Weeknights can be hectic. After a full day of work, school, or chores, it’s tough to get a healthy dinner on the table quickly. Turning to fast food or takeout seems easy, but is not ideal for your health or wallet. With some planning and quick recipes, though, you can make dinner stress-free even on busy weeknights. Follow these tips to serve up fast, simple meals using ingredients you have on hand.
Main Dishes You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
Cooking an entire meal in half an hour may seem impossible on a hectic worknight. But there are many options that come together quickly with minimal effort.
One-Pot Wonders
One-pot meals require little prep and cleanup. Toss everything in a single pan and let it simmer hands-free. Options like:
- Sheet pan dinners with protein and veggies roasted together
- Skillet meals like stir fries, fajitas, or one-pan pastas
- Slow cooker or instant pot meals with ingredients layered and cooked in the appliance
One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 3 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and broccoli and cook 5 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli and return to the pot. Add the milk, butter and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir over medium heat until the cheese melts and the mixture comes to a simmer.
- Top with breadcrumbs and serve.
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup parmesan, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook 5 minutes until they start to burst.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Add cooked pasta and pasta water to skillet. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and stir in basil and parmesan. Serve immediately.
Fast Pasta
Boiling up some pasta takes 10-12 minutes, leaving you time to whip up an easy sauce. Consider fast pasta bakes with a sauce and cheese melted on top or quick veggie pasta tossed with olive oil and garlic.
Breakfast for Dinner
When you’re rushed, breakfast foods make a fast, filling dinner. Whip up omelets, frittatas, or quiche in a pie dish for mini grab-and-go portions. Bust out the waffle iron or griddle for pancakes and breakfast meats.
Salad Entrées
Pre-washed greens and ready-to-eat toppings make salad a cinch. To make it a meal, top with leftovers like grilled chicken, steak tips, or salmon. Or add healthy proteins like chickpeas, eggs, or nuts.
Cooking with Simple Ingredients
No need for lengthy grocery lists or obscure ingredients. These basics make putting together meals easy.
Pantry Essentials
Keep these shelf-stable ingredients on hand for spur of the moment meals:
- Canned beans, tomatoes, broths
- Rice, pasta, bread for carbs
- Oil, spices, sauces for flavor
Versatile Proteins
Choose proteins that work in many quick recipes:
- Eggs – Frittatas, omelets, egg sandwiches
- Boneless chicken breasts – Salad topping, pasta, sandwiches
- Ground turkey – Tacos, lettuce wraps, pasta sauce
- Pork chops – Sheet pan dinners, stir fry, sandwiches
Fast Veggies
Use frozen or ready-to-eat vegetables to skip lengthy prep:
- Frozen veggies – Broccoli, peas, mixed medleys
- Bagged greens – Spinach, lettuce, slaw mix
- Roasted veggies – Pick up pre-prepped at the store
Speedy Extras
Small additions that infuse big flavor fast:
- Minced garlic or ginger
- Pesto or dressing
- Salsa, BBQ sauce, soy sauce
Preparation Tips for Streamlined Cooking
You don’t need to spend all night in the kitchen to eat well. Use these tricks to prep and cook in just minutes.
Take Advantage of Your Microwave
Microwaves aren’t just for leftovers. Use them to:
- Quickly wilt spinach or other greens
- Cook potatoes in minutes
- Bake sweet or russet potatoes
- Poach eggs
- Par-cook veggies to speed up roasting
Multitask While Ingredients Cook
Use cooking time wisely:
- Prep other ingredients or make side dishes
- Clean up as you go to minimize after-dinner cleanup
Batch Prep Components
Make parts of meals ahead of time:
- Cook a pot of rice or quinoa for the week
- Roast a sheet pan of vegetables for fast meals
- Hard boil a dozen eggs for breakfasts and snacks
Dinner doesn’t need to be stressful on busy worknights. With some simple recipes, handy ingredients, and preparation tips, you can serve up fast, healthy meals family members will love coming home to.
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