13 Fast Dinners That Are Ready Before You Know It

Photo of author

| Published:

13 Fast Dinners That Are Ready Before You Know It

When you’re in a rush but still want a great meal, fast dinners are your go-to solution. These 30-minute recipes are designed to be ready before you even start to wonder what’s taking so long. Perfect for those evenings when time is tight but you’re wanting something homemade, these 13 dishes will have you seated and eating quicker than you can say “fast food.”

Cheesy spinach and chicken casserole.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole, ready in 30 minutes, is a practical weeknight meal that combines veggies with a creamy sauce and crispy bacon. It’s designed for those busy evenings when you need something wholesome and easy to prepare, fitting perfectly into the quick dinner theme. The use of common, nutritious ingredients and the simple baking process make this dish a convenient, no-fuss option for feeding the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy a quick and memorable dinner with this dish, featuring shrimp, fresh spinach, and grape tomatoes simmered in a savory garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is a perfect choice for a busy evening when you’re looking to enjoy a delicious seafood meal without spending a lot of time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can have this sun-dried tomato chicken on the table. It’s a simple one-pan dish with chicken thighs, a creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan that’s perfect for those busy nights when you want a hearty meal without the hassle. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor, it’s the ideal way to make dinner a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute skillet meal combines ground beef, cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms to create a hearty dish that’s perfect for when you’re short on time. It’s an excellent choice for a quick dinner that minimizes your time in the kitchen while still yielding a filling meal. You can quickly get dinner on the table. Having delicious leftovers also means you can enjoy a stress-free meal the next day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Get a flavorful, filling meal on your table in less than 30 minutes with this cabbage and sausage dish. It’s an easy dinner fix for busy nights, mixing savory sausage with crunchy cabbage in a no-fuss recipe. Quick to make and delicious, it’s a great way to sneak more veggies into your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This chicken dish, featuring a creamy mushroom sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, is your answer to a quick yet comforting dinner, ready in 30 minutes. It’s fantastic for those busy nights when you need a meal that feels special without too much effort. You can serve it with cauliflower rice or a veggie side for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Spinach Chicken Bake

A dish of cheesy spinach casserole with a spoon.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish is a lifesaver for busy nights. It mixes chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella to create a filling dinner in just 30 minutes. It’s a go-to for a quick, hearty meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to get some extra greens into your diet without too much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This ground beef and cauliflower rice casserole is ready to go in just half an hour. It’s a solid pick for a quick, filling dinner, tossing together beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar for a balanced dish. Ideal for those nights when you’re short on time but still want a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up a creamy Dijon chicken dinner in 30 minutes flat, with chicken thighs, fresh spinach, and crispy bacon, all in a rich mustard sauce. It’s a great go-to for those hectic nights when you need a hearty meal fast. The smart use of quick-cooking boneless chicken thighs and the convenience of a one-pan approach make this dish a top choice for an easy, no-stress dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy tender chicken breasts in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with this 30-minute recipe, perfect for when you’re looking for a quick, delicious meal. This dish easily fits the theme of easy, speedy dinners, combining the practicality of using a few ingredients with the convenience of a fast cooking process. It’s a great meal solution for busy weeknights so that you can have a gourmet-like dinner experience with minimal prep work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a dinner that’s both quick and packed with taste, try this Italian Sausage Soup. It’s a creamy, filling soup that brings together Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream. You can have it ready in 30 minutes, making it a great pick for evenings when you don’t have a ton of time to cook.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan meal combines juicy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a rich, creamy sauce flavored with a touch of lemon. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s designed for those nights when you want a meal that’s quick to prepare yet still packed with protein and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Create a rich, creamy cauliflower risotto with mushrooms in just 30 minutes, all in one pan for easy cleanup. This dish is perfect for busy nights so you can have a special yet effortless meal that fits into the theme of efficient dinners made quickly. Key ingredients include cauliflower rice for a speedy alternative to traditional risotto, fresh mushrooms, garlic powder, onions, and Parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.