Our 20 most popular 20-minute dinners ever

Fast, flavorful meals for your busiest nights.

What makes for the best weeknight dinners? For us, it’s all about meals that come together fast, use simple ingredients, and still deliver big on flavor—no fussy techniques or hours in the kitchen required. That’s why we’ve rounded up this all-star lineup of our most popular 20-minute dinners ever. From 15-Minute Shrimp Scampi and Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole to Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus and Caprese Orzo, these tried-and-true favorites are guaranteed to save you on even the busiest nights.

01 of 20

Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole

Get Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole

“Taco night is the best, but it can be a pain to heat up the tortillas, make all of the fillings, and assemble each taco, one after the other. When you’ve got a family to feed, it can feel just plain tedious. The answer? This easy taco casserole.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

02 of 20

Honey Mustard Baked Salmon

Get Recipe: Honey Mustard Baked Salmon

“If you don’t have already prepared honey mustard, just combine equal amounts of honey and Dijon mustard.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

03 of 20

Marry Me Beans

Get Recipe: Marry Me Beans

“Not all sun-dried tomatoes are created equally. Higher-quality tomatoes packed in olive oil will yield a more flavorful, umami-packed finished dish.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

04 of 20

20-Minute One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas

Get Recipe: 20-Minute One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas

“The combination of seasonings was fantastic! We don’t typically have beef around, so I used some fresh ground lamb. The wife and three boys devoured it! Definitely saving this one!” —Eric, Reader

05 of 20

Sole Piccata

Get Recipe: Sole Piccata

“A classic piccata is a great way to prepare sole, or any small flat fish, such as flounder or fluke. Just lightly dust the fillets in seasoned flour, fry them on both sides until nicely browned, and serve them with a sauce made with white wine, capers, butter, and parsley.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

06 of 20

Sausage White Bean Soup

Get Recipe: Sausage White Bean Soup

“I always save the rind from Parmesan to add to soups and stews for a big salty, umami boost. Let the rind sit in the soup while it simmers, then pull it out just before serving.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

07 of 20

Garlic Knot Chicken Breasts

Get Recipe: Garlic Knot Chicken Breasts

“Wow!! This is the easiest chicken recipe I’ve made in a long time. Juicy, flavorful, well-seared, and amazing seasoning (love all that garlic!). I served it with crusty bread, just wish I had more of the garlic butter sauce. Next time, I will double the sauce, and maybe add a splash of white wine as others have suggested. This is absolutely on my dinner menu rotation!” —Jeanne, Reader

08 of 20

Classic Lobster Rolls

Get Recipe: Classic Lobster Rolls

“I love lobster rolls and always order them if I see them on a menu. I was a bit nervous but I wanted to try and make them myself so I ordered lobster and received it uncooked. I was thankful that you told me how to steam it. This recipe is super easy but was fantastic. It came out perfect. My husband loved them. Thank you!” —PurpleBowl, Reader

09 of 20

15-Minute Tortellini Soup

Get Recipe: 15-Minute Tortellini Soup

“My youngest daughter’s favorite foods are soup and pasta, so what better way to eat them both than in one warm and comforting bowl? Cheesy, chewy tortellini float in a rich tomato-y broth, with an optional handful of baby spinach thrown in to make sure everyone’s getting their veggies. It’s an easy meal I’ll be coming back to often.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

10 of 20

Orzo and Dolma Skillet

Get Recipe: Orzo and Dolma Skillet

“Chopped dolmas are folded in for little savory, fragrant bites throughout. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh dill, and you’ve got cozy comfort food that’s hearty and vibrant. Minimal effort and maximum flavor perfectly describes how a weeknight dinner should be.” —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer

11 of 20

Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

Get Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

“Lemons and capers are staples in my fridge, as is butter, so I can whip up a fancy but super-fast lemon caper butter to top the salmon in mere minutes. It’s a flavor combination that’s familiar yet somehow feels just the right amount of special.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

12 of 20

Kai Jeow (Thai Omelet)

Get Recipe: Kai Jeow (Thai Omelet)

“I love this recipe! It’s a weeknight hero in my house. So few ingredients but so much flavor.” —Annie, Reader

13 of 20

Pan-Roasted Shrimp and Okra

Get Recipe: Pan-Roasted Shrimp and Okra

“For sweeter, less bitter okra, choose small pods. To avoid okra’s signature sliminess, the pods are split down the center and charred in the skillet over high heat. Add them back to the pan at the end so that they keep their crisp-tender texture.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

14 of 20

Easy Dumplings with Peanut-Chile Sauce

Get Recipe: Easy Dumplings with Peanut-Chile Sauce

“The recipe only requires five ingredients. This quick and easy, five-ingredient dumpling dish comes together in just 15 minutes. This recipe may be short and sweet, but it does not compromise on flavor and color.” —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

15 of 20

Salmon Piccata

Get Recipe: Salmon Piccata

“This was an easy Saturday evening dinner at home. Served with basmati rice and broccoli with a nice glass of chardonnay!” —CoralEgg, Reader

16 of 20

Sesame Soba Noodles

Get Recipe: Sesame Soba Noodles

“Soba means ‘buckwheat’ in Japanese. The noodles are made with buckwheat flour and likely with wheat flour added. Though difficult to source in the U.S. some are made with 100% buckwheat flour—they’ll be labeled juwari soba—which makes them gluten-free. Soba noodles have a robust toasty, nutty flavor, and soft, chewy, and elastic texture.” —Myo Quinn, former Associate Editorial Director

17 of 20

Grilled Pizza

Get Recipe: Grilled Pizza

“If you use a grill to make pizza, you can keep the heat outside where it belongs. Grills also better mimic a wood fired oven than your conventional indoor oven. Whether using charcoal or gas, the smoke from the grill will help give your pizza great flavor that you simply cannot get from a regular oven.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

18 of 20

Brown Butter Cacio e Pepe

Get Recipe: Brown Butter Cacio e Pepe

“A green salad and crusty bread are a no-fuss pairing for brown butter cacio e pepe. You can also serve this as a side (think: rustic mac & cheese) with chicken and roasted broccoli.” —Sharon Lehman, Recipe Developer

19 of 20

Caprese Orzo

Get Recipe: Caprese Orzo

“To keep the amount of effort as low as possible—it’s a summer recipe after all, and no one wants to spend too much time in a hot kitchen—I decided to make this caprese pasta in just one pot. I also reached for orzo, a rice-shaped pasta that works really well in one-pot preparations due to its small size and quick cooking time.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

20 of 20

15-Minute Shrimp Scampi

Get Recipe: 15-Minute Shrimp Scampi

“Do you have a favorite meal for those need-something-quick-and-don’t-want-to-have-to-plan-or-work-too-hard days? I keep a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer just for those times when I’m too busy to plan but want a quick and easy meal.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

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