Life gets busy, and when you’re juggling work, family, and everything in between, finding time to make dinner can feel like a challenge. But dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious! That’s why I’ve rounded up 20 of my favourite fast and easy dinner recipes that you can have on the table in 20 minutes or less. From comforting classics like Sausages with Homemade Onion Gravy and Crispy Honey Soy Chicken, to vibrant, fresh dishes like Thai Beef and Noodle Salad and Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce, there’s something here for everyone.

Whether you’re craving creamy pasta, quick stir-fries, or tasty wraps, these meals are not only packed with flavour, but they’re also budget-friendly and family-approved. These are the go-to dinners I make when time is short but I still want a home-cooked meal. So, say goodbye to the stress of wondering what to cook on busy nights—these recipes will save you time, while still delivering a delicious and satisfying meal.

1
A plate of authentic fettuccine Alfredo with a twisted forkful, topped with freshly cracked black pepper.

Authentic Fettuccine Alfredo

4.80 from 5 votes
This Authentic Fettuccine Alfredo recipe features a rich, creamy sauce made simply with butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Classic Italian flavours in minutes, perfect for busy weeknights!
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2
Close-up of crispy honey soy chicken drizzled with a sweet sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and topped with chopped spring onions

Crispy Honey Soy Chicken

5 from 11 votes
This Crispy Honey Soy Chicken is a quick alternative to takeout, featuring tender chicken pieces in a delicious honey soy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a one-pan family favourite that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
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3
Bowl of creamy chicken and chorizo risoni (orzo) with a spoon in action, capturing the creamy texture and colorful ingredients

Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Risoni (Orzo)

5 from 11 votes
This Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Risoni (Orzo) recipe is a fuss-free weeknight dinner, all made in the one pan with a rich, creamy sauce flavoured with smoky chorizo. It is on the table in less than 30 minutes.
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4
Delicious beef and rice noodles served in a bowl, topped with sliced beef

Stir-fried Beef with Flat Rice Noodles

4.86 from 7 votes
Deliciously tender beef and rice noodles come together in a flavourful soy-based sauce, all in less than 20 minutes, making Stir-fried Beef with Flat Rice Noodles perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
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5
Chicken and Thai basil stir-fry with noodles

Chicken and Thai basil stir-fry with noodles

5 from 5 votes
Minced (ground) chicken, broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), Thai basil and a few pantry staples come together in this Chicken and Thai Basil Noodle Stir-fry to create a delicious, quick and easy weeknight dinner.
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6
Close-up of Colorful chicken burrito bowl filled with seasoned chicken, rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and avocado, garnished with cilantro

Chicken Burrito Bowls

5 from 9 votes
These Chicken Burrito Bowls are a flavorful meal, made in just one pan, perfect for busy weeknights. With marinated chicken, fresh pico de gallo, and a variety of toppings, it’s a family favourite ready in less than 30 minutes.
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7
A bowl of Baked garlic chicken breast cooked at high heat for tenderness and juiciness, served with mashed potato and fresh herbs

Baked Garlic Chicken Breast

5 from 12 votes
Tender and juicy Baked Garlic Chicken Breast is wholesome and satisfying and perfect for quick weeknight dinners. It’s ready in under 30 minutes.
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8
Bowl of Thai beef and noodle salad featuring seasoned ground beef, topped with sliced cucumber, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and onions, with chopsticks on the side

Thai Beef and Noodle Salad

5 from 3 votes
This delicious Thai Beef and Noodle Salad recipe combines simple minced (ground) beef with fresh salad, fragrant herbs and a tangy dressing, all served over a bed of vermicelli rice noodles. It can be prepared ahead of time, making it the perfect meal option for busy weekdays.
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9
A bowl of Sausages served with homemade onion gravy, garnished with fresh herbs, and accompanied by mashed potatoes

Sausages with Homemade Onion Gravy

5 from 3 votes
Sausages with Homemade Onion Gravy is the ultimate comfort meal, perfect for busy weeknights. It combines juicy sausages with a rich onion gravy and is on the table in less than 20 minutes.
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10
A bowl of black pepper beef stir-fry featuring tender beef slices, colorful bell peppers, and green onions, served in a rich black pepper sauce and chopsticks on side

Black Pepper Beef

5 from 20 votes
Tender and juicy Black Pepper Beef in a glossy, delicious sauce, is perfect for a family dinner any night of the week. Serve with rice and steamed greens.
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11
Close-up of folded nacho wraps filled with seasoned meat and cheese, grilled to a crispy golden brown, served on a wooden board

Nachos Beef Folded Wraps

5 from 15 votes
Nachos Beef Folded Wraps are a fun and delicious twist on traditional nachos. They combine all the flavours you love in nachos – seasoned beef, melty cheese and crunchy corn chips – wrapped up in a soft tortilla for a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
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12
Close-up of a bowl of fried rice topped with shrimp, green onions, crispy onions, and drizzled with hot sauce, served with a lime wedge on the side

Prawn (Shrimp) Fried Rice

This Prawn (Shrimp) Fried Rice recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. It’s loaded with juicy prawns, frozen vegetables (easy!) and fluffy rice, all stir-fried together with savoury seasonings. This one-pan meal comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a great option for a quick dinner that the whole family will love.
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13
Southern fried chicken burger featuring a crispy fried chicken patty, lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a toasted bun

Southern Fried Chicken Burger

4.93 from 13 votes
These delicious Southern Fried Chicken Burgers are the ultimate weeknight fakeaway featuring tender seasoned chicken fried to golden perfection. Served with brioche buns, cheese, pickles and shredded lettuce, these burgers are a quick and delicious meal the whole family will love.
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14
Quick coconut creamy chicken curry with tender chicken pieces, served with rice and a rich coconut sauce, garnished with fresh herbs

Quick Coconut Chicken Curry

4.98 from 89 votes
This Quick Coconut Chicken Curry recipe is comforting and flavourful, perfect for cosy family dinners any night of the week. Tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich, coconut-based curry sauce, before being topped with yoghurt and mango chutney. It is freezer-friendly and is delicious served with basmati rice and naan bread.
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15
Close-up of a cheesy chicken flatbreads topped with grilled chicken pieces, red bell peppers, red onions, and fresh parsley on a baking tray

BBQ Chicken Flatbreads

5 from 3 votes
These BBQ Chicken Flatbreads are a quick, delicious, and versatile meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Topped with tender, juicy chicken, melty cheese and a tangy BBQ sauce, these flatbreads are perfect for any night of the week.
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16
One Pan Cheesy Beef Enchiladas

One-pan Cheesy Beef Enchiladas

5 from 5 votes
These One-pan Cheesy Beef Enchiladas are a comforting, family-friendly dinner that’s easy to make and packed with flavour. Just like the classic – but easier! Seasoned beef, capsicum (bell pepper) and black beans are cooked in a delicious rich sauce, before tortillas are folded through the sauce, topped with melty cheese, then baked until golden.
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17
Creamy Garlic Chicken plated with mash potato and green beans

Creamy Garlic Chicken

4.97 from 124 votes
Perfectly cooked chicken in an easy, creamy garlic sauce. Creamy Garlic Chicken is on the table in less than 20 minutes!
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18
Filipino Stir-Fried Noodles with Chicken in cast iron pan

Filipino Stir-fried Noodles and Chicken

4.63 from 16 votes
You’ll be amazed by the gorgeous depth of flavour of this easy, simple, economical dish. Filipino Stir-fried Noodles and Chicken is a one-pan wonder, just as suitable for weeknight family meals or entertaining a crowd.
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19
Bowl of ramen noodles with ground meat, corn, carrots, and soft-boiled egg

Quick Creamy Miso Chicken Ramen

5 from 11 votes
This Quick Creamy Miso Chicken Ramen is a flavour-packed and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. It’s made with economical minced (ground) chicken, a rich miso-flavoured broth, and is ready in just 20 minutes.
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20
A close-up of Chicken Shawarma served with garlic yogurt sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and onions

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce

5 from 5 votes
This Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce is the ultimate easy and satisfying weeknight dinner with family-friendly, customisable toppings.
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Watch how to make it: