8 Weeknight Dinners That’ll Take You Under An Hour From Prep To Finish

Balancing a busy schedule with the need to feed yourself and your family wholesome meals can be a daunting task. However, with a bit of planning and some simple recipes, you can whip up delicious dinners in no time. Here are 8 weeknight dinners that promise flavor, nutrition, and a stress-free cooking experience, all ready in under an hour from prep to finish.

1. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lemons, zest and juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp to the pan and cook until they’re pink and opaque.
4. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and half of the chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Drain the spaghetti and add it to the pan with the shrimp mixture. Toss to combine.
6. Serve garnished with the remaining parsley.

2. Quick Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Tortillas, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken slices and fajita seasoning, cooking until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
3. Add bell peppers and onion to the pan, cooking until vegetables are tender and chicken is fully cooked.
4. Warm tortillas according to package instructions.
5. Serve chicken and vegetable mixture with warm tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings.

3. One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon & Veggies

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, or oregano)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a baking sheet, arrange zucchini, squash, and half of the lemon slices. Drizzle with half the olive oil and sprinkle with half the herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Place salmon fillets on top of the vegetables. Add remaining olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper. Top with the remaining lemon slices.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

4. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned.
2. Add garlic and broccoli, cooking for a few more minutes until the broccoli is tender.
3. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch mixture. Pour over the beef and broccoli.
4. Cook until the sauce has thickened. Serve immediately.

5. Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices bread
• 4 slices cheese
• Butter

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add diced tomatoes (with juice) and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
4. Stir in heavy cream and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
5. For the grilled cheese croutons, butter one side of each bread slice. Place cheese between two slices, buttered sides out, and grill until golden.
6. Cut the grilled cheese into cubes and serve on top of the soup.

6. Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2 bird’s eye chilis, sliced (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups basil leaves
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and chilis, cooking until aromatic.
2. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
3. Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Cook for another minute.
4. Remove from heat and stir in basil leaves until wilted.
5. Serve immediately with rice.

7. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, warmed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sautéing until soft.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and brown slightly.
3. Stir in Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to lightly toast.
4. Gradually add warm broth, one cup at a time, stirring constantly until the liquid is absorbed before adding more.
5. Once the rice is creamy and al dente, remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Quick and Easy Tacos al Pastor

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers)
• 1 pineapple, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Corn tortillas
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, marinate pork with adobo sauce for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a large pan, cook pork over medium-high heat until fully cooked.
3. In another pan, grill pineapple slices until charred.
4. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over the stove flame.
5. Assemble tacos with pork, pineapple, onion

Conclusion

Preparing dinner on busy weeknights doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. With these 8 recipes, you can have delicious and satisfying meals on the table in under an hour from start to finish. Whether you’re craving pasta, stir-fry, soup, or tacos, there’s something here for everyone. So, next time you’re pressed for time, give these recipes a try and enjoy a homemade meal without the hassle. Happy cooking!