Dinner recipes ready in under 30 minutes are the answer when you want great food without spending all day in the kitchen. These recipes balance convenience and taste, making them perfect for busy schedules and hungry families. Each one is worth trying at least once.

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef stir fry in a skillet.
Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef stir fry recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. Made in one pan with an assortment of fresh vegetables, it features a garlic ginger homemade stir fry sauce that’s healthier, tastier and quicker than any takeout order!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With this easy one dish taco rice skillet dinner will be on the table in about 20 minutes! Only 8 simple ingredients for a tasty family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli

Spaghetti alfredo with broccoli florets in a pot with wooden spoon.
Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This lightened up spaghetti alfredo with broccoli is creamy, cheesy and decadent but much healthier than the original so you can feel good about eating it.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

While not quite “pasta”, gnocchi is as comforting as it comes. This recipe is a one skillet meal with ground pork, crushed tomatoes, spinach and melted mozzarella cheese.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Blackened Mahi Mahi

Blackened mahi mahi over white rice.
Blackened Mahi Mahi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Blackened mahi mahi comes together in just minutes with an easy homemade seasoning blend and a few minutes under the broiler for a deliciously simple dinner.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi

Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Baked sockeye salmon with herb caper crust and lemon slices on a sheet pan.
Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This wild sockeye salmon is baked in the oven with an herbed garlic caper citrus crust for an easy, healthy meal. With a bake time of just 10-12 minutes, this is an easy yet stunning seafood dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and steak fajitas with peppers and onions.
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Steak and shrimp fajitas are the easiest way to enjoy a surf and turf dinner at home. Simply seasoned and cooked on one pan in the oven in under 20 minutes, this is the perfect weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Feta Beet Salad

Beet salad with crumbled feta, pistachios and fresh herbs on a plate with serving spoon.
Feta Beet Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This beet salad with feta cheese is a truly delicious and impressive dish using simple ingredients. Cooked beets, crumbled feta and pistachios come together with fresh herbs and a lemon olive oil dressing to enjoy as a side salad or light meal.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground pork and purple cabbage stir fry in a white pan.
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A quick and easy stir fry recipe using ground pork, cabbage and mushrooms in a delicious Asian inspired sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef and sweet potato skillet.
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This southwestern inspired ground beef and sweet potato skillet is an easy one-pan meal everyone will love. This recipe works great for meal-prepping, the leftovers are delicious!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Lemon pasta with spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

An easy, quick and delicious Mediterranean-inspired pasta filled with lemon, spinach, and feta. It can be enjoyed as is for a vegetarian meal or topped with your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp skillet dinner with kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta.
Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This Greek shrimp skillet is an easy 30 minute meal with tomatoes, spinach, Kalamata olives, feta and lots of fresh oregano and lemon flavor.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Air Fryer Cod

Air fryer cod on a plate with green beans and rice.
Air Fryer Cod. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Learn how to make air fryer cod with this easy recipe using lemon and simple spices for a tender, delicate and delicious cod fish dinner in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cod

General Tso Shrimp

Homemade general tso shrimp with broccoli and rice in a bowl with chopsticks.
General Tso Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

General Tso shrimp is a quick and easy copycat Chinese takeout recipe that tastes just like the real deal. Made in one-skillet in just 10 minutes with that sweet and slightly spicy sticky sauce you love, there’s no need to order out anymore!
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp

Air Fryer Sausage

Air fryer sausage on a white plate with sauteed peppers and onions.
Air Fryer Sausage. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cooking sausage in the air fryer is the easiest, quickest and most hands-off method there is for perfectly juicy, golden brown Italian sausages.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sausage

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef skillet recipe with melted cheese.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Taco seasoning makes this Mexican ground beef recipe an easy and flavorful one-pan meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Pork chops with purple cabbage and apples on a baking sheet.
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These quick and easy sheet pan pork chops are served with red cabbage, potatoes and apples. It’s an all in one meal great for hectic weeknights with just one pan to clean up afterwards – the perfect recipe!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with ground meat, sliced bell peppers, green onions, and cilantro—an ideal quick dinner. Chopsticks rest on top, with extra sliced peppers in a small dish nearby for easy 30 minute meals.
Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spicy udon noodles is an easy stir fry recipe made in under 30 minutes. Boasting loads of umami flavor with a ginger-garlic sriracha sauce that’s tossed among doughy udon noodles and ground beef, this one rivals any takeout dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp lo mein in a skillet with chopped green onions in a white bowl on the side.
Shrimp Lo Mein. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Make delicious shrimp lo mein at home and skip the takeout with this simple recipe. Featuring Chinese egg noodles, juicy shrimp and vegetables tossed in a restaurant-worthy sauce, this 20 minute meal will become a dinner time favorite.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein

Blackened Cod

A plate of grilled seasoned fish fillet served with quinoa, lime slices, and cilantro on a white tablecloth—perfect for quick meals or as one of your favorite under 30 minutes dinner recipes.
Blackened Cod. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Simple pantry seasonings and a quick pan-sear is all it takes to make this delicious blackened cod recipe.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Smashed white bean quesadillas on a cutting board.
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These smashed white bean and kale quesadillas are the perfect indulgent meatless meal. Oozing with melted cheddar and topped with a creamy BBQ sauce.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Bacon Wrapped Salmon

A plate of cooked salmon topped with herbs and cheese, served over rice with sliced cherry tomatoes on the side; salt and pepper bowls nearby—perfect for quick dinner inspiration and easy 30 minute meals.
Bacon Wrapped Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Need a decadent yet healthy and wholesome restaurant quality meal? This bacon-wrapped salmon recipe is your answer!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon

Air Fryer Brats

Air fryer brats on buns with potato chips on the side.
Air Fryer Brats. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cooking brats in the air fryer is so incredibly simple and quick you won’t believe it! Even the most die-hard grilling fans will be impressed with these tender and juicy air fryer brats. And best yet, they’re ready in under 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brats

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one-pot turkey mac and cheese is like a grownup version of hamburger helper and a much healthier option than that boxed stuff. Filled with spinach, peppers, real cheddar cheese, on the table in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

A plate with a cooked salmon fillet topped with sauce, served alongside broccolini; a fork and a small bowl of sauce are nearby—perfect for quick dinner ideas or easy 30 minute meals.
Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Making frozen salmon in the air fryer is quick, easy and delicious when paired with this simple maple mustard sauce. No need to defrost, cook straight from the freezer when you’re pressed for time!
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

Read More About Me

Follow Lucy on social media:

Posted in:

You May Also Like:

Sign up with your email address to receive a 5-day series of Southern Cooking Secrets, followed by weekly emails with recipes and tips. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *