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Need to get dinner on the table fast? I’ve got you covered with 40+ easy 30-minute dinner recipes that are healthy, delicious and perfect for busy nights!
Most nights I’m trying to get dinner on the table quick so we can eat as a family before the kiddos have to go to bed. That means, I’m usually looking for a recipe that comes together in 30 minutes or under.
Since I know everyone has busy lives I thought I’d put together 40+ of my favorite 30-minute dinner recipes for those nights when you want something healthy, but fast for dinner. All of these recipes are super easy to make with simple ingredients and they taste delicious!
One of my all time favorites is this egg roll in a bowl recipe, so if you haven’t tried that recipe yet I’d start there!
Tips for Getting Dinner on the Table Fast
Over the years I’ve found a few simple habits that make quick dinners even quicker.
Keep a few go-to proteins (like cooked chicken, ground turkey, or canned beans) on hand, stock your freezer with frozen veggies, and don’t be afraid to lean on shortcuts like pre-chopped produce or bagged salad mix. And if all else fails, throw everything in one pan, season it well, and call it dinner!
Here are a few more tricks I rely on:
- Plan ahead, even just a little. Having a rough idea of what you’re making each night helps you avoid that “what’s for dinner?” scramble at 5 p.m.
- Double up when it makes sense. If you’re making something like quinoa fried “rice” or enchilada pasta, make a little extra for lunch the next day.
- Keep your pantry stocked. With staples like canned tomatoes, pasta, rice, coconut milk, and spices, you can whip up a meal even when the fridge is looking empty.
- Use a large skillet or sheet pan. The bigger the surface area, the quicker things cook. It also helps avoid overcrowding, which can slow you down.
- Clean as you go. It sounds obvious, but it makes a huge difference on busy nights. Especially when the goal is minimal post-dinner chaos.
One-Pan + Sheet Pan Meals
These dinners are all about ease — everything cooks on a single pan or in one dish, which means less mess and quicker cleanup.
Stovetop Skillet Meals
These easy dinners come together quickly in a skillet with minimal cleanup.
- Egg Roll in a Bowl GF, DF
- Tamari Ground Turkey Skillet GF, DF
- Ground Beef and Squash Skillet GF
- One Skillet Enchilada Pasta GF, V
- Sesame Chicken GF, DF
30-Minute Curries
Warm, comforting meals loaded with flavor! All done in half an hour.
- Coconut Shrimp Curry GF, DF
- Coconut Curry Sunbutter Noodle Bowl GF, V
- Green Curry with Shrimp GF, DF
- Summer Vegetable Curry GF, V
Pasta + Noodles
Cozy, satisfying, and quick to make — these pasta and noodle recipes are weeknight go-tos.
Quick Seafood Recipes
Fast and flavorful seafood recipes that cook up in 30 minutes or less.
Tacos, Wraps, & Burgers
Handheld 30-minute dinner recipes the whole family will love.
Vegan & Vegetarian Options
These meatless meals are quick, satisfying, and packed with plant-based goodness.
- Green Shakshuka GF
- Quinoa Fried “Rice” GF, DF
- Mushroom Stroganoff GF, V
- Vegan Penne alla Vodka V
- Tofu Cabbage Noodle Bowl GF, V
Brittany’s Picks
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few of my absolute go-tos: the egg roll in a bowl (of course!), the shrimp sheet pan fajitas, and the mushroom stroganoff. These are quick, flavorful, and always a hit at our house!
I hope you find a few new favorite 30-minute dinner recipes from this list that make your weeknight meals feel just a little bit easier.
More Collections to Check Out
- 21 High Protein Vegetarian Meals
- 35 Healthy Soup Recipes
- 50 Healthy Fall Dinner Recipes
- 18 Best Ground Turkey Recipes
- 21 Healthy Dinner Salad Recipes
- 30+ High-Protein Breakfast Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
30-Minute Dinner Recipes + Egg Roll in a Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated or minced
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 12-14 oz package coleslaw mix
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or sambal oelek
- 2 green onions, sliced
- sriracha, for serving (optional)
- sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, for garnish
- cooked cauliflower rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. While cooking, break meat into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula and season liberally with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl or plate.
- In the same skillet, over medium heat, add sesame oil. Once hot, add onion, garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Add coleslaw mix into the skillet. Toss and add soy sauce and sriracha or sambal. Cook for another 3-5 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
- Add cooked meat back to the pan and toss to combine. Taste and add more soy sauce or sriracha, if needed.
- Portion mixture into bowls and top with green onions, sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve with additional soy sauce or sriracha, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Protein: Feel free to swap the ground turkey or chicken with ground pork or ground beef instead if you prefer. For a vegan option use tempeh or tofu.
- Coleslaw: Feel free to use packaged broccoli slaw instead of coleslaw if you prefer. You can also use my vinegar coleslaw.
- Add an egg: This recipe doesn’t call for eggs, but if you want to amp up the protein you can add one in. Once the cabbage is cooked and ground meat is added back to the pan, create a well in the center of the skillet, add an egg and scramble until the egg is cooked through, then plate and serve.
- Serving size: The recipe serves 3, but if we’re really hungry we can eat the whole meal between 2 people, especially if we don’t serve it with cauliflower rice. If you’re serving a family of 4 or want leftovers for lunch the next day, I would definitely double the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
