These last minute dinners are perfect for those days when you realize it’s almost dinner time and you haven’t even begun to think about what to serve. It happens to me all the time, so I collected 30 minute dinner recipes I can rely on when getting a savory, hearty and tasty meal on the table in a flash is a must.
Your family will never know how little effort you needed to put in. Easy 30 minute meals to the rescue!
25 Last Minute Dinners
15 Minute BBQ Pulled Pork Flatbreads| The Love Nerd: This flatbread is a game changer. It is packed full of barbecue-smothered pork and topped with fresh veggies. Baked to perfection and devoured in minutes.
30 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup| Dash of Jazz: A warm bowl of soup is perfect for when you feel under the weather or need to warm up from a chilly day. This soup is full of flavor and vegetables.
Healthy Salmon Patties| The Mama Maven: If your family loves seafood, try these patties. They are simple to make and full of heart-healthy ingredients.
One Pot Smoked Sausage and Kale| Aileen Cooks: This is a 20-minute dish that is packed full of rich smokey and cheesy flavor.
Easy Sriracha Chicken Lettuce Wraps| Food Meanderings: Looking for a lighter last minute dinners? These wraps are a great choice. They do carry a little kick of heat, but you can adjust the amount of Sriracha sauce to tame it down.
Italian White Bean and Spinach Soup| Darcie’s Dish: This is a low-fat and gluten-free soup that is a total comfort food. Serve with some warm rolls, crackers, or even a side salad.
Spicy One Pot Sausage and Spinach Pasta| Dash of Jazz: One pot dishes are a lifesaver. You use one pot to cook all the ingredients, it makes for an easy prep and even faster cleanup.
10 Minute Shrimp and Rice| Skinny Fitalicious: Rich shrimp, peppers, served over a bed of rice. This is another amazing seafood dish that can be made in no time flat.
Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry| Darcie’s Dish: You can never beat a hearty and nutritious stir-fry. This offers a heat factor paired with some sweet for the perfect weeknight dish.
5 Minute Instant Pot Chili Mac| The Typical Mom: Pasta, beans, and meat in a tomato base are what you will find in this chili mac. Your family will be reaching for seconds.
Mexican Tuna Melts| Food Meanderings: You have healthy broccoli slaw, paired with canned tuna, and two different melted cheeses that add the perfect amount of flavor.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice| Green Healthy Cooking: Nothing beats a bowl of chicken and rice, and with this recipe, you can play around with different kinds of rice to fit your taste buds. Whether you use white, brown, or even Jasmine.
The Best Honey Mustard Pork Chops| Foodal: Minimal effort needed for this savory dish. You marinade the pork chops for a short while and it will add so much flavor, to wow your guests or family.
Instant Pot Bacon Corn & Potato Chowder| Eat Move Make: This hot and hearty soup is ready in minutes. It’s the perfect feel-good meal on a cold day!
Easy Cheeseburger Sliders| Aileen Cooks: Who doesn’t enjoy miniature cheeseburgers? These are so tasty and great for a change from a classic dish you might always serve up.
Easy Steak Fajitas| Mashup Mom: In just 30 minutes you can make these flavorful fajitas. Rich steak paired with peppers and onions, and top with your favorite toppings.
Sausage and Pepper Flatbread| Mama Loves Food: This flatbread is simple to whip up, and you can top with your favorite ingredients to make a perfect pizza to serve up.
Mustard Baked Chicken Tenders| Diabetes Strong: These tenders are great on their own, served over rice, or chop up and place in a salad. Great for leftovers as well.
20 Minute Bow-Tie Alfredo| Moms Who Save: With just a few ingredients, that you might have in your fridge and pantry, you can make this meatless dish. Serve with some garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Best and Easiest Mongolian Beef| Savory Tooth: No need to order takeout, make this decadent last minute dinner dish at home. In about 15 minutes you can have this Mongolian beef on the table.
White Chicken Chili| The Starving Chef: This white chili is packed with sweet corn, chilis, and all things in between for the perfect flavor combination. This hearty dish will hit the spot and reheats well.
Chicken Sausage Vegetable Skillet| Peace Love and Low Carb: This skillet is packed full of protein and veggies for a filling meal. It is low carb and gluten-free.
Easy Spiced Rubbed Fish Tacos| Mashup Mom: Change up your Taco-Tuesday with a dish from the sea. These delicious fish tacos have a flavorful rub you’ll love.
Baked Boneless Pork Chops in Tomato Sauce| Diabetes Strong: This is a 30-minute dinner recipe that’s absolutely delicious. You have that crust on the pork then pair with the rich tomato sauce for a perfect dinner option.
Sheet Pan Roasted Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli| Peas and Crayons: This dish is so simple to make and you get that sweet from the onion paired with the flavorful broccoli and shrimp.
Asian Butter Salmon Foil Packets| Lemon Blossoms: These sound hard but you can have them made in 20 minutes. A heart-healthy dinner that is scrumptious.
What are your favorite last minute dinners?
jenn peas and crayons says
Pinned! Loving this list like woah! 🙂
Becky Kinard says
The Bacon, Corn and Potato Chowder sounds wonderful! You have lots of great recipes to cook for a busy family.
courtney says
I always need new ideas and FASTer is definitely the key. Great list!
Karen D says
I am always on the look out for quick and easy vegetarian meals. The 20 Minute Bow-Tie Alfredo sounds good to me!
Veronica Lee says
I am so pinning this! Thanks!
shelly peterson says
So many yummy looking recipes. I love to find new easy recipes.
Yona Williams says
I am soooo making that Mongolian Beef recipe…it looks incredibly delicious.
Dana Rodriguez says
I love this great list of ideas. I am always looking for some new inspiration!
Amy D says
I am such a busy mama and I usually have to make meals for my children really quickly. I am loving these recipes. I think the first recipe I want to try is the healthy salmon patties. My mom used to make salmon patties for me when I was a little girl. My daughters love salmon, so I think they will like your recipe.
Dandi D says
As a busy mom of three young kids, these are all really helpful!
Terri@foodmeanderings says
Thanks for including my Mexican Tuna Melt and Sriracha Lettuce Wrap recipes! These look great! Pinned to a round-up group board and a few other boards on Pinterest and will share some more 🙂
Janet W. says
What delicious recipe ideas! It’s hard on a weeknight to cook a meal for my family… just seems like there isn’t enough time. Thanks for these quick ideas!