41 Dinners You Can Whip Up in 30 Minutes or Less
There might be some rogue nights when we’re willing to take on a cooking project, like red-wine-braised short ribs or fresh semolina pasta. But most of the time we’re looking for speedy mealtime solutions (yes, we BA editors are just like you). These 30-minute dinner ideas are the ones we turn to time and time again—the faithful hits for when it’s 7 p.m. and we’re already starving. Make no mistake, though, quick is by no means synonymous with boring: Our favorite fast dinners include tangy kimchi quesadillas, spicy sausage patty melts, and sunny saffron butter pappardelle. All of these easy dinner ideas take a total time of 30 minutes or less, and a few come together in as little as 5 minutes. Less time spent cooking means more time spent doing…literally anything else. With all that time you saved, you might even have some energy to make an extra-easy dessert.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Thu Buser1/41Gorgeous Green Shrimp
Many of our best 30-minute dinner ideas lean on quick-cooking proteins, like shrimp, to get dinner done fast. In this recipe, the little crustaceans bathe in a gorgeous green sauce, made with cilantro, scallions, and jalapeño. Don’t forget the broiled baguette to sop it all up.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni2/41
Ravioli and Mushroom Skillet
If store-bought ravioli is a staple in your fridge or freezer, we have a feeling this cheesy skillet dinner—complete with a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy onion topping—will become a household mainstay.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime3/41
Sheet-Pan Gnocchi
Shelf-stable gnocchi is our ultimate pantry superhero. But please, for the love of potatoes, don’t boil them. Instead, take a cue from former senior cooking editor Sarah Jampel: Let the potato puffs get nice and crispy on a sheet pan, then top with arugula and drizzle with a simple lemon dressing.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea4/41
Spicy Chorizo Patty Melt
Associate food editor Kendra Vaculin is giving the humble patty melt a makeover in this recipe. Step one: Swap ground beef for a fattier, more flavorful meat, like chorizo. But don’t stop there. For a truly special dinner, pile the sandwiches high with smoky poblanos, pickled jalapeños, and melty Oaxaca cheese.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca5/41
Salmon Rice Bowl With Green Curry Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach? We could live without it. But green curry creamed spinach, brightened with lime juice and topped with seared salmon? That’s a recipe worth keeping around.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua6/41
Grated Tomato and Miso-Butter Pasta
When you’ve got juicy summer tomatoes at your disposal, there’s no need to spend hours stewing them into a pot of marinara—save that approach for the winter. For a low-cook dinner, grate fresh tomatoes into a skillet, give them a kiss of heat, and toss with al dente pasta.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Catherine Campbell Pearson7/41
Easy Fish Tacos With Spicy Sauce
Need dinner on the table in 20 minutes? Turn to these easy, speedy fish tacos, with a cooling cabbage slaw and three-ingredient spicy sauce.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro8/41
Almost-Instant Miso Ramen With Kimchi
This almost-instant ramen recipe is full of smart upgrades. Miso, kimchi, and black bean paste bring big, funky flavor, while a garnish of scallions and sesame seeds earns extra presentation points.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie9/41
Kimchi Quesadillas
Wondering what your quesadilla has been missing all this time? It’s kimchi. The fermented cabbage adds a tangy dimension to cheesy quesadillas, ideal for a last-minute fridge clean-out.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie Myers10/41
Cheesy Dutch Baby With Green Sauce
Your blender pulls double-duty in this recipe. Use it to make a quick Dutch baby batter, then whip up an herby green sauce.
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime11/41
Grilled Italian Sausage With Fennel Salad
Some of the quickest dinners happen on the grill. This swirly Italian sausage, paired with a bright, briny fennel salad, is doable even on a weeknight.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser12/41
Tortellini With Garlicky Brown Butter and Dill
Brown butter makes everything better. Like these herby tortellini—and scallops, sheet cake, rice cakes, and cookies too.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua13/41
Five-Spice Brussels Sprouts and Sausage Stir-Fry
This weeknight dinner—which crisps brussels sprouts in fat rendered from sausage—can also masquerade as a holiday side dish.
- Photograph by Paola + Murray, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophia Pappas14/41
Roast Salmon With Citrus and Coconut-Chile Crunch
Consider this recipe a lesson in multitasking. While the salmon roasts, cut the citrus into wheels and make the nutty chile-coconut topping. By the time the fish has cooked through, all that’s left to do is assemble.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker15/41
Masala Skillet Scramble
When we’re short on time, it’s breakfast for dinner. We’d happily enjoy this spiced skillet scramble, loaded with garlic, ginger, and cumin, any time of day.
- Photograph by Julian Cousins, Food styling by Adriana Paschen16/41
Shrimp and Salami Pasta
This seafood-and-salami pasta was inspired by food editor Shilpa Uskokovic’s trip to Portugal. Make it for yourself and pretend you’re at an al fresco cafe, the sea breezes wafting in with each bite.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop styling by Suzie Meyers, Food Styling by Taneka Morris17/41
Sunny Saffron Butter Pasta
Looking for an easy way to make a bowl of pasta feel special? Just add saffron. The vivid crimson threads give the creamy butter sauce a sunny hue.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea18/41
Pasta al Preserved Limone
That jar of preserved lemons that’s been hanging out in your pantry? Use it up in this salty-tangy riff on pasta al limone.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Tami Hardeman19/41
Open-Face Eggplant Sandwiches With Ricotta and Pickled Onions
With ricotta, pickled onions, and big rounds of roasted eggplant, this sandwich is hearty enough to eat for dinner. While you’re at it, make an extra to pack for lunch tomorrow.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Gerri K Williams20/41
Udon With Stir-Fried Peppers and Onions
Rather than wait for a pot of rice to cook, toss thick, chewy udon noodles in with your stir-fry. Garnish with scallions and toasted sesame seeds for a full dinner in one pan.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones21/41
Air Fryer Sesame-Coconut Chicken Tenders
Need a kid-friendly dinner on the fly? Crust chicken tenders with shredded coconut and sesame seeds, then let them crisp in the air fryer.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman22/41
Sheet-Pan Meatballs With Burst Tomatoes and Parmesan Toast
You might not have time to make BA’s best spaghetti and meatballs on a weeknight—but that’s okay, because you can make these speedy sheet-pan meatballs in just 30 minutes.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Food Styling by Frances Boswell, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson23/41
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This vegetarian pasta dish gains heft from flash-seared mushrooms, tossed in a silky, creamy sauce.
- Photograph by Doaa Elkady, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker24/41
Lemon-Chile White Fish With Chickpeas
No need to preheat the oven—this dish cooks entirely in one pan on the stove. A honey-butter sauce glosses the fish and chickpeas, uniting them in the holiest of unions.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks25/41
Salt-and-Sugar Pork Rib Chops
Yes, you should be sprinkling your meat with sugar. Not only does it tenderize any type of meat—from pork to steak to lamb chops—but it caramelizes beautifully once it hits the heat.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams26/41
Quick and Cheesy Omelet Roll-Up
Made with just a few fridge staples, these five-minute omelet roll-ups are as good for breakfast as they are for dinner.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Rosanna Anil, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea27/41
Supremely Easy Teriyaki Chicken
Skip the jarred sauce and make your own teriyaki glaze. It’s very easy and very worth it.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness28/41
Fiery Red Curry Chicken Salad
A jar of red curry paste can elevate countless dishes, from a rice cake stir-fry to a creamy pasta. Here, it brings dynamic, fiery flavor to a simple chicken salad, made with rotisserie chicken for ultimate ease. Any leftovers make a great lunch the next day.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni29/41
Cheesy Chickpea Salad Toast
With crunchy celery, sharp cheddar, and briny cornichons, this chickpea salad can hold its own as a side dish. Or pile it on sourdough toasts and pop it under the broiler for a melty, satisfying dinner.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Rosanna Anil, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea30/41
Lemon-Oregano Shrimp and Tiny Potatoes
If we need dinner in a hurry, shrimp is our default protein. Here, shrimp partners up with tiny potatoes for a fast, yet impressive dinner.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker31/41
Vegan Tomato Soup With Cashew Cream
You don’t even need to turn on the stove to make this creamy tomato soup—a high-powered blender does all the work for you. Oh, and it also happens to be vegan.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris32/41
Garlicky Buttery Scallops
Turn any ordinary dinner into a special occasion meal with quick-cooking scallops, swimming in garlic butter.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Jesse Szewczyk, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman33/41
Bangladeshi Spiced Shrimp and Green Bean Stir-Fry
All you need is a bowl of basmati rice to make this Bangladeshi stir-fry—spiced with Kashmiri chile powder, coriander, and turmeric—a full meal.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Gerri Williams34/41
Halal Cart Chicken Salad
Transform a rotisserie chicken into the Halal-cart-inspired chicken salad of your dreams, with spice-oil-tossed chicken, crisp iceberg lettuce, and a rich yogurt dressing.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Christina Allen35/41
Migas
Stale tortillas lingering in the bread drawer? Slice them into strips, fry until golden, and toss with soft-scrambled eggs. Serve with refried beans and a sliced avocado.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker36/41
Kale Salad With Roasted Tempeh and Mushrooms
This dinner-worthy kale salad gains heft from roasted mushrooms and tempeh, dunked in a miso-soy mixture that caramelizes in the oven.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker37/41
Crispy Salmon With Fennel-Date Salad
The secret to the crispiest salmon skin? Start it in a cold cast-iron skillet. Just don’t move it around too much, which would cause the fish to stick.
- Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou38/41
Peanut Butter Noodles With Cucumbers
Don’t recycle that almost-empty jar of peanut butter just yet. Use the dregs to make a quick peanut sauce, ideal for coating instant ramen or udon noodles. Since this dish is great hot or cold, it can hang out in your fridge until you’re ready to eat.
- Photograph by Vanessa Granda, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua39/41
Miso-Brown-Butter Rice Cakes With Corn
“Rice cakes can go almost anywhere pasta lives,” writes food editor Shilpa Uskokovic. Coat them in marinara, spicy vodka sauce, or a silky miso-brown-butter sauce, as in this recipe.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich40/41
Lamb Keema Tacos
In these keema-inspired tacos, the ground lamb filling is full of fragrant spices, like cumin, coriander, and garam masala. You can make the keema a day in advance and save any leftovers to spread between buns for a sloppy Joe–style sandwich.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua41/41
Cajun Chicken With Peach Salsa
Spicy Cajun chicken thighs meet sweet peach salsa in this dynamic 30-minute dinner.