Busy Weeknight Dinners: 4 Easy Meals for When You’re Short on Time

Weeknights can be chaotic — long hours, traffic, kids, or just plain exhaustion. That’s why having a few busy weeknight dinners in your back pocket makes life easier. These 4 meals are quick, simple, and full of flavor — no fancy techniques or long ingredient lists.

Whether you’re cooking for your family or yourself, each recipe below takes 30 minutes or less and uses everyday ingredients.

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A flavorful one-pan dish perfect for seafood lovers.

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti or linguine
• Shrimp (peeled & deveined)
• Garlic (minced)
• Butter
• Parsley (fresh or dried)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Add shrimp, cook 2–3 minutes each side until pink.
4. Toss in pasta and parsley. Mix and serve.

⏱️ Ready in 20 minutes

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2. 15-Minute Chicken Tacos

Quick, customizable tacos for a fun and easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• Pre-cooked chicken (shredded or rotisserie)
• Taco shells or tortillas
• Lettuce
• Salsa
• Cheese or sour cream

Instructions:

1. Warm the tortillas or taco shells.
2. Reheat shredded chicken in a pan with a splash of water or salsa.
3. Assemble with toppings of your choice.

⏱️ Ready in 15 minutes

Pro tip: Want to skip even more prep? Use pre-chopped lettuce and jarred salsa.
Looking for more 5-ingredient ideas? Check out our Quick Dinners with Just 5 Ingredients.

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3. Egg Fried Rice with Veggies

A great way to use leftovers and get dinner on the table fast.

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice (preferably cold)
• Eggs
• Soy sauce
• Mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
• Green onions or chili flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Scramble eggs and set aside.
2. In a pan, stir-fry veggies with a splash of oil.
3. Add rice and soy sauce; toss everything together.
4. Mix in eggs and garnish.

⏱️ Ready in 10–15 minutes

More quick recipes like this? Browse BBC Good Food’s 30-Minute Meals

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4. One-Pan Sausage & Veggie Bake

Throw it all on a sheet pan — no cleanup, no fuss.

Ingredients:

• Chicken or beef sausages (sliced)
• Bell peppers
• Onions
• Potatoes (cubed)
• Olive oil + seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (392°F).
2. Toss all ingredients with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.

Ready in 30 minutes (hands-off!)

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Busy Weeknight Cooking Tips

Here are some practical tips to make busy weeknight dinners even faster:

• Pre-chop veggies on Sunday and store in airtight containers.
• Keep pre-cooked proteins like rotisserie chicken or boiled eggs on hand.
• Stock your pantry with versatile staples: pasta, rice, canned beans, and frozen veggies.
• Use tools like an air fryer or instant pot to speed up cook times.

More Tips to Make Busy Weeknight Dinners Even Easier

Plan Ahead

Set aside 10–15 minutes on Sunday to plan out your weekly meals. Write a simple menu and prep ingredients like chopped onions, marinated proteins, or even cooked rice. This way, you’ll avoid the “what’s for dinner?” stress every evening.

Double Up When Cooking

Make extra portions of meals like fried rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Store them in the fridge or freezer so you can reheat them later in the week.

Use Shortcut Ingredients

Frozen chopped onions, jarred garlic paste, canned beans, and pre-washed greens are all time-savers. These ingredients let you cut down on prep time while still making wholesome meals.

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Design meals with leftovers in mind. For example:

• Roast extra chicken on Monday to use in tacos or fried rice on Tuesday.
• Make a large veggie stir-fry and turn leftovers into a wrap filling the next day.

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Final Thoughts

Eating well on weeknights doesn’t need to be stressful. These busy weeknight dinners are designed to help you get food on the table without sacrificing flavor or your time. Mix, match, and rotate them through your schedule — your future tired self will thank you.

Looking for more dinner ideas? Check out our Lazy Day Cooking: 3 Meals You Can Make in Under 10 Minutes.

Bookmark this page for the next time you’re tempted to order takeout!