Say Goodbye to Mealtime Stress With These 23 Easy One-Hour Dinners

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Say Goodbye to Mealtime Stress With These 23 Easy One-Hour Dinners

Ready to transform your dinner routine? These 23 one-hour dinners are your ticket to saying goodbye to mealtime stress. We know how hectic life can get, and that’s why we’ve put together a collection of recipes that are not only quick to prepare but also great for those busy evenings. With these straightforward dishes, you can whip up a meal that’s perfect for your family without spending all night in the kitchen.

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup garnished with herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole brings you all the classic flavors without the extra effort of stuffing each pepper. Ready in just 45 minutes, it combines ground meat, rice, bell peppers, and spices in a one-pan meal that’s great for beginners and busy weeknights alike. It stands out as a fast, hearty option we keep choosing for its practicality and the ease of throwing together a dinner after a long day. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to introduce more vegetables into your meals in a form that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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

Ready in 30 minutes, this Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is a veggie-rich, cheesy delight that includes broccoli, cauliflower, and bacon. By using frozen vegetables, it simplifies preparation and cleanup, making it an effortless dish that doesn’t sacrifice health for convenience. This recipe is perfect for those nights when you want a quick, filling dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. It’s a frequent choice for our one-hour dinner rotation. It’s also a great way to sneak in a nutritious meal that kids will love.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

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

Combining cabbage and sausage, this dish is a prime example of how simple ingredients can lead to a flavor-packed meal in less than 30 minutes. It’s simple to prepare, requiring just a pan and a few ingredients, making it a go-to for quick dinners that don’t compromise on taste. Perfect for busy evenings, this cabbage and sausage recipe is one we repeatedly turn to for its delicious simplicity and quick cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Get dinner on the table in just 20 minutes with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites, a perfect dish for those hectic evenings. You’ll need only chicken, garlic, butter, and a few spices. Simply cook the chicken pieces in a garlic butter sauce for a meal that’s not only quick but also packed with flavor. Perfect for any skill level in the kitchen, this dish can be served with rice and veggies or tossed over a salad.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare this family-friendly Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole in less than an hour. This casserole requires simple ingredients like tuna, noodles, peas, and cheese. It’s simple to assemble and bake. It reheats well, to hopefully solve the dilemma of what to do with leftovers. It’s a great pick for a hassle-free weeknight meal so that you can enjoy more time with your family without having to compromise on a good dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up a Broccoli Casserole in just 50 minutes using broccoli, cheese, and breadcrumbs. This recipe is easy enough for beginner cooks and doesn’t demand much active cooking time. It’s a great solution for adding a delicious vegetable dish to your dinner rotation. Perfect for those nights when you want to serve something hot without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with chopped vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken Tortellini Soup is extra easy to make and comes together in only one pot in 40 minutes. It’s nutrient-dense, filling, and a great choice for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

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

The Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms come together to create a filling dinner. It’s especially best for busy evenings when you need a nutritious meal but don’t have a lot of time for cooking or cleanup. Plus, it’s excellent for leftovers, making meal planning easier.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy a Spinach Chicken Bake, a meal that comes together in 30 minutes. It involves combining chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, then baking until golden. This dish is a lifesaver for those evenings when you’re craving something creamy and hearty but are pressed for time. It demonstrates that quick dinners can also be incredibly filling.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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

The Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a pleasant seafood dinner that’s ready in 40 minutes. Shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach are sautéed in a garlic sauce, with paprika and red pepper flakes adding an extra flavor kick. This dish is an excellent choice for a weeknight when you’re looking for something a little special but still easy and quick to prepare. It fits perfectly into the one-hour dinner theme.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make this Hungarian Mushroom Soup in 45 minutes. You’ll need mushrooms, cream, and a few pantry staples to cook this rich, creamy soup. This simple recipe pairs perfectly with bread or a salad so you can get a cozy and filling meal in on a busy weeknight. This soup is an example of how a simple, quick dish can bring warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just an hour, you can serve a creamy Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. With sweet potatoes, red peppers, and a mix of spices, this soup is both easy to make and full of flavor. It’s a great choice for a homecooked dinner that allows for customization to whatever your preferences may be.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is the epitome of simplicity, ready in 30 minutes. Toss sausages and your choice of vegetables on a sheet pan and roast. This oven-baked method yields a flavorful dinner with minimal effort, perfect for nights when time is extra minimal, but you still want a meal that’s filling and healthy.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare a flavorful Sausage Curry in just 45 minutes. This dish combines sautéed sausages with vegetables and curry sauce so that you can get rich flavors without a long and complex cooking process. It’s a perfect option for a quick family meal. Serve it with rice, and everyone is sure to love it.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Serve Fajita Baked Chicken in just 30 minutes, a quick solution for a flavorful dinner. Season chicken breasts with fajita spices, top with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, and bake. This hassle-free recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs well with a variety of sides, like salad or steamed veggies. It’s a great way to bring the family together for a delicious dinner with minimal cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Make Creamy Dijon Chicken in 30 minutes for a fast and filling meal. This dish features chicken thighs simmered in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce with spinach and bacon. It requires only a few simple ingredients and one pan, making both preparation and cleanup easy. Perfect for wrapping up a busy day, this recipe will make sure that a complete meal is on the table quickly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is ready in 25 minutes, combining green cabbage, bacon, and onion for a meal with perfect flavor balance. This dish can serve as a light main course or a side, adding an easy and delicious vegetable option to your meal plan. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking to include more vegetables in their diet in a delicious way. No need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Enjoy Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce, a 30-minute one-pan meal. This simple yet flavorful dinner option features chicken thighs in a smooth mushroom sauce. It’s designed to be easily made any night of the week so that you can make and serve a great meal quickly and with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

In FDL library.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful dinner option ready in 45 minutes. With ground turkey, Thai spices, and a coconut curry sauce, this dish brings a lot of flavors without a lot of work. It’s a quick, appetizing way to make dinner something special, fitting perfectly into our theme of one-hour dinners. This recipe keeps mealtime interesting and pleasurable without requiring excessive time or effort.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Keto Zuppa Toscana

Two bowls of soup with bacon and kale.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Keto Zuppa Toscana is a filling, one-hour dinner inspired by the classic Olive Garden soup but tailored for a low-carb lifestyle. Garlic, sausage, radishes, and kale come together in a creamy broth for a cozy meal that’s great for tonight and as leftovers. This easy-to-make soup shows us that even on busy evenings, you can enjoy a hearty, homemade dinner. No need to spend hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

Get a filling dinner on the table in 30 minutes with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. This meal, prepared in one skillet, combines chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan in a creamy sauce. It’s an easy and quick way to enjoy a great meal at the end of a long day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken, ready in just 40 minutes, brings together chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a delicious creamy sauce. Cooked all in one pan, this dish is a great option for a filling dinner on a busy night. The simplicity of its preparation and cleanup aligns with our theme of one-hour dinners, making it a practical choice for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

The 30-minute Creamy Garlic Chicken is a simple, one-pan dinner that promises a fast, flavorful meal. With chicken breasts simmered in a rich garlic sauce, it’s best for busy nights or when you’re looking to impress guests. This recipe pairs well with any side, ensuring a complete meal is ready to be quickly prepped and served.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

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