Our lives are getting busier with each and every passing day and we are spending less and less time without family at the dinner table.
Our dependence on packed and ready-to-eat meals is increasing and with it is increasing the risk of chronic diseases and obesity.
So what is the way out of this vicious cycle? Well, the solution lies in quick and easy meals and snacks that you can prepare within a few minutes.
A healthy meal doesn’t always have to be an elaborate and time-taking affair that takes up half the day. You can eat healthy and still save time if you know a few quick and easy meal and snacks recipes that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less.
Just, try to use fresh produce and whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean cuts of meat, chicken, eggs, whole grains and dairy products instead of packed food items and use natural seasonings such as black pepper, chili flakes, dried herbs, spices, olive oil and homemade sauces instead of artificial flavorings and ready-made sauces to make you meals healthy and light and low-calorie.
You can also opt for some fast cooking methods such as microwaving, stir frying, grilling and steaming that take less time compared to standard cooking methods and are much healthier as well.
In this article, we bring to you 20 hand-picked meal and snacks recipes that you can prepare in 15 minutes or less.
20 Quick and Easy Meal and Snack Recipes Under 15 Minutes
1. 15-Minute Bacon and Egg Fried Rice
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4 to 6
Recipe type – Meal (Lunch/Dinner)
Cuisine – Chinese
Ingredients –
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hot sauce
- Asian sesame oil
- Slices of bacon
- Large eggs
- Peanut or vegetable oil
- Ginger
- Cold left-over rice
- Scallions
- Frozen peas
This delicious and wholesome Bacon and Egg Fired Rice is a quick and easy recipe that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and makes a one pot meal that can be served for lunch or dinner. It makes use of everyday ingredients that are readily available in the kitchen and pantry. It is a great way to use left-over rice. The cold rice gives a perfect fluffy texture to the fried rice which cannot be achieved with fresh-cooked rice.
The combination of fresh vegetables, eggs, bacon and rice makes it a complete meal and helps to supply all essential nutrients – vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats to the dish. You can replace white rice with brown rice to enhance the amount of fiber and complex carbs in the dish. This is a light and healthy fired rice recipe that does not make use of too much oil or spices.
Get the full recipe from – today
2. 15 Minute Garlic Fried Noodles
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 2
Recipe type – Meal (Lunch/Dinner)
Cuisine – Chinese
Ingredients –
- Thin rice noodles
- Butter/Peanut oil/Sesame oil
- Chopped scallions
- Garlic cloves
- Coconut sugar
- Soy sauce/Tamari
This flavorful and delicious garlic fired noodles requires only 6 basic ingredients and takes just 15 minutes to prepare. It is an easy and simple one-pot meal that can be enjoyed alone or served with a fish or chicken side dish. It is a light and non-spicy recipe and the overpowering flavors come from the fresh garlic and scallions. The coconut sugar gives a mellow sweetness to the noodles.
The trick to prepare perfectly fired garlic noodles is not to overcook the rice noodles. This is a gluten-free recipe that is easy to digest and can be enjoyed by people with gluten-intolerance and celiac diseases. Using peanut oil or sesame oil instead of butter helps to keep it light and low in calories.
Get the full recipe from – servedfromscratch
3. One Pot Pasta Primavera
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Meal (Lunch/Dinner)
Cuisine – Italian
Ingredients –
- Chestnut mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Onion
- Pasta
- Vegetable stock
- Cream
- Salt
- Pepper
The One Pot Pasta Primavera is the ultimate comfort food for all the pasta lovers out these. This recipe requires just 9 ingredients and 15 minutes and the result is simply delicious. All you need to do is put together all the ingredients in a pot, cook for a few minutes and season with salt and pepper and your meal is ready to serve. This is a complete meal in itself that does not need any side dish.
This is a wholesome and healthy vegetarian one-pot meal that contains the goodness of fresh vegetables. Broccoli, spinach and mushrooms used in this recipe are potent sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that have numerous benefits for overall health.
Get the full recipe from – kochkarussell
4. Pan Fried Basil Tomato Orzo
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Meal (Lunch/Dinner)
Cuisine – World
Ingredients –
- Uncooked orzo
- Tomato
- Fresh basil
- Sun-dried tomato pesto
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Pan Fried Basil Tomato Orzo is a tangy and flavorful one-pot meal that calls for just 7 basic ingredients and can be prepared in 15 minutes. It is an easy and simple meal recipe that takes very less effort to prepare. The sun-dried tomato pesto and fresh tomatoes gives a bright red color and nice tangy taste to the orzo. It is light and non-spicy recipe and the only seasonings used here are salt and pepper.
The use of olive oil instead of other vegetable oil gives a healthy touch to this recipe. It is a vegan and gluten-free recipe that is light on the stomach and easy to digest. Orzo or Risoni is a short-cut pasta, shaped like large grains of rice. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, fiber, protein and iron and exceptionally low in calories.
Get the full recipe from – delishplan
5. Lemon Rosemary Salmon
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Side Dish
Cuisine – World
Ingredients –
- Salmon fillet
- Olive oil
- Dry white wine
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Rosemary leaves
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon slices
The perfectly cooked flaky salmon bursting with the appetizing flavors of fresh rosemary and refreshing lemon is the perfect side dish for a weeknight dinner. It takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and tastes amazing. It is a healthy and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed even by health conscious individuals without any pinch of guilt. It makes minimal use of oil, just enough to sear the fishes and the only seasonings used are salt and pepper.
Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin A which have numerous benefits of health. Omega-3 fatty acids protect the heart, boost brain functions and reduces the risk of osteoporosis by neutralizing inflammation. Vitamin A helps to improve eyesight where are vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and supports strong bones and teeth.
Get the full recipe from – cooktoria
6. Easy Hoisin Shrimp
Total time – 12 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Side Dish
Cuisine – Asian
Ingredients –
- Hoisin sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Shrimps, peeled and deveined
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions (Optional toppings)
This simple and quick Hoisin Shrimp is a delicious and flavorful side dish bursting with flavors and sweet-salty taste that makes a perfect accompaniment for pasta, noodles or fried rice. It requires only 7 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. The mixture of soy sauce and rice wine vinegar gives a classic Asian flavor to the dish.
Shrimps are an excellent source of high quality lean protein that contains all the amino acids that the cells cannot make on their own. Shrimps are one of the few food sources of selenium and zinc that are required for chemical reactions in cells and energy production. Vitamin A in shrimps support healthy red blood cells.
Get the full recipe from – gimmesomeoven
7. Spicy Kimchi Quinoa Bowls
Total time – 13 minutes
Serves – 2
Recipe type – Meal (Lunch/Dinner/Brunch)
Cuisine – Asian
Ingredients –
- Sesame oil
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Cooked and cooled quinoa
- Kimchi
- Kimchi juice
- Hot sauce (Optional)
- Kale
- Eggs
- Green onions for garnish
- Fresh ground pepper
Kimchi Quinoa Bowls makes a wholesome, healthy and delicious one-pot meal loaded with probiotics, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. It is a simple and quick recipe that can be put together in less than 15 minutes and it requires only a few common ingredients. The soft and chewy quinoa and kale seasoned with flavorful Kimchi and topped with a soft and fluffy poached egg makes a scrumptious lunch or dinner.
Kimchi is a popular Korean food prepared by fermenting different types of vegetables with probiotic lactic acid. The gut-friendly microorganisms in Kimchi neutralize inflammation and control the growth of disease causing bacteria. They also support the production and vitamins and amino acids, absorb minerals from foods and help to flush out toxins. Quinoa is a protein and fiber-rich food that works as a great substitute for rice and aids weight loss.
Get the full recipe from – simplyquinoa
8. Honey Lemon Chicken
Total time – 12 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Side Dish
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Chicken breasts
- Salt
- Pepper
- Plain flour
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
For the Sauce:
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic clove
- Chicken broth/Stock
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Soy sauce
- Salt
- Pepper
To serve: (Optional)
- Lemon slices
- Chopped Parsley
Perfectly cooked tender and juicy chicken breasts in sweet-tangy honey lemon sauce make the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners. It takes just 12 minutes to prepare but taste as good as any restaurant-style chicken recipe. The combination of soy sauce, lemon juice and honey creates a perfect balance of acidic and sweet taste in the sauce. Serve it with some crisp break or dinner rolls and your quick and easy dinner is ready.
Chicken is one of the best low-calorie sources of complete-protein that contains all the essential amino acids that are required for muscle growth and repair. Chicken breast is relatively low in saturated fat compared to red meats. Selenium and choline in chicken fights certain types of cancer and improves brain functions.
Get the full recipe from – recipetineats
9. Korean Beef Bowl
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Meal
Cuisine – Korean
Ingredients –
- Brown sugar
- Reduced sodium soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Ginger
- Vegetable oil
- Garlic cloves
- Ground beef
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
The flavorful and tasty Korean Beef Bowl takes just 15 minutes to prepare and tastes as good as the Korean BBQ. The perfectly cooked ground beef develops a nice tender and chewy texture. The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, ginger and garlic creates a simple yet flavorful dish that can be served over steamed rice or quinoa.
Beef is a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid that reduces the risk of heart diseases by lowering harmful LDL cholesterol in the blood. Beef is also a potent source of iron, zinc, protein and B-vitamins which helps to treat anemia and other iron deficiency diseases and promotes the growth of lean muscle mass.
Get the full recipe from – damndelicious
10. Chili Garlic Tofu with Sesame Broccolini
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 2
Recipe type – Main Course
Cuisine – Asian
Ingredients –
- Extra firm tofu
- Peanut oil
- Salt
- Fresh cracked peppercorns
- Garlic cloves
- Broccolini/halved Brussels sprouts/Broccoli florets/Green beans
- Chili Garlic sauce
- Honey/Agave/Sugar
- Soy sauce
- Sheets of roasted seaweed (For garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds
Chili Garlic Tofu with Sesame Broccolini is a simple and easy dinner recipe that is completely vegan and gluten free. The tofu cubes are seared in a pan and then drizzles with tangy-savory chili sauce. The combination of tofu and fresh broccolini creates a layer of chewy and crunchy texture. You can serve it alone or as a side dish with steamed rice or noodles for lunch or dinner.
Tofu is a soy product prepared from curdled soybean milk. Tofu is an excellent vegetarian source protein. It also contains high amounts of calcium and vitamin E. Calcium helps to strengthen the bones and teeth. Selenium in tofu reduces the risk of colon cancer. Vitamin E slows down the aging process and helps to retain the elasticity of the skin.
Get the full recipe from – feastingathome
11. Honey-Glazed Scallops
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Side Dish
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Sriracha sauce
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Large sea scallops
- Unsalted butter
- Chopped scallions and cilantro (For Garnish)
Sweet and savory Honey-Glazed Scallops are the perfect side dish that is ready in less than 15 minutes and taste delicious with cooked white or brown rice. The soft and juicy scallops are seared in butter and then covered with a home-made honey glaze prepared by combining honey, soy sauce, Sriracha, Dijon mustard and vinegar that renders an irresistible taste and aroma to the scallops.
Scallops are a low-fat source of protein that supplies the essential amino acids to the body without loading up on calories and fat. It is potent source of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and zinc. Vitamin B12 support red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and proper neurological functions where as omega-3 fatty acids Maintain proper brain function and reduce inflammation. Minerals selenium and zinc work as antioxidant in the body to prevent damage caused by free radicals and promote different enzyme reactions.
Get the full recipe from – bakerbynature
12. 15 Minute Easy Margherita Flatbread Pizza
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 2
Recipe type – Snacks/Lunch
Cuisine – Italian
Ingredients –
- Naan bread
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Tomato
- Basil leaves
- Garlic cloves
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
The quick and easy Margherita Flatbread Pizza is a delightful recipe for all the pizza lovers out these. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare and taste delicious. The soft and fluffy naan breads topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, basil and balsamic vinegar and seasoned with salt and pepper is a pure treat that can be enjoyed as a snack between meals or served as a quick lunch or dinner.
Pizza can be one of the healthiest of snacks if you want it to be. This pizza is quite light and healthy, with minimal use of sauces, pesto and spices. The simple mozzarella and tomato topping is loaded with nutrients. Mozzarella cheese is not just about calcium, It also contains biotin, vitamin B6, thiamine and riboflavin that are essential for healthy vision, formation of red blood cells and healthy skin. Tomatoes are an abundant source of antioxidants lycopene that provides protection against prostate cancer, cervical cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer and esophageal cancer.
Get the full recipe from – letthebakingbeginblog
13. Spicy Cauliflower Stir-Fry
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Snacks/Side Dish
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Whole head cauliflower
- Vegetable oil
- Garlic cloves
- Soy sauce
- Whole lime
- Green onions
- Sriracha or other Hot Sauce
- Lime wedges
This quick, simple and delicious Spicy Cauliflower Stir-Fry is the perfect finger food for those days when you crave something spicy and yet healthy. The crunchy and flavorful cauliflower florets covered in soy sauce, Sriracha and lime is the ultimate comfort food for a cold winter evening. You can also serve it as an appetizer and side dish with a meal.
This is a genuinely healthy and wholesome snack that does not require any deep frying and it does not make use of too many spices. Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, B-vitamins along with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. These nutrients help to reduce the risk of cancer, improve cardiovascular health, boosts bone health and cures stomach disorders.
Get the full recipe from – thepioneerwoman
14. 15 Minute Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 3 bowls
Recipe type – Appetizer/Meal
Cuisine – Asian
Ingredients –
- Oil
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh ginger
- Thai red curry paste
- Boneless chicken breast or thighs
- Chicken broth
- Water
- Fish sauce
- Coconut milk
- Dried rice vermicelli noodles
- Lime juice
- Sliced red onion, red chilies, cilantro, scallions (for garnishing)
The combination of noodles and hot soup is the perfect way to satisfy your craving for restaurant style Asian food. This quick Coconut Curry Noodle Soup is prepared by combining stir fried chicken with rice noodles and serving it in a soupy consistency. The Thai red curry paste and coconut milk adds an appetizing aroma and an irresistible savory taste to the soup.
This is a easy-to-digest gluten-free recipe that can be enjoyed by people with gluten intolerance and celiac diseases. The combination of rice noodles and chicken creates a wholesome and healthy dish that contains protein, carbs, fiber and other nutrients. You can adjust the spiciness of the soup by reducing the amount of Thai red curry paste.
Get the full recipe from – thewoksoflife
15. 15 Minutes Creamy Garlic and Mushroom Stuffed Bread
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Snack/Lunch
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Part-baked petit pains or rolls
- Mushrooms
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic clove
- Cheddar cheese
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley
The creamy and flavorful Garlic and Mushroom Stuffed Breads not only look amazing but taste delicious. The bread are filled with mushrooms, cheese and garlic and baked until golden brown. The fresh garlic and parsley renders some refreshing aromas to the bread and make it all the more appetizing. The mushrooms work as great substitute for meat and add a nice chewy texture to the filling.
Mushrooms work as a great substitute for meat which helps to cut out calories from foods. Mushrooms are loaded with disease-fighting phytochemicals that reduces the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Mushrooms are an excellent source of some hard-to-get nutrients such as selenium, copper and potassium and it still retain these nutrients after being cooked.
Get the full recipe from – kitchensanctuary
16. Easy Chicken Parmesan Wraps
Total time – 10 to 15 minutes
Serves – 4 wraps
Recipe type – Snack
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Cooked boneless chicken breasts roughly shredded
- Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Marinara sauce
- Fresh basil
- Flat-out breads
- Reduced-fat Italian cheese blend
The simple and easy Chicken Parmesan Wraps are a super-fast recipe that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less and served as a compact meal or quick snack. This is a non-messy recipe that can be packed in your kid’s lunch box. Each bite bursts with creamy and chewy cheese and chicken filling. Serve it with your favorite sauce or dipping and enjoy your wholesome and filling snack.
This is an easy and simple snack recipe that contains the goodness of chicken. It is a non-spicy and non-oily wrap that is seasoned only with pepper and kosher salt. You can substitute regular flat-out breads with whole grain or multigrain flat-out breads to notch up its health quotient.
Get the full recipe from – twohealthykitchens
17. Caprese Flatbreads with Garlic Spread
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4
Recipe type – Snack/Meal
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Grape tomatoes
- Fresh chopped basil
- Chopped cooked chicken
- Mozzarella cheese
- Flatbreads
- Butter
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
- Grated parmesan cheese (For Garnish)
The Caprese Flatbreads with Garlic Spread are a quick and tasty dish ideal for those days when you are running late for lunch or dinner. Creamy mozzarella, tangy grape tomatoes and flavorful basil on top of soft and fluffy flatbread taste simply amazing and is ready in just 15 minutes. You can leave out the chicken if you want to prepare vegetarian Caprese Flatbreads.
The grape tomatoes, chicken and mozzarella cheese make a wholesome and healthy combination. Grape tomatoes are a great source of fiber, vitamin C and lycopene. Dietary fiber helps to regularize bowel movement and promotes digestion, vitamin C helps to neutralize free radical damage and lycopene works as a powerful antioxidant. Mozzarella is a rich source of B-vitamins, vitamin A, E and E which are essential for bone growth, protection of cell membranes and absorption of calcium.
Get the full recipe from – centercutcook
18. Egg in a Hole
Total time – 10 to 15 minutes
Serves – 1
Recipe type – Breakfast/Snack
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Slice of bread
- Oil/Butter
- Egg
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Tabasco sauce (Optional)
Eggs and toast make the most filling breakfast and here is a creative and delicious way to enjoy your toast and eggs. The Egg in a Hole is extremely easy to make; looks wonderful and taste delicious. It requires only 4 to 5 basic ingredients and involves no frying. It does not make use of any sauce or spices, the only seasoning used here are salt and pepper.
Eggs in any form – boiled, fired or scrambled are a powerhouse of nutrients. Eggs are loaded with protein, vitamin A, folate, B-vitamins, selenium, phosphorus and healthy fats. The healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids improve heart health, choline boosts brain functions and vitamin A promotes better vision. High-quality proteins in eggs promote the formation of lean muscle mass and aid weight loss.
Get the full recipe from – cupofjo
19. Summer Breakfast Tacos
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 2
Recipe type – Breakfast/Snack
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Eggs
- Unsalted butter
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Avocado
- Green onion
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh cilantro
- Salsa
- Queso Fresco cheese
- Nori Furikake seasoning
Breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day and these quick, easy and wholesome Summer Breakfast Tacos are one of the best breakfasts that you can make for your family. It contains the goodness of eggs, tomatoes and avocado and is ready in less than 15 minutes. Using wheat flour tortillas instead of the regular ones helps to increase the amount of complex carbs in the dish.
Fresh avocados used in the taco filling are an abundant source of nutrients – healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins K, C, E, B-vitamins, folate and potassium. The monounsaturated fatty acids improve heart health, potassium supports healthy blood pressure levels while the vitamins help to improve vision, neutralize free radical damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Get the full recipe from – howsweeteats
20. 15 minutes Stuffed Cheesy Bread
Total time – 15 minutes
Serves – 4 to 5
Recipe type – Snack
Cuisine – Western
Ingredients –
- Pillsbury Crescents
- Mozzarella cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese
The Stuffed Cheesy Breads are a delicious and quick finger-food that can be prepared in a jiffy and require only 4 basic ingredients. The perfectly baked crescent rolls burst with creamy cheese filling and mouth-watering aromas of Italian seasoning which makes it all the more appetizing. It is a non-spicy and light snack that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
The rich mozzarella stuffing used in this recipe is a potent source of calcium along with phosphorus, potassium, iron and sodium. It also contains niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin A, D and E which are important for maintaining healthy vision, healthy skin, red blood cell formation, bone growth and protection of cell membranes.
Get the full recipe from – eatingonadime
Don’t have a lot of time to spend on lunch or dinner? Worry no more. Try out these super-fast, easy and simple recipes that take 15 minutes or less to prepare and taste amazing.