7 Easy 30-Minute Dinners For Every Day Of The Week

ramen noodles, chicken, and broccoli baked on a sheet pan
30-Minute Dinners For Every Day Of The Week PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

When I’m doing my meal planning for an average week, I’m looking for my weeknight dinners to check off two requirements: quick and easy. I want weeknight dinners that not only taste satisfying, but don’t require too much time, energy, or extra ingredients.That’s where these 30-minute dinners come in. If you need some meal inspo for the week, then these 30-minute dinners have you covered—every single day.

While I wanted to include recipes that are easy and straightforward, I also wanted to keep things exciting by spicing up pantry staples (looking at you, sheet-pan crispy ramen). Many of these recipes share common ingredients (saving you another trip to the store), but are different enough that you won’t feel like you’re eating the same thing all week. Chicken dinners are our bread and butter, but I’ve also given variety by including vegetarian, seafood, and ground beef dinners.

Whether you follow this meal guide by the day or only use it for some weekday mealtime inspiration, there’s a quick and easy dinner here for you that will be on the table in 30—minimal dishes required.


Sunday: Brown Sugar Salmon

When it comes to 15-minute (yes, 15-minutes) weeknight dinners, nothing is better than a simple piece of flaky, tender, savory-sweet brown sugar-glazed salmon. It takes 5 minutes to prep, 10 minutes to cook, and cleanup is an absolute breeze.

Get the Brown Sugar Salmon recipe.

tender, flaky broiled salmon glazed with a sweet, slightly tart glaze of brown sugar, dijon mustard, lime juice, fish sauce, and berbere spice
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER


Monday: Chicken & Broccoli

This fast and easy one-pot chicken and broccoli recipe is coated in a sweet and savory sauce with plenty of ginger and garlic for a weeknight dinner that beats take-out. This dish comes together in 20 minutes with minimal prep work too. Win win!

Get the Chicken & Broccoli recipe.

stir fried pieces of chicken and broccoli
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Tuesday: Sheet-Pan Crispy Ramen

Sheet-pan crispy ramen takes your favorite noodle dish and gives it a textural twist. Chicken thighs are coated in a stir-fry sauce and charred alongside broccoli, snow peas, and scallions, then broiled alongside ramen noodles to crisp everything up and create a golden, caramelized masterpiece.

Get the Sheet-Pan Crispy Ramen recipe.

ramen noodles, chicken, and broccoli baked on a sheet pan
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Wednesday: Black Bean Tostadas

During busy weeknights, we can't get enough of quick, easy, and cheap dinners. With only 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes, these black bean tostadas will have you serving up an easy and delicious vegetarian dinner on the table with hardly any work at all. These tostadas use ingredients you’re more than likely to have on hand, making them the easiest last-minute meal to throw together when you just can’t be bothered to cook up anything else.

Get the Black Bean Tostadas recipe.

tostadas topped with black beans, cheese, and avocado slices
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Thursday: Chicken Tacos

We say the more toppings the merrier for these quick and easy tacos. We like ours topped with red onion (pickled onions would be great too), avocado, cilantro, and cheese, but pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious.

Get the Chicken Tacos recipe.

flour tortillas on a plate filled with chicken, tomatoes, avocado and red onion
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Friday: Pizzadillas

This isn't just a quesadilla filled with mozz and pepperoni. It's topped with the works and looks just like an actual pizza. Plus, it's so easy to make at home with a handful of staple ingredients.

Get the Pizzadillas recipe.

quesadillas that look like pizzas
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Saturday: Goulash

A classic nostalgic comfort dish, goulash is the hearty weeknight dinner we'll always crave. The best thing about this goulash recipe? Everything cooks together in one pot—even the pasta!

Get the Goulash recipe.

elbow macaroni in a tomato sauce
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

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