Easy 20 Minutes or Less Meal Ideas Without Driving to the Restaurant

We all accept that fresh home-cooked foods are healthy and delicious. However, with our hectic schedule, it becomes a privilege that we can enjoy on weekends only. Of course, meal-preps can help you out but not always.

What if you or your kids are craving for a cheesy chicken dinner and all you have left in the freezer are soup and veggies? What if you have sudden guests in your house?

Looks like a hard-to-manage situation, right? We can help you out with some super-fast healthy meal recipes. These are easy to whip up and require some basic ingredients only. Some are also freezer-friendly to save your time further.

So, let’s check out 20 super quick 20-minutes or less meal recipes.

1. One-Pot Lemon Shrimp Zoodle

Found on BRIT + CO

One-pot dishes make a convenient meal. This recipe gets a bonus point as it can be served in just 15 minutes. The recipe serves zucchini noodles with creamy shrimps that your family will love. It is loaded with vegetables. So this single recipe is a combo of taste and nutrition.

2. Green Pea Pesto Crostini with Prosciutto

Found on myrecipes

These tiny toasts are perfect appetizers or snacks for any party. The recipe serves colorful toasts made with French bread baguette as base and prosciutto and cheese as toppings. You can whip it up in 2 easy steps. These toasts can be prepared 45 minutes ahead of serving.

3. Roast Turkey Reuben Sandwich

Found on Closet Cooking

If you are looking for a one recipe meal then this is for you. The recipe serves a grab-and-go healthy Rachel Sandwich. You can have it as a snack or as a light meal. The sandwich can be made in 15 minutes. The recipe requires 6 basic ingredients. You will love the creamy roasted turkey with tangy Russian seasoning.

4. Lemon Flavored Greek Chicken Soup

Found on Cooking Light

A bowl of soup can instantly warm you on a chilly night. This soup is rich in protein and low in calories. The soup can be prepared in 15 minutes only. This recipe serves creamy velvety soup that you will love. This is a one-pot recipe that will also save your cleaning time.

5. Instant Chicken & Jalapeno Popper Pot Dip

Found on ADVENTURES OF A NURSE

Your guests will relish this spicy creamy appetizer at any party. You can also serve this casserole for family meals. The recipe can be pulled up in just 15 minutes. The dipping tastes best when served with fresh veggies, crackers, and bread. It is low in carb and rich in protein. Try it once and you will surely get repeated requests for this recipe.

6. Fresh Herb and Goat Cheese Omelet

Found on Chowhound

This easy-peasy recipe is the best breakfast for hectic mornings. You can prepare the cheese and herbs stuffing without any cooking. The omelet can be served within 15 minutes. The recipe is low-carb, low-sugar, and protein-packed. The omelet is quite filling also.

7. Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

Found on AlgaeCal

Stuffed avocado is a popular party appetizer. If you have always thought of making these little treats but stepped back because of the long process then check out this recipe. You can whip up these salmon stuffed treats in 15 minutes. The recipe is rich in nutrition and low in carbs.

8. Salad in a Jar

Found on Diet Doctor

As the name suggests, the recipe is simple and creative. With this recipe, you can easily serve a compact lunch. Just pack the veggies in a jar, top it with salmon or chicken and drizzle some seasoning. That’s all. This healthy meal is also travel-friendly. You can prepare it in 10 to 15 minutes. 

9. Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Found on OH, SWEET BASIL

Who doesn’t relish sloppy joes? However, this is a philly version of the traditional sloppy joe recipe. You can whip it up in 15 minutes or so. It is loaded with cheese, butter, and beef. The recipe is made with toasted brioche hamburger bun. You can have it as a quick meal or just as a go-to snack. 

10. Low-Carb Egg Salad

Found on PERFECT KETO Blog

If you are looking for a super quick and delicious recipe to serve anytime then this is for you. You can serve it as breakfast, meal, or snack. The dish can be made in a large batch to serve a crowd. The recipe serves creamy eggs with a tinge of tangy flavor. You can prepare this salad in just 10 minutes.

11. Cashew Chicken

Found on KETO CONNECT

This recipe serves flavorful chicken with roasted cashews in spicy sauce. You will love this recipe if you are a fan of Asian flavors. This recipe became a quick hit in this blog because of its taste and cooking time. You can pull up the recipe in just 15 minutes. Few steps of this recipe can be made ahead to shorten the cooking time.

12. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Found on WHOLESOME yum

With this recipe, you can pull up your family dinner like a chef. The whole family will relish this hot casserole of cheesy chicken. It has a mild garlic flavor which adds to the taste. The recipe requires 6 ingredients only. You can serve the casserole in 20 minutes. The recipe can be made in two ways with broccoli or with spinach. So, you can serve a variety in dinner with the same recipe. Think about it and smile.

13. Turkey and Pepper Sauté

Found on Healthy Seasonal RECIPES

This is the perfect recipe if you are watching your carbs and still want a quick meal. This is a gluten-free, low-carb, whole30, and paleo-friendly meal. You can prepare this recipe in just 20 minutes. Do you still want more? Here it is. The recipe serves lean turkey with onions, herbs, roasted tomatoes, and sweet bell pepper. Pretty much a dream team, isn’t it?

14. Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus

Found on The Recipe Critic  

A flavorful salmon recipe that you can make any day you are craving fish. The recipe serves tender salmon with a crisp layer on top. You will relish the buttery garlic flavor of the salmon and asparagus. The recipe can be pulled up in 20 minutes. The added benefit is the whole dish is cooked in a foil so it’s less messy. 

15. Mix Salad with Herbs and Goat Cheese

Found on Southern Living

The creator of the dish calls this a spring salad. It is because lots of spring vegetables and herbs are used in it. The salad can be prepared in 20 minutes with a serving portion for 4 people. The recipe is flavored with a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon. It is served topped with goat cheese. 

16. Cauliflower Rice

Found on LOW CARB YUM

For those on a low-carb diet, rice option is limited to steamed brown rice or cauliflower rice. You have to wait for the weekend to prepare it at your leisure. The good news is now you can make a quick bowl of yummy cauliflower rice in just 10 minutes. This might sound insane but here is the fact, check the recipe.

17. Chicken Cutlet in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Found on EatingWell

The recipe serves tender juicy chicken breasts in a creamy sauce made of sun-dried tomatoes. Try it once and this will become your go-to chicken dinner recipe. The recipe requires 8 simple ingredients. You can whip it up in just 20 minutes. It is low-carb, gluten-free, and low-calorie.

18. Portobello Pizzas

Found on Café Delites

Have you ever thought that pizza can make it to this list of super quick recipes? Yes, you can make this pizza from scratch in just 10 minutes. Pick up your jaw, there is more. The dish is flavorful and guilt-free. The recipe uses portobello mushroom caps as a pizza crust. It has every quality of a good pizza with loads of cheese and Italian seasoning.

19. Pasta Carbonara

Found on Chef Savvy

We all know pasta is super easy to serve. However, this recipe has something more than pasta and it is super quick. You can whip it up with 6 ingredients in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves pasta in a thick creamy egg sauce with bacon and parmesan cheese. It can be your go-to weeknight dinner. The recipe is also freezer-friendly and can be stored for up to 4 days.

20. Chicken Enchilada Skillet

Found on Lowcarb-ology

Chicken dinners are easy, healthy, and delicious. And if that comes in a one-pan recipe then voila! Both serving and cleaning becomes effortless. This recipe can be made in 15 minutes only. It serves creamy cheesy chicken with baby corn, and tomatoes. The recipe can be in your meal-prep list also.

Seriously there is nothing to worry about if you have 20 minutes to spare in the kitchen. You can whip up crazy delicious and healthy meals for your family. Be it dinner, lunch or breakfast. With these 20 easy-peasy quick recipes you can serve the dish in a jiffy.