Food and Recipes Dinner 30-Minute Dinner Ideas for When You're Already Starving By Patricia Shannon Patricia Shannon Patricia Shannon gives how-to content a can-do attitude, sharing her knowledge and research on housekeeping, decorating, gardening, etiquette, beauty, and more. She has been writing and editing lifestyle content for more than a decade. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 21, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners There are few things more torturous than trying to figure out what to eat when you're already hungry—second only to the torture of grocery shopping while hungry. Sometimes the temptation of the snack aisle is just too much. With situations such as these in mind, we created a collection of 30-minute dinner ideas that'll help you get 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 ready on time. 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. If comfort is what you crave, our Tortellini, White Bean, and Turnip Greens Soup can't be beat. 01 of 38 Garlic Shrimp and Herbed Couscous Salad Hector Manuel Sanchez Ready in 27 minutes Recipe: Garlic Shrimp and Herbed Couscous Salad This light dinner recipe shows off fresh ingredients like lemon, oregano, thyme, parsley, and cucumber. 02 of 38 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. 03 of 38 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. 04 of 38 Chicken Bog Greg DuPree Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Chicken Bog It only takes a few bite for this Lowcountry favorite to become your family's new favorite one-dish chicken dinner. 05 of 38 Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli Want a 30-minute meal that happens to be healthy, too? This salad doubles up on greens—with broccoli and baby arugula—and it's all brought together with a bright and briny lemon-honey dressing. 06 of 38 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 craveable combination. 07 of 38 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 you could make a meal this company-worthy in just 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. 08 of 38 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 ask for time and time again. 09 of 38 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. 10 of 38 Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely Ready in 25 minutes Recipe: Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Heating cherry tomatoes in a hot pan will break the delicate skins, releasing the juicy middle. That happens to be the best base for a quick and easy pasta sauce. 11 of 38 Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Ready in 20 minutes Recipe: Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage Now you can enjoy the taste of New Orleans, straight from your grill. 12 of 38 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. 13 of 38 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. 14 of 38 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 use whatever toppings you like. 15 of 38 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. 16 of 38 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. 17 of 38 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 looking for a light and fresh summer dinner recipe, you've found it. The creamy cucumber spread is a refreshing addition to these sandwiches. 18 of 38 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. 19 of 38 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. 20 of 38 Chicken and Fontina Panini Greg DuPree Ready in 10 minutes Recipe: Chicken and Fontina Panini Warm, melty, and crunchy—what else could you want in a 10 minute dinner recipe? 21 of 38 Cheeseburger Casserole Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole The kids won't beg for the drive through when you bake their fast food favorite at home with a twist. 22 of 38 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 evening, make this recipe ahead of time—it won't wilt when dressed. 23 of 38 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. 24 of 38 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. 25 of 38 Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Just trust us: This easy skillet dinner will be a weeknight hit. 26 of 38 Chicken-Bell Pepper Tacos Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Ready in 20 minutes Recipe: Chicken-Bell Pepper Tacos Bell peppers make all the difference in this not-so-typical taco night meal. 27 of 38 Instant Pot Chili Mac Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Instant Pot Chili Mac Who needs the canned version of this comfort food dish when you can have it on the table homemade in half an hour? 28 of 38 Sheet Pan Fajitas Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Ready in 20 minutes Recipe: Sheet Pan Fajitas This recipe will be ready faster than it'd take you to pick up your favorite Tex-Mex takeout. 29 of 38 Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta You can always turn to a skillet dinner for a quick weeknight recipe. 30 of 38 Baked Ziti with Meatballs Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Baked Ziti with Meatballs Store-bought sauce and frozen meatballs make this recipe a breeze to throw together. 31 of 38 Supreme Pizza Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Supreme Pizza Our Test Kitchen calls this "an old-school supreme pizza [like] one at a Pizza Hut, Shaky's, or a classic pizzeria." 32 of 38 Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero Ready in 20 minutes Recipe: Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Ground chuck has more fat than ground sirloin, making it an ideal stir fry option that won't dry out while cooking. 33 of 38 Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon with Vegetables Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon with Vegetables For this recipe, be sure to choose salmon filets that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly on the pan. 34 of 38 Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Ready in 25 minutes Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice Sheet pan recipes are miracle workers for getting dinner on the table quickly and reducing the after-meal clean up. 35 of 38 Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing After a day out on the water, you'll be thankful for this quick, light, and summery meal. 36 of 38 Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Ready in 25 minutes Recipe: Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing We went an extra step with this salad by adding bacon drippings to the light and tangy vinaigrette. 37 of 38 Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges Alison Miksch Ready in 25 minutes Recipe: Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges This flavorful weeknight supper will help you fall in love with salmon all over again. 38 of 38 Chicken Scallopini Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Ready in 30 minutes Recipe: Chicken Scallopini You can plate this dish over any noodle that you have in your pantry. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit