10 Delicious Quick Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Weeknights can be hectic, especially when you’re trying to juggle work, family, and other commitments. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a delicious, nutritious meal. With these 10 quick recipes, you can have a delicious dinner on the table in no time.

1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice

This one-pot chicken and rice dish is a great way to get a complete meal on the table in just 30 minutes. Start by sautéing some diced onion and garlic in a large pot. Add in some diced chicken, and cook until it’s no longer pink. Then add in some long-grain white rice, chicken broth, and a few spices. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through. Serve with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

2. Baked Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

This healthy dinner is ready in just 30 minutes. Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Place a piece of salmon on a baking sheet, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. Meanwhile, toss some diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, and onion) with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the vegetables on a separate baking sheet, and roast for about 15 minutes, or until they’re tender. Serve the salmon and vegetables with a side of cooked quinoa or brown rice.

3. Sheet Pan Fajitas

This sheet pan dinner is a great way to get a complete meal on the table in just 25 minutes. Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Slice some bell peppers and onion, and spread them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite fajita seasoning. Roast for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, cook some diced chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the vegetables are done, add them to the skillet with the chicken, and cook for a few minutes more. Serve the fajitas with warm tortillas, salsa, and guacamole.

4. Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil

This classic Italian dish is ready in just 20 minutes. Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in some spaghetti, and cook until it’s al dente. Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in some minced garlic, and cook until it’s fragrant. Drain the spaghetti, and add it to the skillet with the garlic and olive oil. Toss to combine, and season with salt and pepper. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

5. Baked Ziti

This cheesy baked pasta dish is ready in just 40 minutes. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F. Cook some ziti pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until it’s al dente. Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in some diced onion and garlic, and cook until they’re softened. Add in some diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a few spices. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened. Drain the ziti, and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, and top with some shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Chicken Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is ready in just 20 minutes. Start by heating some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in some diced chicken, and cook until it’s no longer pink. Add in some diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli), and cook until they’re tender. Meanwhile, whisk together some soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a few other ingredients to make the stir-fry sauce. Pour the sauce into the skillet, and toss to combine. Serve the stir-fry with cooked white or brown rice.

7. Turkey Burgers

These turkey burgers are ready in just 25 minutes. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine some ground turkey, diced onion, garlic, and a few spices. Form the mixture into four patties, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the burgers are cooked through. Serve the burgers on whole-wheat buns with your favorite toppings.

8. Quesadillas

These quesadillas are ready in just 15 minutes. Start by heating some oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, and top with some shredded cheese, diced vegetables, and cooked chicken or beef. Top with another tortilla, and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are golden brown. Flip the quesadilla, and cook for a few minutes more. Serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

9. Baked Potato Bar

This baked potato bar is a great way to get a complete meal on the table in just 30 minutes. Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Prick some potatoes with a fork, and bake for about 45 minutes, or until they’re tender. Meanwhile, cook some diced chicken or beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the potatoes are done, cut them in half, and top with the cooked meat, shredded cheese, diced vegetables, and your favorite toppings.

10. Tacos

These tacos are ready in just 15 minutes. Start by heating some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in some diced chicken or beef, and cook until it’s no longer pink. Add in some taco seasoning, and cook for a few minutes more. Meanwhile, warm some tortillas in the microwave or oven. Serve the tacos with the cooked meat, shredded cheese, diced vegetables, and your favorite toppings.

FAQs

Q: What are some quick and easy recipes for busy weeknights?

A: Some quick and easy recipes for busy weeknights include one-pot chicken and rice, baked salmon with roasted vegetables, sheet pan fajitas, spaghetti with garlic and olive oil, baked ziti, chicken stir-fry, turkey burgers, quesadillas, baked potato bar, and tacos.

Q: How long does it take to make these recipes?

A: The recipes vary in cooking time, but most of them can be made in 30 minutes or less.