31 Days of Cozy 30 Minute Dinners for January

Keep this year's resolution of eating more home cooked meals with a collection of 31 days worth of dinners ready in 30 minutes or less.

By
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora's passion for cooking began early on as a young girl, working in the kitchen at her father's Greek diner in Brooklyn, NY. Her recipes have appeared on Delish, Spruce Eats, Today.com, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, Dinnerly, Simply Recipes, and in various cookbooks.
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Published December 26, 2025
Theodora Kaloudis
Creamy chicken Florentine in skillet.

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

You made a resolution to spend less money on take-out and eat more home cooked meals. It’s a few days into the new year and you’re instantly regretting this decision (we’ve all been there). Don’t give up just yet! We’re here to help with 31 days worth of dinners, making your goal easily attainable. Just make sure to bookmark this collection for nightly inspo of low-effort 30-minute recipes. With recipes like Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo and Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet, ordering takeout will become a distant memory.

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  • Unstuffed Peppers Recipe (30 Minutes)

    spoonful of unstuffed pepper lifted from skillet with more

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "This was so good! It was easy to make, too. It will be a regular meal for us. I used Minute Rice, so I added a bit more water than the recipe called for, and I simmered an additional 5 minutes to cook the rice through.” —Kirk, Reader

  • Chopped Cheese

    Two Halves of a Chopped Cheese Sandwich on a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "At home, I like to start with an 80/20 mix of ground beef so there is plenty of fat in the filling. If you go with something leaner, you might want to add a drizzle of oil to the pot before cooking (at home you’ll likely be using a skillet instead of the flat top griddle used in a bodega).” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

    Shrimp Fried Rice
    Elise Bauer

    "The dry refrigerator air helps dry the rice a bit, which is why cold leftover rice never tastes as good the next day if you eat it straight, but it’s perfect for frying." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (30 Minutes)

    Ground beef and broccoli stir fry over rice in a bowl at a table setting with a glass of water, a bowl of sliced scallions, and a bowl of sesame seeds

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "OMG this is DELICIOUS !!!! As a lover of beef and broccoli, this recipe is SO easy to prepare. I did, as others suggested, make extra sauce and was glad I did. Just yummy over the Jasmine rice. The green onions and toasted toasted sesame seeds topped it off perfectly!!! Will absolutely be making this again and again!!!” —WS, Reader

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  • Baked Ground Beef Tacos

    Baked tacos on a platte surrounded by bowls of toppings (bowl of shredded iceberg lettuce, bowl of diced onions, bowl of tomatoes, bowl of salsa, and a bowl of sour cream)

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas, RD

    "Oven temperatures vary and so do our opinions of finalized dishes. My oven runs hot, so I tend to check things earlier than suggested cooking times. I like my tacos crispy, so I often let them go about 8 minutes per side, but if you prefer something softer, stick with the recipe as written."  —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken (30 Minutes, One Pan)

    creamy tuscan chicken in a pot next to sliced bread on a wooden board

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "It feels natural to serve this creamy dish over pasta to catch all the sauce. Pasta isn’t your only option, though. My favorite choice is polenta, whose nutty, lightly sweet flavor balances all the savory richness and also happens to make this dinner naturally gluten-free. Mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, rice, and farro are good options too.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • Baked Fish with Parmesan Breadcrumbs

    Baked flounder dish with breadcrumb topping served in a white baking dish
    Simply Recipes

    "If you are preparing this in a kitchen without a food processor, you can substitute 2 cups of prepared breadcrumbs for the sandwich bread in this recipe. Use fresh, coarsely ground breadcrumbs if possible (avoid finely ground).” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

  • Tuscan-Style Chicken Thighs

    Overhead view of a blue dutch oven of tuscan-style chicken thighs recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Rachel Vanni / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

    "I suggest serving this chicken with something that will benefit from the pan juices. I made mashed potatoes when I made this for dinner the other night, but it would also be great with buttered egg noodles or rice pilaf. It would also pair nicely with a salad and some crusty bread to sop up the pan juices!” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer

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  • Copycat Ronto Wraps

    Plate of Ronto Wraps Topped With Herbs, Slaw, and Dressing, and in the Background, a Bowl of Coleslaw, a Plate With Pita Bread, and a Bowl of Dressing

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "You can simplify this recipe by using store-bought sauce, dressing, and coleslaw mix, if you like. Ranch dressing, sriracha mayo, aioli, or any other zingy and/or creamy condiment could easily take the place of the peppercorn sauce, and you can toss the slaw with your favorite store-bought vinaigrette or coleslaw dressing.” —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

  • Greek Chicken Souvlaki

    Greek Chicken Skewers with Flatbread and Yogurt Sauce (Chicken Souvlaki)
    Sally Vargas

    "This recipe was excellent! I didn't change anything. I appreciated the very easy instructions. I highly recommend that if you make this, double it!" —Linda, Reader

  • Burger Salad

    Bowl of Burger Salad Topped With a Hefty Drizzle of Dressing, Sitting on a Table Napkin

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "This is such an easy meal to put together. The only absolutely required cooking is to cook the actual hamburgers, and everything else is just assembly. You could even buy a bagged iceberg salad mix if you wanted to make this a zero chopping recipe." —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

  • Microwave Red Curry Poached Salmon

    Bowl of Microwave Red Curry Poached Salmon with Rice and Garnished with Cilantro and Lime Wedge, and in the Surroundings, a Kitchen Towel, a Bowl with More Curry, and a Bowl with a Halved Lime and Cilantro

    Simply Recipes / Tara Omidvar

    "If your salmon is ice cold straight out of the fridge, it may take a little longer for them to cook through. It’s always best to gently poke a fork through the thickest part and check for doneness."—Myo Quinn, former Associate Editorial Director

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  • Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

    Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    "If you don’t have a grill, you can make this sandwich using a grill pan. Preheat the pan on the stove over medium-high heat, then grill the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side." —Hannah Zimmerman, Recipe Developer

  • Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens

    Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens on a Plate With a Fork, and in the Surroundings, a Bowl of Cracked Pepper, a Kitchen Towel, and a Cheese Board

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "I like to use cheese tortellini here because it’s the most accessible and I’ll never refuse more cheese. However, fresh or frozen tortellini with any filling, whether it's sausage, spinach, ground beef, mushrooms, or otherwise.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo

    Nick Evans

    "The only vegetables I would consider adding to my Alfredo are peas (which you can stir in near the end of cooking) or sautéed mushrooms, which fold in beautifully. Personally, I like to keep my Alfredo clean with just pasta, sauce, and chicken, and then serve it alongside a big hearty salad." —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl

    Rice bowl topped with spicy tuna and sliced cucumber, fork on the side.

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    "I love to make this rice bowl for lunch and top it with whichever crunchy vegetables are in season. Cucumbers and carrots are perfect in the spring, while cabbage and radishes are great for winter. But the veggie toppings are totally optional, and I often make mine with just tuna, Kewpie mayo, Sriracha, and rice. It’s quick, super easy, and surprisingly flavor-packed." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

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  • Creamy Miso Mushroom Pasta

    Creamy Miso Mushroom Pasta in a Skillet

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    "One reason why I love this recipe is how easily customizable it is to fit your flavor preferences. Here are some ways you can make it your own: For a deeper flavor, lightly brown the butter before making the sauce. Cremini mushrooms can be swapped for portobello, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms. You can also double the mushrooms if you like. For even more flavor, add some fresh or dried herbs to the sauce." —Hannah Zimmerman, Recipe Developer

  • Sheet Pan Shrimp and Asparagus

    Garlic butter sheet pan shrimp and asparagus on a baking sheet.
    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "There are many options for serving this meal. Personally, I like to serve it over thin spaghetti which helps soak up all the juices and butter sauce, but you could also serve it over rice or even just a loaf of chunky bread. If you are looking for a low-carb serving option, you could serve this over a bed of baby spinach with some sliced tomatoes and avocado for a great salad option." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Zucchini, Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers

    sheet pan gnocchi

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "In the fall and winter, swap the zucchini noodles for thin slices of delicata squash or ½-inch cubes of butternut squash. Alternatively, you could use squash gnocchi in place of the regular potato version." —Georgia Freedman, Recipe Developer

  • Cheesy Hamburger Pasta Skillet

    A top view of a skillet with the Cheesy Hamburger Skillet Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "This recipe calls for a whole 8-ounce block or about 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. High-quality pre-shredded cheeses, like Tillamook and Cabot, work if you don’t have the energy to grate the block yourself. You can also swap the cheddar cheese for other melty cheese like Monterey Jack or provolone." —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

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  • Taco Salad

    A bowl of taco salad garnished with sliced black olives and sour cream

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "There are as many variations of this salad as there are families who enjoy them, so feel free to experiment! Add a can of drained black beans, garnish with fresh or pickled jalapeños, or crumble your favorite corn tortilla chips instead of the tostadas. For a fun layer of freshness, divide a peeled and finely diced cucumber atop the tomato layers—the cool crunch will add a fresh counterpoint to the seasoned beef." —Stephanie Burt, Recipe Developer

  • Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

    Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches on a Cutting Board with a Knife

    Simply Recipes / Ross Yoder

    "The assembled sliders—through step four—will keep in the fridge, covered, for 24 hours before they’ll start to get soggy. All you have to do is pop the sliders into the oven and bake them until they’re hot. Bake the sliders for 3 to 4 additional minutes covered in foil when they’re cooked cold from the fridge." —Ross Yoder, Recipe Developer

  • Quick Chicken Vegetable Soup

    Chicken Vegetable Soup in a pot with a ladle

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong

    "Maybe the best thing about this soup is that you can serve it as-is and call it a meal, but practically every soup benefits from a side helping of some kind of bread. I like to toast thick slices of sourdough in olive oil in a skillet, but hunks of garlic bread are always a good idea. Or take it in a direction reminiscent of chicken pie by baking squares of thawed puff pastry to float on top of each bowl." —Megan Scott, former Senior Editor

  • Creamy Chicken Florentine

    Creamy chicken Florentine in skillet.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    "If you’re eating low carb, serve this recipe with a salad and call it a day. Otherwise, a grain like pasta or rice, or bread is nice for soaking up the sauce." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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  • Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Crispy Broccoli and Mustard Glazed Potatoes

    Sheet pan meatloaf dinner on a plate with broccoli and potatoes.
    Sharon Lehman

    "Instead of broccoli, you can also try roasting green beans or Brussels sprouts. Greens beans can be added at the same point in the recipe as the broccoli, but they may get crispier faster so keep an eye on them. Brussels sprouts take a bit longer to roast, so they can be added to the sheet pan with the meatloaves and potatoes and roast the entire time." —Sharon Lehman, Recipe Developer

  • Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet (One Pan)

    Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "This dinner is the main dish and sides put together, so why not go big? If you have cooked leftover vegetables or even a bag of frozen vegetables, stir them in when you add the rice. If you’re using frozen veggies, cook them for a few minutes longer to thaw and cook off some of the liquid." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Marry Me Beans

    Marry Me Beans in a white bowl

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "For cooking purposes, I tend to prefer oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to dry-packed since they stay moist and plump. I also love using the oil for cooking, from frying eggs to using it to make a vinaigrette. In this recipe, I use the oil straight from the jar to add extra flavor to the beans." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Salisbury Ground Beef (30 Minutes, One Pot)

    salisbury ground beef with a side of green beans on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "Serve this Salisbury ground beef over freshly cooked tagliatelle, pappardelle, or egg noodles for a weeknight dinner you’ll want to make again and again." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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  • Chop Suey

    Platter of Chop Suey at a Table Setting With Chopsticks on Napkins and Bowls of Rice, All on a Grey Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "Even though this recipe has a long list of ingredients, don’t be intimidated. These are some suggested ingredients for inspiration—they add a pop of color and build layers of flavor, but you can customize this recipe to fit your taste and local availability." —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

  • General Tso’s Chicken Recipe (30 Minutes)

    General Tsos chicken dish with sesame seeds and green garnish in a skillet served with rice on the side in a bluerimmed bowl

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

    "If you don’t have a thermometer, try this go-to trick … Stick a wooden chopstick in the hot oil. If you see a few bubbles that don’t move quickly, keep heating. Lots of bubbling around the chopstick means the oil is about 350°F, ready for you to start frying." —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor

  • Pineapple Chicken (25 Minutes)

    A skillet containing a dish with chunks of chicken pineapple and bell peppers in a sauce

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

    "Delectable sweet-and-sour sauces demand that every drop be savored, and no starch fits the bill better than white rice, which traps the precious sauce between its matrix of grains. Any time I plan to serve white rice with a recipe, I get the rice going on the stove before I prep anything else." —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor

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