Fast Recipes: 14 Easy Dinners In Under 20 Minutes
Don't fear the busy weeknight, conquer it with one of these in-a-flash, super fast recipes. You got this.
Photo: Maya Visnyei
Weeknights can be hectic, and getting dinner on the table can feel like a race against the clock. We've rounded up a collection of speedy and simple recipes perfect for those busy evenings.
From kid-approved pasta dishes and easy stir-fries to clever uses for rotisserie chicken and pantry staples, these meals prove that you don't need hours in the kitchen to create something everyone will love. Say goodbye to dinner dilemmas and hello to stress-free, tasty weeknight wins.
Greek Pasta Salad
Say hello to this simple and savoury dish. It’s great for kids who prefer their veggies raw and can be served warm or cold. Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Gyro
Zero judgement for picking up a ready-made chicken from the deli—in fact, you get bonus points for the quick thinking! Shred it up and stuff it in a warm pita with crisp veggies, Greek yogurt and cheese. We want this for dinner every night. Get the recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Gyro
Capellini with Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach
Sometimes simplicity is the key to deliciousness, and this recipe just can’t be beat. The most time-consuming bit is boiling the pasta. But remember, the thinner the noodle, the quicker it cooks. Get the recipe: Capellini with Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach
Pantry Salad
Protein-packed and great leftover, this chickpea salad isn’t a bore. Make it tonight with whatever’s wilting away in the fridge and serve with crusty bread. Get the recipe: Pantry Salad
Turkish Lamb Chops
This may look fancy, but 20 little minutes is all you need. Kids approve of the built-in handle, making it a fun finger food. Get the recipe: Turkish Lamb Chops
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This cheesy chicken is satisfying and such a cinch. Thin cutlets need just two minutes to cook per side—quicker even than your green side salad takes to make. Get the recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Asian Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Veggies are friend not foe in this speedy noodle dish. We’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love to slurp—and curls of zucchini and carrot are up for the task. If there are allergies in your family, swap the peanut butter for soy nut, almond or sesame seed butter. Get the recipe: Asian Noodles with Peanut Sauce
One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Step aside, boxed mac, the cheese is practically oozing out of this one-pot wonder. Throw in some frozen peas and you, my friend, have a complete meal. Get the recipe: One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Mushroom Quesadilla
Meatless Monday called and would like to report that this simple quesadilla is packed with all the good textures like meaty mushrooms and stringy melted cheese. Get the recipe: Mushroom Quesadilla
Vegetarian Pasta Carbonara
Fifteen minutes yeilds a plate of perfectly creamy but not-too-heavy restraurant-style pasta. Just sit with that for a second. Get the recipe: Vegetarian Pasta Carbonara
Quick Shrimp Fried Rice
The best argument for cooking way more rice than you need for one meal: leftover rice. With it, you can whip up this egg, shrimp and veg dish in less time than delivery takes. Get the recipe: Quick Shrimp Fried Rice
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
It should come as no surprise that stir-fry is king on the quick-and-easy roster. This single-veg dish keeps prep time to a minimum. Get the recipe: Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Braised Beef Tacos
Our recipe calls for leftover beef ragout, but you can use whatever meat you’ve got in a taco. Try shredded chicken or, if you’re feeling really fancy, a frozen fish stick will do the trick. Get the recipe: Braised Beef Tacos
Shrimp and Red Pepper Stir-Fry
Shake things up with a quick shrimp and rice fry. It’s got chunks of juicy pineapple and sweet red pepper, because sweet with savoury is never a bad idea. Get the recipe: Shrimp and Red Pepper Stir-Fry
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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.