30-Minute Recipes—for When You’re Already Starving

By Patricia Shannon
July 27, 2017
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
There are few things more torturous than trying to figure out what to eat when you're already starving—second only to the torture of grocery shopping while hungry. With situations such as these in mind, we created a collection of dinner recipes that are ready in 30 minutes or less meaning you’ll have a delicious home-cooked meal on the table in a flash. So, skip the drive-through and take a spin through these quick and easy recipes the next time you find yourself scrambling to get dinner on the table. From one-pot options to salads, and even a casserole or two—there’s something for everyone in this tasty roundup. Pasta lovers will adore our Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try our Garlic Shrimp and Herbed Couscous Salad. Fire up the grill for Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Arugula Pesto if the weather is nice. Finally, if comfort is what you crave, our Tortellini, White Bean, and Turnip Greens Soup can’t be beat.
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Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe

Make tonight's dinner a fast and fun meal that's completely customizable.

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Garlic Shrimp and Herbed Couscous Salad

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Ready in 27 minutes
Recipe: Garlic Shrimp and Herbed Couscous Salad

This light and fresh dinner recipe shows off fresh ingredients like lemon, oregano, thyme, parsley, and cucumber.

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Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Arugula Pesto

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Arugula Pesto

Kebabs are one of our favorite quick and easy recipes for the grill. This time, we dressed it up with super flavorful Arugula Pesto. Double the pesto and keep a jar in the fridge to use on pasta or grilled fish.

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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Credit: Victor Protasio

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Frozen sweet peas and a package of potato gnocchi are the power players in this quick dinnertime recipe.

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Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

This savory dish is hearty and flavorful. You can customize the recipe with your favorite in-season veggies.

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Chicken Bog

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Chicken Bog

This is bound to be your new favorite one-dish chicken dinner.

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Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 25 minutes
Recipe: Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta

A creamy sauce, crunchy savoy cabbage, and earthy Portobello mushrooms make an absolutely crave-able combination.

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Fried Pork Chops with Peas and Potatoes

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Fried Pork Chops with Peas and Potatoes

We bet you didn’t know a meal this company-worthy could clock in 30 minutes. The prep is a bit more intensive than some of our other recipes, so be prepared to be on your feet until this one is on the table.

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Sheet Pan Nachos

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

We used ground chuck and piled on the toppings to create a sheet pan supper that your family will be asking for time and again.

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Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 25 minutes
Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Fake a slow-simmering Bolognese by using store-bought tomato sauce such as Barilla or Classico.

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Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

The taste of Nola straight from your grill. It's easier than a trip down to the Big Easy.

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Tortellini, White Bean, and Turnip Greens Soup

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Tortellini, White Bean, and Turnip Greens Soup

Use refrigerated cheese tortellini to make this quick-cooking soup.

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Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice

This is a Southern twist on fried rice that the whole family will love. The best part is, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your freezer or pantry.

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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 28 minutes

Recipe: One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

If you can’t get your hands on collards, substitute your favorite spring veggies into this easy-as-can-be one-pan pasta recipe.

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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Credit: Stephen DeVries

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Make it a party and set out the toppings so everyone can build their own.

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Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles

Credit: Stephen DeVries

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles

This tasty skillet recipe is the perfect base for plenty of toppings. We added diced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, and chopped fresh cilantro, but feel free to add whatever you like.

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Fried Brussels Sprout Tacos

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Fried Brussels Sprouts Tacos

Fried Brussels sprouts are all the rage, but we bet you’ve never had them in tacos.

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Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 25 minutes

Recipe: Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens

Swap in rotisserie chicken and chicken stock to make this soup in a flash.

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Chopped Kale and Bacon Salad

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree

Ready in 20 minutes

Recipe: Chopped Kale and Bacon Salad

This light and fresh salad is dressed in a simple Buttermilk Dressing that’s so good you’ll want to keep a jar stocked in your refrigerator.

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Charred Summer Vegetable Salad

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Charred Summer Vegetable Salad

Charred baby heirloom tomatoes, okra, and corn are the stars in this hearty salad.

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Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Credit: Alison Miksch

Ready in 20 minutes

Recipe: Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella

This spaghetti recipe is bursting with fresh flavor thanks to mouthwatering marinated tomatoes and mozzarella.

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Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Charred Tomato Relish

Credit: Alison Miksch

Ready in 20 minutes

Recipe: Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Charred Tomato Relish

Don’t skip the charred tomato relish—it absolutely makes this dish a standout.

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Open-Faced Tomato Sandwiches with Creamy Cucumber Spread

Credit: Alison Miksch

Ready in 20 minutes

Recipe: Open-Faced Tomato Sandwiches with Creamy Cucumber Spread

If you’re light and fresh summer dinner recipe, you’ve found it. The creamy cucumber spread is a cool and creamy addition to these sandwiches.

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BLT Salad

Credit: Alison Miksch

Ready in 20 minutes

Recipe: BLT Salad

We deconstructed everyone’s favorite sandwich and created a one-dish-wonder of a salad.

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Chicken Stir-Fry

Credit: Greg Dupree

Ready in 10 minutes

Recipe: Chicken Stir-Fry

This Chicken Stir-Fry recipe comes together quicker than you can order takeout.

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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Ready in 30 minutes

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Use pre-shredded Monterey Jack cheese and a package of chopped fresh kale to cut down on prep time.

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Heirloom Tomato and Chicken Toss

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 20 minutes

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato and Chicken Toss

Serve this light dinner recipe with crusty bread to soak up the juice from the tomatoes. We also recommend a glass of rose—if you’re so inclined.

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Chicken and Fontina Panini

Credit: Greg DuPree

Ready in 10 minutes

Recipe: Chicken and Fontina Panini

Warm, melted, crunchy—what else could you want in a 10 minute dinner recipe?

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Cheeseburger Casserole

Credit: Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

The kids won't be begging for the drive through when you bake their fast food favorite at home with a twist.

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