When I’m doing my meal planning for an average week, I’m looking for my weeknight dinners to check off two requirements: quick and easy. I want weeknight dinners that not only taste satisfying, but don’t require too much time, energy, or extra ingredients.That’s where these 30-minute dinners come in. If you need some meal inspo for the week, then these 30-minute dinners have you covered—every single day.
While I wanted to include recipes that are easy and straightforward, I also wanted to keep things exciting by spicing up pantry staples (looking at you, sheet-pan crispy ramen). Many of these recipes share common ingredients (saving you another trip to the store), but are different enough that you won’t feel like you’re eating the same thing all week. Chicken dinners are our bread and butter, but I’ve also given variety by including vegetarian, seafood, and ground beef dinners.
Whether you follow this meal guide by the day or only use it for some weekday mealtime inspiration, there’s a quick and easy dinner here for you that will be on the table in 30—minimal dishes required.
Sunday: Brown Sugar Salmon
When it comes to 15-minute (yes, 15-minutes) weeknight dinners, nothing is better than a simple piece of flaky, tender, savory-sweet brown sugar-glazed salmon. It takes 5 minutes to prep, 10 minutes to cook, and cleanup is an absolute breeze.
Get the Brown Sugar Salmon recipe.
Monday: Chicken & Broccoli
This fast and easy one-pot chicken and broccoli recipe is coated in a sweet and savory sauce with plenty of ginger and garlic for a weeknight dinner that beats take-out. This dish comes together in 20 minutes with minimal prep work too. Win win!
Get the Chicken & Broccoli recipe.
Tuesday: Sheet-Pan Crispy Ramen
Sheet-pan crispy ramen takes your favorite noodle dish and gives it a textural twist. Chicken thighs are coated in a stir-fry sauce and charred alongside broccoli, snow peas, and scallions, then broiled alongside ramen noodles to crisp everything up and create a golden, caramelized masterpiece.
Get the Sheet-Pan Crispy Ramen recipe.
Wednesday: Black Bean Tostadas
During busy weeknights, we can't get enough of quick, easy, and cheap dinners. With only 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes, these black bean tostadas will have you serving up an easy and delicious vegetarian dinner on the table with hardly any work at all. These tostadas use ingredients you’re more than likely to have on hand, making them the easiest last-minute meal to throw together when you just can’t be bothered to cook up anything else.
Get the Black Bean Tostadas recipe.
Thursday: Chicken Tacos
We say the more toppings the merrier for these quick and easy tacos. We like ours topped with red onion (pickled onions would be great too), avocado, cilantro, and cheese, but pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious.
Get the Chicken Tacos recipe.
Friday: Pizzadillas
This isn't just a quesadilla filled with mozz and pepperoni. It's topped with the works and looks just like an actual pizza. Plus, it's so easy to make at home with a handful of staple ingredients.
Get the Pizzadillas recipe.
Saturday: Goulash
A classic nostalgic comfort dish, goulash is the hearty weeknight dinner we'll always crave. The best thing about this goulash recipe? Everything cooks together in one pot—even the pasta!
Get the Goulash recipe.
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