Need quick and easy recipes to get dinner on the table fast? These
30-minute meals are the perfect solution! They’re made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients and are ideas that the whole family will love. Includes ground beef, chicken, sausage and meatless options.
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I’m in a stage of life where I simply don’t feel like I have much time to spend making meals for my family.
And yet it’s important to me to feed my family well and also not resort to lots of pre-made store-bought or restaurant meals.
So I end up relying on quick and easy 30-minute dinners a lot!
Not only do they allow me to make delicious, wholesome meals for my family, but they also often use simple ingredients that I always keep on hand too.
Whether you simply don’t enjoy cooking and want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible or are just really busy and looking for ideas to get dinner on the table fast to avoid resorting to takeout, I hope you will find this collection of recipes helpful!
Chicken Recipes
Super Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
Hearty, delicious and made with simple pantry staples, this casserole is the perfect quick and easy family dinner!
One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice
A one pan skillet meal that is full of Mexican inspired flavors and a great switch for traditional taco night.
Easy Chicken Curry Soup with Rice
This hearty soup is packed full of curry flavor and ready in just 30 minutes with minimal prep work! You can make it as mild or spicy as your family prefers.
Southwest Chicken Skillet
This Mexican skillet meal is delicious, easy to make, and costs less than $10 to feed 4 to 6 people! The leftovers reheat well, so you may want to make a double batch.
One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Enjoy this classic chicken parm pasta recipe without all of the hassle, using just one pan! The ingredient list is simple and it's ready in just half an hour!
Chicken Stir Fry
We love a good stir fry recipe that the whole family can enjoy. Serve this dinner by itself or over your favorite variety of rice for an easy 30 minute meal.
One Pot Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice
Who's ready for comfort food in 30 minutes? Whip up this creamy chicken and rice recipe that is quick, easy, and budget friendly!
Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps
These pan-fried chicken wraps are so simple to make, full of flavor, and freeze well for later! All you need is chicken, salsa, cheese, seasoning, and tortillas to make this easy meal.
Coconut Chicken Curry
You are going to fall in love with this creamy chicken curry! No need for takeout, because this version is healthier and so simple to make. And I love that it's made in one pan for easy clean-up.
20 Minute Garlic Chicken
We make this recipe all of the time and my kids love it!! I like to double the gravy because we love lots of sauce, plus it stretches it farther too!
Chicken Stroganoff
If you love beef stroganoff, you have to try the chicken version! It's quick, easy, and only requires pantry staples!
Italian-Style Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Mushrooms
Tender juicy chicken, mushrooms, and tomatoes made in a skillet and so delicious you would never think it could be ready so quickly! No need for sides, unless you want to serve it with rice or potatoes.
30 Minute Chicken and Dumplings
The perfect mouthwatering comfort food and made totally from scratch. Yet simple and quick to make too!
Healthy Chicken Alfredo
Rich, creamy, delicious and with just the right amount of cheese, this classic favorite is always a hit! Serve with your favorite pasta and a simple salad for an easy weeknight dinner
Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini
This one-pan recipe is not only nutritious and filling but it's also budget-friendly too!
30 Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Get the taste of Mexico in just minutes with these easy-to-make fajitas. They are hearty, tasty and also very versatile! Add more veggies, swap out the chicken for other meat or add in some hot pepper for a bit of heat.
One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
Budget-friendly and made with simple ingredients, this one-pot chicken and rice recipe is great for an easy simple dinner!
Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls
Made with simple ingredients, this rice bowl recipe is full of delicious Asian inspired flavors and it's ready in under 30 minutes!
Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos
You'll love these chicken tacos! They're crunchy, nutritious and have just the right amount of spice.
One-Pan Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
This one-pan meal is so cheesy and delicious! I love that it's made with simple, frugal ingredients too. Always a win!
Ground Beef Recipes
Super Easy Sloppy Joes from Scratch
This vintage recipe has a deliciously flavorful sauce that's made using basic pantry staples. Simple and kid-friendly too!
Super Easy Macaroni and Beef Skillet (American Goulash)
Made with simple ingredients, this recipe makes a great weeknight dinner. And we think it's 10 times better than Hamburger Helper!
One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is the perfect meal when you're in a hurry. It's fast, easy and full of tasty taco flavors!
Easy Vegetable Beef Soup
Packed with veggies, this simple soup makes a comforting, hearty dinner. Even my pickier eaters love it!
Taco Skillet
This skillet recipe is a one-pan wonder that allows you to make tacos in less than 25 minutes. It kind of reminds me of a Mexican pizza with the layered corn tortillas!
Speedy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
Made with just seven simple ingredients, this easy recipe makes for a budget-friendly, quick family meal!
The BEST One Pot Lasagna Soup
You can easily make this soup in the slow cooker or Instant Pot - it's comfort food at its finest, freezer friendly, and tastes like the traditional dish.
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Zesty flavors and tender ground beef make this an easy meal that’s sure to please the whole family!
Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet
This simple skillet meal will have your family asking for seconds! It's packed with classic flavors, but so much easier to make than the traditional recipe.
30 Minute One Pan Beef Penne
I love that this recipe cooks the pasta right along with everything else. Super easy! And it's such a great hearty, family-friendly dinner!
Frito Chili Pie
Homemade chili is combined with Frito chips and cheese for a super delicious twist!
Easy Beef Burrito Skillet
All the classic flavors of a beef burrito but in an easy-to-make skillet recipe!
Sausage Recipes
Creamy Sausage and Potatoes
One Pot Cheesy Sausage Penne
Craving easy, delicious comfort food? This simple recipe combines Italian sausage and penne pasta with a quick tomato sauce and then tops it all with gooey cheese!
Creamy Sausage Pasta
Made with just a few simple ingredients, packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes! What's not to love?
Italian Sausage Quesadillas
A simple recipe but so full of flavor! And they reheat well too.
Sausage & Rice Skillet
A quick, one-pan dinner that you can whip up when you are short on time. Even the leftovers are delicious! If you don't like smoked sausage you can swap it for your favorite variety.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Zucchini is stuffed with sausage, peppers and mushrooms, then topped with bread crumbs and cheese. Healthy, easy and delicious!
Kielbasa, Peppers, and Potato Hash
Full of veggies and ready in under 30 minutes, this is the perfect quick and easy meal for busy days!
Other Recipes
Easy Mexican Rice Bowls
Quick to assemble, budget-friendly and made with simple ingredients, these rice bowls are a family favorite and great if you want a meatless but filling meal.
Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham
Cozy, satisfying and full of flavor (thanks to garlic & dill), this soup is the perfect recipe for any cold day!
French Bread Pizza
Kick up pizza night with this thick French bread pizza recipe. It's simple, quick, and a favorite that is covered in melty cheese and pepperoni. Add your favorite toppings to make the options endless!
Easy Mexican Bean Soup
This hearty bean soup is flavorful, made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes. We love serving it with sour cream and corn chips. So good!
Best Shakshuka Recipe
You can't beat a good Shakshuka for breakfast or dinner. It's simple, healthy and delicious! Made with tomatoes, eggs, onions, and a variety of seasonings that add the best flavors.
Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake
This cheesy pasta recipe is great to make when you need a meal that's fast, fresh and full of flavor. It only takes one pot so it makes clean-up easy too!
One-Pan Mexican Quinoa
Nutritious, full of flavor and easy to make, this frugal recipe is great for any busy day!
Easy Canned Tuna Pasta
Super healthy and made with simple pantry staples! Plus, it's ready in less than 30 minutes too.
Natashua
I can’t even begin to imagine how much time and effort it took you to post all these resources online.
I can’t even begin to thank you and tell you how much you have helped me.
I hope Jesus blesses you so much and makes you to be a tremendous joyful blessing all the days of your life.
Lydia Beiler
Thank you so much, Natashua! That’s really kind of you and blessed me a lot. I’m so glad it was helpful for you.
Janita G, Frugal Fun Finance
Lydia – so many great frugal meal ideas!
Eating frugal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or quality. It just means that you plan ahead of time, decide on ingredients that don’t cost that much and take time to meal prep. It’s so easy to order delivery, but over time, you can spend a lot of money. Nothing wrong with a treat here and there, but it’s important to not make takeout a habit!
Personally, my favorite meal is pizza. You can customize it for the whole family – each person can pick their own toppings. What’s your favorite frugal meal and why?
– Jani, Frugal Fun Finance
Lydia Beiler
Yes, totally agree with your comment! I don’t know that I have a favorite meal, per se, but I love soups because they are often quick and easy to make and typically inexpensive too.
Jack
Thank you much for the great 30 min. meals, great job hon !!!
Lydia Beiler
Glad it was helpful!