10+ Quick Last-Minute Dinner Ideas

Sharing a list of more than 10 quick last-minute dinner ideas to nourish your body with healthy food after a long day. From chicken, beef and pasta dinners to vegan meals and Instant Pot recipes, there’s an easy dinner option below for everyone to enjoy! 

Have you guys seen the viral video where the queen of soul herself, Aretha Franklin, was asked about her biggest challenges? Her rely: “Figuring out what to eat… night after night.” And everyone across the world said, “Amen.”

What is it about dinnertime that makes getting a healthy meal on the table feel like a chore? After a long day filled with mom life, blog work, kid activities, school pickups and drop offs, general life/home responsibilities and more, sometimes finding the motivation to make dinner feels like yet another thing I need to check off my “to do” list… and it’s one that pops up again every single night. I think maybe it’s the fact that there are no breaks from deciding what to eat for dinner that add to the overwhelm of feeding a family sometimes.

Meal planning helps a lot, meal prepping helps a ton but to do both well, I still have to take some time to think through our family’s meals for the week. During busier weeks, there are certain recipes I look to because I know they’ll come together quickly and I know they check all my boxes from a healthy dinner standpoint.

10+ Quick Last-Minute Dinner Ideas

For today’s blog post, I’m rounding up a list of 10+ quick last minute dinner recipes. These are recipes that don’t require a ton of time and effort in the kitchen but they still majorly deliver when it comes to a nutrient-dense, flavor-packed meal. I hope you find a new dinner recipe to try from some of my favorites below the next time you’re short on time and looking for a last minute meal or when you simply want something delicious to make for yourself or your loved ones. 

Below is a list of my favorite quick and easy dinner recipes to satisfy all your dietary needs and flavor preferences! Whether you’re looking for 30-minute dinner recipes or just simple options with ingredients you can find at your local grocery store, I’ve got just what you need. If you’re looking for even more ideas, be sure to check out my dinner made easy recipes for go-to meals as well! 

Taco Pasta Skillet

This taco pasta skillet combines the savory flavor of tacos with the comfort of tender pasta noodles. Topped the shredded cheese and fresh cilantro, this ground beef pasta dish tastes fantastic and you only meet one pot, one skillet and 30 minutes to make it. 

Chicken and Chickpea Salad

This recipe is my go-to option when I need a no-cook meal and I need it FAST. It’s also a great way to use leftover chicken breast or even a rotisserie chicken if you want to eliminate any need to cook! You’ll simply combine a handful of fresh ingredients, and give them a toss. In 15 minutes or less, you’ll have a filling meal full of protein, healthy carbs, fiber and nutrient-dense produce. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they store well for a packed lunch the next day, too. 

One Pot Chicken Cabbage Bowls with Sesame Ginger Broth

This recipe might have a long name, but it’s an easy last-minute dinner! All you need is one pot, and it comes together in a flash on a weeknight. (It’s also one of my personal favorite recipes I’ve every shared on the blog!) Shredded chicken and cabbage cook in a savory, tangy soy sauce and ginger broth for a warm and comforting meal that will fill you up, leave you feeling satisfied, and even boost your immune system, too. Ready to eat in just over 30 minutes, it’s virtually failproof, and cleanup is a breeze. 

Cucumber Dill Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Do meals get easier or tastier than a quick chicken salad? Made with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or mayonnaise, this lightened-up version of chicken salad is bursting with savory, tangy, herbaceous flavors and plenty of crunchy texture. Combine all the ingredients in 10 minutes, and enjoy the salad on its own or on top of toasted bread, with crackers for dipping, or over a bed of greens for a filling salad.  

Vegetarian Chickpea Curry

A fantastic vegetarian or vegan option, this curry cooks in a single skillet in just 30 minutes. One batch makes four servings and is incredibly filling thanks to the plant-based protein, nutrients, and fiber from all the veggies. Flavored with warm, comforting spices it’s one meal you’ll be glad you took the time to make! 

Air Fryer Pesto Salmon

I cannot tell you how handy my air fryer is  on busy weeknights. It makes cooking so easy and cuts the time in half! This pesto salmon cooks in less than 15 minutes and packs a punch of protein, omega fats, and bold, cheesy, herby flavor. Pair it with leftover sides, or whip up a quick salad and minute rice, and you’ll be ready to eat! 

Sheet Pan Paleo Salmon with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

With a total time of 45 minutes, this might be the most time-consuming option on this list of quick last-minute dinner ideas. However, most of the time needed for this recipe is set-it-and-forget-it time in the oven, It’s an easy recipe and serves as a complete meal with salmon, potatoes and green beans all cooking away together on one sheet pan.

Hearty Vegetable Bolognese

This Hearty Vegetable Bolognese is a deliciously filling vegetarian recipe made with fresh vegetables, walnuts (trust me on this one!), and a splash of cabernet. Pair it with your favorite whole wheat spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or penne pasta for a comforting meal at the end of a long day. Note: This is one I like to meal prep on a Sunday night, as it reheats well for a quick meal during the week. 

Edamame Black Bean Salad

This 10-minute vegetarian recipe is an easy one that is absolutely bursting with flavor and color. Just toss the ingredients in a bowl, and give them a toss. Then, grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips for dipping, and you can’t go wrong! 

Pesto Grilled Cheese

Give your favorite childhood grilled cheese an upgrade with this quick and easy pesto version! Made with crusty sourdough bread, butter, two different kinds of gooey cheese, fresh tomatoes, and pesto sauce, it’s ready to eat in less than 20 minutes. Serve it on its own or with a salad or leftover soup for the ultimate comfort food.

Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl

This sweet potato quinoa bowl is a nourishing vegetarian recipe made with wholesome ingredients. It’s creamy and filling and a tasty one-pot meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes. Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top, and your tastebuds will sing! 

Whole30 Beef & Bok Choy Stir-Fry with Cauliflower Rice

Stir fry recipes are the epitome of quick dinners, and this low-carb version is no exception. Made in one skillet, it’s ready to eat in 30 minutes and even tastier than your favorite takeout option. If you’re feeling extra hungry or want to bulk it up further, add to or swap the cauliflower rice with white rice, brown rice, or add a side of leftover fried rice! 

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew

Normally when I think of beef stew, I think of a recipe that takes hours and hours to prepare as a stew bubbles away on the stovetop. Thankfully that’s not the case with this hearty stew, as it only requires about 10 minutes of prep time. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting in this recipe, making it an easy  last-minute dinner recipe you can quickly toss together when you get home. Simply sauté veggies in olive oil, brown the beef, and combine the ingredients, and let your Instant Pot do the rest! 

What are some of your go-to last minute dinner recipes you turn to during busy weeknights when you need to get something on the dinner table fast?