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15 Of Our Quickest Dinners That Taste Like They Took Hours

Who says quick meals can’t pack a punch? We’ve all had those days when the clock is ticking but our stomachs are grumbling for something that feels special. Fear not, because we’ve got you covered with meals that are speedy to make but will have everyone swearing you spent the whole day in the kitchen.

Gone are the days of settling for bland, last-minute dinners just because time isn’t on your side. With a few smart tricks and the right recipes, whipping up a dinner that looks and feels gourmet in under an hour is totally doable. And trust us, no one will believe you when you say it was a breeze to make.

Let’s face it, we all want to impress without the stress. These quick-fix dinners are our secret weapon for busy weeknights, ensuring you get to enjoy all the compliments without slaving away for hours. So, why not give them a try and see the magic happen on your dinner table tonight?

Two bowls of hot and sour soup.

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Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Singapore Noodles

If you’re seeking that perfect balance of tang, heat, and freshness, Singapore Noodles merit your attention. They guarantee a pleasurable eating experience with a blend of spices that whisper authenticity with each mouthful. Requiring minimal prep time, they still manage to deliver the richness of a meal that’s been simmering for hours.
Get the Recipe: Singapore Noodles

Harissa Chicken

Comfort promises to be right at your fingers with Harissa Chicken. Its bold flavors wrap you in a warm embrace, dispelling thoughts that a gourmet meal must be laborious. This dish not only saves your time but also brings exquisite Middle Eastern flavors to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chicken

Overhead shot of Thai fried rice in a white bowl with a skillet of fried rice on the side.
Thai Fried Rice. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Fried Rice

Ever thought a swift dinner could invoke feelings of travel? Give Thai Fried Rice a shot. It closely captures Thailand’s vibrant street food essence without placing too much demand on your time or culinary skills. The result is tantalizing, hinting at the aromatic fare of an all-day cooking endeavor.
Get the Recipe: Thai Fried Rice

Air Fryer Enchiladas

Anyone would be forgiven for believing Air Fryer Enchiladas needed lengthy preparation and cook times. The game-changing air fryer turns this beloved Mexican favorite into a simple, quick-fix meal that still wows with its robust flavors and satisfying textures.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Enchiladas

Overhead shot of a bowl of mongolian chicken.
Mongolian Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Mongolian Chicken

Mongolian Chicken brings in the allure of an Asian classic that’s quick to rustle up for hungry mouths. Prompt in pleasing, it promises deep, caramelized flavors typically associated with a slow-cooked stir-fry. This dish is a clear testament to how speed can coexist with quality.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Chicken

Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Beef Bulgogi Bowls are a nod towards the rich simplicity at the heart of Korean cuisine. Despite their quick kitchen-to-table time, they pack a punch where it matters: flavor and satisfaction. They have that enviable quality: fast to cook but taste like they’ve been slow-cooked with love.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Szechuan shrimp in a walk with a serving spoon.
Szechuan Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Szechuan Shrimp

Spoil yourself with Szechuan Shrimp, a dish that paints a vivid portrait of China’s culinary heritage within a condensed time frame. It serves up a bold, mouth-watering meal that leaves you wondering how so much flavor was packed into so little preparation time.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp

Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles

Revealing another facet of Thai cooking, Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles are a sure bet for a memorable dinner. This quick-to-prepare dish offers the comfort of home-cooked food with the feel of exotic far-east cuisine, leaving a lingering sense of richness usually associated with slow cooking.
Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles

Lamb kofta kebabs on a wooden board with  fresh herbs and vegetables.
Lamb Kofta Kebabs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Lamb Kofta Kebabs

If there’s ever a need to bring some Middle Eastern magnificence to your dining in a hurry, Lamb Kofta Kebabs are ideal. Despite their impressively short time in the kitchen, they sear in so much intensity, feeling like a well-honed homemade dish.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema

Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema will whisk you off on a quick sojourn to the lively streets of Mexico. Even though they’re rapidly put together, the result is a meal that sings with complex flavors and enticing textures, challenging the perception that good meals need lots of cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema

Shrimp stuffed into soft corn tortillas with lime wedges on the side.
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

There’s a unique charm in embracing the simple, subtle things in life. Embodying this concept is Camarones al Mojo de Ajo, a speedy dish that trades unnecessarily complicated cooking processes for sheer, enjoyable flavor. It’s a clear winner that optimizes your time without compromising on the taste.
Get the Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Thai Chicken Satay

Thai Chicken Satay falls perfectly into that exceptional category of speedy foods that can seduce your palate immersively. It assembles in minutes yet successfully mirrors the enticing complexity of a time-honored Eastern delicacy, making you ponder the magic that created such a marvel in minimal time.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Blackened fish tacos in taco holders.
Blackened Fish Tacos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Blackened Fish Tacos

Opt for Blackened Fish Tacos when you crave something light, speedy, yet exquisitely flavorful. This delightful seafood dish whips up in a trice, convincing anyone of its leisurely simmered counterparts’ persona, thereby presenting a mystery wrapped in a delicacy.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Fish Tacos

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup might be reminiscent of a comforting recipe passed down through generations. It effortlessly revives your spirits with warmth and deep-rooted flavors, making it hard to believe that such a delightful treat could be ready in a heartbeat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Pork fried rice in a blue and white striped bowl.
Pork Fried Rice. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Pork Fried Rice

If the idea of hearty and wholesome appeals, Pork Fried Rice will delight you. Easy to whip up, this dish offers a tender harmony of savors echoing the qualities of a lovingly-prepared, long-cooked meal, proving that fantastic flavors need not always be products of the prolonged process.
Get the Recipe: Pork Fried Rice

By on March 7th, 2024
Photo of Robin Donovan

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind All Ways Delicious. She's a writer, recipe developer, photographer, and cookbook author with more than 40 books to her name, including the bestselling Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications, both print and digital, including MSN, Cooking Light, Fitness, Buzzfeed, and Eating Well. → More about Robin

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