"On most weeknights, I simply do not have time to spend an hour-plus in the kitchen cooking dinner. When I’m pressed for time with a packed schedule, squeezing in a home-cooked meal feels nearly impossible, but not all dinner recipes require a huge chunk of your evening to make. In fact, I’ve rounded up some totally delicious meals that’ll only take you 15 minutes from start to finish, so you can enjoy a tasty homemade dinner at home, even on your busiest nights. Put down the microwave meal, take some notes, and be ready to add these 15-minute recipes to your regular rotation.
1. Sesame Salmon Sushi Bowl
With this sesame salmon bowl, you can enjoy the taste of sushi without the long process of trying to roll it yourself. It’s super easy to prep and store for leftovers as well. Simply sautée the bite-sized salmon pieces in a sesame soy sauce before loading up your bowl with rice, avocado, pickled veggies, seaweed, or any other favorite sushi ingredients.
2. 5-Ingredient Pesto Ravioli
If you’re in the mood for Italian, try out this simple yet delicious pesto ravioli. Grab your favorite store-bought ravioli, a jar of pesto, and a pint of grape tomatoes for a meal that you’ll be craving time and time again.
3. Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken
This delicious lemon butter chicken recipe is made all in one pan for a meal you can make with very little clean-up. The chicken is caramelized in a lemon butter sauce and goes well with rice or steamed veggies (which you can make in the microwave to save even more time).
4. 15 Minute Spicy Ramen
There’s nothing like a good ‘ole bowl of ramen. This recipe takes a typical block of ramen and turns it into a seriously delicious, restaurant-worthy meal. Doctor up your bowl with ingredients such as fresh ginger, garlic, miso paste, chili sauce, and sesame oil, and top with a protein of your choice.
5. 15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Zoodles
This recipe for zucchini noodles with garlic shrimp is a great low-carb alternative to pasta. After you’ve spiralized your zucchini (you can also buy zoodles frozen for a shortcut!), simply heat them in a pan with the shrimp, and you’ve got yourself a quick and tasty meal!
6. Chorizo Tacos
These street food-style chorizo tacos taste like something you’d get from a food truck, but they’re actually so easy to whip up at home. All you need to do is cook your chorizo, mix up a quick lime crema, and load up some tortillas for a delicious meal in just 15 minutes.
7. Teriyaki Chicken
Upgrade your dinners this week with this fast and easy teriyaki chicken recipe. Simply coat those bite-sized chicken pieces in this homemade teriyaki sauce, and serve over rice and steamed broccoli for a dish you’ll be choosing over takeout from now on.
8. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This Mediterranean chickpea salad is crunchy, flavor-filled, and great for lunches as well as dinner. The most time-consuming part of this recipe is chopping the veggies—then you just throw in your chickpeas and toss with the vinaigrette. Easy, delicious, and perfect for meal prep as well.
9. 15 Minute Lo Mein
If you’re craving some Asian takeout, try out this easy, 15-minute lo mein recipe that’s sure to satisfy. It combines a simple sauce and noodles with whatever veggies you have on hand and your protein of choice, meaning the dish can be totally catered to your tastes.
10. Cheesy Garlic Chicken Pasta
If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe that’s still super filling, this chicken pasta dish is perfect for you! Sauté your chicken, cook your pasta, and top with loads of parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
11. Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli
This sheet pan recipe for beef and broccoli is a great way to satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings. The beef is coated in simple ingredients you likely already have in your cupboards and then baked all at once with broccoli florets and green onion. It couldn’t be easier, and the cleanup will be a breeze.
12. 15 Minute Greek Pasta
If you like Mediterranean flavors like olives and feta, you’ll love this Greek-inspired pasta dish. Packed with veggies and covered in a creamy feta sauce, this 15-minute recipe is a fun twist on your basic bowl of spaghetti.
13. 15-Minute Egg Roll in a Bowl
Made with ground pork, carrots, and cabbage, this easy dinner recipe is basically a deconstructed egg roll. Serve it over rice for a well-rounded meal that takes just minutes to make.
14. Cheese and Veggies Quesadilla
You can never go wrong with a cheesy quesadilla. This recipe also calls for black beans and veggies like peppers and onions for some extra protein and flavor. Choose whatever fillings you like, pile everything into a tortilla, and cook until the cheese is melty for a quick and easy dinner.
15. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
For a meal that’s both quick and healthy, whip up these mouth-watering Asian chicken lettuce wraps. The savory peanut sauce combined with the crunch of the water chestnuts and lettuce makes for a satisfying bite each and every time.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.