30 minute meals are the secret tools to keeping the week running smoothly.

This collection of recipes will keep everyone happy and full! Choose from simple chicken dishes and sandwiches, to kid-friendly bites!

Take the fuss out of dinner with one of these easy and quick meal options.

images of 30 Minute Meals with writing

Tips for Quick Kitchen Prep

  • Prepare the ingredients before beginning to cook. This includes chopping and dicing the vegetables or meat and preparing the sauce.
  • Use the convection oven or use an air fryer. The convection oven is a great way to cook food faster.
  • Remember to preheat the pan and the oven before starting to cook. When the food is prepared the oven will be ready to do its task properly!
  • If cooking pasta, add a little salt to the water. This addition will bring the water to a faster boil. And don’t forget to add a lid to the pot!
  • Planning is also key. Meal planning the week and preparing the food ahead of time will cut time in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
  1. Tips for Quick Kitchen Prep
  2. Chicken Dishes
  3. Fun Meals and Kid Favorites
  4. Sandwiches
  5. Pasta Dishes and Stir Fries

Chicken Dishes

Healthy and versatile, chicken is the perfect main meat for those nights when a dish needs to be prepared in a hurry.

Dijon Chicken Breasts cooked in the pan
Dijon Chicken Breasts
Tender & juicy chicken breast is simmered in a creamy Dijon sauce on the stovetop for a quick & easy dinner!
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top view of cooked Udon Stir Fry
Chicken Udon Stir Fry
Fresh veggies, juicy chicken, & udon noodles are tossed in a sweet & spicy sauce for a quick and easy Asian-inspired meal!
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Mushroom chicken with pasta prepared in a frying pan
Mushroom Chicken with Pasta
Chunks of juicy chicken breast in a creamy mushroom sauce with your favorite pasta.
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plated Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Teriyaki chicken bowls are made with tender and juicy morsels of chicken, crisp broccoli tossed in a sticky sweet sauce.
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a skillet of chicken piccata with lemon slices and capers
Chicken Piccata Recipe
Chicken piccata has tender chicken breasts simmered in a lemony white wine sauce with capers.
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chicken and broccoli with cheese sauce on a serving plate
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli
Chicken & Broccoli smothered in a homemade cheese sauce is a delicious entrèe or side dish!
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Fun Meals and Kid Favorites

Kids and adults alike will love these fun and fast meals.

overhead view of a tortilla pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms
Tortilla Pizza
This method makes the best crispy crust tortilla pizzas!
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zucchini pizza bites on a pan
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Whip up a batch of bite-sized zucchini pizzas layered with tangy sauce, rich cheeses, and your favorite toppings!
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Prepared walking tacos with toppings
Walking Tacos
Walking tacos combine seasoned ground beef with crushed Doritos and your favorite toppings for a fun, easy, and flavorful meal.
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homemade one pot cheeseburger macaroni in a bowl
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
This cheeseburger macaroni recipe is an easy from scratch stovetop casserole made with cheese, macaroni, and ground beef.
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close up of baked French Bread Pizza
French Bread Pizza
This is the easiest way to make pizza for a crowd! French Bread Pizza is cheesy, flavorful, and so fun to make.
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Sandwiches

For lunch or dinner, sandwiches are a filling and delicious option!

Ham and Cheese Croissant with sesame seeds
Ham and Cheese Croissant
Savory ham and cheese are tucked inside a flaky croissant with a homemade sauce, then baked until perfectly melty!
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leftover Turkey Sandwich with cranberry sauce
Turkey Sandwich
This is an easy way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into the best turkey sandwich!
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close up of Ham Sandwich
Our Favorite Ham Sandwich
Make this ultimate ham sandwich using holiday leftovers for an easy lunch or on-the-go dinner!
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Hot Turkey Sandwich on a plate with gravy
Hot Turkey Sandwich
A hot turkey sandwich is a quick and cozy way to enjoy leftover turkey and gravy!
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2 halves of a blt sandwich stacked
How to Make the Perfect BLT
This BLT recipe is quick, easy and full of flavor. Add avocado or egg for a fun twist!
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Pasta Dishes and Stir Fries

Pasta dishes can’t be beaten for their simplicity and heartiness and pair well with cheaper cuts of meat like ground beef and of course tomatoes.

Stir fries are quick, and healthy and go great with a side of rice!

broccoli pasta on a white plate with a wooden spoon
Quick Broccoli Pasta
Easy & quick broccoli pasta is the perfect tasty hot lunch or easy dinner when time is short!
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creamy garlic pasta in a bowl with gold coloured utensils
Creamy Garlic Pasta
This creamy garlic pasta is a budget-friendly dish that's ready in 20 minutes!
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close up of 20 Minute Lemon Pasta in the pot
20 Minute Lemon Pasta
This quick and easy lemon pasta is tangy and bright and best of all, ready in about 20 minutes.
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pouring garlic butter over Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Shrimp Scampi
Ready in just 20 minutes, this shrimp scampi has a delicious white wine butter sauce.
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egg roll in a bowl garnished with green onions and sesame seeds
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Egg Roll in a Bowl is a quick and delicious meal with the flavors of our favorite egg rolls in a simplified bowl.
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pan full of cooked Cabbage Stir Fry
Garlic Cabbage Stir Fry
Cabbage Stir Fry is a healthy and flavorful dish that's better than take-out!
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Leave a comment below and let us know your favorite 30-minute meal recipe!

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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