15 Main-Dish Recipes That You Can Make in 15 Minutes
Get your next meal on the table in a flash.
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When you're pressed for time on weeknights (let's face it—who isn't?), these 15-minute main-dish dinner recipes are just what you need. From nutritious pasta recipes made with plenty of vegetables and whole wheat noodles to quick salads topped with fish or chicken, end the day on a high note with a delicious and fast dinner. One great example? The Chicken, Red Cabbage, and Carrot Salad with Soy-Lime Dressing that's pictured here. Shredded red cabbage and carrots, fresh cilantro and mint leaves are tossed with a dressing of soy sauce, lime juice, and minced jalapeño before being topped with shredded, pre-cooked chicken.
Another fast and tasty salad is our Crispy Panko Shrimp Salad. To give the shrimp more punch, we tossed them in Dijonnaise (a combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) instead of the usual beaten eggs and flour, it acts as a glue for panko breadcrumbs. Once, they've been pan-fried, they're used to top a green salad along with halved cherry tomatoes.
Looking for something more hearty? Try our recipe for Broccoli Rabe Pesto with Whole-Wheat Pasta and Turkey Sausage, which is made with homemade pesto. Instead of the usual fresh basil, this recipe calls for blanched broccoli rabe, which adds a slightly bitter flavor to the classic sauce. Another simple star for weeknight meals is our Pasta with Preserved Lemon and Anchovies, which is perfect for feeding a family. And if you fancy serving breakfast for dinner, our spicy Fried Omelet with Shrimp and Snap Peas is just the thing.
Whether you're in the mood for a flavor-packed pasta or a seafood stunner, these fast dinner recipes are sure to please. Hungry already? The good news is you can have any of these meals on the table in 15 minutes or less.
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Tuna-Salad Hand Rolls
Here's a fabulous way to use good-quality canned tuna in something other than a sandwich—make our homemade sushi hand rolls. Toss the tuna with a little mayonnaise, lemon juice, and cilantro, then arrange the mixture on toasted nori sheets along with rice, sliced vegetables, and avocado. Roll up and enjoy!
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Broccoli Rabe Pesto with Whole-Wheat Pasta and Turkey Sausage
Lean, spicy turkey sausage adds heat and might to this simple pasta dish. The recipe calls for whole-wheat linguine to make this a healthy, fast dinner.
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Breakfast Bowl with Fried Eggs, Yogurt, and Vegetables
Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please! Start by cooking fried eggs in heart-healthy olive oil, then serve over plain Greek yogurt alongside easy roasted vegetables (it's the perfect opportunity to use leftovers!), sliced chiles, and plenty of fresh herbs.
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Pasta with Preserved Lemon and Anchovies
Dress up your choice of noodles—think spaghetti or linguine—with minced garlic, oil-packed anchovies, chopped preserved lemon, flat-leaf parsley, and plenty of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
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Crispy Panko Shrimp Salad
We give these breaded shrimp an extra dose of flavor by coating them in Dijonaise (a genius combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) and crispy panko breadcrumbs. Serve them over spring-mix greens for a healthy and hearty dinner salad.
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Easy Chicken Posole
Use store-bought ingredients like chicken stock, guajillo chile salsa, and shredded cooked chicken in this simple soup recipe that comes together in 10 minutes.
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Broken Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
All you need are four ingredients for this 15-minute meal—jarred marinara sauce, pappardelle pasta, ricotta cheese, and fresh basil. It's creamy, comforting, and guaranteed to please your family.
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Soy-Honey-Glazed Arctic Char
Arctic char is the start of thsi 15-minute dinner for two. Though less well-known than salmon, it's just as delicious and nutritious. The fish is glazed with soy sauce, lime juice, and honey, and served with sautéed baby bok choy.
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Seared Halibut Tacos with Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa
When Taco Tuesday rolls around, make these refreshing bites. Serve pan-seared halibut filets with segmented ruby red grapefruit, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and shredded Napa cabbage.
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Tofu with Ginger-Cilantro Sauce
Vegans will rejoice over this special grilled main dish. Extra-firm tofu is brushed with olive oil then grilled and served with a flavor-packed sauce made from fresh cilantro, chopped jalapeño, fresh ginger, lime juice, and scallions.
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Spaghetti with Collard Greens and Lemon
In just 15 minutes, you can make this super nutritious and satisfying meal. Toss farro or whole-wheat spaghetti with toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, collard greens, and plenty of freshly grated Pecorino Romano.
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Easy Tuna Rice Bowl
Clear your refrigerator of leftovers for this healthy dinner. Layer canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and edamame over cooked rice. Dress it with a mixture of soy sauce, fresh lime juice, and olive oil.
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Fennel, Avocado, and Satsuma Salad
Made with thinly sliced fennel, segmented mandarin oranges, and sliced avocado, all dressed with olive oil, this side dish is like a bright taste of SoCal. It can be topped with grilled chicken or fish filets for a full dinner that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
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Fried Omelet with Shrimp and Snap Peas
Save time on dinner prep by using pre-cooked shrimp and blanched sugar snap peas in this easy eggs-for-dinner recipe. Serve the omelet over cooked rice with spicy chili sauce for a complete meal.