Quick Dinner: 20 Recipes from Simple Ingredients
In the daily hustle and bustle, there's constantly not enough time for a proper dinner. But fast food and delivery are far from the only solutions. We share 20 recipes for how to make a quick dinner from simple ingredients. Fast and very tasty – you'll definitely appreciate it!
1. Meatballs with Zucchini and Pumpkin
Not only delicious and aromatic, but also very beautiful!
You will need: 500 g ground beef, 300 g zucchini, 200 g pumpkin, 1 egg, 2 tsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried mint, salt and pepper.
Preparation. Mix the ground meat with salt, pepper, and dried herbs, and let it rest for a bit. Grate the zucchini on a coarse grater and the pumpkin on a fine grater, drain excess liquid. Combine the ingredients, add one egg and tomato paste, then mix again. Arrange the meatballs on parchment paper and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Chicken in Sweet and Sour Sauce
A classic quick dinner recipe inspired by Chinese cuisine!
You will need: 300 g chicken fillet, 50 g carrots, 50 g bell pepper, 50 g onion, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp tomato paste, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp vegetable oil, salt, pepper, chili, herbs.
Preparation. Cut the fillet into large cubes, fry in a heated pan until golden brown and remove from heat. In the same pan, fry the finely diced vegetables for 5-7 minutes. Pour soy sauce and tomato paste over them, simmer for another 15 minutes. Add garlic, herbs, and spices, add the chicken to the sauce and simmer for about 3 more minutes.
3. Egg Patties
If you're not "friends" with yeast dough – then this recipe is especially for you!
You will need: 1.5 cups flour, 400 g sour cream, 5 eggs, 1 tbsp baking powder, 20 g green onions, 30 g sugar, 1 clove garlic, salt, vegetable oil.
Preparation. Boil three eggs, cool, grate them on a coarse grater and mix with finely chopped green onions. Add salt and baking powder to the flour, add 2 more eggs, 250 g sour cream and sugar, then whisk everything until a thick, homogeneous consistency. Fold the filling into the dough, fry the patties in a pan like pancakes, and serve with sour cream.
4. Udon Noodles with Vegetables and Chicken
No need to search for the perfect wok delivery anymore, because you can make noodles yourself!
You will need: 150 g wheat noodles, 400 g chicken fillet, 80 g onion, 80 g carrots, 80 g bell pepper, 1 celery stalk, 3 cloves garlic, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp ginger, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, salt and pepper.
Preparation. Cut vegetables and celery into large slices, and grate garlic and ginger finely. First, fry onions and carrots for 5 minutes, then add everything else. Pour in soy sauce and 100-120 ml of water, simmer until almost fully cooked. Cut chicken fillet, quickly fry until golden, and combine with vegetables. Boil noodles, drain water, then simmer with chicken and vegetables for another 5 minutes.
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5. Liver Fritters
A great way to prepare and serve liver for dinner in an original way!
You will need: 350 g pork or beef liver, 60 g pork fat, 0.5 cup couscous (or rice), 1 egg, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp ground paprika, 1 tbsp ground fenugreek, pepper, salt and sugar.
Preparation. Pass the washed liver, pork fat, garlic, and onion through the fine grate of a meat grinder. Pour boiling water over the couscous or use pre-cooked soft rice – add to the minced meat. Beat an egg into the mixture, salt, pepper, add a pinch of sugar, and mix thoroughly. The taste of liver fritters will be even more interesting if you fry them in mustard oil.
6. Skillet Pizza
Forget about hours of waiting for a pizza delivery person who is so often late in the evenings. Experiment with toppings to your heart's content!
You will need: 100 ml kefir, 10-15 tbsp flour (depending on the fat content of kefir), 1 egg, 30 ml vegetable oil, salt, pepper, herbs, sausage, tomatoes, olives, and hard cheese for the topping.
Preparation. Knead a firm, but not too stiff dough from kefir, egg, and flour, let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Roll out half of the dough into a thin round layer the size of your frying pan and fry it in a heated pan for 2-3 minutes. Flip the dough and immediately add the topping, sprinkle with cheese, reduce the heat to a minimum, and cook for another 7 minutes with the lid on.
7. Pasta with Shrimp and Broccoli
Can pasta be healthy and diet-friendly? Absolutely, if you serve it with seafood and vegetables!
You will need: 140 g spaghetti or pasta of your choice, 100 g broccoli, 100 g shrimp, 1 clove garlic, a little ginger and chili pepper, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, salt.
Preparation. Start boiling the pasta, and in the meantime, sauté minced garlic, ginger, and chili pepper in heated oil. Fry the shrimp in the same pan, season with salt, and transfer to another dish. In the same pan, fry the broccoli until it softens, then combine all ingredients, mix, and garnish with herbs and grated cheese.
8. Braised Cauliflower with Curry
Many still underestimate cauliflower and consider it tasteless. Completely in vain!
You will need: 500 g cauliflower, 200 g chickpeas, 200 ml coconut milk, 1 tbsp curry paste, 1 lime, 1 onion, 30 ml vegetable oil, salt.
Preparation. In a deep saucepan, bring coconut milk to a boil, dissolve curry paste in it, add finely chopped onion, and salt. Divide the cauliflower into florets and blanch with boiling water. Add it to the saucepan with the milk along with canned or pre-cooked chickpeas. Simmer everything for about 15 minutes and season with lime juice.
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9. Quick Lavash Pie
Now, to make a real homemade pie, you don't even have to bother with dough!
You will need: 2 large Armenian lavash breads, 200 g chicken liver, 150 g hard cheese, 250 ml sour cream, 2 eggs, 3 tomatoes, 1 onion, 1 tsp chopped herbs, salt and mixed peppers.
Preparation. Boil chicken liver until half-cooked in salted water, and in the meantime, mix sour cream, eggs, and another pinch of salt. Slice tomatoes into wedges, and onion into half-rings and lightly fry them. Sprinkle lavash with grated cheese, arrange small pieces of liver, tomatoes, onion, and herbs, then roll the lavash into a roll. Tightly arrange 2-3 such rolls in one baking dish, pour sour cream over them, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
10. Tomatoes with Cod
If you are looking for an original, but light recipe for cooking fish for dinner – this is it!
You will need: 500 g tomatoes (large, same size), 250 g cod fillet, 1 tbsp olive oil, basil, sugar, salt, pepper.
Preparation. Cut off the "lids" from the tomatoes, carefully scoop out the pulp with a spoon, and turn them upside down for about 10 minutes to drain excess juice. Mince the cod fillet, mix with basil and spices, add a pinch of sugar and lemon juice. Place the filling into the tomatoes, cover with the "lids" and bake for 15 minutes at 190-200 degrees Celsius.
11. Cheese Nuggets
Fried cheese is actually very tasty and quick! You can use absolutely any types, with or without additives – to your taste.
You will need: 200 g hard cheese, 200 g processed cheese, 4 eggs, 180 g breadcrumbs, 300-400 ml vegetable oil, mixed peppers.
Preparation. In a deep bowl, whisk the eggs with a fork and add pepper and salt. Dip each cheese stick into this mixture, thoroughly coat in breadcrumbs, and repeat the breading once more. Let the prepared pieces rest for a couple of minutes so the breadcrumbs dry and don't fall off in the oil. Fry the cheese not in a pan, but deep-fry it – pour oil into a deep saucepan and heat it up.
12. Broccoli Cutlets
Do your family members still think they don't like broccoli? They just haven't tried these cutlets!
You will need: 300 g broccoli, 1.5 tbsp flour, 2-3 tbsp oat flakes, 60 g hard cheese, 1 egg, herbs, 1 tsp ground paprika, salt, pepper, vegetable oil.
Preparation. Divide broccoli into florets, boil for a few minutes until soft, and then immerse in ice water for another 7-10 minutes. Blend the cabbage into a homogeneous mass, add egg, flour, oatmeal, your favorite herbs, and spices. Grate hard cheese or suluguni into the mixture and mix all ingredients. Pour a little oil into a baking dish, form cutlets, and bake for 15-17 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
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13. Shrimp Risotto
Risotto made with this recipe turns out amazingly tender and aromatic. Serve it all with fresh herbs!
You will need: 250 g rice, 350 g smoked chicken fillet, 100 g frozen peas, 100 g Parmesan, 40 g butter, 30 g celery, 2 stalks green onion, a few sprigs of herbs, 2 bay leaves, peppercorns, saffron, 1 tbsp sea salt.
Preparation. In a pot with 3 liters of water, add coarsely chopped celery root, green onion, parsley, bay leaf, a couple of peppercorns, and a clove of garlic. Simmer the broth for about half an hour and strain. Finely chop the garlic, add saffron, and sauté in butter over medium heat in a saucepan until translucent.
Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan and lightly fry for about 10 seconds, then add one and a half cups of vegetable broth. Continue adding the remaining broth gradually as it reduces, until the rice is al dente. Add grated Parmesan, shrimp, and peas, mix, and let it sit for another 5 minutes.
14. Korean-Style Meat with Cucumbers
No one will be surprised by meat with carrots, but what about cucumbers?
You will need: 360 g pork tenderloin, 230 g cucumbers, 60 g red onion, 70 g bell pepper, herbs, 2 cloves garlic, 60 ml soy sauce, sugar, salt, coriander, pepper, paprika, 1 tsp sugar, corn oil.
Preparation. Peel the cucumbers, cut them into elongated sticks, place them in a deep bowl, sprinkle with a spoonful of salt, mix, and after 5-7 minutes, drain the juice. Add sugar and a pinch of each spice to the cucumbers, mix again, and set aside.
In corn oil (any oil will do), quickly fry the seasoned and salted pork for literally 3 minutes over high heat. Add onion cut into half-rings and soy sauce, simmer for another 3-4 minutes. Add the meat to the cucumbers, add finely chopped pepper and herbs, press in the garlic, and mix the entire mixture. You can add more oil, spices, or chili pepper on top.
15. Grain-Free Porridge
This recipe will definitely change your perception of what porridge is and what it should be like!
You will need: 2 tbsp flax bran, 2 tbsp flax seeds, 400 ml cream, 50 g pumpkin, 1 carrot, 40 g parsnip, 40 g onion, 2 cloves garlic, 20 ml soy sauce, 2 tbsp lemon juice, nutmeg, salt, pepper, sugar and herbs.
Preparation. Heat the cream, skim off the foam, add sugar, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg, cool to lukewarm. Finely grind the seeds with bran in a coffee grinder, thoroughly mix the mixture into the cream, and leave covered in a warm place.
Dice all vegetables finely and fry in a pan until fully cooked. In the meantime, prepare a simple dressing from soy sauce and lemon juice. Place the porridge in a deep bowl, top with vegetables, pour the dressing over it, and garnish with herbs or grated cheese.
16. Pink Salmon in Tomato Sauce
Delicious fish in tomato paste can be cooked very quickly in a pan.
You will need: 500 g pink salmon, 1 onion, 3 tbsp flour (preferably rye), 3 tbsp sesame seeds, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 can olives, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 lemon, pepper, salt, herbs.
Preparation. Divide the pink salmon in half and remove the bones without damaging the flesh. Prepare a mixture of flour, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper, and bread the fish pieces in it. Fry it in a pan skin-side down, then flip it and reduce the temperature.
In another pan, fry the onion, add olives with tomato paste, and simmer for a couple of minutes. Transfer the prepared sauce to the pink salmon, add lemon juice, a little water, spices, and simmer over low heat for another 7-10 minutes. Before serving, garnish the dish with your favorite herbs.
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17. Simple Pork Steak
Nothing is simpler than an aromatic and juicy pork steak!
You will need: 550 g boneless pork, 1 tbsp ground paprika, 1 tbsp mixed peppers, 1 clove garlic, salt, 50 ml olive oil.
Preparation. Let the pork sit at room temperature for half an hour and marinate it in olive oil with spices for another 15 minutes. In a grill pan, fry a clove of garlic, remove it, and carefully fry the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side. To create a nice grill pattern, flip the steak twice. Serve it with fresh vegetables or any other side dish.
18. Chickpeas with Mushrooms
Here's another simple recipe for preparing healthy and nutritious chickpeas!
You will need: 1 cup chickpeas, 400 g champignons, 1 cup cream 10-15%, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, salt, pepper, vegetable oil.
Preparation. Soak the chickpeas in water from the morning and leave them to infuse until dinner so they swell. You can even boil them in advance – they will wait perfectly for you in the pot. Cut the mushrooms into large pieces, and the onion into half-rings, and fry in a pan for 5 minutes. Add diced pepper and pressed garlic, mix well, add chickpeas and spices. Pour cream into the pan, simmer for 20 minutes over low heat, and you can serve!
19. Pasta with Canned Tuna
You won't even notice how quickly this delicious pasta is ready!
You will need: 250 g of your favorite spaghetti, 150 g canned tuna, 150 g cherry tomatoes, 60 g onion, vegetable oil and salt.
Preparation. Start boiling the pasta, and in the meantime, finely chop the onion, fry it for literally 2 minutes, and add halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. After three minutes, add the pasta to the vegetables, add finely shredded canned tuna, season with spices, and mix well.
20. Cold Cheese Balls
The piquant taste of the dish comes from the unusual combination of salty cheese, sweet pepper, and walnuts.
You will need: 400 g hard cheese, 200 g Parmesan, 2 eggs, 2 bell peppers, 50 g walnuts, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp paprika, salt.
Preparation. Wrap the peppers in foil, bake them at 200 degrees Celsius until charred, let them steam and cool in a closed container. Peel off the skin, clean out the seeds, and finely chop the flesh. Grate all the cheese and boiled eggs on a medium grater, add pepper, and mix the ingredients.
Salt, season the mixture with paprika, add two-thirds of the walnuts, mayonnaise, and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Before serving, roll the cheese into balls and thoroughly coat each one in the remaining walnuts and herbs.
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