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?
More Ideas You'll Love
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?
A fave of mine is “Cheesy ham pasta”.
Basically, cook the pasta. While that’s happening dice some ham. Drain pasta and warm ham and some frozen veg (I like peas and corn) in the same pan. Add pasta back and mix through with cream and Parmesan cheese.
You could also use Max & Cheese as a base instead.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hilshire Farms Little Smokies. Toss in a skillet to brown & crisp. Once cooked to your liking, toss in a can of sauerkraut with the Little Smokies. Serve with a little spicy mustard sauce. Takes all of 10 minutes start to finish.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep cans of beans (black beans, pork and beans, and baked beans) in my cubbard and on a busy night I just brown a little meat ( ground beef or chopped up smoked sausage links) in a skillet or saucepan, add the beans and heat up. I keep raw vegetables, washed and cut up, in the fridge so I get those out with some ranch dressing for dip. I make toast or cook a pan of biscuits and it makes a quick meal that pleases the whole family.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ooops! I meant cupboard! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Maybe it was auto-correct, it happens all too often to me. (lol)
These are all great ideas. We just did the pasta with sauce tonight, in fact, since we babysat a very active 9-month old baby girl today. It’s one we do a lot, though we always brown off some ground meat to go with it, usually seasoned with Italian seasoning and onions. Tonight we did a combo of Italian Sausage cut with a little plain old ground beef. No need to season that! It was delicious.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I really wish I could try more of these recipes…but, you see, I have the world’s pickiest mother. She won’t eat anything that’s Asian-inspired, won’t marinate meat, I highly doubt she’ll eat tuna melt or casserole. However, the beauty of it is that many of these can take substitutions! Definitely some to try during this hectic time of year!
I always have a filled pasta (ravioli, tortellini, etc.) and broccoli in my freezer. When I’m in a hurry I boil them (toss the broccoli in the water when the pasta is almost done) and then toss it with olive oil, chopped garlic (or garlic powder if I’m really in a hurry), salt, and pepper! It’s super quick and tasty, and reasonably nutritious. English muffin pizzas (or bagel pizzas) with a salad is also a classic quick meal!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Slice flank steak against the grain and toss with cornstarch. Saute in a pan with some olive oil. While it’s cooking (fast) make your sauce. 1/2 c each of water and soy sauce, some garlic, 2/3 c brown sugar and some ginger. I just use the powdered kind. When the meat is done pour the sauce in and cook until it thickens, about a minute. Top with green onions and serve with rice. I always keep frozen cooked rice in the freezer for this.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Frozen cooked rice–what a great idea. Any special trick to it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No special trick to it. Put the amount you usually use/serve in a qt. freezer baggie and smooth it so it’s flat and you can put any amount of rice for your future meals and they’re ready. I do my hamburger like this to save freezer room. This way you have hamburger ready, or if you’ve pre-cooked it, it’s ready and so is the rice. Easy, peasy! You have dinner in 15 minutes or less.
Our fave is cheesey crescent rolls!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Similar to pigs in a blanket, but use cheese sticks instead of hot dogs & have marinara sauce for dipping!
Goo-ey yummy mess!
My go to quick dinners are: bean (or any kind of leftovers) burritos, quesadillas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and strawberry/blueberries + spinach smoothie (protein powder optional).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh, these would make great Christmas gifts, too! Along with Bread Machine bread mixes.
I do the same thing with my bread machine recipe. As I’m making one in the machine, I also dump the ingredients (as I’m dumping them into the machine) into 7 or 8 baggies. I then start the machine. Adjust the water/flour until it’s right and then close the lid on the machine. I then close the zip bags, shake the contents to disperse the salt, sugar and yeast within the flour. Open and squeeze the air out, close it back up and leave it on my shelf for a couple of months or in the freezer for longer storage time. (I keep my yeast in the freezer, so it’s good even when it’s “out of date”.) In 22 years, I’ve never lost a batch of bread to bad yeast and I don’t bother to proof it. Just toss it in with the dry ingredients. If I’m going to leave the bread mix for more than 2-3 months, I go ahead and put it in the freezer. (If using home ground whole wheat, freeze it as you don’t want to lose the nutrition in it. Store-bought flour is already dead by the time you get it. That’s why they generally add vitamins back into it.)
I keep a 3×5 card taped inside the cabinet over where the machine sits. When I’m ready to make the bread, I open the cabinet to see how much and in what order to put in the wet ingredients. I add them, start the machine and adjust water/flour until I have a proper texture for my dough.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I
Do you know how quick it is to make homemade Rice-a-roni? VERY! lol about the same amount of time to find and open the box and there’s no preservatives in it that YOU don’t put in it yourself. Plus, no MSG or other stuff (allergies anyone?) you don’t want in it. You can make it with whole wheat pasta, or GF pasta (if there is such a thing). You can make it vegan if you want.
Suzanne McMinn of Chickens in the Road blog has a post on how to analyze what you buy in the store so you learn how to replicate it. Posted here:
http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/making-homemade-side-seasoningmixes/
Or you can Google homemade Rice-a-roni and there are even more ideas.
The short of it is:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Rice and small/thin pastas, toasted in a pan with some butter. Add stock/bouillon cube/etc to the toasted r/p mix. Add in some diced, cooked chicken (or beef, etc) any veggies (dehydrated or not. Just factor in that the dried/dehydrated will need more water). Bring the whole thing to a boil, stir, plop on a lid, turn down heat to simmer/low. Cook WITHOUT removing lid for 10 minutes. Take off heat and let sit, again WITHOUT removing lid, for 14 minutes. Remove lid, fluff and you’re done. If you wanted, you could saute some onions – partially cooking them, before adding the r/p. Can add in some garlic near the end of toasting r/p. Or you can just use onion powder, garlic powder and any other seasoning you’d like in it.
You can even make bulk mixes that are ready to grab and go. Line up however many zip type bags or 1/2 pint/pint/quart jars you’d like to have ready to use. Start with the rice. Place as much measured rice as you’d like in each container. Then added the measured pasta. If using vermicelli, break it up into 1″ pieces. Add any dry seasonings you’d like – onion powder, garlic powder, Mexican, Italian, Greek, etc seasonings (Google the seasoning to find DIY recipes) Tumeric, whatever you’d like to season it with (check the box of your favorite flavor to see what’s in it). Then bouillon cubes/crumbles. Perhaps a little flour (GF works, too) to thicken it as it cooks. Any dried/dehydrated meats or veggies you’d like in it. Pop a lid on and use it within a few months or place an oxygen absorber in it and it will last for several years. Easy-peasy to grab and fix.
You can buy pre-cut toasted vermacelli in the Indian section of some grocery stores…I saute some ground lamb with a little curry paste, frozen peas, onions, and garlic then add the vermacelli, water, and simmer for about 5 min. Quick and yummy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Pasta alfredo. I use Martha Stewart’s awesome recipe, which is just garlic, Parmesan, and butter. My boys LOVE it, and call it “Mommy Pasta.” I can make a quick veggie (steam some frozen veggies), and garlic buns for a really fast dinner.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Even quicker than ramen noodles are rice noddles all you do is soak them in hot water for a few minutes and they are ready for throwing them in some veggie stir fry fast and easy :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One can chopped green beans with the water into a sauce pan. Add one Kielbasa sausage cut into chunks and 3 or 4 small potatos pealed and cubed. Cook until the potatos are tender. One of my fav dinners and one my whole fam will eat!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I like to use my crock-pot to make chicken fajitas. Frozen chicken breast, taco seasoning, sliced bell peppers and onions, some water or chicken broth on low before i leave in the morning. Shred chicken with 2 forks when i get home, warm up some canned black beans, tortillas. Your last one looks really fast and good, all you have to cook is pasta.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That same recipe is good with taco seasoning and Ranch dressing mix, minus the peppers and onions. Tastes like Cool Ranch Doritos.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.just thought of this idea..what about a potato, ham, broccoli and cheese soup? Prepare Jillee’s S.O.S. mix with broth (a little less than normal to account for the water in the frozen items), throw in frozen hash browns and frozen broccoli till cooked through. Add chopped deli ham, cheese of choice, and voila. Pair it with a side salad, and dinner’s done…Sounds yummy :) If you anticipate the rushed evening, in the morning/ night before, set a bowl with hash browns and broccoli in fridge to thaw.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.orida makes a frozen mashed potato. you just throw the whole bag in the micro. dump in a bowl add some milk, mash and viola! way better than instant potatoes :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ooo…I didn’t know that. I’ll have to try! thx bobbi!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Two ideas–
Please log in or create a free account to comment.#1 Take a whole wheat pita, cut in half and open the pocket, smear applesauce on the inside, slice any kind of apple (love Granny Smith)very thin, stuff pita- with apples and toss in some raisins and a dash cinnamon, top with shredded mozzarella, wrap in foil and bake in toaster oven. Used this when the kids had to eat in the car because of multiple activities in one night. They stay warm in the foil and if they get cold the are still very good. Make extra for when the activity is over; they can eat more on the way home– or so they can feed a friend who missed dinner. Also good after a brutal day/week/month & you need to curl up and lick your wounds while soaking your feet.
#2. If you actually have time to sit at the table. DIY Hamburger helper: brown meat, add 3 C hot water, stir in 1 1/2C egg noodles and package of onion soup mix, simmer till noodles are cooked. Also this website has DIY Hamburger Helper Kits you can make ahead
chickensintheroad.com/cooking/homemade-hamburger-helper/
Don’t forget Jillee’s chicken marinades, I have one in the fridge defrosting now, pop in the oven, add a good bread & salad & call it done.
Thanks for the reminder! I think that’s what’s going to be for dinner TONIGHT! :-) (btw…did you get my email about being the Michael’s gift card winner???? Email me girl!)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.DID not– let me check
WOW–Jillee you made my day! Thank you, just what I needed.
I’ll need those quick dinners for sure now, because I’ll be shopping and crafting!
I love the pita idea! I would totally do this, just with brie instead of mozzarella. And we always have apple butter around because my hubby loves the stuff and I don’t. Thank you!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is my go-to 5 minute meal. All ingredients can be kept on hand. Delicious!
TOO – EASY SPAGHETTI AND CLAMS
1/2 box capellini (angel hair pasta)
1 (8 oz.) bottle clam juice
1 (10 oz.) can whole baby clams ( or minced or chopped- whatever you have)
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can white clam sauce
3/4 c. very hot tap water
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
Chopped parsley and crushed red pepper
Minced garlic
Locatelli or other grated Italian cheese
Break capellini in half and put in large skillet. Drain juices from canned sauce and clams into skillet. Add bottled clam juice, 1/2 cup hot tap water, and oil. Cover and bring to boil over high heat. Boil 3 minutes, stirring with a fork 3 times to break up pasta. Add remaining ingredients, including clams and sauce. Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 3 minutes. Stir in rest of very hot tap water. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Serves 4 people immediately.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We just had this the other night (using leftover turkey):
Chicken Tortilla Soup: 16 oz salsa, 2-3 cups chicken broth, 2 cups cooked chopped chicken, 1 can rinsed and drained black beans, 1-2 cups frozen corn, some chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice to taste. Bring to a simmer. Works great in the crock pot, too, just add everthing and turn on low till hot. It’s also easy to customize – I use mild salsa for the kids, and add more corn and beans. I serve with baked tortilla chips and a little sour cream.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Chili Mac is good. Just use a box of Mac and cheese and had heated chili. Really good! Frito Pie is another good fast and easy one. We also keep canned roast beef and gravy, chicken, and ham on hand. And the crock pot is always a good thing to make.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this article! I’m a medicare insurance agent and this is the craziest time of the year. I’m never home in time to make a meal from scratch. My family and I eat a lot of Express Meals from Thrive…ultra healthy and extremely fast. Last night, we had the Southwest Chicken & Rice and it was absolutely delicious. With a shelf life of 5 years, we have an assortment of these express meals in our 72 hours emergency kits.
My favorite from your list is the grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup…yum….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have seriously a FIVE MINUTE soup recipe that is so YUM! I’ll have to go find the exact recipe but it’s about 2 to 3 cups beef broth, 1 reg sized pkg. fully cooked frozen italian style meatballs (I like the petite ones), 1 – 14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes (italian style works best), and about 1/2 to 3/4 of a bag of frozen peas. Put it all in a pot, bring it to a boil and serve it up with some oyster crackers or saltines. I found it on the back of a can of tomatoes one time and I’ve been a fan ever since. You should seriously try it. In fact, I think I need to make this and blog about it. ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I make the same soup but use tortellini (frozen or dried) instead of meatballs, I have also replaced the peas with 1/2 C canned (& rinsed) black beans and a chunk of frozen chopped spinach to kick up the nutrition. Serve with a good bread.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There are so many flavored tomatoes now you can all kinds of variations: beef broth, Hunts Spicy Red Pepper Canned Tomatoes or S & W Mexican Recipe Tomatoes, drained corn, rinsed/drained beans, diced cooked chicken, handful of rice & top with cheddar cheese — makes a good stew like dinner serve with tortillas.
I started throwing my potatoes in the crockpot all day, and when I get home, I have baked potatoes hot and ready to go. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ooo! Great idea, Shannon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.First…I cannot tell you how much I love this website. I have a family of 7 and cook every night of the week other than Saturday. KITCHEN IS CLOSED! lol
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One of my kid’s favorite meals and a VERY fast one is my southwest salad. We always have lettuce around here for a quick salad, but this one is a whole meal.
Any lettuce you want…(bag will work), chicken breasts that I grill with chili powder on them. OR if I am in a time crunch (4 of them play sports and my husband is a varsity coach..) I buy the chicken strip already cooked and warm them in the microwave sprinkled with chili powder. ( not as good, but will work).
I then put together the salad, place chicken on top, add crunched up tortilla chips (optional), shredded cheese and the dressing, which is one part ranch to one part salsa (jar). My kids were actually asking for this last night.
This is just ONE of my fast recipes, but my family’s favorite. You can play with this one to make as healthy or not so healthy as you wish. Enjoy.
Ahhh….I love a good Southwest Salad! Good one! :-) Thanks for sharing Cori! So glad you like the website.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cori, my family has done the same recipe, but used mayo I stead of ranch. The ranch dressing would add zing! Thanks. Jillee, I found your website a few months ago, and I love how positive and useful it is. Thank you, too!
What a great list of quickie meals! Gives me some good ideas of staples to keep around the house. I just signed up for your email list last week and have been enjoying it immensely! Thank you so much! <3
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You are most welcome Meg! Welcome! Glad you’re with us! Make sure and check out the Forum too!
https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/forum/activity.php
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