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

By Patricia Shannon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Tortellini, White Bean, and Turnip Greens Soup

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

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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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

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

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

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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Fried Brussels Sprout Tacos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Greg DuPree

Ready in 20 minutes
Recipe: Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

If you already know you’ll be strapped for time in the p.m. make this recipe ahead of time—it won’t wilt when dressed.

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Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Greg DuPree

Ready in 30 minutes
Recipe: Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Use microwaveable basmati rice, pre-shredded Mexican cheese, and rotisserie chicken to make these chicken tortillas in a flash.

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Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

Ready in 25 minutes
Recipes: Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

This light supper comes together in just 25 minutes. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken after assembling this recipe, just freeze it in portion sizes to thaw and use in future recipes.

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Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Greg DuPree

Ready in 20 minutes
Recipe: Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Your family won’t believe this came together in just 20 minutes. Simply blend the first nine ingredients in a blender or food processor to create the tasty Peanut-Ginger Sauce.

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