15 Minutes or Less Main Dish Recipes

Drop the frozen meal! We know it's been a long day, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality or nutrition at the dinner table. Here are our favorite healthy, delicious recipes that only take 15 minutes to make. They're just the thing for those crazy-busy weeknights.
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Broken Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta

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Not even enough time to boil water? We've got you covered with pasta simmered in store-bought marinara sauce and finished with ricotta, basil, and pepper.

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Greek Chicken Cutlets

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It's easy to get dinner on the table quickly if you pick one aspect of the meal to make simply. Here, we've assembled a knockout relish of mint, olives, tomatoes, and feta -- and used it to top an easy grilled chicken breast.

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Beef Tortellini with Arugula and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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It's no problem leaning on frozen pasta when you make the effort to dress it up a little. Here, we've added arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, and a little butter to make store-bought beef tortellini into a striking and nourishing meal.

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Lemon-Horseradish Sole

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Microwaves are surprisingly good at giving delicate meats like fish a quick, no-mess simmer. Here, we poach fillets of sole in a mixture of butter, lemon zest, horseradish, and Dijon.

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Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry with Peanuts

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Don't sacrifice bold flavors for speed. This stir-fry of chicken, snow peas, and peanuts is ready in just minutes and is redolent with the flavors of lime and chiles.

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Pan-Seared Steak with Spinach, Grapes, and Almonds

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Do you need a tasty twist on steak with spinach? Toss in grapes and almonds for a touch of sweetness and crunch. Old recipes can learn new tricks!

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Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

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Cut down cooking times by buying fresh seasonal ingredients that don't take much prep to shine. Plump tomatoes don't require more than a splash of oil and a little garlic to make a perfect pasta dressing.

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Sauteed Pork Cutlets

John Kernick
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Thinning cuts of meat by pounding reduces cook time. These pork cutlets brown perfectly in just a couple minutes. A splash of lemon juice and a toss of Parmesan later, they're ready to eat.

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Steaks with Balsamic-Mustard Sauce

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Pan sauces can often be made with little extra effort. In no time, a pan used to brown strip steaks can also produce a syrupy mustard and balsamic vinegar glaze.

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Sage Pork Chops

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Remember: How you choose to brown meat sets the stage for any pan sauce to come. Just a little butter added to these pork chops, for example, lends a richness that gives dimension to the white wine and herb sauce that follows.

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Salmon with Indian Spices

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Shock your guests with a warming and sophisticated main course of salmon broiled with a glaze of yogurt and Indian spices -- ready in just 10 minutes.

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Scrambled Eggs with Bacon and Avocado

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As any fan of avocado knows, it often needs nothing more than a little salt to be at its lush, custardy best. And what better way to add salt than with crumbled bacon?

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Tilapia with Arugula, Capers, and Tomatoes

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Looking for a special meal that’s actually easy to make? Whip up this light, fresh fish recipe that everyone is sure to love.

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Spaghetti with Pecorino and Black Pepper

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There's plenty of flavor in this four-ingredient pasta dish, but if you're looking to broaden the profile even further than punchy black pepper and pungent Pecorino Romano, a splash of good olive oil can't hurt.

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Pan-Fried Shell Steaks

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You're going to want to put this spicy pepper vinaigrette on everything. It's ready in just 10 minutes and especially delicious drizzled on smoky, tender shell steaks.

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Tortellini with Peas

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Adding frozen peas to a hot pot -- in this case, full of stuffed pasta -- saves time and often brings a striking splash of color to the meal.

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Roasted Salmon with Lime and Cilantro

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A dash of sugar makes our quick sauce of lime juice, soy sauce, and cilantro perfect for meaty fish like salmon; a bit of sweetness rounds out any fishy taste.

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Pasta with Chicken, Tomato, and Feta

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Rotisserie chicken is a great go-to ingredient when you're trying to cut down time in the kitchen. Toss with lemon juice, tomatoes, basil, and ditalini, and this colorful dish is ready.

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Southwestern Omelet

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You can make fluffy omelets in less time (and with much less effort) than you may think. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or a casual supper.

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Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon

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Don't forget: a rare cut of meat has, by definition, a short cooking time. Filet mignons need only a few minutes on the skillet to get a nice sear while the inside stays lusciously pink.

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Tortilla Soup with Black Beans

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Not every delicious soup is the product of an afternoon over the stove. Just assemble the right ingredients -- canned black beans and diced tomatoes, tortilla chips, and lime juice.

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Tuna Steaks With Mint Sauce

Quentin Bacon
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Watch as an aromatic sauce that requires little chopping and no cooking is spooned over this firm-fleshed fish.

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Basic Omelet

José Manuel Picayo Rivera
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When done correctly, our basic omelet will be firm enough to hold any stuffing you like but will still quiver a touch on your plate. Practice makes perfect!

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Pan-Sauteed Sole

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All you need to make perfectly tender, flaky sole is salt, Wondra flour, butter, and lemon (and a mere 10 minutes!).

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Bell Pepper Egg-In-A-Hole

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Take classic egg-in-a-hole to the next level by adding fresh, sweet bell peppers to the mix. Serve alongside fresh salad greens.

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Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables

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Made from potato, gnocchi are thicker and more pillowy than wheat pasta. When tossed with sauteed squash and grape tomatoes, they make a starchy contrast to the tender veggies.

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Shrimp and Scallion Stir-Fry

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Quicker and so much tastier than takeout! Plump shrimp plus crisp-tender scallions and a generous dose of red-pepper flakes equal an uber-flavorful dinner.

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Spring-Vegetable Couscous with Chicken

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Couscous is a wonderful grain for when you're in a rush because it doesn't need direct heat. Stir into boiling water, remove from heat, and in a few minutes, you can add ingredients like scallions, asparagus, and pulled rotisserie chicken.

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Asian Chicken Salad

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Most of a jalapeno's spiciness is in the ribs and seeds -- omit them for a milder dressing. Swap cubed firm tofu for the chicken to make the salad vegetarian.

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Sauteed Shrimp with Arugula and Tomatoes

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A quick squirt of lemon juice at the end of this saute of shrimp, tomatoes, and arugula will give the seafood a tart shine and help the veggies retain their color.

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Greek Salad with Chickpeas

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Freshness is the order of the day with this vibrant salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, chickpeas, and onion, dressed simply and served just minutes after chopping.

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Chopped Salad with Shrimp and Lime-Buttermilk Dressing