 cup cooked rice
Instructions:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add kielbasa and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
Add sauerkraut and onion, and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Serve over cooked rice.
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
Grilled chicken thighs are a healthy and flavorful option for a quick and easy meal. They can be marinated in your favorite marinade or simply seasoned with salt and pepper.
