Two Weeks of Easy Homemade Dinner Recipes (30 Minutes or Less)

Week 1: Quick & Delicious Dinners

Monday: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A light yet flavorful dish with sautéed shrimp in a garlic butter sauce tossed with pasta.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth or white wine
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tbsp parsley (chopped)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Remove from pan.
4. Pour in broth or wine, stir, and let it reduce for 2 minutes. Add cream (if using), lemon juice, and Parmesan. Stir.
5. Return shrimp and pasta to the pan, toss to coat. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

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Tuesday: Chicken Stir-Fry

A colorful stir-fry with tender chicken and crisp vegetables in a savory sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast (sliced into strips)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot (julienned)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp ginger (grated)
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toss chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch; set aside.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium-high heat, cook chicken until browned (about 5 minutes). Remove from pan.
3. Add remaining oil, stir-fry vegetables for 3-4 minutes.
4. Return chicken to the pan. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and sriracha.
5. Stir well, cook for another 2 minutes, and serve over rice or noodles.

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Wednesday: Tacos with Ground Beef or Chicken

Classic tacos with seasoned meat and fresh toppings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or chicken
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup lettuce (shredded)
• ½ cup cheese (shredded)
• ½ cup salsa

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, cook ground meat until browned.
2. Add spices and tomato sauce, simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Warm tortillas and fill with meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.

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Thursday: Lemon Garlic Salmon

A zesty, buttery salmon dish that’s full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds. Place salmon in the pan, season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side. Drizzle with lemon juice and top with parsley before serving.

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Week 2: More Tasty & Speedy Dinners

Monday: Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken

A rich and creamy dish with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup spinach (fresh)
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, cook chicken until golden (5-6 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
3. Add cream, broth, and seasoning. Stir, then add spinach.
4. Return chicken to the pan, simmer for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

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Tuesday: Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

A better-than-takeout dish with tender beef and crisp broccoli.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak (sliced thin)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Toss steak with soy sauce and cornstarch; set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, cook steak for 2-3 minutes, then remove.
3. Add broccoli and garlic, stir-fry for 3 minutes.
4. Pour in broth, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Return steak to the pan, stir well, and cook for another 2 minutes.

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Friday: Shrimp Tacos with Slaw

Fresh and vibrant shrimp tacos with a crunchy slaw.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup cabbage (shredded)
• ¼ cup mayo
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• ½ tsp honey

Instructions:

1. Toss shrimp with olive oil and spices. Cook in a pan for 2-3 minutes per side.
2. In a bowl, mix cabbage, mayo, lime juice, and honey.
3. Fill tortillas with shrimp and slaw. Serve immediately.

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This meal plan ensures that dinner is easy, homemade, and ready in 30 minutes or less.

Would you like a printable version of this meal plan or specific substitutions for dietary needs?

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