Laura Fuentes

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Home » Recipes » Dinner

20-Minute Dinner Ideas

Some nights, I only have 20 minutes to make dinner, and these recipes are my go-to meals for getting food on the table fast. From chicken and pasta to tacos, salmon, and pizza, you’ll find plenty of ideas your family will enjoy.

Quick Pasta Recipes

Pasta is one of my go-to dinners when I’m short on time because it cooks quickly and works with so many ingredients. These recipes are especially handy when I want something comforting in a hurry.

  • close up view of spaghetti carbonara with pieces of bacon on a plate
    Spaghetti Carbonara with Bacon
    Cook Time25 Minutes
  • a plate with rotisserie chicken pasta with fresh herbs
    Rotisserie Chicken Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • overhead view of a large skillet with homemade alfredo sauce being mixed with cooked fettuccine pasta
    Homemade Alfredo Sauce
    Cook Time10 Minutes
  • large bowl of spinach tortellini with large skillet of the same in the background of image
    Creamy Spinach Tortellini in a Skillet
    Cook Time20 Minutes

Quick Chicken Dinners

Chicken doesn’t have to take long to cook, especially when you use smaller cuts or cook it in a pan. These recipes are great when I have chicken in the fridge and need to turn it into dinner fast.

  • top view of two lemon oregano chicken breasts
    Lemon Oregano Chicken
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • creamy garlic chicken breasts in a skillet with cream sauce
    Creamy Garlic Chicken
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • two chicken breasts with chimichurri sauce on top
    Chimichurri Chicken
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • chicken breasts seasoned with herbs in a grill
    Grilled Herb Chicken Breasts
    Cook Time19 Minutes

Easy Dinner Bowls

Bowls are an easy way to put together a complete meal, especially when I can use ingredients that are already prepped or cooked. These recipes combine protein, vegetables, and other favorites in one bowl, with plenty of room to make them your own.

  • large taco bowl with tomatoes, sour cream, corn and avocado
    Taco Bowls
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • two white bowls of buffalo chicken, rice and vegetables
    Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls
    Cook Time10 Minutes
  • close up of pineapple pork stir fry
    Easy Pineapple Pork Stir Fry
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • bowl of squash hash with chorizo and two fried eggs
    Butternut Squash and Chorizo Hash
    Cook Time20 Minutes

20-Minute Tacos

Tacos are one of the easiest dinners to make when time is tight. These quick recipes from The Taco Tuesday Cookbook let everyone add their favorite toppings while I keep the cooking simple.

  • top view of three ground chicken tacos
    Ground Chicken Tacos
    Cook Time17 Minutes
  • closeup of spicy shrimp taco topped with salsa
    Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • BBQ Chicken Tostadas
    Cook Time13 Minutes
  • 10-Minute Pineapple Shrimp Tacos
    Cook Time20 Minutes
See more Tacos →

Kid-Favorite Dinners

These are some of my kids’ favorite chicken dinners. They’re quick to make, familiar enough for picky eaters, and save me from having to cook separate meals.

  • six chicken nuggets next to a small amount of snap peas
    Paleo Chicken Nuggets
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • rotisserie chicken quesadillas over a wooden board
    Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • dinosaur chicken nuggets on a plate
    Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
    Cook Time12 Minutes
  • large pile of air fried fish sticks on a cutting board with a lemon wedge
    Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks 
    Cook Time12 Minutes

Quick Salmon Dinners

Salmon is one of my favorite proteins for a quick dinner because it cooks in minutes. These recipes make it easy to change up the flavors, and you can get a side ready while the fish cooks.

  • baked salmon in foil with lemon
    Oven Baked Salmon in Foil
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • Seared Cajun Salmon
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • Garlic Butter Salmon
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • close up of salmon bites with broccoli
    Air Fryer Salmon Bites
    Cook Time20 Minutes

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Meal-Worthy Salads

When I don’t feel like cooking much, a hearty salad can be dinner. These recipes combine fresh ingredients with protein and flavorful dressings, so you get a complete meal without spending much time at the stove.

  • a large salad bowl with cobb chicken salad with avocado, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, and onions
    Chicken Cobb Salad
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • a big plate with blackened chicken salad with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and mozzarella balls
    Blackened Chicken Salad 
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • huge blt salad with dressing in a bowl
    BLT Salad Recipe
    Cook Time10 Minutes
  • top view of a big plate with santa fe chicken salad with tomatoes, avocado, corn, and black beans
    Southwest Santa Fe Chicken Salad
    Cook Time25 Minutes
See more Salads →

Healthy 20-Minute Dinners

Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean spending more time cooking meals from scratch. These recipes use simple ingredients to make satisfying homemade meals with plenty of flavor, even when you’ve only got 20 minutes.

  • overhead view of a bowl with deconstructed eggroll containing cabbage, veggies, and meat.
    Deconstructed Egg Roll in a Bowl
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • healthy jambalaya with cauliflower rice
    Healthy Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya Recipe
    Cook Time20 Minutes

Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are a good option when I want something fresh and crunchy with a flavorful filling. They’re easy to assemble, and everyone can add what they like before wrapping them up.

  • blue serving plate of taco lettuce wraps
    Taco Lettuce Wraps
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • Asian Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
    Cook Time10 Minutes
  • Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • Greek Lettuce Cups: Simple and Delicious. This meal comes together in one bowl and it perfect for the office lunchbox.
    Greek Lettuce Wraps
    Cook Time10 Minutes
See more Low Carb →

Quick Pizza Recipes

Pizza night doesn’t always need homemade dough or a long baking time. These recipes are good options when everyone wants pizza but dinner needs to be ready quickly.

  • greek pizza recipe
    Greek Pizza Recipe
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • overhead view of taco pizza with avocado on top
    Homemade Loaded Taco Pizza
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • large tomato pizza with cauliflower crust
    Cauliflower Rice Pizza Crust for Beginners
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • Easy Pita Pizza Recipe
    Cook Time12 Minutes

20-Minute Meatless Dinners

Meatless meals can be especially convenient when you need dinner fast. These recipes use everyday ingredients to make filling dinners without having to cook chicken, beef, or another meat.

  • two black bean burgers on a plate with veggie toppings
    Black Bean Veggie Burger Recipe
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • poblano pepper tacos on a square plate
    Mushroom Tacos
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • grilled portobello mushroom burger on a plate
    Portobello Mushroom Burger
    Cook Time25 Minutes
  • close up view of fettuccini in a homemade Alfredo sauce made with cream
    Alfredo Sauce with Heavy Cream
    Cook Time10 Minutes
See more Meatless Dinner Ideas →

More 20-Minute Dinner Recipes

Need another quick dinner idea? Keep browsing for more homemade meals you can make in 20 minutes or less, whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole family.

  • a bowl of lemon ricotta pasta
    Lemon Ricotta Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • four salmon fillets with lemon wedges and a few asparagus on the side
    Simple Garlic Lemon Salmon
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • three fish tacos with cilantro sauce and slaw on a white tray
    Air Fryer Fish Tacos
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • a serving of bacon carbonara in a white dish
    Bacon Spaghetti
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • four salmon fillets on a baking sheet covered with hot honey sauce
    Hot Honey Salmon
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • fettuccine pasta coated with creamy Alfredo sauce on a white dish
    Healthy Alfredo with Greek Yogurt
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of mushroom garlic pasta in a white dish
    Mushroom Garlic Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of spicy penne pasta
    Spicy Penne Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of chicken curry with rice in a bowl
    Simple Chicken Curry
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • Sheet Pan Nachos
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • top view of pasta with spinach
    Spinach with Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • spinach alfredo served in a white dish
    Spinach Alfredo 
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of cream cheese alfredo pasta in a black dish
    Cream Cheese Alfredo
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of two taco boats
    Taco Boats
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of a protein sald with tuna, eggs, chickpeas and veggies
    Protein Salad
    Cook Time10 Minutes
  • overhead view of cooked and seasoned chicken pieces in an air fryer
    Air Fryer Chicken Bites
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • a chicken burgers on a white dish
    Ground Chicken Burgers
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of cubed chicken in a pan
    Cubed Chicken Recipe
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • top view of spaghetti with cottage cheese tomato sauce
    Cottage Cheese Spaghetti
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • curry chicken salad over lettuce
    Curried Chicken Salad
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • summer squash pasta
    Summer Squash Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • a person holding a philly cheesesteak skillet sandwich
    Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
    Cook Time17 Minutes
  • top view of broccoli pesto pasta in a dish
    Broccoli Pesto Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • tortellini alfredo
    Tortellini Alfredo
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • rotisserie chicken pesto pasta in a dish
    Rotisserie Chicken Pesto Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • top view of lemon basil pasta
    Lemon Basil Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • alfredo ravioli
    Alfredo Ravioli
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • Buffalo chicken nachos in a tray
    Buffalo Chicken Nachos
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • cooked salmon fillet served in a dish with veggies
    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • a dish with pesto fusilli
    Fusilli with Pesto
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • cooked chicken thighs topped with Italian seasoning
    Chicken with Italian Seasoning
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • close up of chicken fajita nachos
    Chicken Fajita Nachos
    Cook Time25 Minutes
  • a fork holding pesto spaghetti
    Pesto Spaghetti Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • shrimp pesto spaghetti
    Shrimp Pesto Spaghetti
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • Alfredo with Penne Pasta
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • four chicken strips in the air fryer
    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders 
    Cook Time15 Minutes
  • pulled pork taco sin a skillet topped with sliced jalapenos
    Skillet Nachos with Pulled Pork
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • large pasta bowl of shrimp alfredo
    Frozen Shrimp Alfredo
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • a platter with rotisserie chicken nachos
    Rotisserie Chicken Nachos
    Cook Time20 Minutes
  • two white mugs with macaroni and cheese
    Creamy Macaroni and Cheese in a Mug
    Cook Time8 Minutes

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Laura fuentes holding a skillet of food standing in front of a blue door

Hi! I'm Laura.
Known for the internet’s favorite pancake recipes and real-life dinners that make weeknights easier. These are the meals my family loves, and yours will too!

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