31 Days of Easy 30-Minute Dinners for May
Quick dinners that deliver.
Maybe your resolution was to cook more at home this year, or maybe you're just tired of spending a fortune on takeout . Either way, now that May is here and life is as busy as ever, sticking to that plan might feel harder than you thought (we've all been there).
Don't give up just yet! We're here to help with 31 days of dinners, making your goal easily attainable. Just make sure to bookmark this collection for nightly low-effort 30-minute meal inspo. With recipes like Fettuccine al Burro, 3-Ingredient Sheet Pan Caesar Bake, and Shortcut Orange Chicken, ordering takeout will become a distant memory.
01 of 31
Fettuccine al Burro
Get Recipe: Fettuccine al Burro
"With this dish, there's no separate sauce to make, no cream to reduce, and no garlic to mince. Everything happens right in one pot in the few minutes after the pasta is done cooking." —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer
02 of 31
3-Ingredient Sheet Pan Caesar Bake
Get Recipe: 3-Ingredient Sheet Pan Caesar Bake
"A bag of frozen meatballs and a bag of frozen California blend vegetables—including carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower—get tossed in Caesar dressing. After a short bake in the oven, they get topped with optional parmesan cheese and chives, then served over rice. This recipe is great for meal prepping because it makes so much that I save the leftovers for my next three meals!" —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
03 of 31
Bacon Chicken
Get Recipe: Bacon Chicken
"I've had to find ways to make poultry more interesting without much work or hassle. Enter: bacon. Simply adding some spices and wrapping a boneless, skinless chicken breast in bacon is all it takes to transform bland and boring into amazing and delicious." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
04 of 31
Italian Beans and Greens
Get Recipe: Italian Beans and Greens
"Beans and greens is a hearty meal with a simple ingredient list. It comes together in 30 minutes but tastes like it's been stewing all day. It's quick, easy, and uses only one pot, making it a go-to in our weeknight dinner rotation." —Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers
05 of 31
Easy Ground Chicken Tacos
Get Recipe: Easy Ground Chicken Tacos
"It's a crowd-pleaser! While the taco filling is the star of the show, the real fun lies in the toppings. I like to have a spread of shredded cheese, lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo or store-bought salsa, guacamole (often store-bought if it's during the week) or sliced avocado, and sour cream." —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer
06 of 31
Dirty Spaghetti
Get Recipe: Dirty Spaghetti
"All of the flavors of dirty rice in a 30-minute spaghetti dinner? Heck, yes! All you need is some ground beef, your favorite Cajun seasoning, a little veg (bell peppers, obviously), and spaghetti, and dinner is served. The meal even cooks in one pot, making its own silky, glossy sauce. I highly recommend topping with sliced green onions and hot sauce." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
07 of 31
30-Minute General Tso's Chicken
Get Recipe: 30-Minute General Tso's Chicken
"It feels magical to conjure up a super-fresh upgrade of a Chinese takeout classic, and the results are transformative. The exterior is crispy and glistening with superbly balanced sauce. The chicken itself is juicy and piping hot. Pair it with steamed white rice to capture all that sauce, and everyone will be spellbound." —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor
08 of 31
Spanish-Style Cod With Chorizo and Chickpeas
Get Recipe: Spanish-Style Cod With Chorizo and Chickpeas
"I have made my own version of this dish countless times since that first experience. It's ready in just half an hour, a breeze to make, and it's a one-pan meal that tastes like a fancy European vacation. What more could you ask for?" —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer
09 of 31
Salsa Chicken
Get Recipe: Salsa Chicken
"You can serve this salsa verde chicken in several ways. Set out a trivet and place the baking dish on the table for folks to serve themselves whole breasts. Serve alongside rice and beans, veggies like green beans or broccoli, and more. You can also shred the chicken, toss it with the sauce and cheese, and use it to fill tacos or burritos." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
10 of 31
Frittata di Pasta (Pasta Frittata)
Get Recipe: Frittata di Pasta (Pasta Frittata)
"If you want to turn your pasta frittata into a more nourishing meal, you can add some greens. For this recipe, about 1/2 cup of packed baby spinach works well. Just stir the greens into the pasta before pouring in the eggs and cook as directed below. No matter how you make it, this dish pairs really well with a green salad. I like arugula tossed in a simple vinaigrette." —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
11 of 31
Tomato-Spinach White Beans
Get Recipe: Tomato-Spinach White Beans
"These beans are fabulous alongside fresh, crusty bread—think sourdough, ciabatta, or a baguette. If you have extra time to make a side dish, I recommend crispy roasted potatoes or easy roasted cauliflower." —Alexandra Shytsman, Recipe Developer
12 of 31
Quick Peanut Chicken Noodles
Get Recipe: Quick Peanut Chicken Noodles
"My recipe for quick peanut chicken ramen noodles starts with a pack of instant ramen. While the noodles boil, you brown ground chicken in a pan. Stir in the ramen flavor packet, a big dollop of peanut butter, and some of the water the noodles cooked in to make it saucy. Toss in the cooked noodles, add a squeeze of lime juice for brightness, and you're done!" —Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer
13 of 31
Tuna Wiggle
Get Recipe: Tuna Wiggle
"Tuna wiggle won't be winning beauty awards any time soon, but it won the hearts of many school kids and families around the dinner table decades ago. A thrifty comfort food, tuna wiggle is widely thought of as a make-do, Depression era-dish. You only need canned tuna, flour, butter, milk, and peas to whip it up, and the velvety white sauce with little pops of peas can top biscuits, toast, or crackers. Tuna wiggle remains a popular quickie dinner today for its versatility." —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor
14 of 31
Artichoke and Lemon Pasta
Get Recipe: Artichoke and Lemon Pasta
"This lemon artichoke pasta has just enough zip to wake up your senses. The quartered artichokes give the dish a bit of savoriness from their brine, breaking up the monotony of plain ol' pasta. But the dish's brightness comes from lemon juice, with just a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice." —Amanda Blum, Recipe Developer
15 of 31
Shortcut Orange Chicken
Get Recipe: Shortcut Orange Chicken
"I personally prefer Tyson frozen chicken bites. They're uniformly sized—similar to Panda Express' orange chicken—and have enough craggly surface texture to hold onto the sauce without falling apart or sacrificing that delicious, crisp crunch. Because the breading is already perfected, I don't have to worry about dredging or frying—a weeknight win!" —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer
16 of 31
Skillet Pesto Chicken
Get Recipe: Skillet Pesto Chicken
"This quick and easy chicken recipe is bursting with vibrant, herbaceous flavor. Store-bought pesto brings a rich basil and garlic flavor to a simple creamy sauce that enrobes tender chicken breast cutlets. The best part? You can have this crowd-pleasing main dish on the table in under 30 minutes, and you only need to dirty a single skillet." —Megan Scott, Former Senior Editor
17 of 31
One-Pot Pasta Stew
Get Recipe: One-Pot Pasta Stew
"This simple dish comes together in a single pot and checks several satisfying boxes, whether your dinner preferences tilt toward soup, risotto, or pasta. The beans give it balance, and browning the orzo before cooking it in the sauce makes it much richer than standard pasta fare." —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer
18 of 31
Sheet Pan Caesar Chicken Salad
Get Recipe: Sheet Pan Caesar Chicken Salad
"I typically grill chicken for my chicken Caesar salad, but since I live in the Midwest, grilling isn't possible for almost half the year thanks to freezing temperatures and snow. That's why I got smart and figured out that I could make delicious chicken and croutons at the same time on a single sheet pan." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
19 of 31
Meatball Pesto Pasta
Get Recipe: Meatball Pesto Pasta
"I like to top this pasta with a ton of fresh basil, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes. I serve it with a big, leafy salad dressed with Italian dressing or vinaigrette to contrast the richness of the pesto sauce." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
20 of 31
One-Pot Lemony Chickpeas
Get Recipe: One-Pot Lemony Chickpeas
"I like to pop a thick slice of sourdough bread in the toaster, smear it with butter, and then ladle these chickpeas over it. Sprinkle with lemon zest and chives (you can use any herb you like) and enjoy. You can also have this with brown rice and a side of wilted spinach. If you want to serve the chickpeas as a side, that's great too! They pair wonderfully with chicken, beef, or fish." —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
21 of 31
Baked Barbecue Chicken
Get Recipe: Baked Barbecue Chicken
"I start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness. Next, I use my favorite barbecue sauce; since it's a big flavor contributor, choose a good one. Smoked gouda adds smoky, melty, cheesiness." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
22 of 31
BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos
Get Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos
"Thankfully, I have a number of low-lift dinners in my back pocket that require almost zero effort, minimal cleanup, and still bring us together for at least 15 minutes a day. These barbecue chicken sheet pan nachos are one of those dinners. They're quick, easy, and will be gobbled up in no time." —Claudia Cash, Recipe Developer
23 of 31
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
24 of 31
Easy Weeknight Sausage Tacos
Get Recipe: Easy Weeknight Sausage Tacos
"If you can't find Mexican chorizo, regular pork sausage is a fine substitute. For a pound of pork sausage, season it with about two teaspoons of your favorite chili powder. I've also recently spotted sausage and bratwurst links preseasoned with chili powder (one of them was a winner in this year's Grocery Awards!), and these are another great option." —Emma Christensen, former General Manager
25 of 31
Spring Carbonara
Get Recipe: Spring Carbonara
"This dish comes together lightning-fast. Have all your ingredients prepped and within reach because once the spaghetti is done cooking, you'll use the heat of the pasta to cook the raw eggs to make a silky sauce." —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer
26 of 31
Grilled Shrimp Salad
Get Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Salad
"To make great grilled vegetables, keep them in big chunks so they don't fall through the grates and are easier to flip. Drizzle them with oil, and season well with salt and pepper. Once the vegetables are on the grill, don't mess with them too much. Let them get charred nicely on one side before flipping." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer
27 of 31
Quick and Easy Pad Thai
Get Recipe: Quick and Easy Pad Thai
"While these ingredients are common in many Asian markets, they aren't always easy to track down—especially tamarind paste, which can feel like a scavenger hunt. That's why, for this recipe, I use a bottled pad Thai sauce, which you can find in most major American grocery stores, including Walmart." —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer
28 of 31
Rice Carbonara
Get Recipe: Rice Carbonara
"You can use any white rice you have on hand for this dish—short, medium, or long-grain are all fine—but I prefer leftover rice that is slightly dried out from a few hours of refrigeration. If you don't have leftover rice on hand, freshly cooked rice can be used; the result will have a slightly more homogenous, risotto-like texture. Store-bought or homemade frozen cooked rice will also work, just thaw it before adding it to the skillet." —Jamie Anulewicz, Recipe Developer
29 of 31
Easy Chickpea Curry
Get Recipe: Easy Chickpea Curry
"The beauty of this chickpea curry lies in its simplicity and adaptability; it is perfect for a busy weeknight. It's packed with such lovely flavors (ginger! garlic! turmeric!) and the coconut milk gives it creamy depth. Plus, it requires just one pot, making cleanup a breeze." —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
30 of 31
Stovetop Stuffed Shells
Get Recipe: Stovetop Stuffed Shells
"There's no need to turn on the oven with this easy (and quicker) recipe. It starts with cooking the shells, which should be very al dente so they're easier to fill and don't end up overcooked. A ricotta and parmesan filling is added, and the shells are arranged atop store-bought marinara." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
31 of 31
Sheet Pan Salmon With Feta Sauce
Get Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon With Feta Sauce
"I've said it once, and I'll say it again—I love an easy dinner! Ease is the name of the game with this delectable salmon sheet pan dinner, where minimal prep and a tight ingredient list are key. You can get everything prepped and roasting in about 5 minutes, then just let the oven work its magic." —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
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