From Zero to Delicious in 30 Minutes or Less

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Weeknights don’t have to be a drag with these easy, flavorful dinners ready in no time! From creamy Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo to the zesty goodness of Sheet Pan Pesto Butter Salmon, these dishes will have you covered. Want to spice things up? Try some Crispy Baked Gochujang Tofu or dig into a hearty plate of Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta. Don’t forget the savory Pollo al Limone or the smoky, sweet Apricot Glazed Salmon—all made in a flash, and perfect for busy nights when dinner needs to be on the table ASAP!

One Pot Ground Chicken Stroganoff

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Creamy noodle dish with mushrooms and parsley in a white pot, accompanied by forks and fresh parsley on a marble countertop.
Image Credit: 30 Minute Kitchen

One Pot Ground Chicken Stroganoff is a lighter twist on the classic—tender ground chicken simmered in a rich, velvety mushroom sauce for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

To learn more: One Pot Ground Chicken Stroganoff

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Creamy fettuccine pasta with broccoli, garnished with herbs, served in a bowl, with bread in the background.
Image Credit: Tessie’s Table

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo is everything you want in a weeknight dinner—juicy chicken, crisp broccoli, and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce that makes any pasta night feel a little extra special!

To learn more: Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Cottage Cheese Butter Chicken

A bowl of savory chicken curry garnished with fresh cilantro, served over fluffy white rice.
Image Credit: Cottage Cheese Recipes

Cottage Cheese Butter Chicken puts a fun twist on a classic—rich, creamy, and packed with Indian flavors, it’s the ultimate comfort food for cottage cheese fans, best served with rice or naan!

To learn more: Cottage Cheese Butter Chicken

Sheet Pan Pesto Butter Salmon

A plated meal featuring a salmon fillet topped with green sauce, surrounded by yellow potatoes and zucchini, garnished with parsley.
Image Credit: 30 Minute Kitchen

Sheet Pan Pesto Butter Salmon is a quick, healthy dinner that’s big on flavor—fresh salmon and seasonal veggies roasted to perfection with a rich, herby pesto butter sauce, all in one pan for easy cleanup!

To learn more: Sheet Pan Pesto Butter Salmon

Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

A close-up of a cheesy hamburger slider with a soft bun, revealing a juicy beef patty and surrounded by crispy potato wedges.
Image Credit: Fantabulosity

Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are the ultimate party hack—juicy, cheesy, and baked to perfection, with a clever trick to whip up 12 mini burgers in no time!

To learn more: Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

Pollo al Limone (Italian Lemon Chicken)

Golden, juicy fish fillets topped with fresh herbs and drizzled with lemon sauce, garnished with lemon slices and cilantro.
Image Credit: The Savory Cipolla

Pollo al Limone is Italian comfort in a pan—crispy, golden chicken cutlets bathed in a luscious buttery lemon herb sauce, perfect for a cozy night in!

To learn more: Pollo al Limone (Italian Lemon Chicken)

Parmesan Crusted Halibut

Golden-brown baked fish fillets topped with crispy breadcrumbs and garnished with green herbs, served on a parchment-lined tray.
Image Credit: Beyond The Chicken Coop

Parmesan Crusted Halibut makes cooking fish foolproof—crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, this easy recipe will have you feeling like a pro from the very first bite!

To learn more: Parmesan Crusted Halibut

Apricot Glazed Salmon

Two salmon fillets topped with a glaze, sesame seeds, and green onions, served on a bed of white rice on a white plate.
Image Credit: Foodborne Wellness

Apricot Glazed Salmon is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy—flaky, tender, and effortlessly delicious! Serve it with rice, cauliflower rice, or steamed broccoli for an easy yet elegant meal.

To learn more: Apricot Glazed Salmon

Tuscan Chicken

Tuscan chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

This Tuscan Chicken combines seared chicken breasts with a creamy, flavor-packed sauce and veggies in a one-pot wonder. It’s a 30-minute meal that feels fancy but is super easy to whip up!
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Chicken

Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

a skillet with creamy ground beef pasta and parmesan
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This ground beef pasta tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but it’s actually ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for those weeknights when you need a quick dinner that feels like a slow-cooked masterpiece.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

Crispy Baked Gochujang Tofu (Korean-Inspired)

Overhead shot of bowls with gochujang tofu, white rice, and Korean-inspired cabbage apple slaw
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

We love tofu. We love crispy tofu, saucy tofu, and especially tofu that’s quick & easy (but tastes like it wasn’t). Meet Crispy Baked Gochujang Tofu (Korean-Inspired)—your new obsession!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Gochujang Tofu (Korean-Inspired)

Penne Alla Vodka

overhead view of a skillet of penne alla vodka
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Penne alla vodka – rich, tomatoey, and made from scratch – this classic is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka

Creamy Chicken in White Wine Sauce

closeup of a skillet with creamy white wine chicken
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This creamy white wine chicken is the perfect balance of fancy and weeknight-friendly—delicious enough for company but easy enough for a busy night. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken in White Wine Sauce

30-Minute Quinoa “Fried Rice”

serving platter of vegan quinoa fried rice
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

Take quinoa to the next level with 30-Minute Quinoa “Fried Rice,” a nod to the magic of quinoa—quick, tasty, and a perfect spin on a classic dish!
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Quinoa “Fried Rice”

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas in 30 Minutes

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas is a 30 minute meal recipe that is perfect for busy nights when you don't have a lot of time for cooking or clean up, since the whole dinner cooks on one sheet pan!  Your whole family is going to love this weeknight seafood dinner option that is packed with flavor.  And you are going to love how easy they are to make!
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas make weeknight dinners a breeze! Ready in just 30 minutes, this seafood meal is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick, easy, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas in 30 Minutes

Teriyaki Salmon with Bok Choy

Teriyaki salmon with Baby Bok Choy
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Teriyaki Salmon with Bok Choy is a sheet pan dinner dream! Baked to perfection in just 30 minutes, with a homemade teriyaki sauce that’s as easy as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon with Bok Choy

Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Basil in a saute pan.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

The secret to the best spaghetti? Fresh pasta sauce made with ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil—whipped up in under 20 minutes! Bonus: It’s vegan!
Get the Recipe: Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Baked Blackened Salmon and Grits

baked blackened salmon fish and grits
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

This Southern-inspired fish and grits combo brings together perfectly baked blackened salmon and creamy, buttery grits—all in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Baked Blackened Salmon and Grits

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Close-up of a golden-brown meatball, cut in half to reveal a moist, crumbly interior with flecks of green herbs.
Image Credit: Foodborne Wellness

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are a game-changer—juicy, protein-packed, and bursting with flavor, they’re ready in under 30 minutes for the perfect fuss-free, healthy dinner!

To learn more: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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