These 30 easy 30-minute dinners for busy weeknights will save your sanity when you don’t know what to cook for supper after a stressful day.
I think we can all agree that quick and easy dinners are the best way to save our sanity on busy weeknights. The last thing we want to think about after a hectic day is what to make for dinner. The challenging part is finding those simple dinner ideas in a pinch.
Over the last year, it’s been my goal to share easy, frugal, and family-friendly recipes to help make your life a little easier. Whether you are looking for simple sheet pan dinners, one-pot meals, hearty casseroles, crockpot recipes, or quick air fryer recipes there is something here for everyone.
As a busy mom, I know how stressful day-to-day life can be. That is why I meal plan, keep a list of my favorite meals, and a master list of printable dinner ideas to make my life easier. It helps me save time and it also helps our grocery budget (which is a huge win!).
Despite all of this, no matter how hard I try there are always going to be nights when plans or work schedules change and I need dinner on the table fast. It’s those nights I turn to my 10-minute, 20-minute, and 30-minute meals.
Recently, I posted my shortcut chicken parmesan bake recipe, which is one of our favorite 30-minute dinners because of how perfect it is for busy nights (even my picky eaters love it!).
But, it made me realize that I haven’t shared any 30-minute dinner recipes here before, so I thought I would gather some of the best 30-minute dinners so you don’t resort to take-out (saving your budget) on those crazy nights when you want a hearty, satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.
Easy 30-Minute Dinners for Busy Weeknights
These delicious family-friendly dinners that take 30 minutes or less to prepare are perfect for nights when you need something on the table fast with minimal prep and easy clean-up. Your family is sure to love these simple but satisfying 30-minute recipes. Enjoy!
Creamy Baked Ziti– The Cookin’ Chicks
Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Baked Ziti recipe, a perfect blend of tender noodles, rich, creamy sauce, and gooey cheese. It’s an easy, five-ingredient family-friendly meal that brings classic Italian flavors to your table in a casserole-style dish everyone will love!
Taco Spaghetti- The Forked Spoon
This tempting One-Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe combines the beloved tastes of tacos with the simplicity and satisfying texture of spaghetti noodles, creating an effortlessly delightful dinner perfect for any weeknight. It’s all ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!
Pasta with Egg and Bacon– Christina’s Cucina
Ready in under half an hour, this egg and bacon pasta will bring rave reviews! Creamy sauce with bits of bacon this delicious dish will be on regular menu rotation in no time.
Ravioli with Mushroom Sauce– Living Lou
You’ll love this rich, creamy, and comforting ravioli with mushroom sauce. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and is perfect for a weeknight dinner while also being special enough for a date night at home. Made with mushrooms, your favorite ravioli, heavy cream, white wine, and parmesan cheese.
Gouda Mac and Cheese- Cook Dinner Tonight
This Gouda mac and cheese recipe makes cheesy homemade macaroni and cheese in just 30 minutes.
Chicken Taco Pasta- Less With Laur
Chicken taco pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal that is sure to please everyone at the table. It is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and it comes together in just 30 minutes!
Chicken Tortellini Alfredo- The Cooking Duo
Chicken tortellini Alfredo features tender, cheese-filled tortellini tossed with succulent chicken pieces and coated in a creamy Alfredo sauce, creating a rich and comforting pasta dish.
Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken- Retro Housewife Goes Green
Create this simple and delicious parmesan-crusted chicken that the whole family will love in less than 30 minutes.
Tuscan Chicken- 100 Days of Real Food
Tuscan chicken is a classic Italian dish made with chicken, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy Parmesan sauce! It is a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Your whole family will love it!
Teriyaki Chicken– Love From the Oven
This easy chicken teriyaki recipe is the best for weeknight dinners when you need something tasty yet filling!
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie– The Slow Roasted Italian
This mouthwatering skillet chicken pot pie is a creamy, hearty delight, ready in just 30 minutes! Its golden crust and rich filling make it an irresistible comfort food classic.
Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie– Begin with Balance
This deconstructed chicken pot pie is a simple and delicious meal you can put together in less than 30 minutes for a busy weeknight.
Spicy Chicken and Cauliflower Rice– Primavera Kitchen
Chicken and cauliflower rice is low-carb, gluten-free, and whole30 approved. This mouthwatering dish features juicy, flavorful chicken with the perfect seasonings and nutritious cauliflower rice! Plus, you can whip it up in just 30 minutes.
Healthy Chicken Tacos– Hungry Hobby
These healthy chicken tacos use my go-to super easy chicken taco meat recipe with ground chicken for an easy dinner ready in 30 minutes!
Beef with Broccoli– Lemon Blossoms
Skip take-out and try this easy and delicious beef and broccoli recipe. It’s ready for you to enjoy in under 30 minutes.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes– Coconuts and Kettlebells
This garlic butter steak bites and potatoes recipe is easy to make and cooks up in under 30 minutes! The steak bites are incredibly tender and the potatoes get beautifully golden brown right in the pan.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes– Quiche My Grits
Your whole family will love this Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe recipe that will take you back to Grandma’s kitchen!
30-Minute Taco Casserole– Chew Out Loud
This 30 Minute Taco Casserole is made healthier with the use of brown rice and fat-free beans. It comes together easily and quickly, and tastes absolutely delish! Nobody will realize it’s on the healthy side.
One Pot Burrito Bowl- I Heart Naptime
Easy and delicious Mexican burrito bowls made in just one pot in 30 minutes…making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Easy Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli- Miss in the Kitchen
Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli is a quick and easy dinner that the entire family will love.
Egg Roll in a Bowl– Whole New Mom
This one-pan egg roll in a bowl is healthy, filled with veggies, delicious, and takes under 30 minutes to make.
Italian Sausage and Broccolini Pasta– Peel with Zeal
This dish features penne pasta combined with tender broccolini, savory Italian sausage, and a luxurious lemon cream sauce.
Stuffed Pork Chops- Wholesome Yum
This juicy baked stuffed pork chops recipe is elegant, easy, and takes less than 30 minutes. You’ll love the cheesy mushroom filling!
Easy and Healthy Shrimp Taco Bowl- Moderately Messy RD
A delicious Mexican-inspired shrimp taco bowl with simple ingredients. The shrimp takes just a few minutes to cook and with leftover or microwave rice this dinner could be on the table in under 30 minutes.
Salmon Stir Fry- All Nutritious
Bring Asian flavors into your kitchen with this sweet and umami Salmon Stir Fry. Gluten-free (with coconut aminos), dairy-free, high protein, and healthy.
White Fish with Lemon Garlic Sauce- Haute and Healthy Living
Just 6 ingredients are required for this easy white fish recipe topped with a fresh and delicious lemon garlic sauce.
Veggie Ramen- Green Bowl 2 Soul
Veggie ramen is a delicious, quick, and easy one-pot instant noodle recipe that gets ready in less than 30 minutes. Loaded with a lot of healthy vegetables, this slurpy vegetarian ramen recipe is a must-try for every ramen lover.
Vegetarian Mexican Pizza- Watch.Learn.Eat.
This Vegetarian Mexican Pizza Recipe is a comforting and delicious meal that’s ready in 30 minutes! It’s a healthier pizza that is packed with fresh veggies, and topped with melty cheddar cheese!
Sheet Pan Greek Pita Pizza- Noshing with the Nolands
This mouthwatering sheet pan Greek pita pizza is delightfully crispy and bursting with vibrant, zesty flavors! A perfect fusion of tangy feta and juicy tomatoes on a golden crust.
