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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    27 Easy Family Dinners Ready to Eat in Just 20 Minutes

    Published: Oct 10, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding time to cook during a busy week can be a challenge for anyone. These easy 20-minute meals are perfect for those hectic nights when you need to whip up something quick and satisfying. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen!

    Salmon Burgers

    Quick and Easy Salmon Burger Recipe
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This easy salmon burger comes together in about 20 minutes and is loaded with flaky roasted salmon, fresh herbs, and lemon zest for a fun new burger everyone will love!

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick pasta dish comes together in just 20 minutes, featuring a simple blend of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's so delicious that you'll want to go back for more!

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara is quick and easy, taking only 15 minutes to make with just 6 simple ingredients. By using filled tortellini, it gives a fun twist to the traditional creamy carbonara.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

    Pasta with peas and pancetta.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This pasta dish comes together in just 20 minutes and includes crispy pancetta, green peas, orecchiette pasta, and grated parmesan cheese. It's a straightforward and filling option for those hectic weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon is seasoned lightly and pan-fried quickly, making it perfect for a speedy dinner. Pair it with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa for tasty Salmon Tacos that come together in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is great for a fast dinner when you're short on time. It's healthy, packed with vegetables, and skips the cream.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Pesto Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights. With a simple blend of Greek yogurt and pesto, it's a delicious option that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Lamb Burgers with Tahini Sauce

    Lamb burgers.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Lamb burgers with a delicious tahini sauce make for a quick and satisfying meal. This dish is a fantastic way to mix things up for dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights. This dish features tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pasta dish comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight. With hot smoked salmon and a refreshing hint of lemon, it's a simple meal that feels special.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features crispy skin and tender meat, making it a great option for a quick family meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara offers a delicious twist on the traditional Italian dish. With its creamy sauce and tender shrimp, it's a quick and satisfying meal for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Chicken Salad, known as Larb Gai, comes together in just 15 minutes and is full of vibrant flavors. It's a healthy option that's low in carbs and doesn't contain gluten or dairy.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish comes together in under 10 minutes, making it a quick and easy option for dinner. With bright flavors of lemon and garlic, it's a cheesy delight that can be served as a main course or alongside your favorite protein.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This spicy sausage pasta comes together in under 15 minutes with just 6 simple ingredients. Packed with fresh sausage, garlic, parmesan, bacon, and a touch of spinach, it's a flavorful meal that's perfect for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Beef Chow Fun is a quick and satisfying meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, it's a dish that's sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    This tahini pasta is simple to make and uses just a few basic ingredients, with tahini being the star of the show. It's a quick and tasty meal that busy families can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Orange Chicken

    orange chicken with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Homemade orange chicken offers a healthier and budget-friendly alternative to takeout. This dish features tender chicken in a tasty orange sauce, all prepared in under 30 minutes with little hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This tomato cream sauce pasta comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy families. With fresh tomatoes, heavy cream, and a sprinkle of parsley, it's a simple yet delicious meal that you can easily customize.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish comes together in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick dinner. The aroma of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley fills the kitchen, and it pairs nicely with bread or can be tossed with pasta.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara is a simple and quick dish made with bacon and parmesan cheese, perfect for busy families.

    Get the recipe

    Miso Mushroom Ramen

    a bowl of miso mushroom ramen.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Homemade ramen can be ready in just 20 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying meal. Simply combine a flavorful broth with egg noodles, and add some delicious miso mushrooms and fresh cilantro on top.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pasta dish comes together in just 12 minutes with only 5 simple ingredients, all in one pot. It's a vegan and nut-free meal that you can whip up using either homemade or store-bought hummus.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon creme fraiche pasta in a pan.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon pasta with lemon and chives makes for a quick and delicious dinner that fits right into a busy weeknight. With fresh or frozen salmon and creamy crème fraîche, this dish adds a refreshing summer vibe to your meal any time of year.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Mei Fun is a quick and delicious dish that comes together in under 20 minutes, loaded with fresh veggies that the whole family will love. This easy meal is perfect for busy nights and is sure to become a favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich
    Photo Credit: The Freign Fork.

    This sandwich is the perfect simple recipe any time of the day. The Croque Madame takes a normal ham and cheese sandwich up a notch by including bechamel sauce and an over easy egg to top it all off.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta offers a lively twist on your regular pasta sauce. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up this flavorful dish using either store-bought or homemade seasoning, making it a quick and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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