The 7 Quickest Dinners Out There
I don’t have a lot of complicated recipes in my repertoire to begin with, but on occasions when even my relatively simple go-to dinners feel out of reach, I turn to the quickest dinners I know how to make. Whether I’m pressed for time, energy, or patience, sometimes I just want to get something on the table as soon as humanly possible.
Ordering food for delivery or takeout can be a handy option in these scenarios, but it can be an expensive option too, and sometimes it isn’t even particularly fast! (I’ve had more 30-minute deliveries end up taking over an hour than I care to count!)
But if you keep a few quick & easy meals up your sleeve, you’ll always be able to get something delicious and affordable on the table in just about 15 minutes! Check out 7 of the quickest dinners you’ll ever make below.
Bonus Tip: Planning a week’s worth of meals and buying all the ingredients you’ll need to make them can take make dinnertime a lot less stressful. Use my free weekly meal plan templates to plan your meals for the week and make weeknights a lot easier!
7 Fast & Easy Meals You Can Always Rely On
1. Ravioli Lasagna
Ingredients:
- Fresh or frozen ravioli
- Pasta sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced veggies (peppers, squash, etc.)
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Cooking Instructions:
Boil your favorite frozen or fresh ravioli until just before the “al dente” stage. (It’s going to end up in the oven, so you don’t want to be done quite yet.)
Preheat your broiler, and arrange the drained ravioli in the bottom of a casserole dish. On top of the ravioli, add a layer of pasta sauce, then shredded mozzarella, then an assortment of your favorite sliced vegetables, and top it off with some fresh sliced basil and Parmesan.
Put your ravioli “lasagna” under the broiler for about 5 minutes (or until the cheese is melted), then dig in!
2. Chicken Sausage Hash
Ingredients:
- Chicken apple sausages, fully cooked
- Diced root vegetables (potatoes, parsnips, turnips, carrots, etc.)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Cooking Instructions:
Slice up the sausages and preheat a bit of oil in a frying pan on your stovetop. When the oil is hot, add the sausage slice to the pan and cook until browned.
Remove the browned sausage from the pan and add your diced root vegetables. Let them brown up in the pan for a few minutes, then add 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
Scrape up any stuck-on bits at the bottom of the pan, season the mixture with salt and pepper, then put a lid on the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and keep simmering until the liquid is gone, then put the sausage back in the pan until everything is warmed through. Serve warm, topped with some fresh parsley if desired!
More Ideas You'll Love
3. Black Bean Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1/2 onion, diced
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Canned black beans, rinsed
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- Tortillas
- Taco toppings
Cooking Instructions:
Cook the diced onion in a pan on your stovetop until soft, then season it with a large pinch of chili powder, a dash of cumin, and salt to taste. Add the black beans and 1/4 cup of either water or chicken broth.
Put a lid on the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and use a fork to smash about half of the beans, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve the black bean mixture on warmed tortillas with your favorite taco toppings. (We opted for a bag of shredded cabbage and a jar of salsa, but you could add shredded cheese, cilantro, guacamole, or whatever else you like!)
4. Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Chicken sausages, fully cooked
- Bell pepper
- 1/2 onion
- Whole grain mustard
- Baguettes or hot dog buns
Cooking Instructions:
Slice a chicken sausage in half lengthwise. Slice up the bell pepper and half of an onion, then heat up some oil in a pan on your stovetop.
When the oil is hot, add the sausage, peppers, and onions to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, turning frequently, until everything is browned and warmed through.
Spread mustard over both sides of a baguette or hot dog bun, then pile it up with the sausage, peppers, and onions. Talk about the fastest meals to make, right?
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5. Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is quick, easy, and guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters. And even if you’d prefer to make it from scratch than cook up the boxed stuff, it doesn’t take that much more time or effort!
Interested in spicing up your mac? Check out some of my favorite ways to dress up mac and cheese (and grab my quick and easy recipe for homemade mac and cheese at the bottom of that post!)
6. Shrimp Stir Fry
Ingredients:
- Rice or lo mein noodles
- Stir fry veggies (chopped/sliced broccoli, onions, mushrooms, carrots, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- Frozen shrimp
- 1/2 cup water
- Soy sauce
Cooking Instructions:
Start by cooking up some rice or lo mein noodles according to the package directions.
Heat some oil in a wok or sauté pan until hot, then add your stir fry veggies of choice. (Add hardier produce like broccoli and carrots a few minutes before softer, quicker-cooking foods like snow peas or mushrooms.)
When the veggies have softened up, add the minced garlic and ginger and a handful of frozen shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of water and a few dashes of soy sauce.
When your stir fry is hot, bubbling, and seasoned to taste, serve it over the cooked rice or lo mein noodles.
7. Omelets
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Fresh spinach
- Shredded cheese
- Omelet add-ins (chopped lunch meat, sliced peppers, sliced mushrooms, etc.)
Cooking Instructions:
Whisk two eggs with a splash of milk and a pinch of salt and pepper, then set aside.
Melt a pat of butter in a nonstick pan on your stovetop over medium-low heat, then add a handful of spinach leaves and cook for about 30 seconds or so. Pour the egg mixture into the pan so that it coats the bottom.
Use a heat-resistant spatula to lift the edges of the eggs, and tilt the pan gently to allow the uncooked eggs to run under the cooked parts. Continue cooking until the edges are set and the center is wet, but no longer runny, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from heat, sprinkle some shredded cheese (and any omelet add-ins you want to include) over half of the eggs, then use a spatula to fold the finished omelet in half.
Slide the omelet onto a plate and serve immediately.
Related: The Secret Behind Those Extra Fluffy Omelets At IHOP
What are some of your favorite easy to cook meals?
Put chicken thighs or breasts in the crockpot. Layer 1 can of cranberry sauce (either kind, but I like chunky), then sprinkle with one packet of Onion soup mix. Set on low for 4-6 hours.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.YUM!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The popular Greek Feta pasta is a quick one. You just put olive oil , the cherry tomatoes and the feta cheese in a pan with some spices. The tomatoes will break open and make a sauce. You just boil pasta to serve it with. I’ve also done the stove top version too. When it first became popular l was telling people at work and a few co- workers wanted the recipe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not quick per se, but definitely quick to put together. Sear a chuck roast in oil until both sides are nice and brown. Add to crock pot. In a mixing bowl, mix cheese soup (not nacho cheese), french onion soup and golden mushroom soup. Do not add water. Pour the mixture over the roast and let it cook for 8-10 hours, or until tender. It will make the best darn gravy ever! Feel free to add veggies like carrots and potatoes. I sometimes add a can of drained green beans OR peas and carrots at the very end.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One easy soup recipe – mom actually got from my sister. You use 1 can of the Campbells chicken with rice soup, add a can of black beans and a cup of picante sauce and heat it, Serve it with Tortilla chips and grated cheese. What a great list of easy ideas. I’ll have to show this to my mom. She’s at the age where she likes things that don’t require much effort.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Guess I’m a little late to the party from the dates on this one but BLT’s or a panini of whatever they want. They are great for the kids to make for themselves and it does take away the stress of cooking a meal for them. I always have sandwich meats and cheeses in the refrigerator just for these occasions. Canned tomato soup and grilled cheese is a favorite in the colder months.Another that we love is a huge salad that everyone can help make. Summertime we do a lot of days with the salads.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you very much for sharing these recipes. I cannot tell you how long I have been searching for a list of quick and easy receips
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love these quick ideas!i have tried Black Bean Tacos
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our fix-it fast-meals are breakfast tacos
sausage, eggs & cheese in tortillas with fruit I have honestly come home, grabbed the ground
meat from the freezer and had dinner ready in 15 minutes! http://chriply.com
Our favorite FAST recipe!!! Ingredients: 1 can chili, Fritoes chili flavor or just regular if you prefer, Sour cream, shreaded cheddar cheese (desired amount). While you are heating the chili, pour Fritoes into bowl, pour the amount of chili you want over Fritoes, Desired amount of cheddar cheese and top off with 1 tablespoon of sour cream. (If we have any scallions we sprinkle a small amount over the chili) So its done in about as fast as you can warm up that chili and its YUM!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always have large bags of mixed ‘stir fry type’ veggies in the freezer and nearly always have cooked meat pieces or shredded meat there too. Dump some frozen veggies in a fry pan with maybe a tablespoon of water. Cover. Toss in some of the cooked meat and some soy sauce, Yoshidas or any type of bottled marinade you may have. Stir. Serve.
I’ve used pre-cooked meatballs, burger and even chicken nuggets once in a pinch….Ha.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One of my go-to’s Is:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cook 2-3 cup of noodles in microwave. While cooking, sauté veggies in wok with a little oil. Add diced, cooked chicken.
Drain cup of noodles and add to wok. Mix well and enjoy.
Cheap and easy when you’re trying to fill up teenaged boys!
Where do you see any of these things? I’m guessing this article has been updated recently. In any case I imagine the idea is to get something on the table quickly and without resorting to takeout which gets expensive and is loaded with sodium.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A good “back-pocket” recipe I’ve come across just recently is BLT Pasta. Dice up some bacon and tomatoes (or used canned diced tomatoes) and cook the bacon in a hot skillet until crisp. Remove the bacon, but don’t pour off the fat! Add the tomatoes and cook until soft, then add a green like spinach, arugula, watercress, baby kale etc. and cook until wilted. In the meantime heat a separate pot of water and cook some short noodles such as penne, farfalle or fusilli. Drain the pasta, add to the skillet and stir until it’s all mixed. Serve topped with grated Parmesan or romano.
Several of these recipes look good, although I don’t typically keep frozen or premade products like ravioli or peeled shrimp on hand. And in my experience root vegetables take much longer than 5 minutes to cook, even when diced.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh and add the bacon back to the skillet along with the pasta, obviously :).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We’ve done easy Quessadillas . Like the one mentioned -but without the meat .Also a fast chili. Use one can Hormel Chili without the meat and 1 can diced tomatoes. Then heat up So fast and yummy..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hormel takes the top review for canned chili. Source:A Review on the Healthiest Canned Chili; Only the Best Canned Chili – KitchenVile
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s not surprising. We always sold alot when l worked in a grocery store.
Black beans are one of the best foods for your health, your budget, and your waistline. This article will give you a comprehensive introduction to the nutritional value of black beans, along with easy to follow preparation directions that will make you a black bean whiz in no time. Read on to learn the facts about dried and canned black beans, and cooking tips so that you can be sure your black beans will be mouthwateringly plump and tender every time. With so many health advantages to eating black beans on a regular basis, you’ve got plenty to gain from making black beans a part of your regular kitchen repertoire.-
Visit our own blog site as well
Please log in or create a free account to comment.http://www.caramoan.ph/history-of-caramoan/
My favorite go to recipe is:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Place a package of frozen pork tenderloins in the crock pot. (The most difficult part of this recipe is taking the wrapping off the tenderloins).
Cover with a jar of your favorite salsa and some chicken broth to cover pork.
Cook on high all day. Shred when you are ready for dinner. Great for tacos, served over hot rice and even better the next day in scrambled eggs. YUM!
I didn’t read all of the posts but Chili Mac is our quick go to meal. Boil a 1/2 box (or more depending on family size or needed leftovers), drain. Add a heated can of Chili-we like Hormel with chunky. Mix together and it’s done.
You can doctor it up with cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, salsa, whatever!
I have to make it plain since my son is allergic to all milk proteins but some off the above goodies to my own bowl!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you soo much for sharing these recipes. I cannot tell you how long I have been searching for a list of quick and easy recipes. All of the other lists I have come across seem to be “fancier” recipes or included ingredients I have never heard of. I have a picky little eater (son and hubby) at home and this list would work great with my household!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The fastest meal for me which is just very simple. I usually make it for myself. I cook the package of ramen noodles without the seasoning packet. They cook in like 3 minutes, right? (salt), I top with some jarred sauce and a few shakes of “shaky cheese” (parmesan).
Another fast one – if you have slices of deli roast beef (the roast beef slices at Aldi are good for this), make a packet of beef gravy, add the sliced deli roast beef, some instant mashed potatos. My husband likes a “blue plate special” (bread, mashed potatoes, topped with the roast beef/gravy). Carb heavy, but comfort food at its best!
Another is homemade beanie weanies. Lightly oil a skillet, fry slices of hotdogs til cooked, add a can of pork & beans, season with a little brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and onion powder. We eat this along with “spaghetti & cheese” (left over spaghetti pasta made into homemade mac & cheese with just some butter/milk, and a couple of slices of sandwich cheese. You can also make beanie weanies with a small amount of browned hamburger instead of the hotdog slices.
Love your blog! It reconnects me when I get a little lost for inspiration. Thanks!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ohmigosh! Did you say “Cheese Crisp”?? I haven’t heard it called that since I moved away from Arizona in the 80’s. My brother used to make them in the microwave and call them “Cheese Soggies”. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nowadays, I make them on a griddle… put the yummy stuff on, and once the cheese starts to melt, I fold it in half and let the tortilla get crisp & the cheese all melty. Definitely my number one “quick” meal. Pretty much the same way as Lolalo just posted. Might add chicken, might add ground beef, might add onions and tomatoes… just whatever I have in the fridge.
btw, I love your blog and I’m glad I found it.
Chicken Quesidillas. Simple, easy and delicious! Smear a small amount of butter on tortilla and place on heated griddle. Sprinkle a little leftover shredded chicken on half of tortilla. Cover chicken with shredded cheese. On other half of tortilla, lightly cover with canned green chilies, then fold over. Brown on both sides. Serve with sour cream, salsa, salsa verde, hot sauce, refried beans and enjoy! This takes only five or ten minutes – talk about a quick and easy meal!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Growing up when things were “tight” our go to meal was always ramen noodles with eggs in it. Super cheap meal and you can feed a family of 4 for under $3.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Never tried the eggs, great idea! We always added some frozen veggies to ours
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A few “Go To’s”:
Ritz Chix: Process a sleeve (or more–keeps well) of Ritz Crackers in processor til fine crumbs. Mix with Parmesan cheese and some garlic powder. Dip chicken breasts–cut up if large or you are feeding kids–into melted butter. Dredge thru crumbs. Bake at 350* for about 20 minutes. Amazing. (the more cheese you add the crispier these will be)
If you make the crumbs ahead and store them you have this half made already!
Chicken fajitas: Grill or broil or use whatever left over chicken you have cut or shredded. Place melty cheese on top of a tortilla. Top with chicken. If you want top with more cheese AND / OR veggies–peppers, onions, salsa, beans–and more cheese-either cook “naked” or top with another tortilla. Bake for about 10-15 mins til cheese melts–cut with a pizza slicer. You can roll these and bake ’em in foil for travel; and made with left over or purpose cooked steak—mmmmmmm!
For the “Faux Lasagna”–you don’t need to boil the ravioli! Just place the frozen ravioli in a large cassarole or rectangular baker and seperate as well as you can–don’t worry about the stuck together ones–and toss with sauce mixed with cheese and whatever veggies you like. Add a little bit of water–maybe a 1/2 cup—COVER and bake for about 15-20 mins and then UNCOVER and top with cheese; bake til cheese melts. One step shorter and faster! We make this ALL the time and it is a hit with everyone from the 2 year old to the picky 6 year old to grandpa.
Pizza Roll–use thawed frozen bread or pizza dough or canned roll dough. Spray baking pan and lay dough flat on it and pinch seams if needed. Let rest. Brown some ground beef with some sausage (or not!) and veggies-or not. Drain well. Add pasta sauce and cheese. Lay down center of dough and pull sides of dough up to make a log, pinch seams (some water can help them seal if they are not sticky enough) and top with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and cheese; bake. This is also really good with some chopped up pepperoni mixed in!
I am pretty sure I have about 100 more of these stashed in my brain!!!!!
OH–and a small “product review”—I tried the new “Fast Cook Pasta”–don’t remember what brand but it was from Walmart–and it was AWFUL!!!!!! All gooey and NO texture but–mush. Waste of time and money.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My quick fix is a little on the Hispanic hybrid side (coming from a somewhat traditional Mexican family) but it’s a recipe that my grandmother passed on to my family that my boyfriend loves. My mom and I call it Mexican Macaroni and Cheese, though I’ve never heard of any other families that do this besides our own. All it takes is small macaroni elbows, tomato sauce (with no salt added), your choice of cheese, cumin and black pepper. All you do is boil the macaroni until tender, then leave it on simmer. Add one small can of tomato sauce and add the cumin and pepper to season to taste. I personally avoid the tomato sauce with salt to add my own salt (as a means to control how much I add). Once you mix everything and it starts to bubble slightly, add cheese and allow it to melt and lower the heat.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a great soup to have after a long day and my boyfriend and I usually accompany this dish with “baked” potatoes we make by boiling them in the microwave. We’re college students who work part time and go to school full time so any quick meal that’s not frozen and homemade are our favorites!
Love these quick ideas! Our favorite “gotta’ fix it fast” meals are breakfast tacos
Please log in or create a free account to comment.(sausage, eggs & cheese in tortillas with fruit) or taco soup. Not sure who gave me my
taco soup recipe but brown 1 lb. ground beef, add 1 envelope ranch dressing mix &
1 envelope taco seasoning. Next you literally dump in 2 cans tomatoes, 1 can drained
corn & 1-2 cans kidney, black or pinto beans. When it’s all nice & hot, serve it up!
Sometimes we spoon it over crushed tortilla chips, maybe even some sour cream.
One thing we always add is cheese! I have honestly come home, grabbed the ground
meat from the freezer and had dinner ready in 15 minutes!
I like to stock up on fully cooked quarter hams when they are on sale–no joke, I have bought 6-8 at a time. Hormel Cure 81 is my fave, but Kentucky Legend and Smithfield are good, too. I freeze slices in meal sized batches. I can have them thawed in the microwave in minutes. Ham slices, a microwave baked potato, and a can of fruit are good together. The slices also make great grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and even at full price is probably cheaper than packaged luncheon meat. This same ham, diced, can be added to eggs and cheese and scrambled–yum. Or–make toast. While is is toasting, scramble some eggs. Make a sandwich with toast, scrambled eggs, a ham slice, and a slice of American cheese. This is a hearty sandwich and can be completed in the time it takes to scrambe the eggs.
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