Last-Minute Recipes

01 of 15

30-Minute Pasta Recipes

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Pasta is often a dinnertime lifesaver as it's inexpensive, easy to cook, and can be paired with just about any ingredient, from frozen corn to heavy cream. Most of these recipes can be on the table in 30 minutes or less, and offer a wide range of ingredients and flavors, from tuna carbonara to pasta alla puttanesca.
02 of 15

Easy Skillet Chicken Breast Recipes

The Spruce

Boneless chicken breasts are an ideal ingredient when short on time as they cook up quickly in a skillet or on the stovetop, especially when the meat has been pounded with a meat mallet into a thin, even thickness. From sweet and sour chicken breasts to lemon chicken with mushrooms, there are plenty of recipes to please the whole family. A quick pan-sear of the chicken, add a few ingredients to make a sauce, and you've got a delicious dinner in no time.
03 of 15

Quick Steak Recipes

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By choosing the right type of steak, you can serve up some red meat without a lot of prep time. Cuts that are meant to be cooked quickly on the grill without much or any marinating are ideal, like rib-eye, tenderloin, and skirt steak. A steak and vegetable stir-fry is also a smart dinner idea since it is a quick and complete meal, especially when served over rice or noodles. Fajitas or a main dish steak salad will also satisfy a hungry family.
04 of 15

Easy Shrimp Recipes

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Shrimp is the ideal ingredient when you need a meal on the fly, since this shellfish takes only five or six minutes to cook. This selection of recipes shows how their delicate, sweet taste makes them a versatile protein, delicious in a variety of cuisines including Asian, Italian, and Southern American.

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05 of 15

Last-Minute Fish Fillet Recipes

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Fish fillets are the ultimate last-minute food as they cook quickly and can take on a variety of ingredients—from simple to elaborate. These easy recipes feature all types of fish, from salmon to cod to haddock, and various cooking techniques, including grilling, baking, sautéing, and frying.
06 of 15

Last-Minute Pork Recipes

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Pork is a versatile meat that's very low in fat but full of flavor. Chops and boneless tenderloin cook in a short amount of time, making for a quick meal that will please a variety of palates. In just 25 minutes, you can have pork chops and peppers or, if you have a little more time (that's mostly unattended), put together a Parmesan roast pork tenderloin.
07 of 15

Main Dish Salad Recipes

The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

In the summer, main dish salads are a wonderful way to get a one-dish meal together in a hurry. From grilled shrimp over a colorful vegetable salad drizzled with avocado-lime dressing to a creamy turkey salad with celery, grapes, and pecans, these filling salad recipes can be on the table in a flash.
08 of 15

Fast and Easy Skillet Dinners

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Cooking in a skillet on the stovetop means dinner comes together quickly. From Asian stir-fries to meat and noodles dishes to seafood and vegetable sautés, there are plenty of meal ideas to keep the family happy. Have all of your ingredients at the ready, and these dishes will come together in a snap.

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09 of 15

Quick and Easy Stir-Fry Recipes

The Spruce

Stir-fries are a great solution to getting dinner on the table quickly. The protein and vegetables are swiftly cooked together in a sauce and served over rice or noodles, making for a complete meal—and very little cleanup. Whether chicken, shrimp, beef, or tofu, any of these stir-fry recipes will be a good choice on a busy night.
10 of 15

30-Minute Soup Recipes

The Spruce

When we think of soup, we often think of long simmer times on the stove or lots of ingredient prep. But there are plenty of recipes that you can put together in 30 minutes or less, from creamy vegetable soups and chowders to ramen and traditional bean and pasta soups. Homemade soup is also a great way to use up leftovers that may not be enough to serve at a meal.
11 of 15

Creative Cold Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese Social

Sandwiches are a natural go-to at lunchtime but can also be the perfect solution for a no-fuss dinner. These creative cold sandwiches will make mealtime anything but ordinary, whether enjoying midday or evening. Satisfy hungry family members with a curry chicken salad sandwich, a classic New Orleans muffuletta, or even a Thai toast with peanut butter, Sriracha, and cilantro.
12 of 15

Simple Vegetarian Dishes

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Whether you're practicing "meatless Monday," trying to cut down on meat, or have a vegetarian family, there is a substantial selection of vegetarian dishes that are quick to prepare. From Indian favorites to pastas to chili, you may have a tough time deciding.

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13 of 15

Quick Vegan Recipes

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If you are not that familiar with vegan cooking, the idea of making meals free of meat and dairy may seem daunting. But there are plenty of recipes that can be ready in a flash, whether it's Buffalo tofu hot "wings" or yellow Thai vegetable curry.
14 of 15

Last-Minute Appetizers

The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

Turn dinnertime into fun time by serving a few different simple appetizers. You can make a meal out of mini pizzas, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and pigs in a blanket while satisfying a variety of taste buds at the table. Get the kids to help, and the meal will come together even quicker.
15 of 15

Last-Minute Breakfast Recipes

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

On busy mornings, especially during the school year, breakfast may be an afterthought. But instead of a boring bowl of cereal or protein bar on the go, start your day with an egg and spinach wrap, quinoa bowl with fruit, or avocado and egg toast. Most of these recipes take about 10 minutes to make, meaning you can feed your family a healthy breakfast any day of the week.