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20 Minute Dinner Recipes

20 Minute Dinner Recipes

Cooking can sometimes be a love-hate relationship. You love enjoying a nice, home cooked meal, but can oftentimes be too busy to do it yourself or dread spending the time and energy doing the prep work. Not everyone can cook an elaborate dinner, especially after a long day at work. However, learning a few quick and easy dinner recipes allows you to serve healthy, freshly cooked dinners even on busy weeknights — which will be great for everyone, especially those on a weight loss journey!

That’s why today, I’m sharing a round up of dinner recipes you can make in 20 minutes or less.

20 Minute Dinner Recipes

What I love about each of these recipes is the fact that you don’t need to be a food stylist. These recipes are all quick and easy dinner ideas you can make in only 20 minutes (or close to it), taste great, and are all jam-packed with nutrition. Come back to this list any time you need to plan out your grocery list with ideas for what to make in a pinch for a weeknight dinner… Recipes you and the whole family will enjoy, especially when you need easy monday dinner ideas.

Salmon and Asparagus 

Ingredients
  • 4 oz Salmon fillet, raw – 200 calories
  • 2 cups Asparagus spears, chopped – 54 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Cheese, Parmesan, grated (Tbsp) – 17calories
  • 1 tsp Sesame seeds (tsp) – 13 calories
  • ¼ tsp Salt – 0 calories
  • ¼ tsp Garlic powder – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 
  2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 
  3. Bake salmon and asparagus for 20 minutes. 
  4. Once cooked, top asparagus and salmon with cheese, sesame seeds, and seasonings.
  5. No dairy? Use a dairy free cheese, or add oil.

Brown Butter Brussels & Gnocchi 

Ingredients
  • ½ cup Gnocchi, regular – 140 calories
  • ⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, shredded (cups) – 111calories
  • 2 cups Brussels sprouts – 112 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Butter (Tbsp) – 103 calories
  • ¼ tsp Salt – 0 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Cut off Brussels’ hard ends & halve each one
  2. Add butter to skillet, heat until melted (~1-2 mins)
  3. Stir-fry Brussels and gnocchi 15-20 minutes, until the Brussels are cooked to the crispness you like and the gnocchi has browned
  4. Top with cheese and seasonings, let cheese melt ~2 mins
  5. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or bacon

Lettuce Wrapped Ground Turkey Tacos

Ingredients
  • 3 Lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps – 6 calories
  • 4 oz Ground turkey, 93% lean, raw – 172 calories
  • ⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella – 112 calories
  • 1 Carrots, whole, large – 25 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Cumin – 0 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Garlic salt – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Dice carrots.
  2. Spray a pan with an oil spray. Stir fry turkey and carrots for ~10 minutes on low heat, until turkey is no longer pink.
  3. Add in seasonings.
  4. Add to lettuce leaves.
  5. Top with cheese.
  6. No lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps? Have taco insides on a bed of lettuce as a “taco salad”.

Asian Inspired Chicken Bowl

Ingredients
  • 3 oz Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw – 95calories
  • 1 cup Mixed greens – 10 calories
  • ½ cup Mandarin oranges, canned, in juice – 47calories
  • ⅛ cup Cashews (cups) – 98 calories
  • ½ cup Cabbage, shredded – 8 calories
  • ½ cup Carrots, shredded or julienned – 23 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Cilantro – 0 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Peanut sauce – 40 calories
Instructions
  1. Spray pan with an oil spray.
  2. Slice the chicken into small pieces.
  3. Cook the chicken pieces on medium heat for about 7 minutes, flipping slices halfway through until fully cooked. 
  4. Chop up cilantro.
  5. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
  6. Peanut sauce: I like the Whole Food’s 365 brand or Trader Joe’s peanut vinaigrette (in their refrigerated section). But any peanut sauce you find is fine. If you prefer to make your own, here’s a recipe: minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-peanut-sauce/

Asian Inspired Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients
  • 6 oz Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw – 190calories
  • 1 Zucchini, medium – 33 calories
  • 1 Bell pepper, red, medium – 37 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Tomatoes, sun-dried, oil packed – 17 calories
  • ⅛ cup Peanuts (cups) – 96 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes – 0 calories
  • 2 Tbsp Soy Ginger sauce – 30 calories
Instructions
  1. Cube chicken. Chop veggies into small pieces.
  2. Spray pan with an oil spray.
  3. Cook chicken for ~8 minutes, stirring frequently, on medium heat.
  4. Add in the zucchini and red bell peppers for another ~5 minutes.
  5. Add sauce and top with seasonings and sun-dried tomatoes for ~1 minute.
  6. Top peanuts at the very end (they taste better crispy, not cooked!).
  7. Note: I got my soy ginger sauce at Whole Foods. If you don’t have soy ginger sauce, use soy sauce.
  8. No nuts? Feel free to use any other nut/seed you prefer – cashews would work well.

Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Ingredients
  • 2 cups Broccoli – 48 calories
  • 4 oz Steak tips, raw – 180 calories
  • 2 Tbsp Soy sauce (Tbsp) – 20 calories
  • ¼ tsp Pepper, ground – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Cut broccoli into small pieces.
  2. Spray a pan with an oil spray, add in broccoli and beef.
  3. Stir fry beef and broccoli for ~10 mins on medium heat.
  4. Top with pepper and soy sauce.

Black Bean Salad with Chips

Ingredients
  • ½ Bell pepper, red, medium – 19 calories
  • ¼ Cucumber, medium – 11 calories
  • ⅛ Onion, red – 6 calories
  • ½ cup Beans & legumes, black beans, cooked – 114calories
  • ½ cup Corn, canned – 63 calories
  • ½ Avocado, small – 117 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Salt – 0 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes – 0 calories
  • 1 tsp Hot sauce (tsp) – 0 calories
  • 1 oz Tortilla chips – 123 calories
Instructions
  1. Dice pepper, cucumber, and red onion
  2. Drain beans and corn if using canned
  3. Mix all ingredients together and serve with chips
  4. No avocado? Use oil instead.

Cauliflower Rice with Sausage, Peppers, and Onions 

Ingredients
  • 1 Sausage, chicken – 140 calories
  • 2 cups Cauliflower rice, raw (already riced) – 76calories
  • 4 Tbsp Cheese, Parmesan, grated (Tbsp) – 68calories
  • ½ Bell pepper, red, medium – 19 calories
  • ½ Onion, yellow, large – 28 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Garlic salt – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Slice sausage into coin shapes.
  2. Spray pan with an oil spray.
  3. Stir-fry sausage, cauliflower rice, pepper (sliced), and onion (sliced) for ~10 minutes.
  4. Top with cheese and seasonings.
  5. No sausage? Use salmon, chicken, or the vegetarian option. No dairy? Use 1/2 avocado.
  6. I like these sausage brands – but choose whatever brand you have access to! Trader Joe’s; Fra’Mani; Teton; Open Nature; Aidells

Cottage Cheese Alfredo with Hearts of Palm

Ingredients
  • 18 oz Hearts of palm pasta (spaghetti shape) – 120calories
  • 1 cup Cottage cheese, 2% – 180 calories
  • ½ cup Milk, skim, non-fat – 45 calories
  • ½ cup Cheese, Parmesan, grated (cups) – 173calories
  • ¼ tsp Basil, dried – 0 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Garlic salt – 0 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Pepper, ground – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Spray an oven-safe pan (if you want to do optional Step 5) with an oil spray
  2. Stir fry hearts of palm noodles on medium heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes
  3. In a blender, mix together cottage cheese, milk, grated Parmesan, and spices
  4. Add Alfredo sauce to the pan with the hearts of palm noodles, mix in and let simmer (stirring occasionally) another 5 minutes on low heat
  5. Optional: Add pan to oven and broil for 3 minutes
  6. Enjoy!
  7. No dairy? Swap this meal out for another.

Ground Turkey Broccoli Bowl with Beans

Ingredients
  • 1 cup Broccoli – 24 calories
  • 1 cup Cauliflower rice, raw (already riced) – 38calories
  • ⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, shaved (cups) – 111calories
  • 4 oz Ground turkey, 93% lean, raw – 172 calories
  • ½ cup Beans & legumes, black beans, cooked – 114calories
  • ⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes – 0 calories
  • ¼ tsp Salt – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Spray a pan with an oil spray. 
  2. Stir fry ground turkey ~10 minutes on lowest heat, until almost cooked through.
  3. Add in broccoli, cauliflower rice, and beans for ~6 minutes 
  4. Transfer to a bowl, top with cheese and seasonings. 
  5. No meat? Use tofu. No cheese? Use bacon, avocado, or peanut sauce.

High protein Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients
  • 1½ cups Cabbage, shredded – 24 calories
  • 6 oz Chicken thigh, boneless, skinless, raw – 190calories
  • ⅛ cup Peanuts (cups) – 96 calories
  • 2 Tbsp Peanut sauce – 80 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Sesame seeds (Tbsp) – 50 calories
  • ¼ tsp Salt – 0 calories
  • ¼ tsp Pepper, ground – 0 calories
  • 1 tsp Avocado oil (tsp) – 41 calories
Instructions
  1. Dice chicken. Add oil to a pan. Stir fry chicken until no longer pink, ~7 minutes, on medium heat.
  2. Chop up cabbage (I’m using a packaged coleslaw mix).
  3. When chicken has cooled, mix cabbage, chicken, peanuts, peanut sauce, sesame seeds, and seasonings in a bowl.
  4. Note: I like Whole Food’s Peanut Sauce best, but any store will have their own version! If you want to make your own (100% not necessary!) here one: minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-peanut-sauce/
  5. No nuts? Use seeds and another sauce you prefer. No turkey? Use tofu or beans.

Peanut Slaw Arugula Bowl with Chicken

Ingredients
  • 1 cup Carrots, shredded or julienned – 45 calories
  • 2 cups Leafy greens, arugula, raw – 10 calories
  • 2 Tbsp Peanuts (Tbsp) – 102 calories
  • 2 Tbsp Peanut sauce – 80 calories
  • 4 oz Rotisserie chicken – 200 calories
Instructions
  1. In a bowl mix together all ingredients 
  2. Enjoy!
  3. No nuts? Use a vinaigrette instead of the peanut sauce, and diced avocado instead of the peanuts. 

Quick Thai Inspired Stir Fry

Ingredients
  • 5 oz Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw – 158calories
  • ¾ cup Broccoli – 18 calories
  • ¾ cup Sugar snap peas – 46 calories
  • ½ Bell pepper, red, medium – 19 calories
  • ½ cup Curry sauce, red – 200 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes – 0 calories
  • 1 Tbsp Parsley, fresh – 0 calories
  • 1 tsp Butter (tsp) – 36 calories
Instructions
  1. Thinly slice chicken into medium sized pieces.
  2. Melt butter in a pan, stir fry chicken and vegetables on medium heat until chicken has cooked through.
  3. Add in sauce and red pepper flakes, let simmer until heated through.
  4. Top with parsley, enjoy!

Salmon & Party Brussels

Ingredients
  • 4 oz Salmon fillet, raw – 200 calories
  • 2 cups Brussels sprouts – 112 calories
  • ⅓ cup Cheese, crumbled, blue cheese – 159 calories
  • ¼ tsp Basil, dried – 0 calories
  • ¼ tsp Oregano – 0 calories
  • ¼ tsp Salt – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Cut off Brussels’ hard ends & halve each one.
  4. Bake Brussels for 25 minutes, add in salmon for the last 15 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven
  6. Top Brussels with cheese and Brussels & salmon with spices.
  7. No dairy? Use a dairy free cheese, or add oil to the Brussels after they’re cooked.

Shrimp Risotto with Bok Choy

Ingredients
  • 7½ oz Shrimp, fresh or frozen – 210 calories
  • 2 cups Cauliflower rice, raw (already riced) – 76calories
  • ⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, grated (cups) – 115calories
  • 1 cup Leafy greens, bok choy, raw – 10 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Garlic salt – 0 calories
  • ⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes – 0 calories
Instructions
  1. Chop bok choy into medium sized pieces.
  2. Spray pan with an oil spray.
  3. Stir fry shrimp from frozen (if buying from frozen), then drain any excess liquid. Remove any hard tails if necessary.
  4. Respray pan with oil spray. Add in cauli rice.
  5. Stir fry ~7 minutes on medium-low heat, until you see the cauliflower browning a bit.
  6. Add in all ingredients, turn heat to low, stir fry ~4 minutes.
  7. No dairy? Use bacon bits or oil instead of an oil spray. No shrimp? Use chicken or the vegetarian option.

Spicy Stuffed Chicken Tenders

Ingredients
  • 4 oz Chicken breast tenders, raw – 130 calories
  • 2 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) – 66 calories
  • ⅙ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella – 56 calories
  • 1 tsp Hot sauce (tsp) – 0 calories
  • 2 tsp Taco seasoning – 10 calories
Instructions
  1. Cut a slit into chicken breast tenders.
  2. Mix together cream cheese, taco seasoning, and mozzarella.
  3. Stuff cream cheese mixture into chicken.
  4. Top with taco seasoning.
  5. Air fry or bake for 12 minutes at 400 degrees F.
  6. No dairy? Swap this meal out for another.
  7. Note: for the chicken tenders I have access to, 2 oz chicken = 1 chicken tender. Serve with easy mac and cheese and a side of broccoli.

How To Make Quick Dinners Healthy

When you want to ensure your quick dinners are healthy, use the following tips for reference.

  • Opt for lean meats

 (salmon, chicken, shrimp, ground turkey, etc.)

  • Serve with vegetables 

Think broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and brussel sprouts. All great choices. All can be made relatively quickly too.

  • Go low or no carbs 

Stay away from the breads and white potatoes, and opt for whole grains like quinoa or wild rice if you feel you need a carb. You can use these quinoa recipes for dinner and swap out a white potato for a sweet potato.

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