Minute Meals: 10 Quick and Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Are you tired of coming home from work and spending hours in the kitchen preparing dinner? Do you want to eat healthy but don't have the time to cook elaborate meals every night? Well, you're in luck because we've got you covered with these 10 quick and easy recipes for busy weeknights.

1. One-Pot Pasta

Who doesn't love pasta? And what's better than a one-pot meal that's ready in under 30 minutes? This recipe is perfect for those nights when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but still want a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine spaghetti, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
3. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for busy weeknights. It's a one-pan meal that's ready in under 30 minutes and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the mixture on a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Serve with tortillas.

3. Quinoa Fried Rice

This recipe is a healthier version of traditional fried rice and it's ready in under 30 minutes. It's packed with protein and veggies, making it a perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
3. Add frozen peas and carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the veggies are heated through.
4. Push the veggies to one side of the skillet and add the beaten eggs to the other side. Scramble the eggs and then mix them with the veggies.
5. Add the cooked quinoa, soy sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes or until everything is heated through.

4. Black Bean Tacos

Tacos are always a hit and these black bean tacos are no exception. They're ready in under 30 minutes and packed with protein and fiber.

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and red bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
2. Add black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until everything is heated through.
3. Serve with tortillas.

5. Baked Salmon with Asparagus

This recipe is perfect for those nights when you want a healthy and delicious meal but don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It's ready in under 30 minutes and packed with protein and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 lb asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place salmon fillets and asparagus on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Top the salmon with lemon slices.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the asparagus is tender.

6. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This recipe is a classic and for good reason. It's ready in under 30 minutes and packed with protein and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 1 lb broccoli, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Add broccoli, onion, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the veggies are tender.

7. Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili

This recipe is perfect for those cold winter nights when you want something warm and comforting. It's ready in under 30 minutes and packed with protein and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook ground turkey over medium-high heat until browned.
2. Add sweet potatoes, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.

8. Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo

This recipe is a healthier version of traditional Alfredo and it's ready in under 30 minutes. It's packed with protein and veggies, making it a perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb broccoli, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pasta for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
3. Add broccoli, onion, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
4. Add milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
5. Serve over pasta.

9. Veggie Quesadillas

Quesadillas are always a hit and these veggie quesadillas are no exception. They're ready in under 30 minutes and packed with veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 tortillas

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and zucchini. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Top with 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 of the veggie mixture. Top with another tortilla.
3. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
4. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and veggie mixture.

10. Beef and Broccoli

This recipe is a classic and for good reason. It's ready in under 30 minutes and packed with protein and veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, sliced
• 1 lb broccoli, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the beef is browned.
2. Add broccoli, onion, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the veggies are tender.

Conclusion

These 10 quick and easy recipes for busy weeknights are perfect for those nights when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but still want a delicious and satisfying meal. They're packed with protein and veggies, making them a healthy option for any night of the week. So, next time you're short on time, give one of these recipes a try and enjoy a delicious meal in no time.

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