30-Minute (or Less) Meals by Martha

In just 25 minutes, these seared chicken thighs will satisfy you any night of the week.

Recipe: Pan-Seared Chicken with Shallot and Carrots

This recipe makes eight one-cup servings, which along with a hearty side like homemade cornbread or cheesy potatoes, makes enough for another stick-to-your-ribs meal for later in the week.

Recipe: 30-Minute Chili

This simple shrimp recipe will have a dinner entree with a kick on your table in only 20 minutes!

Recipe: Spicy Stir-Fried Shrimp

This breakfast-for-dinner dish can be made in 30 minutes. The open-face sandwich rests on a tender slice of savory, herbed French toast.

Recipe: Savory French-Toast BLT

Pantry staples, chicken, and fast-cooking pasta add up to an impressive 25-minute meal.

Recipe: Chicken with Artichokes and Angel Hair

These soft tacos use lean ground sirloin and low-fat corn tortillas as sensible substitutions. Make them even lighter by skipping the sour cream and guacamole — opt for a fiery salsa instead.

Recipe: Lighter Beef Tacos

Sweet paprika and sour cream characterize this classic Hungarian dish, which is traditionally served over buttered egg noodles soak up the sauce.

Recipe: Pork Paprikash

This basic recipe for baked salmon returns a sweet and savory result thanks to the brown sugar, soy sauce, and lemon juice in the glaze.

Recipe: Soy-Glazed Salmon

Put the water on to boil before you prepare all the ingredients for this easy dinner, then cook the shrimp and vegetables at the same time as the pasta.

Recipe: Sesame Shrimp and Noodles

Travel south of the border in less than a half hour with this at-home Mexican supper, featuring chicken cutlets that broil quickly in the oven.

Recipe: Fast Chicken Fajitas

Chicken breasts stay moist when cooked in the microwave on a bed of onion and apple. Ketchup, curry powder, and yogurt comprise the creamy sauce.

Recipe: Curried Chicken

Mini pizzas get a gold star for health when they're made with whole-wheat pitas, lots of fresh spinach and peppers, and just enough melted cheese.

Recipe: Spinach and Pepper Pita Pizzas

Fans of rare steak can begin enjoying their perfectly seasoned grilled sirloin steak after just five minutes of cooking time (or less) per side.

Recipe: Grilled Pepper-Crusted Sirloin

A carbonara sauce is typically made with just Italian bacon, eggs, cheese, and black pepper. A little half-and-half creates an even silkier texture.

Recipe: Spaghetti Carbonara

A thick vegetarian stew made from pantry staples, such as rice, spices, and canned chickpeas, is enlivened with a bit of yogurt and lime. Curry powder, an Indian blend of spices, is a timesaving source of layered flavor; ground ginger brings a quick dash of citrusy warmth.

Recipe: Easiest Indian Stew">Easiest Indian Stew

Make this Mexican standby suit your tastes: use our cheese enchiladas as a base, then select a sauce and your choice of toppings for a fast dinner with fresh flavor every time.

Recipe: Cheese Enchilada Casserole

A mix of apricot jam and piquant Dijon mustard plays up nutty Manchego cheese and ham in this grown-up grilled cheese sandwich.

Recipe: Ham-and-Manchego Panini with Dipping Sauce

Budget-savvy skirt steak is the star of this fast meal.

Recipe: Asian Noodle Bowls with Steak and Snow Peas

This corkscrew pasta turns sophisticated with a creamy no-cook sauce. It's a dream to make: Just whisk together goat cheese, pasta water, and butter, and toss with cavatappi and asparagus.

Recipe: Pasta with Goat Cheese and Roasted Asparagus

Any mild melting cheese, like cheddar or Monterey Jack, will work on this light-touch version of a comforting classic. This recipe can be doubled easily to feed a crowd.

Recipe: Emeril's Kicked-Up Tuna Melts