51 Low-Lift 30-Minute Meals for Nights When You Just Can’t
![Photo of easy crispy Salmon Croquettes with Dill Yogurt Sauce.](https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/609ac5faf479e3d4f6c5281a/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/SalmonCroquettes_HERO_050621_14653.jpg)
You don’t have to be a parent to need 30-minute meals—I’m pretty sure the past few years have rendered most of us deeply tired and frequently overwhelmed. But becoming a parent has convinced me that recipes that take “under an hour” just won’t cut it when there’s a tiny window between after-school and bedtime, and a lot that can get derailed when everyone’s hangry. Sometimes, on a work-from-home day, I’m lucky enough to be able to put together a slow braise or soup that cooks, hands-off, while I do something else, but many, many nights I find myself with precisely half an hour to get dinner on the table and precisely zero housemates interested in eating scrambled eggs. Enter these quick recipes: easy weeknight options that are full of flavor but don’t require much cook time. There are pastas, of course, but also 10-minute skillet sautés, shockingly quick vegetarian chili, and the speediest pork chops and chicken. Instant Pot dinners that are actually instant? You’ll find those too. And when all else fails, there are pancakes, with a roasted-fruit sauce that makes breakfast for dinner feel like more than a backup plan.
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- Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo1/51
Yogurt and Spice Roasted Salmon
I often lean on pasta when I'm crunched for time and looking for 30-minute meals, but seafood is absolutely doable in half an hour or less. You can make salmon even more quick-cooking by cubing the fish—roasted at high heat, it gets crispy exteriors before it's overcooked inside. The creamy marinade in this recipe brings flavor, while also keeping the salmon moist.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson2/51
Simple One-Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Sometimes, nothing will do but pasta—and this comfort food recipe is one of Epi's all-time most popular dinners. It's a one-pan situation: the chicken, sauce, and pasta for this dish all cook in the same skillet. Which means you cut down on dishwashing time, too.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson3/51
Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili
It sounds too good to be true, but this chili leans on a few pantry staples to give you all the flavors of slow-simmered chili in just 30 minutes. Which means you might even have time to whip up some cornbread, too.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini4/51
10-Minute Sausage Skillet with Cherry Tomatoes and Broccolini
Packed with cherry tomatoes and tender broccolini, this one-pan dinner has a nice buttery sauce. Serve it with some crusty bread for mopping.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell5/51
Steamed Winter Veggie Bowls
Everything in this dinner (including the eggs!) cooks together in one steamer insert. When you're tired of roasted vegetables, this recipe is a great option for a fresh-tasting winter meal.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Frances Boswell6/51
Sweet-and-Saucy Pork Chops
A pinch of sugar helps these chops caramelize and develop an exceptional golden-brown crust in record time.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne7/51
Dahi Dal (Yogurt Lentil Curry With Spinach)
All you need is just a couple of fresh ingredients thrown into a pan of simply seasoned dal to create a deeply warming and comforting dish. Start some rice before you start cooking, and swirl some yogurt into each bowl before serving.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone8/51
Baked Mustard-Crusted Salmon With Asparagus and Tarragon
Bake salmon fillets next to tender spring asparagus on one sheet pan for an easy fish dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes.
- Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou9/51
Spicy Braised Tofu
In this riff on dubu jorim, a popular Korean side dish, thick slices of pan-fried tofu quickly braise in a sweet-and-spicy sauce. This recipe is a favorite in my household—and it will be in yours, too.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone10/51
Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan
Frying chicken cutlets might feel like too much work for a weeknight. So this quick Italian-American-inspired dinner skips the fry and goes for baked crispy chicken with creamy mozzarella and jazzed-up jarred sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson11/51
One-Pot Pasta Primavera With Shrimp
No need to lug out that big boiling pot and colander. This lightning-fast version of the classic spring pasta includes just the right amount of water to cook the noodles and create a silky sauce, no draining necessary.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell12/51
Savory Dutch Baby for Two
A Dutch baby makes brunch at home feel fancy—and brunch-for-dinner even fancier. This rendition is decidedly savory, with Parmesan and thyme in the batter. Make the batter ahead and stash it in the fridge for a low-prep, no-stress meal.
- Photo by Selina Lee13/51
Instant Pot Japchae
The secret of the Instant Pot is that not everything you make in it is actually… instant. But this noodle dish from the Korean Instant Pot Cookbook truly is as speedy as promised.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne14/51
Clams With Sherry and Olives
The complex flavor of this dish—briny, aromatic, slightly spicy—belies the extraordinarily simple method required.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow15/51
Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce
This budget-friendly, crispy croquettes can be served over a salad, plated with vegetables, or piled on a bun for a salmon alternative to beef or turkey burgers.
- Photo by Alex Lau16/51
Jammy Eggs and Feta Flatbreads with Herbs
Use whatever herbs you have on hand to liven up these easy egg and feta-topped flatbreads.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini17/51
10-Minute Shrimp With Green Beans and Creamy Lemon-Dill Dip
We call this easy shrimp recipe a picnic dinner since everything can be eaten with your hands. It's easy to pack up and take to the park when the weather is nice, but it also works well on the family table.
- Photo by Chris Terry18/51
Butter Beans, Paprika, and Piquillo Peppers
A can of beans might not have much flavor on its own, but these beans become a hearty meal when cooked with onions, garlic, smoked paprika, sherry vinegar, and tomato purée, and mixed with sweet, tangy piquillo peppers.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow19/51
Peppery, Creamy Greens With Eggs
Not all 30-minute meals feel luxurious, but this one certainly does. Any mix of mustard greens, wild arugula, and peppery watercress works well to balance out the richness of the cream.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow20/51
Fried Garlic Noodles
Make fried garlic in your microwave, then put this simple, flavorful noodle dish on the weekly meal plan. The noodles are seasoned with soy sauce, stir-fried garlic, and a sprinkle of umami-rich instant dashi powder, along with the crispy garlic and its oil.
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- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton21/51
Sheet-Pan Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese sounds like a quick and easy dinner, but making more than two sandwiches can leave you feeling flustered. Two rimmed baking sheets and a hot oven mimic a giant panini press, making grilled cheese for a crowd an easy option.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson22/51
Swordfish Steaks With Asparagus and Frisée Salad
This satisfying seafood dinner comes together in as little as 20 minutes. Cooking the fish, then making the warm, herby mustard dressing in the same skillet also means cleanup is a breeze.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell23/51
Hot Honey Pork Chops With Escarole and White Beans
The spicy garlic-honey glaze for the pan-seared pork chops also forms the base of the sauce for the warm escarole-and–white bean salad in this easy one-pan dinner.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura24/51
Sausage and Greens Sheet-Pan Dinner
When life gets busy, sheet-pan dinners come to the rescue. With crispy mini potatoes and hearty greens that are roasted in a sweet-tart mustard dressing, this 25-minute dinner is an easy staple.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell25/51
Salad Pasta
Have that feeling that you just haven't been getting enough greens? But also have that feeling that you just want to eat a big plate of pasta? This recipe is the answer, pairing nutty chickpea pasta with a garlicky anchovy sauce and a whole salad’s worth of leafy things.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich26/51
Chicken Under a Brick in a Hurry
Cooking boneless (but skin on!) chicken thighs underneath a heavy skillet renders extra-crispy skin on the outside and super-juicy meat on the inside.
- Photo by Nassima Rothacker27/51
Chicken Korma
This is cookbook author Chetna Makan's recipe for 30-minute chicken korma, fragrant with spices and creamy from the cashews. Serve with naan or rice.
- Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova28/51
Crispy Tofu With Maple-Soy Glaze
For the crispiest tofu, squeeze out the liquid, then baste with a sauce flavored with soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and fresh ginger.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo29/51
Baigan Chokha
A whole broiled eggplant gets silky and smoky inside and charred on the exterior—perfect for mashing and mixing with sautéed onion, garlic, and fresh tomato.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou30/51
Kimchi Toast
There are many reasons to always keep a jar of kimchi in your fridge. Add this quick lunch idea to the list.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou31/51
Spaghetti with No-Cook Puttanesca
This flavorful pasta packs in all the punches puttanesca is known for—it's salty! briny! olive-y!—without the need to cook a sauce.
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Syrniki (Сырники / Farmer’s Cheese Pancakes)
These Russian cheese pancakes have a tangy-sweet flavor that goes well with a dollop of jam or sour cream on the side.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Frances Boswell33/51
Green Goddess Crunch Sandwich
It's creamy. It's crunchy. It's herby. It's delightful.
- Photo by Galdones Photography34/51
Instant Pot Bisibelabath
Serve this spicy lentil and rice dish—from Epi contributor Chandra Ram's The Complete Indian Instant Pot*—*with raita to cool things off.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson35/51
Salmon Burgers with Red Pepper Mayo
Made from canned salmon—plus a few pantry staples you likely keep in stock—and slicked with tangy red-pepper mayo, this burger is easy to toss together on the fly.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell36/51
Green Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Dressing
Turn salad into a filling meal by mixing in canned white beans, capers, and oil-packed tuna or your favorite tinned fish.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kate Buckens37/51
Grilled Greens and Cheese on Toast
Pile charred Halloumi cheese, kale, and cherry tomatoes on garlicky bread for an almost-instant dinner from the grill. No bread? No problem—toss everything else together and eat it as a salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell38/51
Green Rice with Tomatoes, Eggs, and Almonds
Technically, you need to make the rice before you start counting down the 15 minutes required to make this dinner. But I promise that getting a big batch of rice ready in advance is totally worth it.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Simon Andrews39/51
Baked Tomatoes, Peppers, and Goat Cheese with Crisped Toasts
This savory-sweet dish is decorated with soft cheese and a hint of garlic. Served over a crispy baguette, it’s the perfect summer lunch.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson40/51
Lemony Pasta With Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Arugula
A vegetarian pasta dinner that's full of so much fresh arugula, it almost feels like eating a salad. In a good way.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Joanna Keohane41/51
Beer-Steamed Mussels With Chorizo
If you've only every had mussels in a restaurant, you're in for a treat. They quickly pop open when cooked with beer and spicy pork chorizo.
- Photo by Christina Holmes42/51
Roasted Shrimp with Chile Gremolata
Serve these juicy, well-seasoned shrimp with couscous, rice, or toast to sop up the flavorful cooking liquid.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews43/51
Spicy Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Bok Choy
Toss large pieces of salmon in cornstarch before cooking and they'll develop a delicate crust that really grabs onto the spicy-sweet teriyaki glaze.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell44/51
One-Pot Spring Pasta With Smoked Salmon
When spring arrives, a celebration is in order. And this easy pasta is a celebration on a plate.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell45/51
Chicken Salad With Apricots, Celery, and Blue Cheese
Tender, crunchy, and juicy flavors meet savory blue cheese in this salad, which starts with that life-saving go-to: store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich46/51
Pantry Pasta with Garlic, Anchovies, and Parmesan
Combine a few pantry staples to make this simple but luxurious anytime pasta.
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12-Minute Saucy Chicken Breasts With Limes
Three tricks for flawless weeknight chicken: remove the bones from a skin-on breast, weigh it down for faster cooking and crisper skin, and toss some lime halves into the hot pan for a practically-instant smoky, tangy sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone48/51
Seared Scallops With Mint, Peas, and Bacon
Buttery scallops and smoky bacon are balanced by sweet peas and lively mint in this 22-minute dinner.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone.49/51
Brown-Butter Crab Roll
Lobster rolls may get all the glory, but crab rolls are way easier to pull off at home. (And to be honest, they're even more delicious.)
- Andrew Purcell, food styling by Rhoda Boone50/51
Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Cutlets With Cauliflower Purée and Arugula
This list of the best 30-minute meals wouldn't be complete without one more chicken dinner. Crunchy, salty, pretzel-coated chicken cutlets are lightened up with creamy cauliflower purée and arugula salad for a perfect weeknight feast.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone51/51
Buttermilk Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries
Breakfast for dinner doesn't have to be a last resort. In fact, I think of it as a highlight of the week. Caramelized strawberries and crunchy almonds dress up buttermilk pancakes with plenty of flair, but if strawberries aren't in season, you can substitute whatever fruit you have on hand.
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Joe Sevier