Sometimes there just isn’t a lot of time to get a meal on the table – we’ve all been there. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have something delicious, nutritious, and filling. When I’m in a rush and don’t have a lot of time to cook, I rely on delicious, satisfying recipes that I can easily make in 20 minutes or less. Dishes like Creamy Lemon Dill Chicken and Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Salsa are packed with vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats for a balanced meal that tastes creative and complex. Plus, these recipes rely on less expensive ingredients like beans, rice, chicken, and canned tomatoes, making it easy to find a healthy meal that fits your budget. So what are you waiting for? You’re only 20 minutes away from a quick and delicious dinner. For more budget-friendly recipes and cooking tips for beginners, visit Thrifty.
Pan fry salmon with creamy tomatoes for 20 minutes
Salmon fillets are cooked quickly and coated in a delicious, creamy sauce made with tomatoes, zucchini, and Italian seasoning. This easy salmon dinner is sure to become a new weekend favorite that the whole family will love. Best news: You can have this meal on the table in 20 minutes.
Vegan coconut chickpea curry
To make this 20-minute vegetarian curry even faster, buy cut vegetables from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a complete and satisfying dinner, serve with cooked brown rice. When shopping for calm sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this sauce vegetarian. If you like your meal spicy, add a little of your favorite hot sauce at the end.
Chicken with cream, lemon and dill
This Creamy Lemon Dill Chicken recipe is a real crowd pleaser and makes the perfect weeknight dinner. Chicken cutlets cook quickly, and this recipe goes from skillet to table in just 20 minutes. The gravy and sweetness of the skillet are at the heart of this vibrant, tangy skillet sauce you serve with chicken. Sprinkle any extra over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes served on the side.
Salmon tacos with pineapple salsa
Easy-to-make slaw served alongside these salmon tacos makes a quick and filling weeknight dinner. If you prefer a little more heat in these fish tacos, simply add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper with chili powder.
Spinach and artichoke pasta
If you want to make a meal out of a warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. Here’s what’s almost as good as the flavor of this comfort dish: the fact that this healthy dinner only takes 20 minutes to prepare.
Grilled steak with tomato salad
Cutting a steak right after cooking breaks all the rules of cooking meat, but in this recipe we do it intentionally in order to catch the juices and incorporate them into the marinade. Serve this grilled steak recipe with crusty bread to soak up the delicious taste.
Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, except for the stir-fried bowl. We packed them with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and avocado, plus an easy chickpea sauce to drizzle on top.
Chicken enchiladas for 20 minutes
Quick tip: While the sauce is simmering, shred the chicken. For a spicy kick, top with chopped jalapeno.
Fried mushrooms and tofu
This vegetarian stir-fried tofu is quick and easy, making it a great weeknight meal. Baked tofu has a firm, firm texture and crisps well in a hot pan. You can find it in flavors like teriyaki and sesame, both of which are delicious here. Or choose the smoked version, which has the same texture with a more robust flavor. Serve over brown rice.
Ravioli lasagna skillet
This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food—no layers or mixing bowls needed. Feel free to swap out ground turkey for beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
Thai beef
We’ve increased the serving size of Thai Beef by adding lots of healthy veggies like matchstick carrots, peas, and green onions. Look for Thai noodles made with whole-grain brown rice to add an additional 3 grams of fiber to each serving.
Quick chicken fajitas
Want to update your classic chicken fajita recipe? These quick and easy chicken fajitas are perfect for a casual and fun get-together. For a fun and casual get-together, prepare your own fajita bar with chicken filling, avocado crema, sour cream, and any other toppings you like, like pico de gallo, sliced fresh jalapeños, or crunchy radishes. Slices. The recipe serves 4 people, but you can easily double it to feed more people. For a quick and easy side, combine shredded red or green cabbage, toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), and crumbled cheese. Toss with a simple sauce of lemon juice and olive oil.
Creamy lemon pasta with shrimp
Yogurt is a good substitute for cream in the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. Simply heat the yogurt (don’t boil it) and add some pasta cooking water to thin it out. Lemon and fresh basil brighten whole wheat pasta and complement the shrimp in this quick dinner recipe.
BBQ Chicken Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
This delicious, creamy slaw is so good that you may find yourself making it for other sandwiches. However, it pairs beautifully with tangy boneless chicken for an incredibly quick dinner that you can prepare even on the busiest of nights. To save even more time, use pre-chopped coleslaw mix.