Quick Dinner Recipes

Photo: Jaden Hair

A Better-Than-Takeout Dinner That's Speedier, Too

Jaden Hair, who writes the blog Steamy Kitchen, cooks jasmine rice in the microwave—and says it turns out just as fluffy and tender as it does on the stove, but in much less time. While the rice steams, you'll have just enough time to toss together this saucy (and just a little bit spicy) coconut Thai curry with shrimp.

Get the recipe: Thai Shrimp Curry and Rice

Photo: Thinkstock

The Eat-It-With-Your-Hands, Breakfast-y Dinner

Scrambled eggs is the typical breakfast-for-supper option, but we'd like to make the case for a breakfast sandwich gracing the dinner table. This version of a bacon, egg and cheese from New York City cheese shop Murray's features melted Fontina, cherrywood bacon and a fried egg, served on an English muffin that toasts right in the skillet or on the griddle.

Get the recipe: Murray's Breakfast Melt

Photo: Jenny Flake

The Casserole That Doesn't Have to Bake for an Hour

You'll never believe how quickly this one-pot meal comes together—so long as you have a tiny bit of foresight. You just need a few cups of steamed white rice (which you can make the night before and refrigerate or, um, pour out of the takeout carton) and shredded rotisserie chicken. Combine those two items with bacon, cheddar cheese and some chicken broth, and you've got one of the most filling and delicious weeknight suppers we can think of.

Get the recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner with Bacon

Photo: Aya Brackett

The Answer to "What Goes With This Chicken/Pork/Shrimp Dish?"

These grits have so much flavor, you'd swear they had been simmering for hours. But quick-cooking grits are ready in less than six minutes, and thanks to heavy cream, butter and grated sharp Cheddar, they make for one of the most satisfying sides ever. Serve them with pork chops, shrimp, fish or chicken.

Get the recipe: Cheddar Grits

Photo: Thinkstock

A Dorm Room Classic, Upgraded

Ramen noodles can be a time-pressed cook's secret weapon—but don't bother using the seasonings that come in the package. Instead, use the ramen in this super-simple, healthy soup from chef Tyler Florence. Stir the noodles in at the end; they'll be soft and ready to eat in three minutes or less.

Get the recipe: Chicken Noodle Ramen Soup

Photo: The Oprah Winfrey Show

The Two-Minute Side That's Also Fun to Eat

Grilled corn is becoming more popular every summer, and this inventive twist from chef Curtis Stone combines it with another trend: food on a stick. Stone cuts each cob in half crosswise, inserts skewers into the ends, and places the corn on the grill for two minutes, until it's warm. Then, he brushes it with a spicy mayonnaise and sprinkles it with shredded Parmesan for a savory, salty finish.

Get the recipe: Grilled Sweet Corn

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9-Minute Recipes