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Are you strapped for time at dinner? These quick and easy 10 minute meals are perfect for getting dinner on the table, when you have almost no time to cook anything.
Your days are busy, and when you get home, you have a short period of time to get dinner done before practices start or some other obligations.
You don’t want to spend all your time and money on fast food, but you’re not sure what you can make with almost no time.
I’ve got 15 ideas of 10 minute meals you can make on these nights. So, you can eat at home, have a nice dinner, save some money, and not stress over dinner anymore!
Sound good? Here we go!
15 Ideas of 10 Minute Meals
These 10 minute meals are perfect for your busy family and your hectic schedule.
By making easy meals at home, you’ll save money by avoiding pizza, takeout, and the fast food drive thru.
These meals are all simple, easy to throw together, and can be ready in just 10 minutes!
Ok, let’s get to the 10 minute meals!
15 Ideas of 10 Minute Meals
You can get a free printable PDF of this list right here.
1. Cheese Quesadilla
Keep tortillas and shredded cheese on hand for quick and easy cheese quesadillas.
I love making these when I forgot to thaw some meat, or we have hardly any time.
How to Make: Heat a skillet, with a small amount of oil. Place a tortilla in the skillet, top with cheese, and another tortilla (or roll over if larger tortilla). Flip and cook until both sides are brown.
Note: The 2nd quesadilla (and any after) will cook faster than the first.
Serve with chips and salsa for any easy and super quick dinner!
2. Pre Cooked Diced Chicken Quesadilla
Check the refrigerated section of your grocery store for pre cooked chicken. I like the Tyson brand. This chicken is a life saver to have on hand, since meat is usually the longest thing to cook.
How to make: Make quesadillas the same way as above, but add some chicken for a more filling meal. You can also add in any other toppings you have (diced peppers, salsa, etc.)
Serve with chips and salsa.
3. Pre Cooked Diced Chicken Salad
Keep pre cooked chicken on hand for super easy 10 minute meals, like a quick chicken salad.
How to make: Warm up the chicken in the microwave and make a salad with whatever toppings you have on hand.
Or, you can set out everything on the table and let everyone make their own salad from the salad bar.
4. Flatbread Pizzas
Flatbread pizzas are so yummy and easy!
Keep Naan or flatbread in the freezer, pizza sauce in the cabinet or fridge, and shredded cheese and toppings in the fridge.
How to make: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread pizza sauce on flatbread and top with toppings. Cook until cheese is melted (about 8-10 minutes).
Topping ideas: Shredded cheese, pre cooked chicken, pepperoni, ham, leftover sausage crumbled, or whatever else you have on hand.
5. Salad
Salads can be so fun if you have a lot of random toppings or leftovers.
How to make: Start with a bed of lettuce (or tortilla chips for a taco style salad). Add whatever toppings or leftovers you have on hand.
6. Tacos
If you aren’t pressed for time one night, make a big batch of beef taco meat and freeze some for another meal.
Then, when you need a quick 10 minute meal, just heat the meat in the microwave and get out all the taco toppings and tortillas.
7. Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Crockpot meals are a life saver for busy nights! You don’t really have to cook anything when you get home. It’s already done for you!
How to make: Place chicken breasts, taco seasoning packet, and water in crockpot on low in the morning. Let cook for 6-8 hours (or until you get home). Shred with fork.
Serve on tortillas or tortilla chips and your favorite taco toppings.
8. Chicken Alfredo with Pre Cooked Grilled Chicken
Pre cooked chicken comes in handy for many 10 minute meals, even chicken alfredo.
How to cook: Boil water, and cook penne or ziti pasta. Drain water. Add jar of Alfredo sauce. Warm chicken and place on top of pasta.
To make this even faster, look for fast cooking pasta.
9. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Another easy crockpot meal to make in the morning, so dinner is ready when you get home!
How to make: Place chicken breasts, small amount of water, and BBQ sauce in crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred with fork.
Serve on hamburger buns with chips and pickles.
If you have any leftover meat, plan to bake potatoes and top them with BBQ chicken for another meal.
10. Crockpot Salsa Chicken
I love easy crockpot meals! This one is so easy and so good.
How to make: Place chicken breasts and a jar of salsa in the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred with fork.
Serve on tortillas or tortilla chips with taco toppings.
11. Ready Rice, Steamed Veggies, Pre Cooked Chicken
This is a yummy meal than can be put together really fast!
How to make: Make ready rice in microwave. Steam veggies in microwave. Warm chicken in microwave. Mix all together with soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
So easy and so quick!
12. Grilled Cheese & Canned Soup
Sometimes, a warm grilled cheese and a can of soup are a perfect, quick dinner!
Look for more hearty soups that will fill you up.
How to make: Heat skillet, add small amount of butter, place one piece of bread in skillet, add cheese and another piece of bread. Flip and cook until cheese is melted and bread is desired crispiness. Warm soup in sauce pan.
13. Pre Cooked Chicken Nachos
Mmm! Chicken nachos are a yummy, quick, and easy meal.
How to make: Warm pre cooked chicken in microwave, place in bowl with BBQ sauce and mix to coat. Place nachos on plate, topped with chicken, cheese, and whatever toppings you love and have on hand.
14. Paninis
Paninis, or grilled sandwiches, make a yummy and quick dinner.
How to make: Use a sandwich press, or a skillet. Make sandwich with whatever you like and have on hand – meats, cheeses, vegetables. Grill until warm.
15. Snacky Dinner
There is nothing wrong with the occasional snacky dinner, and it’s a great way to make a quick meal and clean out your pantry and fridge.
Here’s some ideas: Cheese cubes, cut up veggies with dip, cut up fruit, rolled up lunch meat, crackers, nuts, popcorn, chips.
Get this list in an easy to use, printable form right here!
Now, none of these meals are going to win you any trophies or be featured in a magazine.
But, they will be a blessing to your family. Because you will be able to eat at home, without stressing. And you will save money by avoiding takeout, pizza delivery, or fast food.
If you are in a season of life where you have a hectic schedule, do what you can and do your best. You don’t have to cook a fancy meal for your family, just get them fed. Keep it easy, keep it simple, and keep it in budget.
One day, you’ll have time for nicer dinners, but for now, use these 10 minute meals to keep you sane, in budget, and fed.
I hope you enjoy this list, and feel free to share it with someone else in a hectic season of life! 🙂
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