17 Quick Dinner Recipes in 20 Minutes or Less

From spicy steamed mussels with 'nduja to a simple stovetop mac and cheese, these recipes are full of flavor and come together in a flash.

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The Serious Eats Team
The Serious Eats Team
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Updated September 06, 2023
Oyakodon, in a white ceramic bowl alongside wooden chopsticks, a small ceramic bowl holding togarashi seasoning, and an additional bowl of oyakodon off to the left side.

Serious Eats / Qi Ai

When was the last time you weren't too busy to make dinner? Being crunched for time seems like the general feeling these days. While preparing something delicious at the end of a long day may seem like a daunting and time-consuming task, it doesn't have to be. There are plenty of dishes—especially those that lean on seafood or pantry staples—that are full of flavor and still come together in a flash. From spicy steamed mussels with 'nduja, to a simple stovetop mac and cheese, and a Chinese-style layered omelette, these are our favorite quick dinner recipes that come together in 20 minutes or less.

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