15 Quick Dinner Recipes That Will Save Your Weeknights (You Won't Believe #7!)

Conquer Weeknight Dinners with Speed and Flavor

Busy weeknights can feel like a never-ending race against the clock. Between work, errands, and family commitments, finding time to prepare a healthy, delicious dinner can be a challenge. In fact, studies show that the average person spends around 30 minutes cooking on weeknights. This often leads to quick takeout or processed meals, which aren’t ideal for your health or wallet.

But worry not! This article offers you 15 quick dinner recipes that will transform your weeknight cooking. Get ready for some surprising flavors, including one recipe that will surely catch you off guard—#7!

You’ll discover a variety of recipes that encompass speedy pasta dishes, vibrant sheet pan meals, easy one-pot wonders, and more. These dishes not only save time but are packed with flavor.

Speedy Pasta Perfection: 3 Recipes Under 20 Minutes

Recipe 1: One-Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta

• Ingredients:

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

• Instructions:

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
  2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until golden.
  3. Drain the pasta, then add it to the pot along with Parmesan.
  4. Mix well and season with salt, pepper, and parsley.

• Time: 15 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 400 calories per serving

Recipe 2: Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

• Ingredients:

  • 10 oz penne pasta
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

• Instructions:

  1. Cook penne pasta as directed.
  2. In a skillet, combine diced tomatoes and oregano. Cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in heavy cream and spinach until spinach wilts.
  4. Toss cooked pasta with sauce.

• Time: 20 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 450 calories per serving

Recipe 3: Quick Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

• Ingredients:
  

  • 8 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 package pre-cooked sausage, sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Instructions:

  1. Boil water and cook rotini for 8-10 minutes.
  2. In a separate pan, heat sausage until browned.
  3. Add broccoli to the sausage and stir for 3-4 minutes.
  4. Combine with pasta and sprinkle Parmesan on top.

• Time: 18 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 500 calories per serving

Sheet Pan Sensations: Minimal Cleanup, Maximum Flavor

Recipe 4: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

• Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fajita seasoning

• Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Toss chicken and veggies in olive oil and seasoning.
  3. Spread on a sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes.

• Time: 25 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 350 calories per serving

Recipe 5: Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies

• Ingredients:

  • 1 package pre-cooked sausage, sliced
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, zucchini, bell peppers)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Toss sausage and veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spread on a sheet pan and bake for 15-20 minutes.

• Time: 20 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 400 calories per serving

Recipe 6: Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Salmon

• Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 2 cups asparagus
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Place salmon and asparagus on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, then bake for 12-15 minutes.

• Time: 15 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 300 calories per serving

One-Pot Wonders: Easy Cleanup, Delicious Results

Recipe 7: (The Surprising One!) One-Pot Chicken and Rice

• Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, diced
  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

• Instructions:

  1. Heat a pot and brown chicken.
  2. Add rice, broth, mixed vegetables, and garlic powder.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes.

• Time: 30 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 450 calories per serving

This surprising dish combines simplicity with robust flavor, making it a standout among one-pot meals.

Recipe 8: One-Pot Pasta Primavera

• Ingredients:

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • 2 cups assorted vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, carrots)
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • Parmesan cheese for serving

• Instructions:

  1. Combine spaghetti, vegetables, and broth in a pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-12 minutes.
  3. Top with Parmesan before serving.

• Time: 20 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 400 calories per serving

Recipe 9: One-Pot Chili

• Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp chili powder

• Instructions:

  1. Brown meat in a pot, then drain fat.
  2. Add beans, tomatoes, and chili powder; cook for 20 minutes.

• Time: 30 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 500 calories per serving

An actionable tip: Prepare a larger batch of this chili for easy leftovers.

Quick and Healthy Salads That Satisfy

Recipe 10: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

• Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup olives, pitted and sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

• Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix cooked quinoa with tomatoes, feta, and olives.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and toss well.

• Time: 15 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 350 calories per serving

Recipe 11: Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mixed greens
  • 1 grilled chicken breast, sliced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Balsamic vinaigrette for dressing

• Instructions:

  1. Place greens in a bowl, top with chicken and avocado.
  2. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.

• Time: 10 minutes

• Nutritional Information: Approx. 400 calories per serving

Utilizing pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver.

Recipe 12: Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cups tomatoes, sliced
  • Balsamic glaze for drizzling

• Instructions:

  1. Layer mozzarella,