Our easy-to-make dinners make weeknight cooking super quick. Each recipe is ready in 30 minutes or less!
Our Top 10 Quick Dinner Ideas
Updated on Jun. 27, 2024
Flavorful Chicken Fajitas
This flavorful recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The chicken fajita marinade in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. They go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
1/10
2/10
Shrimp Scampi
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This shrimp scampi recipe looks elegant enough to serve to company, but it’s easy to prepare. The bright flavors of lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp. Serve it over pasta and wait for the compliments. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 395 calories, 30g fat (11g saturated fat), 177mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
3/10
Huli Huli Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I lived in Hawaii, I got this recipe for chicken marinated in a ginger-soy sauce from a friend. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian and refers to turning the meat on the grill. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 chicken thighs: 391 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 43g protein.
4/10
Smothered Chicken Breasts
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After trying a similar chicken dish in a restaurant, I decided to re-create it at home. Topped with bacon, caramelized onions and shredded cheese, this savory dish comes together in no time, and uses ingredients that I usually have on hand. And since it cooks in one skillet, it’s a cinch to clean up! —Brenda Carpenter, Warrensburg, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 560 calories, 34g fat (12g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 45g protein.
5/10
Baked Tilapia
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've decided to cook healthier for my family, and that includes having more fish at home. This is an amazing recipe, and it's fast, too! —Hope Stewart, Raleigh, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 224 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat.
6/10
The Best Shepherd’s Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 472 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein.
7/10
Dijon-Crusted Fish
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get four servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 214 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch.
8/10
Chicken and Dumplings
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Perfect for fall nights, my simple version of comforting chicken and dumplings is speedy, low in fat and a delicious one-dish meal. —Nancy Tuck, Elk Falls, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 260 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 964mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
9/10
Beef-Stuffed Zucchini
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This ground beef and zucchini recipe is a delightful summer meal. For a change of pace, substitute your favorite barbecue sauce for the marinara in this baked stuffed zucchini. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed zucchini halves: 420 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 735mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein.
10/10
Parmesan Tilapia
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are always looking for light fish recipes because of their health benefits. This one's a hit with him, and we've served it at dinner parties too. It's become a staple! —Michelle Martin, Durham, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 179 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 very lean meat, 1/2 fat.
