21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (2024)

Put on your comfy house clothes and whip up one of these recipes.

When you're finally home from a long day of studying or work, the last thing you want to do is spend another hour cooking a dish you know you'll inhale in five minutes flat.

But you also don't want to open a bag of Cheetos and call it a night, or worse — waste money on delivery. That's why we put together a list of tasty recipes you can make in about 30 minutes that will save you money and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. From spicy lemon pasta and broccoli mac 'n' cheese, to butternut squash chili and delicious salads, here are 21 recipes you'll want to try this month.

1. Simple Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (2)

kyleecooks.com

It's as simple as cooking your choice of protein, making a creamy sauce, and rolling some enchiladas up. Of course, you can always replace the chicken with some canned beans if you want to cut time or have a meat-free meal. Get the recipe.

2. Chicken, Broccoli Shells, and Cheese

21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (3)

lovegrowswild.com

A dish both parents and kids can enjoy! Feel free to leave out the chicken if you want something slightly lighter. Get the recipe.

healthiersteps.com

All you need to make Venezuelan arepas is cornmeal, warm water, salt, and some oil for fying. Once your pockets are ready, just fill 'em up with whatever protein or delicious fillings you'd like, like guacamole, plantain, and canned beans for example. Get the recipe.

whatsinthepan.com

The secret ingredient to this creamy mushroom sauce is a hearty serving of flour and half and half. Slather the whole batch over a savory pairing of chicken thighs and mushrooms, and you've got yourself a hearty winter meal. Get the recipe.

6. Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

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cafedelites.com

Sometimes, all a salad needs to take it from bland to tasty is a delicious dressing, like this balsamic dressing made with balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and olive oil. Get the recipe.

7. Creamy Pasta With Bell Pepper and Sausage

21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (5)

landeeseelandeedo.com

And for those late nights when you're short on time, you can skip the chicken and stick to just the sausage and bacon. Get the recipe.

8. Sheet Pan Jambalaya

tasty.co

Chicken, shrimp, some sliced veggies, and 14 minutes in the oven come together for a delicious, leftovers lunch-worthy dinner. Get the recipe.

9. Chicken Sisig With Egg

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panlasangpinoy.com

While traditional Filipino sisig is made with pig snouts, ears, and jowls, this quick weeknight version uses chicken and mayonnaise to get you close to the original taste with less prep work. Serve on a hot cast iron plate for maximum sizzle. Get the recipe.

10. One-Pan Mexican Rice Skillet

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lifemadesweeter.com

To make this rice dish last you and your family more than one meal, serve it in soft tortillas or hard taco shells. Get the recipe.

11. Sheet Pan Greek Chicken

laughingspatula.com

If you're doing Whole30, simply prepare this dish without feta cheese. Get the recipe.

12. Lemon Garlic Salmon

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40aprons.com

Avocado oil isn't just a tasty cooking oil; it also has a high smoking point and can withstand high heat without breaking down or filling your kitchen with toxic fumes. Get the recipe.

nutritioninthekitch.com

Have you heard the good news about grocery store rotisserie chicken? It's juicy and affordable, and will let you make recipes like this chicken and potato stew in a jiff. Get the recipe.

14. Chicken Chopped Salad With Spicy Peanut Dressing

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healthyaperture.com

I can definitely get on board with a salad that lists peanut butter as an ingredient. Get the recipe.

savorytooth.com

Sweet butternut squash and savory beans combine in this slightly piquant chili you'll want to make again and again. And if you want to vary things up from meal to meal, try serving it with a crusty bread, a handful of tortilla chips, or some avocado. Get the recipe.

halfbakedharvest.com

If you're okay eschewing aesthetics for practicality (and also because heirloom tomatoes are not in season at the moment), feel free to purchase whatever tomatoes you can find at the market to make this savory tart. Get the recipe.

17. Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup With Rice

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halfbakedharvest.com

Red lentils pack this bowl of healthy vegetable soup with protein and texture. Get the recipe.

18. Wild Rice Burrito Bowl With Cilantro-Lime Avocado Dressing

21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (12)

exsloth.com

You can make a macro bowl with any combination of protein, carbs, and fat, or try out this perfect marriage of crowd-favorite chickpeas, rice, and avocado. Get the recipe.

damndelicious.net

Your local grocery store should carry lo mein egg noodles, but if not, grab a pack from Amazon for $5.45. Get the recipe.

therealfoodrds.com

And if you, like me, find the prospect of cutting squash (and, as your mind would have you believe, your fingers off) terrifying, then you can use the method of roasting the squash to softness first, and THEN cutting into it. Get the recipe.

21. Spicy Lemon Pasta With Shrimp

21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (13)

funwithoutfodmaps.com

Listen, Olive Garden isn't the only place where you can enjoy the winning combination of lemon, shrimp, and pasta. This is one of the easiest recipes on this list and fortunately for you, also one of the tastiest. Try it out tonight! Get the recipe.

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    21 Short Recipes For Tired And Hungry Weeknight People (2024)

    FAQs

    What to make for dinner when you are exhausted? ›

    • 1Creamy chicken and risoni tray bake. ...
    • 2Easy slow-cooker lasagne recipe. ...
    • 3One-pan creamy chicken pesto pasta bake. ...
    • 4Chicken chow mein tray bake. ...
    • 5One-pot creamy chicken ravioli. ...
    • 6One-pan miso chicken drumsticks. ...
    • 7Chicken, chorizo and olive tray bake. ...
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    What to make when you're hungry and have no food? ›

    15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
    • Buttery, gooey grilled cheese. ...
    • PB&J because duh. ...
    • Tuna melt tostadas. ...
    • Pancakes! ...
    • Scrambled eggs. ...
    • Waffles. ...
    • A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal. ...
    • Spaghetti carbonara.
    Apr 28, 2020

    How to make food in 5 minutes? ›

    5-minute meals recipes
    1. Storecupboard pasta salad. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
    2. Pan-fried camembert sandwich. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
    3. Prawn & coconut soup. ...
    4. Classic French omelette. ...
    5. Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato, salad leaves & tomatoes. ...
    6. Creamy tomato courgetti. ...
    7. Speedy tuna pasta salad. ...
    8. Easy pea & mint soup.

    What to make when hungry fast? ›

    These are some suggestions easy-to-cook meals that you can prepare when you're feeling hungry:
    1. Scrambled eggs on toast.
    2. Grilled cheese sandwich.
    3. Instant ramen noodles.
    4. Salad with pre-cooked chicken or canned tuna.
    5. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
    6. Pasta with pre-made tomato sauce or pesto.
    Mar 3, 2023

    What foods stop tiredness? ›

    A diet with lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats such as fish, nuts, and seeds may help lessen the effects of feeling tired! This booklet and the study dietitian will help you learn how to make room in your diet for foods that can help fight fatigue.

    What is the best food for mental exhaustion? ›

    • Unprocessed foods. While a cheeseburger and fries might be comforting while you're eating it, its nutritional value is low. ...
    • Non-caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is OK in moderation, and it has been shown to have some health benefits. ...
    • Lean proteins. ...
    • Whole grains and complex carbs. ...
    • Nuts and seeds. ...
    • Water. ...
    • Bananas. ...
    • Oats.

    What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

    What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
    • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
    • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
    • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
    • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
    Jan 11, 2023

    What can satisfy hunger without eating? ›

    Control hunger by drinking more water, incorporating green tea, and hitting all of your key nutrients. Distract yourself by diving into your hobbies and relationships—for instance, try listening to a long podcast. Take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to curb cravings.

    What is the healthiest lunch food? ›

    The 10 Best Healthy Lunch Foods to Eat
    • Farro.
    • Veggie Burgers.
    • Ricotta Cheese.
    • Black Beans.
    • Avocado.
    • Hummus.
    • Apples.
    • Whole-Grain Bread.
    Jun 16, 2024

    What can I cook in 30 min? ›

    Our Best 30-Minute Recipes
    • Chili and Cheese Pockets.
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    • 2-Ingredient Chicken and Dumplings.
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    • Cheesy Chicken-Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls for Two.
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    • Crispy Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Crescent Rolls.

    What should I eat when starving? ›

    Here are eight science-backed picks to add more staying power to your meals and snacks:
    • Oatmeal. Prospective short term studies suggest oatmeal consumption helps lower body mass index and body weight. ...
    • Beans. ...
    • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
    • Eggs. ...
    • Avocado. ...
    • Nuts. ...
    • Greek yogurt. ...
    • Brothy soup.
    Jul 7, 2019

    What to eat when you have no food or money? ›

    Cheapest Foods to Live On:
    • Oatmeal.
    • Eggs.
    • Bread.
    • Rice.
    • Bananas.
    • Beans.
    • Apples.
    • Pasta.

    What to eat when you're tired of all food? ›

    Plan complete meals with at least three food groups.
    • Tuna bowl with mayo, chickpeas and greens.
    • Quesadilla with cheese, beans and avocado.
    • Smoothie with yogurt, fruit and walnuts.
    • Pita with hummus and vegetables.
    • Boiled eggs with toast and avocado.

    How to eat healthy when you're too tired to cook? ›

    There are great frozen food options that are nutritionally balanced and taste good. Frozen vegetables can also be huge helpers in this situation, since they don't need much cooking and are still packed with nutrients. You can also make a bigger portion on the cooking days and freeze them to have them later in the week.

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