The Pioneer Woman’s Best 30-Minute Dinner Recipes

Plump pockets of tortellini filled with cheese add heft to a simple primavera sauce. Although Ree uses ham, almost any cooked protein would work as a meaty addition.

Extra-firm tofu gets tossed with toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds for a savoury punch, contrasting with the sweetness of mandarin oranges. Searing the tofu adds a layer of crispy goodness to the textures of this easy salad.

Extra-firm tofu gets tossed with toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds for a savoury punch, contrasting with the sweetness of mandarin oranges. Searing the tofu adds a layer of crispy goodness to the textures of this easy salad.

Quick cooking shrimp get a bath in red sauce, then sautéed with onions and bell peppers and stuffed in tortillas for a hearty quesadilla. Melted cheddar cheese oozes with every crunchy bite.

Crisp lettuce, fresh corn and Roma tomatoes are a fresh touch with taco-seasoned chicken breasts. Looking for a bit more crunch? Crumble tortilla chips on top for another textural element.

Roasted red peppers are an instant flavour boost. Ree uses the jarred kind, although you could use homemade if you have them handy. Puréed with garlic and onions, then fortified with cream and Parmesan, this dish is a great swap for your usual spaghetti and meatballs.

Take a tip from Korean short ribs and wrap your burgers in a lettuce casing for a fresh contrast to the seared meat. Add a Greek yogurt-chipotle sauce and all the usual burger fixings and give this bunless version a try.

Burritos don’t have to be laden with meat charred from the grill; try this version with yellow squash, zucchini and fresh corn. Round it out with a hefty scoop of tangy and garlicky cilantro and lime rice.

The sweetness of King’s Hawaiian rolls lends an island touch to these baked roast beef sandwiches, layered with hot sauce, Dijon, lemon pepper and some pepper jack cheese.

These aren’t your typical out-of-the-box calzones. Homemade dough is stuffed with either a savoury mushroom filling oozing with mozzarella and goat cheese, or a meaty filling of Italian sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, marina sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese.

Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of these oddball chicken fingers coated with crunchy sweetened cereal and served with ketchup and applesauce.

Get The Pioneer Woman’s Crunchy Cereal Chicken Fingers

When it comes to quick meals, pasta is one of the first things that comes to many people’s minds, and this alfredo recipe is no exception. Apart from the pot to cook the pasta, this is a one-skillet meal, from searing the chicken to adding fresh vegetables and making a super easy sauce.

Let the family assemble dinner with a taco bar featuring ground beef sautéed with homemade taco seasoning and your choice of fixings.

Don’t reserve this savoury hash for breakfast only — the combination of russet and sweet potatoes with squash and peppers, all topped with fried eggs, makes an irresistible, and lightning fast, dinner.

Inspired by the popular takeout item, this Orange Chicken recipe features bite-sized chunks of chicken tossed with a light cornstarch wash and smothered in citrusy sauce.

A simple sauté of butternut squash and kale is hearty enough for a main course or can be served on the side at a meatless dinner. Using both butter and olive oil allows cooking over a high heat without burning the dairy, while still adding flavour. Add more chile powder for those who like things spicy.

Leslie Wu is a Toronto-based food and travel writer, editor and explorer. Follow her on Twitter at @leslie_wu.