When dinner needs to happen fast, 30-minute meals can save the day. These recipes are simple, filling, and flexible enough for kids and adults.
Best Ingredients for Fast Family Meals
- Rice
- Pasta
- Eggs
- Chicken breast
- Ground turkey or beef
- Frozen vegetables
- Tortillas
- Canned tomatoes
30-Minute Dinner Recipes
Each recipe takes 30 minutes or less from start to finish.
Chicken Fried Rice
A 30-minute chicken fried rice with eggs and mixed vegetables.
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 20 minutesServes: 4Cuisine: Asian-American
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, cooled rice
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Stir-fry chicken in oil until cooked, then set aside.
- Scramble eggs in the pan, then push aside.
- Add garlic and vegetables, stir-fry 2 minutes.
- Add rice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss 3 minutes.
- Return chicken, top with green onions, and serve.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A quick garlic butter shrimp pasta ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 15 minutesServes: 4Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Parsley, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, reserve 1/2 cup water.
- Sauté garlic in butter and oil 1 minute.
- Add shrimp and chili flakes; cook 3 minutes per side.
- Toss in pasta, lemon, and reserved water.
- Finish with parsley and serve.
Turkey Taco Bowls
Lean turkey taco bowls with rice, beans, and salsa, ready in 30 minutes.
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 20 minutesServes: 4Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Brown turkey, then stir in taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water.
- Warm beans and corn.
- Build bowls with rice, turkey, beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, avocado, and cheese.
Quick Tomato Stew with Rice
A fast Nigerian-style tomato stew served over white rice.
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 20 minutesServes: 4Cuisine: Nigerian
Ingredients
- 1 cup blended tomatoes
- 1/2 cup blended red pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 bouillon cube
- Salt to taste
- Cooked white rice to serve
Instructions
- Heat oil, sauté onions, then stir in tomato paste 3 minutes.
- Add blended tomato and pepper. Cook 10 minutes until thickened.
- Season with curry, bouillon, and salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Serve over warm rice.
How to Save Time in the Kitchen
- Chop vegetables ahead
- Use leftover rice
- Cook protein in batches
- Keep seasoning blends ready