Quick 30-Minute Dinner Recipes for Busy Families

There is no denying that getting a family-friendly dinner on the table can be tricky at the best of times, let alone on weeknights. If you are short on time and need dinner ideas for tonight, we’ve got you covered. With easy recipes that require minimal cleanup, it is entirely possible to serve a home-cooked meal in minutes. Whether you are craving chicken breast, a filet of salmon, thick-cut pork chops, or something else, you will find exactly what you’re looking for.

Below are dinners that are on the table in 30 minutes and will hopefully make everyone’s night a little more enjoyable.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

Coating chicken breasts in flour is a genius move. It helps retain moisture and forms a crust for added texture. The dish is finished with a buttery lemon pan sauce that will wow everyone at the table.

Burger Salad

Keep all the parts that make a burger delicious (the patty, toppings, and sauce) and turn it into a dinner salad. Iceberg lettuce adds a nice crunch, but use your favourite lettuce and whatever tomatoes you have on hand. Sit down and enjoy the freshest-tasting burger you have ever had.

Chop Suey

Grab your wok and make this satisfying Chinese American favourite. Loads of vegetables and chicken thighs are stir-fried and coated in a pantry sauce that will have you licking the plate.

Microwave Red Curry Poached Salmon

Poaching salmon in an aromatic curry sauce sounds like it will require multiple pans and an oven, but the microwave does all the heavy lifting in this family meal. Serve with jasmine rice and chopped herbs.

Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens

Make an easy dinner even easier by skipping the pot of boiling water. Frozen tortellini is cooked directly in a skillet with olive oil. Stir in your favourite greens, such as baby spinach or chopped kale, and top with cheese before serving.

Easy Beef Bulgogi

Salty-sweet beef is always a weeknight winner. “Bulgogi, a marinated and grilled beef popular at Korean restaurants, is easy to make at home. Look for marbled beef and let the cast iron skillet get superhot for the best results. Serve with banchan and rice.

Creamy Miso Mushroom Pasta

Add a flavourful twist to pasta with miso. White miso is made from fermented soybeans and adds a touch of umami without overwhelming the pasta and mushrooms. You’ll find it in the refrigerated section, most likely near the tofu in a grocery store.

Creamy Chicken Florentine

Quick, easy, and lusciously creamy, this skillet chicken recipe is a fresh way to serve chicken breasts. As an added bonus, spinach is added to the sauce, so you don’t have to make a salad if you don’t want to.

Sheet Pan Shrimp and Asparagus

Both shrimp and asparagus cook notoriously fast. The garlic butter sauce spooned over top brings it all together into a mouth-watering family meal. Serve it with pasta or rice.

BLT Wraps

Take advantage of warm weather and ripe tomatoes and make easy back to school meals. Leftovers would make tasty lunches, too. Add sliced turkey for a heartier meal.

Creamy Cavatappi

Though it sounds fancy, this is similar to a simple mac and cheese. No roux, but a creamy, cheesy sauce made right on the stovetop. Set a timer once the pasta comes to a boil so that you don’t accidentally overcook it.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Zucchini, Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers

Not all pasta is the same, and gnocchi is like none other. Roasting gnocchi on a sheet pan cooks the pasta without it becoming overladen with moisture. Using quick-cooking vegetables ensures that everything is done at the same time.

Easy Pork Fried Rice

Fried Rice is a quick and easy option for weeknights. This recipe uses pork loin and frozen veggies, resulting in barely any chopping. Make the rice on the weekend so that it has a chance to chill and dry out before frying.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

Slider buns get a buttery upgrade in this easy meal. Compound butter is brushed on top of the buns before getting baked until the ham is warm and the cheese is melted. Pair it with crunchy carrot sticks and watch dinner disappear in a minute.

Air Fryer Salmon

We know that the air fryer can make a mean tater tot, but it can also save your weeknight. Buy salmon filets that have the skin on them to help reduce the risk of overcooking.

Smashburger

Get out of the griddle and serve up smashburgers for dinner. Have the kids stir together the sauce and get out the toppings. These burgers are done quickly and need your full attention while cooking.