Evenings can be busy times, no matter what schedule you have. You may be tired, coming home after a long day of work or your kids have practices, games and events. Then there are the errands and things you need to complete in order to get ready for tomorrow. Time passes by quickly and hopefully, during that time, you can get a moment or two to relax. The last thing on your mind is preparing dinner. Even with meal planning and prepping, you want something quick and easy. The solution is 10 Minute Dinners – meals that cook in 10 minutes or less. 

10 Minute Dinners are recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and mixed together right before you would like to eat. Then, in a few minutes, dinner is served. I want to make a quick disclaimer – these meals take more time to prepare and combine ingredients, but the cooking time is 10 minutes or less, hence the name “10 Minute Dinners.” Because, let’s be honest, a person would have to have lightning fast speed to cut up ingredients, mix them together and cook everything in such a short time. 

Sounds good to you but don’t know where to start? Try these recipes below to see how they work for you and your busy evenings. 

Spinach Shrimp Fettuccine

Serves 8 

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound uncooked fettuccine 
• 1 6-oz. package of baby spinach
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined 
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions: 

1. In a medium pan, bring water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to the directions on the package. 
2. In a large skillet, saute spinach in olive oil for two minutes or until leaves wilt. Add in garlic and cook for one more minute. 
3. Combine the shrimp, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and salt to the spinach. Saute for two to three minutes or until shrimp is done. 
4. Drain the fettuccine and add to the rest of the ingredients. 
5. Sprinkle the mixture with cheese. 

BBQ Chicken Burgers

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

• 1 green apple, quartered and thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill
• ½ cup lime and chili vinaigrette
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
• ½ cup barbecue sauce 
• 4 burger buns
• Chipotle aioli 
• Salad leaves 

Directions: 

1. Combine apple, cucumber and onion in a bowl. Mix in the dill and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Toss all ingredients together. Set aside. 
2. In a large frying pan, cook chicken over medium to high heat for two minutes or until done. 
3. Add BBQ sauce, ¼ cup water, salt and pepper. Cook for two more minutes until the sauce thickens and chicken is coated. Remove from heat. 
4. On a plate, top the burger buns with chicken and apple mixture. Drizzle with the Chipotle aioli and salad leaves. 

Pan Cooked Pizza

Serves One / This recipe can be altered to add flavors that fit your taste. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 thin pre-made pizza base
• 2 teaspoons olive oil 
• ½ cup tomato and basil pasta sauce 
• 2 tablespoons salted capers, rinsed and drained 
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 4 slices thin prosciutto
• Mozzarella cheese
• Basil leaves 

Directions: 

1. Brush your pizza base with oil on both sides. Then, in a large frypan, over medium heat, place your pizza base upside down. Cover with a lid and cook for two minutes. Flip over and cook for another two minutes. 
2. Spread the pasta sauce over the base. Add mozzarella and capers. Cover the frypan with the lid, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for five to six minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from the pan. 
3. Add the pesto, prosciutto and basil leaves. 

10 Minute Dinners will save you time at night and allow you more time to do what you enjoy. Soon, they will become your new best friend, and you won’t remember what you did before them. Enjoy!