17 Weeknight Recipes For When You Want Food In Half The Time
Weeknights have a way of sneaking up like a surprise bill—unexpected and slightly annoying. The last thing anyone wants is to spend hours over a stove when a good meal could be done in half the time. That’s where these recipes come in, offering a way to eat well without feeling like you’ve signed up for a second job in the kitchen.
Baked Oatmeal
Mornings don’t have to be chaotic when Baked Oatmeal is ready in no time. It’s warm, filling, and doesn’t require standing over a stove. You throw everything together, let the oven do its thing, and breakfast is done. Leftovers? You’ve got breakfast sorted for the next day too.
Get the Recipe: Baked Oatmeal
Big Mac Crunchwrap
Fast food cravings don’t stand a chance when Big Mac Crunchwrap comes together in minutes. It’s packed, crispy, and tastes like something you waited in a long drive-thru line for. But here’s the kicker—no long wait, no wrong orders. Just a crunchy, loaded meal you can make without leaving home.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Crunchwrap
Baked Beef Tacos
Taco night doesn’t have to mean a messy kitchen and a million dishes. With Baked Beef Tacos, everything gets loaded up, baked, and served at once. The shells get crispy, the filling stays in place, and cleanup is a breeze. It’s taco night, but way easier.
Get the Recipe: Baked Beef Tacos
Pork Chops
Some meals feel like they take forever, but Pork Chops come together before you even start thinking about takeout. They cook fast, don’t need much babysitting, and come out juicy every time. No complicated steps, no waiting around. Just a quick, hearty dinner that gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops
Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken
There’s no need to wait for delivery when Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken is faster and fresher. The sauce is tangy, the chicken is tender, and the whole thing comes together without any stress. It’s a weeknight win that tastes like a weekend treat. And honestly, it might even beat your go-to takeout spot.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken
Cinnamon Roll Cake
Dessert shouldn’t take hours, and Cinnamon Roll Cake proves it. You get all the warm, gooey flavors without waiting for dough to rise. It’s soft, sweet, and ready to be devoured faster than you’d expect. If you have a sweet tooth, this one’s a no-brainer.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cake
Cheeseburger
A homemade Cheeseburger is faster than waiting in a drive-thru and way better. It’s juicy, loaded, and exactly how you like it—no mystery ingredients, no surprise extra pickles. Throw everything together, and you’ve got dinner done before you could even start debating where to order from. No takeout regrets here.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger
General Tso’s Chicken
There’s no need to scroll through food delivery apps when General Tso’s Chicken is this quick. It’s crispy, sweet, and just the right amount of saucy. No guessing how long delivery will take or if your food will show up cold. This is takeout-style food, but on your schedule.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken
Marry Me Salmon
No one wants to spend all night cooking, and Marry Me Salmon makes sure you don’t. It’s flavorful, quick, and works for any night when you want something good without the hassle. No piles of dishes, no complicated steps. Just a solid meal that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Salmon
Chickpea Curry
Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated, and Chickpea Curry proves that. It’s rich, comforting, and ready before you even realize it. Everything simmers together fast, making it perfect for when you’re short on time but still want something filling. Plus, leftovers? Even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Curry
Mushroom Pizza
When a craving hits, Mushroom Pizza is the easy fix. It’s crispy, loaded, and faster than waiting on delivery. No preheating a pizza stone, no dealing with floppy takeout slices. Just a fresh, hot pizza in half the time.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Pizza
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
A quick pasta dish that feels fancy? That’s what Marry Me Chicken Pasta delivers. It’s creamy, rich, and doesn’t need hours in the kitchen. The best part? You’ll have it on the table before hunger turns into hanger.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Pinwheel Sandwiches
When you need a quick meal that looks impressive, Pinwheel Sandwiches are the way to go. They roll up fast, hold together well, and make lunch or dinner effortless. No need to stack, slice, or balance messy layers. Just grab, eat, and move on with your day.
Get the Recipe: Pinwheel Sandwiches
Tortilla Pizza
A full-blown pizza takes forever, but Tortilla Pizza cuts that time in half. It’s crispy, cheesy, and ready before you even get through picking a movie to watch while eating. No waiting for dough to rise, no long baking times. Just a fast way to get your pizza fix.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Pizza
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Comfort food doesn’t have to be slow, and Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie makes sure of that. It’s hearty, comes together fast, and doesn’t skimp on flavor. Everything bakes up in one dish, making cleanup easy too. It’s the kind of meal that feels like it took hours, but didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Pasta Alla Norma
A simple pasta dish that doesn’t take forever? That’s exactly what Pasta Alla Norma is. It’s bold, rewarding, and doesn’t require standing over the stove all night. With just a few quick steps, dinner is ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Alla Norma
Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
Craving crispy, spicy, and fast? Homemade KFC Zinger Burger has you covered. It’s packed with crunch, big on flavor, and quicker than standing in line at a fast-food place. No waiting, no mistakes on your order—just a solid burger made exactly how you like it.
Get the Recipe: Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
