Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with one of these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Food and Recipes
  3. Quick and Easy Dinner
  4. Quick-Fix 20-Minute Meals

Quick-Fix 20-Minute Meals

Southern Living Test Kitchen
By Southern Living Test Kitchen
Skip gallery slides
FB
Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Pork Chops With Herb-Mustard Butter

Each of these quick and easy recipes can be on your dinner table in 20 minutes or less.Being short on time doesn't mean not enjoying a delicious dinner. These quick dinner recipes, all ready in 20 minutes, make sitting down to a family meal simple. From Our Tuscan Pasta with Basil-Cream Sauce dresses up refrigerated cheese ravioli with a semi-homemade sauce. The Pecan-Crusted Tilapia, another of these easy dinner recipes, takes only 18 minutes to prepare. You'll love pastas that can be ready in 11 minutes, and delicious Grecian Skillet Rib Eyes that are done to perfection in 19 minutes. For the fastest of our quick dinner recipes, the Turkey and Rice with Veggies takes only seven minutes from start to table. So if time is of the essence, but dinner is still a meal that matters, savor one of these easy dinner recipes every day of the week.

Start Slideshow

1 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Speedy Suppers

Compatible Colors
Credit:  Photo: John O'Hagan

You won't have to sacrifice great taste for time with our techniques for pan-searing, pasta add-ins, grilling, and more. We also make time-saving suggestions such as preparing salsa and cooking chicken ahead of time; it's these little shortcuts as well as convenience products that make sure your evening-of prep work is as simple as possible.

1 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa

Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa
Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa

Total Time: 9 minutes.

Pan-Seared Trout is ready for a tasty weeknight meal or impressive dinner party in only nine minutes. Prepare the Italian-Style Salsa ahead of time or top with a store-bought salsa.

2 of 23

3 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pork Chops With Herb-Mustard Butter

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Pork Chops With Herb-Mustard Butter

Recipe: Pork Chops With Herb-Mustard Butter

Total Time: 20 minutes

Save time by preparing the four-ingredient Herb-Mustard Butter while the pork loin chops broil in the oven. Tangy honey mustard and warm notes of sage provide a savory finish to the meat hot out of the oven.

3 of 23

Advertisement

4 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Noodle Bowl

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Noodle Bowl

Recipe: Noodle Bowl

Total Time: 15 minutes

This sophisticated Asian dish combines the convenience (and budget friendliness) of Ramen Noodles with the fresh flavors of snow peas, cilantro, napa cabbage, and boiled shrimp.

4 of 23

5 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Beef Fajitas With Pico de Gallo

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Beef Fajitas With Pico de Gallo

Recipe: Beef Fajitas With Pico de Gallo

Ready in 20 Minutes

Bottled Italian dressing provides a simple, flavorful marinade for these grilled flank steak-filled fajitas. Use store-bought pico de gallo or make your own ahead of time.

5 of 23

6 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream

Easy Pasta Recipes: Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream
Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream

Total Time: 15 minutes

Dress up refrigerated cheese ravioli with a semi-homemade cream sauce flavored with chopped tomatoes and fresh basil. Garnish with fresh Parmesan cheese.

6 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chili-Rubbed Salmon

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Chili-Rubbed Salmon

Recipe: Chili-Rubbed SalmonTotal Time: 16 minutesCook salmon filets to flaky perfection in just six minutes. Chili powder, dill weed, and lemon pepper add just the right amount of seasoning to the fish. Garnish with fresh dill sprig and lemon.

7 of 23

8 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Ham-and-Broccoli Ranch Noodles

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Ham-and-Broccoli Ranch Noodles

Recipe: Ham-and-Broccoli Ranch NoodlesTotal Time: 20 minutesJust stir a few ingredients into cooked noodles for a super-fast, creamy supper. Maximize your time by steaming the broccoli and chopping the cooked ham while the pasta cooks.

8 of 23

9 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

White Bean-and-Tuna Salad

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: White Bean-and-Tuna Salad

Recipe: White Bean-and-Tuna SaladTotal Time: 10 minutesTry a refreshing spin on tuna salad with cannellini beans, lemon juice, oregano, parsley, and green onions. Serve over lettuce with crusty bread and fresh fruit for a home picnic meal.

9 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grecian Skillet Rib Eyes

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Grecian Skillet Rib Eyes

Recipe: Grecian Skillet Rib EyesTotal Time: 19 minutesA simple rub of Greek spices give these steaks plenty of flavor. For a final Mediterranean touch, top the meat with feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives.

10 of 23

11 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Speedy Scampi

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Speedy Scampi

Recipe: Speedy ScampiTotal Time: 18 minutesLemon and garlic combine with delicate angel hair pasta and mild-flavored shrimp for a tasty supper. Buy peeled and deveined shrimp at the grocery store to cut prep time.

11 of 23

12 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak

Recipe: Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak

Cook juicy seasoned steak in the skillet to provide a simple yet flavor-packed crust. The trick to a great crust is to use a very hot skillet; a large cast-iron or heavy stainless steel skillet works best.

12 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Greek Chicken Salad

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Greek Chicken Salad

Recipe: Greek Chicken SaladTotal Time: 10 minutesThis robust salad is packed with our favorite easy-to-prep Greek foods―garbanzo beans, fresh tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. The short ingredient list leaves you plenty of time to whisk together fresh Lemon-Herb Dressing, but substitute a bottled Greek dressing if you prefer.

13 of 23

14 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Veggie Fried Rice

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Veggie Fried Rice
Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Veggie Fried Rice

Ready in 20 minutes

Mix quick-cooking brown rice with crisp, sautéed snap peas, green onions, and matchstick cut carrots for this fast Asian dish. With fried egg and soy sauce, it has all the flavor of a restaurant rendition without the cost. Add precooked chicken for a quick and easy one-dish meal.

14 of 23

15 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grilled Basil-and-Garlic Pork Chops

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Grilled Basil-and-Garlic Pork Chops
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Grilled Basil-and-Garlic Pork ChopsTotal Time: 19 minutesSprinkle pork chops with a few basic seasonings and toss them on the grill for a flavorful main dish. Prepare quick-cooking rice and sautéed vegetables while the meat is on the grill.

15 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Natalie's Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Natalie's Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia

Recipe: Natalie's Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried TilapiaTotal Time: 16 minutesCajun seasoning and cornmeal breading provide a down-home taste for this quick-cooking fish supper. Sprinkle with lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley sprigs.

16 of 23

17 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Deli Stuffed Sandwich

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Deli Stuffed Sandwich

Recipe: Deli Stuffed SandwichTotal Time: 10 minutesA good sandwich can make a hearty yet simple-to-assemble supper. For this sub, deli meats and cheese are stacked with a mixture of oil, vinegar, oregano, and chopped olives on crusty Italian bread.

17 of 23

18 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Ready in 20 Minutes

A homemade white sauce ready in 10 minutes? Yes, please. Round out the meal with a mixed green salad and lightly toasted Italian bread. You can lighten up the entrée by using reduced fat turkey bacon, 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, and 2% reduced-fat milk.

18 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu

Recipe: Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu

Ready in 20 Minutes

Topped with Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese, this chicken dish has all the flavor of traditional chicken Cordon Bleu without the hassle. Chicken tenders cook more quickly than breasts; if you have breasts on hand, cut them into strips before cooking.

19 of 23

20 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Turkey and Rice With Veggies

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Turkey and Rice With Veggies

Recipe: Turkey and Rice With VeggiesTotal Time: 7 minutesReady-to-serve garden vegetable rice and canned diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano keep this ingredient list down to three items. With a prep and cook time of seven minutes, you can't beat the ease of this recipe.

20 of 23

21 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pecan-Crusted Tilapia

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Pecan-Crusted Tilapia
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan-Crusted Tilapia

Ready in 18 Minutes

This crust's nutty flavor is the perfect complement for tasty tilapia. Top with squeezed lemon juice or, if you have time, delicious Golden Rum-Butter Sauce. Serve with green beans and precooked mashed potatoes to complete the meal.

21 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches

Kid-Friendly Chicken: Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese SandwichesTotal Time: 20 minutesStart with a simple chicken salad mixture made with raisins, almonds, and diced celery, and stack it on wheat bread with mild, creamy Monterey Jack cheese before cooking on a skillet or griddle.

22 of 23

23 of 23

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Turkey Scaloppine

Turkey Scaloppine
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Turkey Scaloppini

Ready in 11 Minutes

Thin cuts of meat such as turkey cutlets cook quickly with Italian-style scaloppini preparation. Dredge the cutlets in flour and Cajun seasonings, sauté in olive oil, and drizzle with a simple white wine sauce. Serve with sautéed zucchini slices.

23 of 23

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Southern Living Test Kitchen

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 23 Speedy Suppers
    2 of 23 Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa
    3 of 23 Pork Chops With Herb-Mustard Butter
    4 of 23 Noodle Bowl
    5 of 23 Beef Fajitas With Pico de Gallo
    6 of 23 Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream
    7 of 23 Chili-Rubbed Salmon
    8 of 23 Ham-and-Broccoli Ranch Noodles
    9 of 23 White Bean-and-Tuna Salad
    10 of 23 Grecian Skillet Rib Eyes
    11 of 23 Speedy Scampi
    12 of 23 Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak
    13 of 23 Greek Chicken Salad
    14 of 23 Veggie Fried Rice
    15 of 23 Grilled Basil-and-Garlic Pork Chops
    16 of 23 Natalie's Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia
    17 of 23 Deli Stuffed Sandwich
    18 of 23 Bacon Bow Tie Pasta
    19 of 23 Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu
    20 of 23 Turkey and Rice With Veggies
    21 of 23 Pecan-Crusted Tilapia
    22 of 23 Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches
    23 of 23 Turkey Scaloppine

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Quick-Fix 20-Minute Meals
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.