30-Minute Meals

I originally posted a compilation of 30-minute meals here. It was so popular, I decided to do us all a favor and convert it over to an ever-populating list. This, my friends, is the page you want to keep track of. Every time I post another 30-minute meal (or better yet, a 20-minute meal!), it will show up here. Awesome. Here’s to getting dinner on the table fast and painlessly.

20-Minute Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

20-Minute Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

15-Minute Tomato Pesto Pasta

20-Minute Tomato Pesto Pasta

20-Minute Asian Noodles

30-Minute Asian Garlic Noodles with Shrimp {or Chicken}

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps {Quick and Delish}

Avocado chicken salad all mixed up in white serving bowl.

Avocado Chicken Salad

Baked Tilapia with Ginger and Cilantro

Baked Tilapia with Ginger and Cilantro

white bowl with cooked spaghetti noodles, chicken pieces, and chopped red pepper

Balsamic Chicken Noodle Bowl

BBQ Chicken Pasta

BBQ Chicken Salad Cilantro Lime Rice Bowl

BBQ Chicken Salad Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls

BBQ Turkey Quesadillas

BBQ Turkey Quesadillas

Bean Curry

pieces of sauce-covered chicken sitting on white rice

Bourbon Chicken

Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast Burritos

Broiled Parmesan Chicken

Broiled Parmesan and Lemon Chicken

Butter and Garlic Shrimp Penne

Butter and Garlic Shrimp Penne

Cajun Chicken Stroganoff

Cajun Chicken Stroganoff

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps {30-Minute Meal}

Cheesesteak Subs

Cheesesteak Subs – Quick and Tasty!

Chicken Sweet Potato Kale Skillet Meal

Cheesy Chicken, Kale and Sweet Potato Skillet Meal

Chicken and Mango Basil Stir Fry

Chicken and Mango {Or Pineapple} Basil Stir Fry

Top down view of Chicken banh mi flatbread with pickled cucumbers and carrots on white platter.

Chicken Banh Mi Flatbread with Incredible Sauces X 2 {Quick + Easy Dinner}

Chicken BLT burritos cut in half on white plate.

Chicken BLT Burritos with Creamy Southwest Dipping Sauce {Quick and Easy!}

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Two chicken cordon bleu panini sandwiches stacked on top of each other.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini {My New Favorite Sandwich}

Chicken Curry in a Hurry

Chicken Curry in a Hurry

tube pasta topped with olives and tortilla strips in a white bowl

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Chicken Tikka Pizzas - 20-Minute Meal

Chicken Tikka Pizzas: Another 20-Minute Meal

chicken and zucchini on white rice

Chicken with Mushrooms and Zucchini

30-Minute Chinese Cashew Chicken

Chinese Cashew Chicken {30-Minute Meal}

two chicken tacos with avocado slices and tomatoes

Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Chopped Cashew Chicken Salad

Chopped Cashew Chicken Salad with Homemade Creamy Cashew Dressing

Chopped Taco Salad

Chopped Taco Salad with Homemade Catalina Dressing

Favorite Fondue Recipe

Classic Cheese Fondue {Alcohol-Free}

Classic Grilled Burger

Classic Grilled Burgers

Coconut Curry Soup

Coconut Curry Soup

Coconut Shrimp Curry

Coconut Shrimp Curry

Creamy Black Bean Taco Soup

Creamy Fettuccine with Ham and Peas

Creamy Fettuccine with Ham and Peas

homemade alfredo sauce over noodles in white bowl

Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce {My Go-To Dinner Saver!}

Creamy Orzo with Chicken, Mushrooms and Red Peppers

Creamy Orzo with Chicken, Mushrooms and Red Peppers

Quick Tuscan Pasta Sauce

Creamy Tuscan Pasta Sauce {Quick 20-Minute Dinner}

White bowl with handles filled with quick and easy creamy tuscan tortellini soup.

Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup {Quick and Easy}

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Creamy White Chicken Chili {Stovetop or Slow Cooker}

chicken and cheese wrap cut in half

Crispy Chicken Wraps

These crispy southwest chicken wraps are delicious, easy to make (talk about a weeknight dinner saver!) and so versatile!

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

30-Minute Asian Dan Dan Noodles

Dan Dan Noodles {30-Minute}

Greek Pastitsio Casserole Style

Delicious Greek Pastitsio {Casserole-Style}

The Best Ground Stroganoff

Delicious Ground Beef {or Turkey} Stroganoff

Twisting ramen noodles on fork with beef and broccoli on white plate.

Easy One Pot Beef and Broccoli Ramen Noodles

Close up of Thai burgers with peanut sauce and tangy slaw.

Easy Thai Burgers with Peanut Sauce

Falafel! Wrapped up in meatball form and smothered in tzatziki sauce. Yum!

Falafel Meatballs with Easy Tzatziki Sauce

Family-Style Shrimp Scampi

Family Style Shrimp Scampi {20-Minute Meal}

French Bread Pizza Perfected

French Bread Pizza Perfected

This zucchini and tomato pasta is fresh, delicious, and FAST!

Fresh Zucchini and Tomato Linguine {30-Minute Meal}

spiral pasta with tomatoes and melted cheese

Fusilli alla Caprese

Garlic Chicken Pasta with Spinach

Garlic Chicken Pasta with Spinach

pasta with tuna and asparagus in a white bowl

Garlic Tuna Pasta with Asparagus

Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

Ginger Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry

Greek Meatball Stuffed Pita

Greek Meatball Stuffed Pitas with Easy Tzatziki Sauce

Grilled Caprese Chicken

Grilled Caprese Chicken

Grilled Lemon Chicken Skewers with Yogurt-Hummus Sauce

Grilled Lemon Chicken Skewers with Yogurt-Hummus Sauce

pasta with ham and peppers in a white bowl

Ham and Pasta Skillet Dinner

Hawaiian Fried Rice

Hawaiian Fried Rice

Hawaiian Haystacks: Chicken Sauce Reinvented

Hawaiian Haystacks: Chicken Sauce Reinvented

Broiled Fish Tacos

Healthy and Delicious Broiled Tilapia Tacos {30-Minute Meal}

Healthy Chicken Nuggets

Healthy Chicken Nuggets {Baked}

Hoisin Rice Noodles with Shrimp {Or Chicken or Pork or…}

hoagie sandwich with melted cheese

Hot Hoagies

Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter Chicken

Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Smoky Honey Cilantro Chicken

Instant Pot Smoky Honey Cilantro Chicken {Bonus: Slow Cooker Directions}

jalapeno cheddar turkey burger with guacamole, tomato, and lettuce on white plate

Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers

Kicked Up Ramen Noodles - Kung Pao Style

Kicked Up Ramen Noodles – Kung Pao Style

Simple Korean Beef: 20-Minute Meal

Korean Beef and Rice {Or Quinoa}: Simple 20-Minute Meal

Light Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach

Light Lemon and Spinach Spaghetti

Creamy Bowtie Pasta with Asparagus

Lightened Up Bowtie Chicken and Asparagus Alfredo

Lightened Up Cajun Chicken Pasta

Lightened Up Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Linguine with Bacon and Spinach

Linguine with Bacon and Spinach

Little Quinoa Patties

Little Quinoa Patties

Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad

Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad

Mediterranean Chicken Wraps

Mediterranean Chicken Wraps {15-Minute Meal}

Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Mexican Haystacks: a smorgasbord of delicious taco flavors simmered together in a tasty sauce served over rice or quinoa. Easy, fast, yummy!

Mexican Haystacks {Easy 30-Minute or Less Meal}

Mini Taco Cups

Mini Taco Cups

white bowl full of fettuccine noodles and chicken pieces

Moo Shu Noodles

skillet full of easy ham fried rice

My Go-To Fried Rice Recipe {Easy Ham Fried Rice}

Creamy Spinach Chicken Soup

No-Cream Creamy Basil Spinach Soup

One Pot Creamy Asparagus and Bacon Pasta

One Pot Creamy Asparagus Bacon Pasta

One pot creamy tomato basil pasta on white plate with parmesan breadstick.

One Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

One Pot Tuna Pasta

One Pot Creamy Tuna and Shells

Orange Beef Stir Fry

Orange Beef and Veggie Stir Fry

Oven Baked Chimichangas

Oven Baked Chimichangas

Paprika Chicken Stroganoff

Paprika Chicken Stroganoff

Pasta al Forno {Baked Pasta}

Pasta al Forno {Baked Pasta with Tomatoes and Mozzarella}

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Brown Butter

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter

Pesto Marinara Mozzarella Chicken Bake

Pesto and Marinara Mozzarella Chicken Bake

Easy, cheesy, delicious - these philly cheesesteak sloppy joes are the perfect 30-minute meal!

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes {30-Minute Meal}

Poor Man's Stroganoff

Poor Man’s Stroganoff

Quick and Delicious Asian Noodles

Quick and Delicious Asian Noodles

Ground turkey, cabbage, naan in white bowl drizzled with sweet and sour sauce.

Quick and Easy Egg Roll Skillet Meal

Stainless pan filled with Mediterranean orzo skillet with pork.

Quick and Easy Pork {or Chicken} Mediterranean Orzo Skillet

Cutting a slice of ham and cheese sheet pan panini on wood cutting board.

Quick and Easy Sheet Pan Panini

Quick Cheesy Skillet Fajita Nachos

Quick Skillet Cheesy Fajita Nachos

15-Minute Quick Weeknight Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Quick Weeknight Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Red Pasta Sauce with Brie

Red Brie Pasta Sauce

Red Coconut Curry Noodles

Red Coconut Curry Noodles

Satay Chicken Noodle Salad

Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken + Veggies

Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken + Veggies Dinner {30-Minute Meal}

Lifting unstuffed chicken cordon bleu with spatula.

Sheet Pan Unstuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu with Roasted Broccoli

Shrimp and Mango Lettuce Wraps {20-Minute Meal}

shrimp and snow peas on white rice

Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Coconut Curry Sauce

Simple Orange Chicken with Broccoli

Simple Orange Chicken with Broccoli

Skillet Baked Spaghetti

Skillet Baked Spaghetti {One Pot, 30-Minute Meal}

Scooping out spoonful of skillet chicken fajita pasta.

Skillet Chicken Fajita Pasta

white bowl of pasta, chicken, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes

Skillet Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Skillet Chicken with Mexican Green Rice

Skillet Chicken with Mexican Green Rice

chili pasta with corn and cilantro in a white bowl

Skillet Chili Mac with Corn and Green Chiles

Skillet Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos

Skillet Cilantro and Lime Fish Tacos

One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

creamy macaroni and cheese in a white bowl

Skillet Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Skillet Honey Garlic Chicken {20-minute meal}

Skillet Honey Garlic Chicken {20-Minute Meal}

Skillet Lemon Glazed Chicken

Skillet Lemon Glazed Chicken

Skillet vegetable lasagna cooked in stainless skillet with dots of ricotta cheese.

Skillet Summer Vegetable Lasagna

Skillet Swedish Meatballs

Skillet Swedish Meatballs

Skillet Taco Pasta Shells

Skillet Taco Pasta Shells {30-Minute Meal}

Smoked Mozzarella and Penne Spinach Salad

Smoked Mozzarella and Penne Spinach Salad

Smoked Turkey Brie and Apple Panini

Smoked Turkey Brie and Apple Panini

Smoked Turkey Club Panini

Smoked Turkey Club Panini

Smoked Turkey Cobb Wrap

Smoked Turkey Cobb Wraps

Smoky Corn Chowder

Easy and fast, this smoky grilled pork tenderloin is tender, flavorful, and PERFECT!

Smoky Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Smothered Chicken with Mushroom Gravy

Smothered Chicken with Mushroom Gravy

Asian Broccoli Stir Fry

Stir-Fried Broccoli with Brown Rice {Meat Optional}

Summer Garden Vegetable Soup

Summer Garden Vegetable Soup

Spicy Thai Noodles

Super Simple Spicy Thai Noodles

Sweet and Spicy Pork and Pineapple Tacos

Sweet and Spicy Pork and Pineapple Tacos

Sweet Spicy Pork Tenderloin

Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin

Sweet Mustard Baked Chicken

Sweet Mustard Baked Chicken

Sweet Paprika Chicken

Sweet Paprika Skillet Chicken

Teriyaki sheet pan dinner loaded with vegetables.

Teriyaki Chicken and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry {30-Minute Meal}

Teriyaki turkey burgers with grilled pineapple, lettuce, and soft bun.

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Grilled Pineapple

Thai Chicken Crunch Wraps

Thai Green Curry Meatballs

Thai Green Curry Meatballs

The Best Ground Beef Tacos From-Scratch

The Best Ground Beef or Turkey Tacos {20-Minute Meal}

sloppy joe on a white plate

The Best Sloppy Joes

White bowl filled with taco soup, cheese, sour cream and tortilla strips.

The Best Taco Soup {Stovetop or Slow Cooker}

twirling instant pot red coconut curry noodles with fork in white bowl

Totally Not Authentic But Super Delicious Instant Pot Red Coconut Curry Noodles

Four triangles of quesadillas stacked with cilantro on top.

Tuna Quesadilla Melts {20-Minute Meal}

Turkey and Swiss Sloppy Joes

Turkey and Swiss Sloppy Joes {30-Minute Meal}

Tuscan Sausage and Shells Soup

Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Soup

veggie turkey taco lettuce wraps on white tray

Veggie Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

White Bean and Sausage Ragout

White Bean and Sausage Ragout {with Tomatoes, Kale and Zucchini}

White Bean and Tuna Salad

White Bean and Tuna Salad

Healthy Yum Yum Bowls with Secret Yum Yum Sauce

Yum Yum Bowls with Knockoff Cafe Yumm Sauce

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12 comments on “30-Minute Meals”

Karin — February 9, 2019 @ 8:40 am Reply
I was excited seeing 30 minute meals. Next week I go into Mass General Cancer Center & want hubby to be able to make meals for the 4 kids. I showed him this site and said,”LOOK Hunny! 30 Minute meals!” His response, “It’s never taken me 30 minutes to eat a meal. Is there a BPM (bites per minute) rule?” LOL Love that he makes me laugh. These ideas are great! (and even HE can make them 🙂 ) Thank you
Jennifer — February 28, 2017 @ 6:36 pm Reply
What happened to the link for 30 minute meals in the side bar? All I see is ads and it’s not listed as a separate category under recipes. I totally need instant access to these!
- Mel — February 28, 2017 @ 9:52 pm Reply
  I’ll be adding it back soon as I redesign some of the pages…sorry about that! http://www.melskitchencafe.com/30-minute-meals/
Karen Evans — September 2, 2016 @ 9:58 am Reply
Excited to try your recipes.
Linder — October 7, 2014 @ 12:21 pm Reply
You have the best food blog! Thank you so much for these!
Lauren — October 5, 2014 @ 3:22 pm Reply
Can I just say that you are heaven sent to moms like me! I love love LOVE your recipes. I heard about you from my sister, and I make your recipes just about every week. You explain things well and make it easy for me. I just had to tell you that you are just awesome as I’m sitting here meal-planning and making my grocery list. Can’t wait to cook this week! Thanks so much for your hard work and service to moms and families everywhere! Keep it up girl!!!
- Mel — October 6, 2014 @ 2:50 pm Reply
  Thank you, Lauren!
  - joann meyers — September 29, 2016 @ 11:04 am Reply
    I am a grandmother of 83 years old. I live alone and do not fix much at home. I would like to fix easy things that would not take much time. Thankyou.
  - joann meyerss — September 29, 2016 @ 11:09 am Reply
    I am a grandmother of 83 years old. I live alone and do not fix much at home. I would like to fix easy things that would not take much time. Thankyou.
Emily — January 3, 2014 @ 9:52 am Reply
Last night, I made the Balsamic Chicken Noodle Bowls. My husband was so happy! I used fresh basil, and that was the ticket I think. Great, simple recipe!
angela vantol — September 12, 2013 @ 6:00 pm Reply
I made your taco soup. It was really good.
celena jensen — May 29, 2013 @ 9:47 pm Reply
Fun blog

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