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Busy day? These last minute meals are ready in no time and packed with comforting flavors. Find new favorites like rice bowls, pastas, wraps, and salads.

last minute meals
Last Minute Meals. Photo Credit: Summer Yule.

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There’s no reason to stress when you’ve got recipes like these. Whether you’re feeding yourself or a few others, they’ll save the day.

The best part is that you can easily swap ingredients depending on what you already have.

Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese

baked salmon with mayo and cheese
Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Make this delicious baked salmon in less than 15 minutes.

You only need a few simple ingredients like mayo, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Pair it with baked asparagus or quinoa.

Get The Recipe: Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese

Chilis Shrimp Taco

CHILIS SPICY SHRIMP TACOS BY FOOD PLUS WORDS
Chilis Shrimp Taco. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

These shrimp tacos are bold, zesty, and ready in no time. Definitely a fun option for seafood lovers.

Don’t forget to drizzle extra sauce over the top for color and texture.

Get The Recipe: Chilis Shrimp Taco

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

quick summer dinner ideas
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

This Instant Pot creation is made with ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan, seasonings, and other simple ingredients.

It’s so easy to make, even on your busiest weeknights.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

step 6 chicken egg roll in a bowl
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Need something fast, filling, and low-carb? This meal tastes like your favorite Chinese takeout but skips the wrapper and deep-frying.

Top it with crispy wonton strips or crushed peanuts for crunch.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

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Shrimp Sushi Bowl

What Does Sushi Shrimp Bowl Taste Like
Shrimp Sushi Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Here’s something creative you can try for sushi night. It’s fresh, flavorful, and comes together without any rolling required.

Prepare the shrimp ahead of time to make everything come together even faster.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl

Instant Pot Chicken Bites

Crispy fried chicken nuggets served on a white plate.
Instant Pot Chicken Bites. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

These tasty chicken bites are seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

As always, you can switch things up and include your favorites. Then, serve the chicken as is or use it to top salads, wraps, or grain bowls.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites

Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl

step 8b Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl Recipe
Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Craving more filling bowls? This option comes with a tropical twist.

It will stand out on the dinner table with chicken fillets, mayo, pineapple chunks, cucumbers, and carrots.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl

Sushi Wrap

What Are The Benefits Of The Viral Sushi Wrap Recipe
Sushi Wrap. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

If you love sushi but don’t want to roll, this wrap will be your new favorite shortcut.

It’s also customizable, so if you want, you can easily swap the salmon with tofu or any other plant-based option.

Get The Recipe: Sushi Wrap

Hot Girl Summer Salad

How To Store TikTok Viral Hot Girl Summer Salad
Hot Girl Summer Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

This salad is bright, tangy, and loaded with fresh flavors.

It combines cucumbers with hard-boiled eggs, green bell peppers, red onions, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice.

Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad

Juicy Chicken 101

super easy dinner recipes
Juicy Chicken 101. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Got some extra chicken breasts? This simple recipe always turns out juicy, tender, and flavorful even without marinating.

You can enjoy it on its own or layer it over a simple salad with vinaigrette.

Get The Recipe: Juicy Chicken 101

TikTok Ramen

What Does The Viral Tiktok Ramen Recipe Taste Like
TikTok Ramen. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words.

Spice up your usual instant noodles with this viral TikTok-famous recipe.

It transforms basic ramen into something rich and delicious with red pepper flakes, garlic, brown sugar, and mixed spices.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Ramen

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Vegan Cobb Salad

summer salads
Vegan Cobb Salad. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life.

Gone are the days of boring plant-based dishes.

This salad is quick and filling, and something you can prepare in 10 minutes. It has tofu, radishes, tomatoes, and vegan ranch dressing.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad

Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich

A stack of three egg salad sandwiches with lettuce on whole wheat bread is presented as the perfect February snack, placed elegantly on a white plate. In the background, a bowl and fresh greens enhance the scene.
Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life.

Don’t let the name fool you—this eggless salad sandwich is just as creamy and satisfying as the original.

It’s made with tofu, vegan mayo, yellow onions, white wine vinegar, and pure maple syrup.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich

Chickpea Kale Salad with Lemon Cashew Dressing

date night dinners
Chickpea Kale Salad with Lemon Cashew Dressing. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life.

This salad is made in just 12 minutes with wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, baby kale, hemp hearts, and sunflower seeds.

Serve it in a big bowl with extra chickpeas on top.

Get The Recipe: Chickpea Kale Salad with Lemon Cashew Dressing

BBQ Chicken Garlic Toast

last minute meals
BBQ Chicken Garlic Toast. Photo Credit: Pumpkin n’ Spice.

Here’s the ultimate mashup of pizza and toast, and yes, it’s ready in just 20 minutes.

This toast is perfect for busy weeknights or even as a savory appetizer for casual get-togethers.

Get The Recipe: BBQ Chicken Garlic Toast

Ground Beef Fajitas

last minute meals
Ground Beef Fajitas. Photo Credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

This quick fajita dinner captures all the sizzling flavors of classic fajitas and makes it even easier with ground beef.

Serve it with cilantro lime rice!

Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Fajitas

Soy Chili Oil Rice Paper Noodles

last minute meals
Soy Chili Oil Rice Paper Noodles. Photo Credit: Herman at Home.

You’ll love the heat and umami flavors that come with these noodles.

Serve them in a wide bowl with scallions and sesame seeds on top, and then pair with a light cucumber salad.

Get The Recipe: Soy Chili Oil Rice Paper Noodles

Sunny Lemon and Basil Spaghetti

last minute meals
Sunny Lemon and Basil Spaghetti. Photo Credit: Flour and Filigree.

This pasta is perfect for days when you want something simple yet flavorful.

Ingredients include spaghetti noodles, fresh basil, Parmesan, and lemons. You can use any type of pasta in case spaghetti isn’t available.

Get The Recipe: Sunny Lemon and Basil Spaghetti

Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Wraps

last minute meals
Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Wraps. Photo Credit: Basics with Bails.

Why choose between salad and pizza when you can have both?

These wraps are made with marinara sauce, mozzarella, turkey pepperoni, and Caesar salad mix.

Get The Recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Wraps

One Pan Gnocchi and Sausage

last minute meals
One Pan Gnocchi and Sausage. Photo Credit: Our Crafty Mom.

This one-pan meal is the ultimate comfort food you can make anytime.

It’s rich, cozy, and full of texture, with gnocchi, smoked sausage, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan, and spinach.

Get The Recipe: One Pan Gnocchi and Sausage

Pasta with Tuna Carbonara

A plate of creamy pasta with herbs, perfect for lunch ideas, served with a fork.
Pasta with Tuna Carbonara. Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

Got an extra can of tuna? Time to explore a new pasta dish.

This one features canned tuna fillets, Parmigiano cheese, garlic, and ground black pepper. So easy and filling.

Get The Recipe: Pasta with Tuna Carbonara

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20-Minute Beef and Broccoli

last minute meals
20-Minute Beef and Broccoli. Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

Broccoli and beef is the ultimate combo you wouldn’t want to miss.

This dish only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish! It also has an irresistible sauce made with low-sodium beef broth, oyster sauce, and rice wine vinegar.

Get The Recipe: 20-Minute Beef and Broccoli

Chinese Steamed Eggs

last minute meals
Chinese Steamed Eggs. Photo Credit: Greedy Girl Gourmet.

Nothing beats the flavors of Asian-inspired meals.

This 20-minute option is made with just a few pantry staples like sesame oil and eggs. Don’t forget to garnish it with scallions before serving.

Get The Recipe: Chinese Steamed Eggs

Turmeric Rice with Peas

last minute meals
Turmeric Rice with Peas. Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes.

If you have some leftover basmati rice, try this recipe.

You’ll love this unique, restaurant-quality rice dish! You can make it in under 30 minutes with everyday ingredients.

Get The Recipe: Turmeric Rice with Peas

Orange Chicken Salad

last minute meals
Orange Chicken Salad. Photo Credit: Summer Yule.

This salad brings together fresh produce and protein in the best way.

Aside from chicken pieces and orange sauce, you’ll need coleslaw mix, scallions, mandarin oranges, and toasted sesame oil.

Get The Recipe: Orange Chicken Salad

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These recipes can turn whatever’s in your kitchen into something crave-worthy.

Remember to use them only as guides! You can swap proteins, veggies, or spices based on what’s already in your pantry.

Stir-fries, sheet pan dinners, and skillet meals are amazing options you can easily start with.

25 High Protein Dinner Recipes That Make Eating Clean Delicious

high protein dinner recipes
High Protein Dinner Ideas. Photo Credit: Chew out Loud.

Explore high protein dinner recipes that go way beyond grilled chicken. This list includes tasty casseroles, soups, pastas, and rice bowls.

Read it here: 25 High Protein Dinner Recipes That Make Eating Clean Delicious

25 Rice Dinner Recipes That Work for Any Night of the Week

rice dinner recipes
Rice Dinner Recipes. Photo Credit: Posh Journal.

From cheesy bakes to zesty bowls, these rice dinner recipes have something for everyone. They include ingredients like tomatoes, basil, chicken, and bacon.

Read it here: 25 Rice Dinner Recipes That Work for Any Night of the Week

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

A woman in a kitchen writes on a notepad beside a grocery bag with a Walmart logo and various groceries on the counter.
Photo Credit: La Passion Voutee.

Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.

Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

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