10+ Fast Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights Made Easy

When you’re busy, making dinner fast can feel like a real hurdle. Finding recipes that come together quickly is a smart way to save time—without giving up good food.

Fast dinner recipes help you get a tasty meal on the table with minimal effort and in little time.

These recipes work well when you just want to relax after a long day. If you need dinner ready quickly for your family, they’re perfect for that too.

You don’t have to spend hours cooking to enjoy a homemade meal that everyone will actually eat.

1) Garlic Butter Chicken

Garlic butter chicken is one of those dishes you can whip up in about 20 minutes. It only needs a handful of ingredients and comes together fast.

The combo of butter, garlic, and chicken gives you a rich, savory meal with barely any fuss. Cook it all in one pan, so you won’t be stuck with a pile of dishes.

Add a sprinkle of herbs or a splash of lemon if you’re feeling fancy—it really brightens it up.

Serve it with rice, pasta, or just some quick veggies on the side. It’s a cozy dinner that doesn’t take much time at all.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon juice and fresh herbs

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook for about a minute.
4. Put chicken in the pan; cook 6-7 minutes per side.
5. Add lemon juice or herbs if you want.
6. Cook until chicken hits 165°F (74°C).
7. Serve it up hot.

For more details, check the garlic butter chicken recipe here.

2) Spaghetti with Jarred Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with jarred tomato sauce is a lifesaver when you’re short on time. Using a decent jarred sauce saves a ton of effort, but you still get a solid meal.

Toss in some garlic, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs to kick up the flavor a bit. If you want it heartier, brown up some ground beef or sausage and mix it in.

Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles for a classic, easy dinner. Or, if you’re really in a hurry, cook the pasta and sauce together in one pot to cut down on dishes.

This meal is quick, satisfying, and you can throw it together without much thought.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 jar (24 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• Grated Parmesan (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti as the package says, then drain.
2. Cook meat in a pan if you’re using it; drain the fat.
3. Add garlic to the pan, cook for a minute.
4. Pour in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.
5. Simmer sauce 5-10 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
6. Mix pasta with the sauce.
7. Top with Parmesan if you like.

3) Cheese & Asparagus Puff Pastry Parcels

These puff pastry parcels are perfect when you want something a little special but don’t have much time. You’ll use puff pastry for a flaky base and fill it with asparagus and cheese.

It only takes a few ingredients and comes together quickly. Baking them gives you warm, cheesy bundles in under 30 minutes.

They work great as a side or a light main, especially if you add a salad. The flaky pastry and melty cheese are just a really good combo.

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry sheets
• Fresh asparagus spears
• Cheese (Gouda, Boursin, or Parmesan work well)
• Optional: prosciutto slices

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut asparagus to fit pastry squares.
3. Place cheese and asparagus on each square.
4. Add prosciutto if you want.
5. Fold pastry over and seal the edges.
6. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
7. Let them cool a bit before serving.

4) Tandoori Chicken (Air Fryer)

You can make tandoori chicken fast with an air fryer. The chicken gets crispy outside but stays juicy inside—pretty impressive for just 15 minutes of cooking.

Marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices like garlic, ginger, and chili powder. It soaks up all that flavor and stays tender.

Lay the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

You’ll end up with a smoky, spicy dish—no tandoor oven required.

Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces (legs or breasts)
• Yogurt
• Garlic paste
• Ginger paste
• Chili powder
• Garam masala
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Oil spray

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt, garlic, ginger, chili powder, garam masala, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Coat chicken with marinade; let it sit at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
4. Put chicken in the basket in a single layer.
5. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray with oil if needed.
6. Make sure it’s cooked through before serving.

For more, check out this Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken recipe.

5) Chicken Kebab for Grill or Oven

Chicken kebabs are an easy, tasty dinner option. You can make them on the grill or in the oven—whatever’s easier.

Marinate the chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. It makes the chicken juicy and flavorful.

Thread chicken and colorful veggies like bell peppers and onions onto skewers. They cook up nicely and add a bit of crunch.

If you’re using the oven, bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, turning halfway. Grilling takes a little less time, maybe 10-15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 red bell pepper, chunked
• 1 green bell pepper, chunked
• 1 onion, chunked
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken cubes and marinate at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread chicken and veggies onto skewers.
4. Preheat grill or oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Grill 10–15 minutes, turning often, or bake 20 minutes, turning halfway.
6. Make sure chicken is cooked through.

6) Cheese Toasties with Tomato Soup

Cheese toasties with tomato soup make a cozy, simple dinner—especially when you’re tired. The toasties get crisp outside and gooey inside, and the soup is warm and comforting.

You can use store-bought or homemade tomato soup. Creamy or brothy, it’s up to you.

For the toasties, use thick bread and your favorite cheese. Grill until golden brown and serve hot with the soup for dipping or sipping.

Ingredients:

• Bread slices (2 per person)
• Cheddar or any melting cheese (2-3 slices per sandwich)
• Butter
• Tomatoes (4-5 medium, for soup)
• 1 small onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Chop tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
2. Cook onion and garlic in a pot until soft.
3. Add tomatoes and stock; simmer 15 minutes.
4. Blend soup until smooth, season with salt and pepper.
5. Butter bread, add cheese, and grill in a pan or sandwich press until golden (about 3-4 minutes per side).
6. Serve toasties with soup, warm.

7) Slow Cooker Chili

Slow cooker chili is perfect when you want dinner ready with almost no effort. Just toss the ingredients in and let it do its thing all day.

This recipe uses ground beef, beans, tomato sauce, and chili seasoning. It’s easy to prep and great for busy evenings.

Top with cheese or sour cream if you’re in the mood. Cooking chili low and slow blends the flavors for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 packet chili seasoning or homemade mix
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain fat.
2. Put beef, beans, tomato sauce, seasoning, and water into the slow cooker.
3. Stir everything together.
4. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.
5. Stir and add toppings if you want.

Find more details on a slow cooker chili recipe.

8) Sheet Pan Salmon with Veggies

Sheet pan salmon with veggies is honestly one of my favorite quick dinners. You just roast salmon fillets with a bunch of colorful vegetables—think potatoes, asparagus, cherry tomatoes.

It’s easy to toss together and everything cooks at once. That means less time hovering over the stove and way fewer dishes to wash.

Lemon, garlic, or Dijon mustard add a punch of flavor without much fuss. This meal comes together in about 30 to 40 minutes, so it’s a real lifesaver on busy days.

Want to mix things up? Try a chipotle rub or swipe on some teriyaki glaze. The veggies get caramelized, and the salmon stays so juicy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Salmon fillets
• Potatoes
• Asparagus
• Cherry tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss potatoes, asparagus, and tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread veggies on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.
4. Add salmon fillets on top, season with lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
5. Roast everything for another 15-20 minutes until the salmon’s cooked through.
6. Serve warm—don’t overthink it.

For more ideas, check this sheet pan salmon and vegetables recipe.

9) Instant Noodles with Poached Egg

Instant noodles with a poached egg—now that’s comfort food in under 15 minutes. The egg adds creamy richness and bumps up the protein, making it way more satisfying.

You can poach the egg right in the pot with the noodles. Just crack it in about a minute or two before the noodles finish cooking.

The egg cooks gently, and you get that perfect runny yolk. Mix it into the broth and you’ll see what all the fuss is about.

Want more flavor? Stir in a little miso paste or soy sauce. If you have spinach or green onions lying around, throw them in for a nutrition boost.

Ingredients

• 1 pack instant noodles (ditch the seasoning packet if you want)
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp miso paste or soy sauce (optional)
• A handful of spinach or chopped green onions (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.
2. Add instant noodles and cook according to package instructions.
3. About 1-2 minutes before noodles are done, crack the egg into the pot.
4. Let the egg cook until the white sets but the yolk stays runny.
5. Stir in miso paste or soy sauce if you like.
6. Toss in spinach or green onions if you’ve got them, cook another minute.
7. Serve hot and dig in.

For more detailed tips, check out this quick ramen with poached egg recipe.

10) 30-Minute Beef Stir-Fry

This beef stir-fry is the answer when you want dinner fast but still crave something good. You’ll cook thin slices of beef with a bunch of veggies—broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, whatever you like.

The sauce is simple but packs a punch. Just a bit of soy sauce and a few extras.

You can get this meal on the table in about 30 minutes. Stir-frying keeps the veggies crisp and the beef nice and tender.

You only need one pan, so cleanup is a breeze. Swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand—no need to stick to the script.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1/4 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a splash of oil in a big pan over medium-high.

2. Toss in the garlic and ginger. Let them sizzle for about 30 seconds.

3. Throw in the beef. Cook it until it browns up—should take around 3 or 4 minutes.

4. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir everything around for another 4 to 5 minutes.

5. Mix soy sauce, cornstarch, and water in a bowl. Pour that into the pan.

6. Keep cooking until the sauce thickens up, which is usually about 2 minutes.

7. Serve it hot, either over rice or noodles—whatever you’re feeling.

If you’re in the mood for something fast and tasty, give this recipe a shot. Want more inspiration? Check out the Quick Beef Stir-Fry Recipe.