10+ Quick Recipes for Dinner: Easy Meals to Whip Up in No Time

Finding time to make dinner can be tough, especially on busy nights.

Quick recipes for dinner can help you prepare tasty meals in no time, making your evening routines simpler and more enjoyable.

These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to save time while still serving delicious dishes.

With a variety of easy options available, you can easily cook meals that fit your busy lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for something light or hearty, quick recipes ensure you can eat well without spending hours in the kitchen.

1) Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a simple and delicious dinner option. It requires just a few ingredients, making it perfect for a quick meal.

You can whip it up in about 20 minutes.

To make this dish, you only need spaghetti, pancetta or bacon, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. The creamy texture comes from the eggs and cheese, not cream.

You’ll love how easy and satisfying it is. This dish is an Italian classic that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 4 ounces pancetta or bacon
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper to taste
• Salt for pasta water

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, cook pancetta or bacon until crispy.
3. In a bowl, whisk eggs and mix in Parmesan.
4. Drain pasta, reserving some water.
5. Combine pasta with bacon and remove from heat.
6. Mix in egg mixture quickly. Add pasta water if needed.
7. Serve with black pepper on top. Enjoy!

2) Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet pan chicken fajitas are an easy and tasty dinner option. You can make them using just a single pan, which saves you time on cleanup.

Start by preparing your ingredients. You will need chicken, bell peppers, and onions.

All these ingredients roast together, soaking up delicious flavors.

The best part is that you can customize the toppings. Use your favorites, like avocado, salsa, or sour cream, to make your fajitas perfect for you.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Flour tortillas

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the chicken, peppers, onion, olive oil, and seasoning.
3. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Serve in warm tortillas with your chosen toppings.

3) One-Pot Chicken Alfredo

One-Pot Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and quick dinner option. You can prepare it in about 30 minutes with just one pan to clean up afterward.

This dish features tender chicken, creamy sauce, and pasta all cooked together for easy serving.

Start by heating oil in a pot and browning the chicken. Then, add garlic and let it cook for a minute.

Next, combine broth, cream, and pasta, and bring everything to a boil.

Let it simmer until the pasta is tender, and finish with parmesan cheese for a rich flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or your choice)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in broth, cream, and pasta.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
6. Simmer until pasta is al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
7. Stir in parmesan cheese and mix well.
8. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

4) Beef Stir-Fry with Vegetables

Beef stir-fry is a quick and tasty dinner option. You can whip this up in about 25 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something simple and delicious.

Start with tender beef and add a mix of your favorite vegetables. Broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots work great. You can even use whatever you have on hand.

To create a flavorful dish, use a sauce made of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This combination gives your stir-fry a tasty kick.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) beef, sliced thin
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 400°F or 200°C).
2. Add beef and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute.
4. Add vegetables and stir-fry for another 5 minutes.
5. Pour in soy sauce and mix well. Serve hot.

5) Baked Salmon with Lemon

Baked salmon with lemon is a quick and healthy dinner option. The bright flavor of lemon pairs perfectly with the tender, flaky fish. You’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time.

To start, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Place salmon fillets in the dish and drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add slices of lemon on top of the salmon for extra flavor. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

This dish is great served with a side of vegetables or rice for a complete meal. Enjoy your tasty, healthy dinner!

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon slices

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
3. Place salmon in the dish.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Top with lemon slices.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

6) Cheeseburger Nachos

Cheeseburger nachos are a fun twist on a classic meal. They combine your favorite nacho flavors with the taste of a cheeseburger.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need tortilla chips, ground beef, cheese, and your favorite burger toppings.

Spread half of the chips on a baking sheet. Top them with cooked ground beef and a generous amount of cheese.

Add toppings like diced onions, pickles, and tomatoes for extra flavor.

Bake these in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes. Enjoy the melted cheese and yummy toppings right out of the oven.

Ingredients

• Tortilla chips
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced onions
• Pickles
• Diced tomatoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Brown the ground beef in a pan.
3. Layer half of the chips on a baking sheet.
4. Add the ground beef and then the cheese.
5. Top with onions, pickles, and tomatoes.
6. Bake for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

7) Tuna Mornay Jacket Potatoes

Tuna Mornay jacket potatoes are a tasty and easy dinner option. You start with fluffy baked potatoes that are loaded with a creamy tuna filling. This dish is both comforting and satisfying.

To make it, you’ll need to bake your potatoes until soft. Once ready, scoop out some of the insides and mix it with cooked tuna, cheese, and a creamy sauce.

Then, spoon the mix back into the potato skins and top with more cheese.

Bake them again until the cheese melts and is bubbly. Serve hot for a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 can of tuna, drained
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup of cream or milk
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake the potatoes for about 1 hour or until soft.
3. Cut the tops and scoop out some potato, mixing it with tuna, cheese, cream, and seasonings.
4. Refill the potato skins with the mixture.
5. Top with more cheese and bake for 15 minutes until golden.

8) Sticky Caramel Pork Sausage

Sticky caramel pork sausage is a delicious dish that can be made quickly for dinner. You’ll love how easy it is to whip this up after a long day.

Start by cooking some thin pork sausages in a pan until they are browned.

Add a mix of kecap manis, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and fish sauce to create a sweet and savory glaze.

Let the sausages cook until they are sticky and coated in the sauce. This dish is perfect over rice or with stir-fried vegetables.

Ingredients

• 500g thin pork sausages
• 2 tbsp kecap manis
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the sausages in a pan over medium heat.
2. In a bowl, mix kecap manis, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and fish sauce.
3. Pour the sauce over the sausages.
4. Cook until the sausages are coated and sticky.
5. Serve with rice or vegetables.

9) Ramen with Soft-Boiled Egg

Ramen with soft-boiled egg is a delicious and quick dinner option. This recipe combines flavorful broth with noodles and a perfectly cooked egg.

For the egg, cook it for about 6 to 7 minutes in boiling water (212°F or 100°C).

Once finished, cool it in ice water before peeling. The result is a jammy yolk that adds richness to your ramen.

You can use store-bought ramen noodles for convenience. Just cook them according to package instructions and add them to your bowl.

Top your ramen with fresh veggies like spinach, scallions, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients

• Ramen noodles
• 2 large eggs
• Broth (chicken, pork, or vegetable)
• Fresh spinach, scallions, or mushrooms
• Soy sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot.
2. Carefully add the eggs and cook for 6-7 minutes.
3. Transfer eggs to ice water for a few minutes.
4. Cook ramen noodles according to the package instructions.
5. Assemble noodles in a bowl and pour broth over them.
6. Slice and add the soft-boiled egg on top.
7. Garnish with veggies and soy sauce if desired.

10) French Bread Pizza

French Bread Pizza is a fun and easy dinner option. You start with a loaf of French bread, making a perfect base for your toppings.

It’s very quick to prepare and can be customized to your liking.

Simply slice the bread in half and toast it lightly. Then, spread some pizza sauce on top.

Add your favorite toppings like cheese, pepperoni, or vegetables.

Bake it in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese melts and is bubbly. Slice it up and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of French bread
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup pepperoni slices (optional)
• 1 tablespoon garlic butter (optional)
• Oregano (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the French bread in half lengthwise.
3. Spread pizza sauce on the bread.
4. Add cheese and any desired toppings.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
6. Slice and serve warm.