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food

54 Fast Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less

By: Katherine Gillen
Published: December 6, 2022
Additional reporting by Taryn Pire

Do you ever dream that dinner could be ready to eat with just the snap of your fingers? Same, friend. While we can’t magically make a heaping bowl of pasta appear on the table, we can offer something that’s nearly as good: Presenting 54 fast dinner ideas that you can make in 20 minutes or less.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. One-pot Pasta Limone (15 Minutes)

Since you most likely have all the ingredients in your pantry at this moment, you can consider dinner already made.

Get the recipe
 
Gimme Some Oven

2. Pan-seared Fish With Pomegranate Salsa (20 Minutes)

Hello, colorful, fresh, crowd-pleasing dinner. You’re a sight for sore eyes.

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Pinch of Yum

3. Healthy Chicken Parmesan (20 Minutes)

Zucchini noodles are the ultimate fast-and-healthy dinner ingredient. You don’t even have to cook them, but if you do, they take practically no time at all.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Spicy Shrimp Tacos With Mango Salsa (20 Minutes)

Don’t save them just for taco Tuesdays. These easy, tropical babies deserve a place at the table every night of the week.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Skillet Pepper Steak (15 Minutes)

Almost no cleanup and only 230 calories? We know what we’re making tonight…and tomorrow night, for that matter.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Cheater’s Pad Thai (15 Minutes)

Nothing against our favorite takeout spot, but it *definitely* takes longer than 15 minutes to get our order.

Get the recipe

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Shrimp Scampi Zoodles (20 Minutes)

When you want dinner ready at lightning speeds, shrimp will get you there. These tasty crustaceans only take about three minutes to cook—really.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Cacio E Pepe (20 Minutes)

If you keep only one pasta recipe in your back pocket, make it this Italian classic. With just six ingredients, you’ll have it memorized (and on the table) in no time.

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Gimme Some Oven

9. Chicken And Broccoli (12 Minutes)

Dinner’s ready in 12 minutes? Pinch us, we must be dreaming.

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Pinch of Yum

10. Lo Mein (15 Minutes)

The secret’s in the cooking method. Stir-frying at super-high heat means everything cooks up in a flash.

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The Modern Proper

11. Easy Cauliflower Curry (20 Minutes)

Rich, creamy, spicy and totally vegan, all in 20 minutes flat. File this one under “genius.”

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Inspired Entertainment/The Domestic Geek's Meals Made Easy

12. One-pot Tomato Basil Pasta (20 Minutes)

We’re suckers for a one-pot pasta. You just throw everything in and boom: a masterpiece.

Get the recipe

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13. Kimchi Grilled Cheese (20 Minutes)

This is the slightly grown-up version of a childhood favorite, but it’s still easy-peasy to whip up when a craving strikes.

Get the recipe

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14. Shrimp Fajitas (20 Minutes)

The most difficult thing you have to do is marinate the shrimp. (Thanks, Coterie member Gaby Dalkin.)

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15. Lemony Broccolini Pasta (15 Minutes)

Sure, you could reach for the jarred marinara. (There’s nothing wrong with that.) But before you do, consider that this beauty takes the same amount of effort with twice the payoff.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16. Chicken And Snap Pea Stir-fry (20 Minutes)

If you really, really don’t feel like cooking, you should make this. It’s easier and healthier than ordering in, promise.

Get the recipe

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Ambitious Kitchen

17. Healthy Moroccan Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad (15 Minutes)

Coterie member Monique Volz knows that you don’t have to trade nutrition for convenience.

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Caroline Hwang/Stir-Fry

18. Pad See Ew (10 Minutes)

We have just one question: Can we make this every night?

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. Paleo Egg Roll Bowls (20 Minutes)

Delicious egg roll filling, meet diet-friendly bowls. By ditching the greasy wonton wrapper, you save on time and empty calories.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Avocado And Black Bean Pasta Salad (20 Minutes)

We always thought of pasta salad as a little lackluster...until we added avocado.

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Half Baked Harvest

21. Thin Crust Pizza With Arugula And Hot Honey (15 Minutes)

Introducing the only way we want to eat pizza from now on: with spicy-sweet honey, a pile of peppery greens and gooey cheese, all on a crispy tortilla crust.

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Aubrie Pick/Great Tastes

22. Tomato Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs (10 Minutes)

A juicy plate of tomatoes, cheese and herbs that comes together in ten? Don’t mind if we do.

Get the recipe

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Minimalist Baker

23. Tofu Stir-fry (20 Minutes)

Pack up the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch (if there are any leftovers, that is).

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The Defined Dish

24. Chipotle-lime Salmon Tostadas (20 Minutes)

The only thing that takes less time than making these zesty, crunchy tostadas is eating them.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

25. Buffalo Chicken Sliders (15 Minutes)

These sliders have a secret: They start with a store-bought rotisserie chicken. We bet you can’t eat just one.

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Allison Day/Modern Lunch

26. Citrus, Shrimp And Quinoa Salad With Feta (20 Minutes)

With a plate as gorgeous as this, your mealtime rut is officially in the past. (Psst: It’ll even keep in the fridge for two days.)

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Antonio Nascimento/Radiant: The Cookbook

27. Indian Salad Bowl With Crunchy Chickpeas (20 Minutes)

These spicy, crispy chickpeas are no less than transformative. Can we put them on every salad from here on out?

Get the recipe

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28. Loaded Sesame-ginger Salmon Salad (15 Minutes)

Bottled dressing? We’ve never heard of her. This omega-packed meal is effortless to whip up, thanks to an easy dressing that’s made entirely in your blender.

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29. Ramen Carbonara (20 Minutes)

We never thought we’d have a crush on a bowl of noodles, but here we are. It might have something to do with the fresh corn and basil garnish.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

30. Waffle Breakfast Sandwich With Chorizo (15 Minutes)

Brinner—aka breakfast for dinner—is always a good idea. If it takes, like, two seconds to make? Even better.

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Damn Delicious

31. Korean Beef Bowl (15 Minutes)

Brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and sesame oil are here to save dinner.

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Damn Delicious

32. Easy Lemon Chicken (20 Minutes)

Seven pantry staples turned into crispy, citrusy bliss.

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Pinch of Yum

33. Spicy Shrimp With Pesto Noodles (15 Minutes)

Pesto is way more flexible a recipe than you think. This one calls for kale, spinach and almonds.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. Gazpacho With Cucumber, Red Pepper And Basil (15 Minutes)

All you need to pull this summer sweetheart off is a food processor or blender.

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PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: Heath Goldman

35. Burrata Salad With Stone Fruit And Asparagus (20 Minutes)

This beauty is practically no-cook.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

36. Mediterranean Couscous With Tuna And Pepperoncini (15 Minutes)

It's as easy as boiling water.

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DAVID LOFTUS/ULTIMATE VEG

37. Mushroom Stroganoff (20 Minutes)

Admit it: You've been looking for an excuse to flambé.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

38. Mezze Plate With Toasted Za'atar Pita Bread (15 Minutes)

The only cooking required for this giant plate of snacks is toasting the bread.

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39. Pf Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps (20 Minutes)

This copycat recipe is pretty enough to serve to company. The secret? Hoisin sauce.

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40. Avocado Pasta (15 Minutes)

Trust us. You'll want to gild the lily with a runny egg.

Get the recipe
 
AMANDA FREDERICKSON/SIMPLE BEAUTIFUL FOOD

41. Seared Scallops With Green Peas, Mint And Shallots (20 Minutes)

Think you have to spend all night at the stove to make a fancy dinner? Challenge accepted.

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42. Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls (20 Minutes)

Ten minutes prep, ten more in the pressure cooker. Et voilà.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

43. Cucumber-avocado Blender Soup (15 Minutes)

The crusty Asiago baguette really seals the deal.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

44. Pork Scallopini With Lemon, Capers And Radicchio (20 Minutes)

Because we're tired of chicken breast.

Get the recipe
 
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45. Artichoke Garden Flatbread Pizza (15 Minutes)

Store-bought flatbread makes this Mediterranean miracle possible.

Get the recipe
 
Aran Goyoaga/Cannelle Et Vanille

46. Aran Goyoaga’s Niçoise Salad (20 Minutes)

Yep, we'll be bringing this to every picnic we ever go to.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

47. Buffalo Chicken Wraps With Blue Cheese And Celery (20 Minutes)

Oh, rotisserie chicken. Is there anything you can't do?

Get the recipe
 
Ambitious Kitchen

48. Avocado Basil Pesto Zucchini Noodles (15 Minutes)

Save even more time by starting with pre-spiralized zoodles.

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Pinch of Yum

49. Cauliflower Fried Rice (15 Minutes)

Want to make it vegan? Substitute tofu for eggs.

Get the recipe
 
Damn Delicious

50. Spaghetti Carbonara (15 Minutes)

Because bacon, cheese and garlic will never steer you wrong.

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Cookie and Kate

51. Quick Quesadillas (10 Minutes)

Add chicken or ground beef for a protein boost.

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Gimme Some Oven

52. Black Bean Burgers (20 Minutes)

Starring baby bella mushrooms, garlic and red onion.

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Well Plated by Erin

53. Cajun Shrimp And Grits (15 Minutes)

The recipe doesn't technically call for heavy cream. But we won't tell if you add it to the grits anyway.

Get the recipe
 
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

54. Macaroni And Cheese In A Mug (10 Minutes)

This dinner for one is better than having company.

Get the recipe

40 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

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