23 Dinners Made in an Hour or Less That You’ll Keep Coming Back To

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23 Dinners Made in an Hour or Less That You’ll Keep Coming Back To

Looking for quick dinners that you can make in under an hour? These 23 recipes have you covered. They are easy to make and are sure to become your go-to favorites. These dishes use simple ingredients and are great for busy nights. Whether you want a cozy soup, a filling casserole, or a fast skillet meal, we’ve selected options that get you in and out of the kitchen quickly. They’re perfect for those times when you need a good meal without spending all evening cooking.

Cheesy spinach and chicken casserole.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is a straightforward weeknight solution, ready in just 45 minutes. It eliminates the need for stuffing vegetables while still packing in all the flavors you love. Perfect for beginner cooks, this dish is a great choice for a quick, filling meal that will become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes, this casserole combines broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon into a single baking dish. Using frozen vegetables for convenience, this recipe is a practical way to include more greens in your diet. It’s designed for ease of preparation and cleanup, making it a great pick for a quick, nutritious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Chicken Corn Soup

A bowl of chicken corn soup with carrots and parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This soup is a comforting option for a busy weeknight, combining chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy broth in a recipe that’s ready in less than an hour. Simple to prepare with pantry staples, it’s suitable for cooks at any skill level. This soup is also a smart way to use leftover chicken, ensuring a warm, fulfilling dinner is on the table quickly.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage and sausage in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This simple, hearty recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights. With cabbage and sausage as the main ingredients, it’s a meal that is extra flavorful without a long list of ingredients or complicated steps. This dish demonstrates the versatility of cabbage when paired with sausage for a quick dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

A skillet full of meat and rice with a spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy this Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. It’s a one-pan meal that combines ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms for a filling dinner. This recipe is especially convenient on busy evenings, providing a flavorful meal that’s simple to make and great for next-day leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Spinach Chicken Bake

A dish of cheesy spinach casserole with a spoon.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This creamy chicken bake, ready in 30 minutes, mixes tender chicken thighs with spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. Baked until golden, it’s a straightforward choice for a quick and hearty meal. This recipe is perfect for those evenings when you need a comforting dinner without spending too much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

A pan with shrimp, tomatoes and spinach in it.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy a quick seafood dinner with this Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach, ready in 40 minutes. Shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach are simmered in a savory garlic sauce, with a hint of paprika and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor. It’s a quick, flavorful meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Hungarian Mushroom Soup, ready in 45 minutes, is a rich, comforting meal. Mushrooms sautéed and simmered in a creamy broth make this soup a hearty choice for any busy weeknight. Serve it with bread, salad, or veggies for a complete, effortless dinner.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

A pot of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in just one hour, this soup combines sweet potatoes and red peppers for a creamy, flavorful meal. It’s an easy recipe that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home. Customizing it to your taste allows for a meal that’s both warming and enjoyable, with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner simplifies weeknight meals. Arrange everything on one sheet pan and bake until roasted, delivering a hearty meal in just 30 minutes. It’s an efficient way to enjoy a flavorful dinner, perfect for those nights when you need something straightforward yet delicious.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage Curry

A bowl of rice and sausage curry on a table.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage Curry is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish ready in 45 minutes. Sautéed sausages and vegetables simmer in a rich curry sauce for a meal that’s simple but packed with flavor. It’s a great choice for a quick family dinner, providing a hearty meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Fajita Baked Chicken

Fajita baked chicken in a baking dish with salsa and sour cream.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken, ready in 30 minutes, seasons chicken breasts with fajita spices, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. It’s a hassle-free dinner option that pairs well with a salad or steamed veggies, making for a complete and enjoyable meal on any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, prepare Creamy Dijon Chicken, a dish where chicken thighs simmer in a rich Dijon mustard sauce with spinach and crumbled bacon. The recipe is straightforward, utilizing easy-to-find ingredients for a quick and hearty meal that’s perfect for the end of a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan with bacon and cabbage in it.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipe combines green cabbage, bacon, and onion in just 25 minutes, creating a meal with a perfect balance of flavors. Serve it as a satisfying side or a light main course, adding a delicious and easy vegetable dish to your meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a skillet.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce for a dinner that’s both quick and impressive. In 30 minutes, you can serve chicken thighs smothered in a smooth mushroom sauce, a one-pan meal that simplifies cooking and cleanup. It’s an easy, flavorful option for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Thai meatballs in a skillet with a wooden spoon.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs introduce a burst of flavor to your weeknight dinner, ready in just 45 minutes. Ground turkey, seasoned with Thai spices and simmered in a homemade coconut curry sauce, makes this dish a quick, flavorful option. It’s a great way to enjoy a meal rich in taste without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken thighs with sun dried tomatoes in a white bowl.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare a Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken in 30 minutes for a quick, hearty dinner. This one-skillet meal features chicken thighs simmered in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan, ensuring a meal that’s both easy to make and full of flavor. It’s perfect for those evenings when you need a comforting dinner fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Chicken with spinach and cream sauce in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken, ready in just 40 minutes, combines chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce. Cooked all in one pan, it’s a great meal for a filling dinner on a busy night. The simplicity of preparation and cleanup makes this dish a practical choice for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

A white bowl of asparagus noodles with bacon and sauce.
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, you can enjoy Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon, a fresh and veggie-packed alternative to traditional pasta. Using a vegetable peeler to create asparagus noodles and topping them with homemade Alfredo sauce and crispy bacon, this recipe is a fun, quick way to add more greens to your dinners.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white dish with chicken breasts in a creamy garlic sauce.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken, ready in 30 minutes, simplifies dinner with a one-pan meal that features chicken breasts in a creamy garlic sauce. It’s a practical choice for a quick, impressive dinner, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Serve it over rice or with a side to complete this comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Keto Zuppa Toscana

Two bowls of soup with bacon and kale.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Warm up with this one-hour Keto Zuppa Toscana, an Olive Garden-inspired soup that’s both filling and low-carb. Garlic, sausage, radishes, and kale combine in a creamy base for a delicious dinner tonight and great leftovers tomorrow. It’s an easy, enjoyable option for a wholesome dinner on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

A pan filled with chicken in a creamy sauce with artichoke hearts.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is a perfect dish for a busy weeknight, ready in 30 minutes. This one-pan recipe features juicy chicken thighs and artichoke hearts in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s an easy, flavorful meal that’s sure to please everyone at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A person is holding a wooden spoon full of chicken bites in a garlic butter sauce.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 20 minutes, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites offer a flavorful and quick dinner solution. Bite-sized chicken pieces are cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce, creating a dish that’s perfect for any cooking level. Serve with rice and veggies for a hearty dinner or over a salad for a lighter option.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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