15 Main-Dish Recipes That You Can Make in 15 Minutes

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated August 31, 2020

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 Asian Chicken Salad that's seen here. Red cabbage, shredded carrots, fresh cilantro leaves, and fresh mint leaves are tossed with an Asian-inspired dressing before being topped with shredded, pre-cooked chicken.

Another fast and tasty salad is this Crispy Panko Shrimp Salad. To give the shrimp more flavor, we tossed them in Dijonnaise (a combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) instead of the usual beaten eggs and flour, which act as a glue for panko breadcrumbs. They're pan-fried and then 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 recipe for your family.

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

Credit: Lennart Weibull
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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

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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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Tofu with Ginger-Cilantro Sauce

Credit: Elizabeth Cecil
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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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Breakfast Bowl with Fried Eggs, Yogurt, and Vegetables

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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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

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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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

Credit: Ren Fuller
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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

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Make use of prepared ingredients like basic chicken stock, store-bought guajillo chile salsa, and shredded cooked chicken in this simple soup recipe that comes together in 10 minutes.

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Easy Tuna Rice Bowl

Credit: Armando Rafael
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Clear your refrigerator of leftovers for this healthy, Asian-inspired dinner. Layer tinned 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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Seared Halibut Tacos with Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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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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Fennel, Avocado, and Satsuma Salad

Credit: Johnny Miller
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This California-inspired side dish can be topped with grilled chicken or fish filets for a full dinner that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. The only ingredients you need for the salad are thinly sliced fennel, segmented mandarin oranges, and sliced avocado, which are dressed with olive oil.

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Fried Omelet with Shrimp and Snap Peas

Credit: Ryan Liebe
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Save time on dinner prep by using pre-cooked shrimp and blanched sugar snap peas in this easy egg recipe. Serve the omelet over cooked rice with spicy chili sauce for a complete meal.

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Soy-Honey-Glazed Arctic Char

Credit: Christina Holmes
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Try arctic char—which is just as delicious and nutritious as salmon, but less well-known—in this 15-minute dinner for two. The fish is glazed with soy sauce, lime juice, and honey, and served alongside sautéed baby bok choy for an Asian-inspired meal.

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Spaghetti with Collard Greens and Lemon

Credit: Johnny Miller
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In just 15 minutes, you can create a super nutritious and satisfying meal. Toss farro or whole-wheat spaghetti, which is loaded with vitamins and fiber, with toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, collard greens, and plenty of freshly grated Pecorino Romano.

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Broken Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta

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All you need are four ingredients for this 15-minute Italian-inspired meal—jarred marinara sauce, pappardelle pasta, skim ricotta cheese, and fresh basil leaves. It's creamy, comforting, and guarantee to please your family.

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