These quick and easy 30-minute recipes are the BEST weeknight dinner ideas – they'll feed the entire family in a flash!
Quick & Healthy Dinner Ideas
After a long day at work, school or just everyday life, the last thing you want to worry about running to the grocery store and cooking a long and complicated meal. You might think that tight on time means short on flavor – but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
To help take away any dinnertime stress, I rounded up some of my favourite healthy and easy dinner recipes that will be ready in 30 minutes or less with everything from pasta to buddha bowls, flatbreads and soups. They come together super fast so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing. See all my 30-minute meals here if you're looking for even more time-saving recipes and if you're looking to feed a crowd, try these family dinner ideas here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the quickest thing you can make for dinner?
Any of these recipes are great for dinner and will be ready in less than a half-hour. If you want to save time on cleanup as well, sheet pan recipes and one-pot meals are the way to go! You’ll get the best of both worlds with less time cooking and less dishes.
How do you cut down on prep time?
Ingredient prep is my number one recommendation for cutting down on the amount of time you have to spend cooking the day-of. You can cut up any veggies like bell peppers or carrots, make any marinades, and cook your grains like quinoa or brown rice. That way, when you're ready to cook, all you have to do is throw everything in a pan or in the oven. For more tips, check out my blog post on how to ingredient prep in just one hour.
What can you cook in 30 minutes?
There are lots of things you can cook in just 30 mins, from this healthy spin on a classic pasta dish to these tasty fish tacos. And if you ingredient prep, most meals can come together in a half hour or less.
Bowls & Salads
If you're looking for an ultra-healthy meal idea, you can't go wrong with a bowl or salad. They're super easy to customize – just add on your favourite vegetables, protein, dressing or sauce, and a grain if you're making a bowl. Easy-peasy!
Flatbreads & Wraps
From grilled flatbreads to low carb wraps, these recipes are a lighter version of your favourite sandwiches. Plus, they're super easy to throw together, and the toppings can easily be swapped out for whatever you have on hand.
Taco Recipes
Every night is taco night with these delicious options! Try out different protein options like chicken, ground beef, shrimp and more, then load on your fave toppings.
Stir Fry Dishes
A stir fry is one of my go-to's when a need a quick and nutritious meal. Stir fry some veggies and protein, add in a simple stir fry sauce, then serve over noodles or rice.
Sheet Pan & Skillet Recipes
What could be easier than a meal where everything comes together in one dish? These recipes cut down on cooking time and dishes time. They're a win-win!
Pasta Dishes
These pasta dishes are still full of flavor while being lighter on the calories. Want to make them even healthier? Serve them over zucchini noodles instead.
Soup Recipes
There's nothing quite like a comforting bowl of soup. These ones come together super quickly (some in one pot!) and contain healthy ingredients that everyone in the family will love.
Low Carb Recipes
Sticking to a low-carb diet? These recipes come together quickly with less carbs, so you can enjoy healthier versions of favourite dishes like pizza and Philly cheesesteak.
More Healthy 30-Minute Meals
Check out some more of my favourite 30-min meals.
Meal Prep for Dinner
All these recipes will be ready in less than a half-hour, but you can save even more time on the weeknights by meal prepping these recipes on the weekend and storing them in the fridge or the freezer in airtight glass containers. That way, when it’s time for dinner, all you have to do is pop your dinner in the microwave and enjoy!
Alternatively, you can choose to prep ingredients instead of batch-cooking your dinners. This way, you'll spend a short time prepping your meals on the weekend so they will all come together in 20 minutes or less when it's time to cook. This is my preferred way of meal prep as it's less of a time commitment upfront, plus, you won't get stuck eating leftovers! Learn more about how to ingredient prep here.
Share With Me!
Did you make this recipe or want to share your thoughts? Make sure to leave your review below and tag me on Instagram #thegirlonbloor so I can check it out!