Eight 30 Minute Meals

Here are eight tasty recipes that are done in 30 minutes or less and perfect for weeknight meals when you have a super busy schedule and are always fabulous.


We are featuring Italian, Mexican, and a mix of Thai and Asian flavors today, and all of these entrees are quick and easy.


The recipes can be adapted to whatever ingredients you prefer to mix and match and get creative with your own touch and additions to any of these recipes below.


If you love easy-to-prepare recipes these will be a terrific addition to your recipe collection.


Most of these recipes are done on the stovetop in a skillet and some are made in less than 30 minutes.


You can even save time by using cooked meats the night before and just adding them to these basic meals.


All eight recipes are kid-approved and they always come back for a second helping these are just a few great meal plans for the week.


Scroll through the photos and descriptions to see which recipes appeal to you and your family print off the recipe card at the end for all these quickly prepared recipes.

Pineapple Chicken Rice Skillet(recipe at the end of this post)

A blend of sauteed cubed chicken, pork, or steak with a delicious sauce with rice is done in less than 30 minutes.

Beef and Noodles(recipe at the end of this post)

This dish is a combination of beef, and mushrooms in a delicious sauce tossed with egg noodles all in around 18 minutes.

Easy Pad Thai(recipe at the end of this post)

This has all the delicious Asian flavors made in less than 30 minutes using this quick version by adding coleslaw mix.

Barbecued Pork Pizza(recipe at the end of this post)

Using some shredded barbecued pork this cheese topped french bread pizza will be a huge hit and so easy to make in less than 20 minutes!

Pork Stir Fry Click Here

This quick stir fry is always a fun treat and using pork or any meat this can be on your table in less than 30 minutes using just a few ingredients click the link above for the recipe.

Chicken Enchiladas(recipe at the end of this post)

Here is a real easy Mexican enchilada using chicken-filled tortilla and lots of melted cheesy goodness done in around 18 minutes!

Sausage or Chicken Spinach Pasta Skillet(recipe at the end of this post)

This skillet is loaded with Italian flavors using sausage or chicken, your favorite pasta, and spinach in a garlic parmesan-style sauce all in around 25 minutes.

BLT Skillet Pasta(recipe at the end of this post)

A BLT lover's dream made in minutes with cooked bacon, and plum tomatoes tossed with your favorite pasta in 30 minutes or less.

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30-minute meals, quick easy meals in minutes, under 30-minute meals, easy meals, fast meals

30-minute meal recipes, easy meal recipes, fast meal recipes,

American, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Asian

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Eight 30 Minute Meals

Here are eight 30 minutes meals we love and make often. There is an assortment of Thai, Italian, Mexican, and a few more all delicious and quick.

Ingredients

• Pineapple Chicken Rice Skillet
• 1/2 cup pineapple preserves
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon chicken broth or sherry
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or use leftover rotisserie chicken
• Note: cubed pork and steak can also be used and cooked with the same instructions below
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup peanuts, cashews, or pumpkin seeds roasted for allergies
• Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper
• Hot cooked rice
• Beef and Noodles
• 1/2 cups uncooked egg noodles or use fettuccine noodles
• 1/3 cup sliced canned mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1/4 cups beef broth
• 6 ounces deli roast beef, cut into pieces
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Easy Pad Thai
• 4 ounces uncooked thick rice noodles
• 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 carrot shaved thinly
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 cups coleslaw mix
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce or additional soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped salted peanuts or use pumpkin seeds if allergic to peanuts
• Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges, and fresh bean sprouts
• Barbecued Pork Pizza
• 1 container of shredded barbecued pork
• 1 French bread cut in half or a pre-baked pizza crust
• 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 
  
• Pork Stir Fry
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 2-inch strips
• 4 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 cup thinly sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup pineapple tidbits
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 pounds Chinese or napa cabbage, thinly sliced
• Hot cooked rice
• Optional vegetables: thinly sliced carrot, steamed broccoli, snow peas, green or red cabbage thinly sliced
• Optional: toasted black sesame seeds
• 
  
• Chicken Enchiladas
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, divided
• 2 cups cubed cooked and seasoned chicken (I use half a taco packaged seasoning)
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 8 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
• 1 cup extra sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• Garnish: sliced jalapeno peppers, sliced black olives, sour cream or queso
• 
  
• Sausage or Chicken, Spinach Pasta Skillet
• 4 Italian sausage links (4 ounces each) or 2 boneless chicken breasts cubed
• sliced 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) of chicken broth
• 8 ounces of Penne Pasta, Bow Ties, or any pasta of your choice you like
• 1 large bag of fresh spinach, trimmed and torn
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano Cheese
• Optional: red pepper flakes
• 
  
• BLT Skillet Pasta
• 1 lb penne or any other pasta you prefer
• 12 bacon strips, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
• 4 plum tomato, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 garlic clove, minced
• 5 tablespoons lemon juice
• salt to taste and pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons minced parsley or arugula

Instructions

1. Instructions for Pineapple Chicken Rice Skillet:
2. Saute the chicken in 2 tablespoons of cooking oil until the juices run clear and browned maybe 3 minutes.
3. In a shallow microwave-safe dish, combine the first eight ingredients.
4. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring once.
5. Add green pepper and nuts using.
6. Cover and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes and stir in the cooked chicken.
7. Let stand for 3 minutes.
8. Add cayenne pepper if using to taste or just a pinch.
9. Serve with rice.
10. Instructions for Beef and Noodles
11. Cook noodles according to package directions.
12. In a large skillet, saute mushrooms and garlic in oil for 2 minutes do not brown the garlic.
13. Add broth, roast beef, and pepper.
14. Bring to a boil.
15. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
16. Drain noodles combined with meat.
17. Instructions for Easy Pad Thai
18. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions.
19. Stir-fry pork in oil over high heat until lightly browned place in a dish and keep warm.
20. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
21. Add the egg and stir it until the egg is cooked.
22. Place the coleslaw mix, onions, carrots, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and peanuts; heat through.
23. Return pork to the pan and heat through.
24. Place the cooked drained noodles in with this pork mixture
25. Garnish with nuts, cilantro, sliced lime wedges, and bean sprouts.
26. Instructions for Barbecued Pork Pizza
27. Place French bread or a pre-cooked crust on a baking pan.
28. Top with cheese.
29. Baked for around 20 minutes, then broil the top until cheese is lightly browned.
30. Alternative Topping Suggestions for Pizza: Beef roast shredded, Pulled buffalo chicken, Ground cooked beef cheeseburger topping, Ground turkey cooked with gravy or tomato sauce, Sauces Ideas: Alfredo,  Buffalo sauce, Turkey gravy, Sloppy Joe topping, Philly steak topping, rotisserie chicken with peppers, onions and mushrooms
31. Instructions for Pork Stir Fry
32. Combine the cornstarch and sugar in a small bowl add the chicken broth and soy sauce until smooth then set aside.
33. Stir-fry pork in oil until no longer pink.
34. Add the peppers, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
35. Add cabbage and stir-fry until cabbage is wilted.
36. Stir soy sauce mixture then add the pineapple.
37. Let this come to a boil until it thickens around 2 minutes.
38. Serve with rice steamed broccoli and snow peas if desired. 
39. If using, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
40. Instructions for Chicken Enchiladas
41. In a medium-sized pan, melt the butter.
42. Add the flour and make it smooth like a rue.
43. Stir in the chicken broth.
44. Let this come to a boil then add the garlic, chili powder, and 1/2 the green chilies.
45. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, and remaining chilies.
46. Spoon 1/3 cup chicken mixture onto the flour tortilla and roll them up. Place into a and oil sprayed or parchment lined13 x 9 baking dish seam side down.
47. Pour sauce over enchiladas.
48. Sprinkle with extra sharp cheddar cheese.
49. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
50. Garnish with sliced jalapeno, sliced black olives, sour cream, or queso.
51. Instructions for the Sausage Spinach Pasta Skillet
52. Boil pasta of choice to package instructions in saltwater as this gets added at the end of the recipe.
53. Cook the sausage (or if using chicken) in oil until all the pink is gone. Add the peppers, and garlic then drain some of the oil.
54. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil.
55. Gradually add spinach.
56. Cook spinach until wilted, 4 or 5 minutes.
57. In a small bowl, combine the flour, pepper, and cream until smooth; gradually stir into mixture.
58. Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
59. Toss this sauce with the pasta, cheese and add red pepper flakes if desired.
60. Instructions for BLT Pasta Skillet
61. Fry or bake the bacon reserving 2 tablespoons of drippings (or more if desired)
62. Notes: I place the bacon in a baking pan and bake it the night before to save time and save the drippings.
63. You can use precooked bacon in the package however you will need to add some olive oil after cooking for drippings used in this recipe.
64. Cook the pasta in salt water to package instructions.
65. In a large saute pan, add the drippings, tomatoes, and garlic then stir in the lemon, salt, pepper to taste, and cooked bacon.
66. Sprinkle the top with cheese toss with the parsley or arugula.

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