Check out these 10 Easy 30-Minute Recipes that are not only homemade but also nutritious and kid-friendly!
I’m all about easy meals that require little prep work. I try to prep a few meals at a time for the most time-efficient I can be.
Sometimes I’ll do my meal prep on the weekends, but when I’m running from soccer game to soccer game it’s not always possible.
So 30-minute meals like the recipes below are life savers.
That’s why I put together this list of some of my favorite meals that take 30 minutes or less from start to dinner table.
And remember, it doesn’t have to be a fancy meal. Think protein-grain-veggie and call it a meal.
For quite a while now, I’ve been following this reverse meal planning strategy that I talk about in this Spinach Ricotta Bake post.
This strategy is quite simple, reduces food waste and saves money!
30-Minute Pasta Recipes You’ll Want to Add to Your Weekly Meal Rotations
30-Minute Spinach Tortellini Bake
This meal is a great option for pasta night and definitely kid-friendly. You can always add more or less spinach to adjust to your liking and any other vegetables you have on hand.
One Pot Kale Pasta
This pasta dish is a great way to use kale and fresh peppers.
30-Minute One Pan Recipes You Don’t Want to Miss
One Pan Turkey Sausage and Vegetables
You can’t go wrong with one-pan meals. This one is super simple to prep since all you need to do is chop some veggies and the sausage, and combine them with the seasonings. It’s one of my go-to meals when I’m short on time and have peppers to use up.
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders
These chicken tenders are my take on restaurant chicken tenders but much healthier and simple to make!
30-Minute Simple Chicken Recipes
Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry
Craving Asian carryout but want to save time and some calories? This sweet and sour chicken recipe is a good replacement!
Simple Baked Panko Crusted Chicken Legs
This recipe technically takes about 35 minutes total, but if you’re fast, it can be done in 30 minutes.
It’s worth mentioning this recipe since it’s kid-friendly, and an easy way to serve chicken legs.
I will typically take off the skin before baking the chicken legs since my kids don’t prefer them, and that’s where some of the saturated fat is found.
30-Minute Fish Recipes
Baked Almond Crusted Salmon Sticks
If you’re trying to increase your fish intake and want to introduce your kids to various kinds, this is one excellent way to start.
Salmon is packed full of omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fat!) and the almond crust gives the salmon a milder flavor.
Baked Cod with Mango Salsa
If you’re dreaming of warmer weather like we are most of the year, this recipe is perfect.
It’s a simple and light meal that pairs perfectly with a side salad.
30-Minute Soup Recipes
And now for some of my favorite 30-minute soup recipes. Save on calories and sodium when it comes to making your own soup!
30-Minute Stovetop Black Bean Soup
This soup is higher in sodium than most since you don’t rinse the beans prior to adding them to the pot.
However, I try to look for reduced-sodium options whenever possible and have found some reduced-sodium black beans.
30 Minute Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
This soup is a kid-favorite in our house. Personally I love making it when I have leftover rotisserie chicken since it makes it that much more flavorful.
This list is definitely not all inclusive. You’ll find plenty more quick recipes on Chocolate Slopes as well. But for now, I hope you enjoy these 10 Easy 30-Minute Recipes that are family favorites in my house!
And if you’re looking for even quicker meals, check out Real Mom Nutrition’s post on 20-minute meals – using food from my favorite budget-friendly grocery store, Aldi.
