Aesthetics make simple 30 minute dinner meals look and taste like they took hours. I’m going to share a list of meals that you can quickly make, even when you’re really short on time, and they’ll taste amazing.
Some have cream sauces and garnishes that take the flavor to the next level.
Ready to impress the next time you make a meal?
30 Minute Dinner Meals That Taste Like They Took Hours
1. Butter Steak Bites with Lemon Sauce
Butter steak that looks and tastes like this is rare. You’ll make your steak bites with sirloin, olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, paprika, minced garlic and fresh parsley. Your creamy lemon sauce will include garlic and butter, heavy cream, fresh lemon, lemon zest, lemon juice, spices and Parmesan cheese.
If you like steak, this is one of the easiest recipes on the list. You can even serve with mashed potatoes, rice and steamed veggies, but they’re all optional.
2. Pork Tenderloin with Honey Mustard and Shiitake Mushrooms
Pork tenderloins are perfect for 30-minute dinner meals. You’ll start by parboiling your potatoes before seasoning your meat with salt, pepper and oil. Mix your honey and mustard together and set them aside so that they can blend well.
Sear your pork before placing it in the oven.
Halfway through, you’ll add your potatoes, mushrooms, garlic and spinach. Once done, you can serve with your honey mustard on top of the pork and on the plate.
Related: What’s for Dinner? These 30-Minute Meals Will Be Your New Faves
3. Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Chicken and rice are another great option for a fast dinner that tastes and looks great. If you have an air fryer, you can use it for this recipe, too. Key ingredients for this dish include chicken breasts, garlic parmesan butter, lemon, feta cheese, spinach, tomatoes and rice.
And if you have a picky eater in your home, you’ll be happy to know that it’s one of the recipes that you can easily customize with any ingredients you like.
4. Lemon Butter Scallops
Perfect for those times when you have just 10 minutes to make dinner. Lemon butter scallops require only butter, sea scallops, salt, pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s an easy recipe to follow and a great option if you’re cooking along with kids.
5. Pasta Napoletana
Linguine pasta and Napoletana sauce go together so well. You’ll make your sauce with onion, garlic, canned cherry tomatoes, table salt, pepper, basil, parsley and Romano cheese. While the dish is simple to make, be sure to follow some of the quirks in the recipe that you may not be accustomed to:
- Save ¾ cup of the water you cook the pasta in
- Use the saved water to add the starch to the sauce
You’ll also keep some of your water reserves for when the pasta and sauce are combined.
6. Filet Mignon with Shrimp and a Lobster Cream Sauce
Filet mignon is already tender and tasty on its own. People who want an upscale meal will opt for filet mignon, but add a lobster cream sauce and shrimp, and you have a fancy dish that tastes divine and looks decadent.
Season your steaks with some salt and pepper and heat them on medium-high on a skillet. After you cook the steaks for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, transfer them from the skillet to a plate and cover.
Add your shallots and garlic to the hot skillet and sautee for two minutes before tossing your shrimp and lobster in. Stir in your chicken broth, heavy cream and thyme. Stir your butter in after removing the skillet from heat and spoon the sauce on top of the shrimp and lobster.
7. Pappardella Pasta with Portabello Mushroom Sauce
Portabello mushroom sauce and pappardelle pasta come together so well for one of my favorite 30 minute dinner meals on this list. Light yet satisfying, this dish takes the meat out of a traditional ragu and combines:
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Crushed red pepper
- Tomato paste
- Balsamic vinegar
- Unsalted butter
- Parmigiano Reggiano
8. Garlic Butter Ribeye Steak and Shrimp
Garlic ribeyes are healthy for you and easy to make. You’ll want to stock up on extra-large shrimp for this recipe, too. Pan-sear your shrimp and be sure to season on both sides. Start your dish by taking the shrimp out thirty minutes before so that they can thaw.
Then, make your garlic butter sauce with garlic, butter and chopped parsley.
Heat a large grill pan, grease it and then add your dry steaks to it. Brush with oil, season and sear the steak for three to five minutes. I recommend an oven-proof thermometer to be sure that the steak is properly cooked.
While your steaks are cooling, it’s time to cook your asparagus and finally the shrimp.
9. Pork Chops with Asparagus and Cream Sauce
Pork chops of multiple varieties make it on my list of 30 minute dinner meals, and this one can be broken down into two main parts:
- Pork chops with butter, asparagus, shallots, garlic and sage.
- Cream sauce with heavy cream, lemon zest, parmesan and chicken stock.
While this recipe takes just over the 30 minute mark (35 to be exact), it’s worth it thanks to its creamy flavor.
Related: The Top 20+ Juiciest Chicken Recipes You Can Make in Just 30 Minutes
10. Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs
Coq au vin chicken meatballs are perfect for cooler months. They’re made with slow-braised chicken with browned butter mashed potatoes on the side. Half Baked Harvest shares their secrets to making these meatballs, primarily baking them in the oven rather than frying them in a pan.
While baking, you can focus on the coq au vin sauce.
If you opt to make your meatballs in a pan, you’ll need to juggle frying and making the sauce at the same time. And on the side, you’ll have buttery herbed mashed potatoes to enjoy.
11. Parmesan-Crusted Sea Bass
Fans of seafood will appreciate this Parmesan-crusted sea bass that comes out crunchy and golden brown. And while it does take just under 30 minutes to make, you’ll need to manage your time properly because you’ll make a:
- Parmesan-crusted sea bass
- Lemon Beurre Blanc
- Roasted red veggies
You’ll top with garnishes that include basil oil, lemon zest, microgreens and Parmesan tuile.
12. Cast Iron Pork Chops with Pears and Ginger
Pork chops, pears and ginger. What’s not to like? You’ll need a cast iron skillet for this dish, which will cook up in just 15 minutes. The recipe calls for pork chops, cracked black pepper, olive oil, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, fresh rosemary, grated ginger and a handful of other ingredients.
If pears are in season, be sure to buy them fresh because they really add to the flavor.
13. Thai Basil Chicken
Do you like Pad Kra Pao? If so, you’ll be shocked to know that it takes just 25 minutes to make. You’ll make the Thai basil stir fry with brown onion, ground chicken, garlic, basil, red chili, hot green pepper and avocado oil.
But, like with most Thai dishes, the sauce is where the true magic happens.
You’ll make the sauce from soy sauce, maple syrup, sriracha, oyster sauce and fish sauce. Of course, you’ll top with green onion, basil leaves, sesame seeds, prawn crackers and two eggs.
14. Pork Medallions with Blue Cheese Sauce
If you’re looking for one of the more elegant 30 minute dinner meals on this list, these pork medallions with blue cheese fit the bill. You’ll make two pounds of pork chops that you’ll cook in white wine, blue cheese, heavy cream, butter, olive oil and a handful of spices.
And each serving has 55 grams of protein, so it’s perfect for anyone following a high protein diet.
15. Honey Mustard & Apple Pork Chops
Honey mustard pork chops are filled with flavor, and the sautéed apples add to the flavor. Six servings will take you all of 30 minutes to make. Start by trimming the fat off of your pork chops, drizzle vegetable oil on top and then massage it into the meat.
Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
Heat a large skillet with cooking oil, sear your pork chops and then remove them. Drain the skillet, add in your apples and sliced onions, and then add in a few more ingredients before adding the pork chops back into the pan. Baste with the sauce you just made, add garnish and serve.
16. Golden Seared Cod
You can quickly make up four servings of cod that will take you 25 minutes to make. Lean cod is filled with protein, and you’ll need four fillets. Remaining ingredients include olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, dill and chives.
And it’s so easy to make.
Start by patting your cod fillet dry. Season and then add olive oil to a large skillet. Cook on each side for three to four minutes, remove from the pan, reduce the heat and then add garlic, dill, chives and lemon juice.
You’ll heat up the ingredients until they become fragrant and then return your fillets to the pan.
Related: 25 Quick and Healthy 30 Minute Meals You Can Make on Your Busiest WFH Days
17. London Broil with Garlic Herb Butter
Juicy London broil always tastes delicious, and the marinade is delightful. You’ll make a marinade from:
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Herbs and spices
On your London broil, you’ll add butter, fresh herbs, lemon zest and salt and pepper. And the best part? You’ll spend 10 minutes prepping your London broil and an additional 15 minutes cooking it.
