Are you tired of staring into your fridge and asking yourself, “What should I cook tonight?” You’re not alone. Easy dinner recipes are exactly what you need — meals that are fast, healthy, and require minimal ingredients.
Since moving to Seoul, I’ve learned to make delicious meals in my tiny kitchen, often with just local ingredients and a handful of staples. If I can do it, you can too! Below are 15 quick, versatile dinner recipes that are ready in 20 minutes or less — perfect for busy weeknights or anyone who doesn’t want to spend hours cooking.
1. Kimchi Fried Rice
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup pre-made kimchi (like Bibigo or other store-bought brands), chopped
1 egg (optional)
1 tbsp sesame oil
Green onions & sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Heat sesame oil in a pan.
- Stir-fry kimchi for 2 minutes.
- Add rice and kimchi juice, mix well.
- Top with a fried egg if desired.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
2. Basil Pesto Pasta
Ingredients:
200g pasta
3 tbsp pesto
Olive oil
Cherry tomatoes (optional)
Parmesan or vegan cheese
Instructions:
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- Toss with pesto and olive oil.
- Add cherry tomatoes if in season.
- Top with cheese.
3. Rosé Pasta with Shrimps
Ingredients:
200g pasta
200g shrimp, peeled
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup cream or milk
1 garlic clove, minced
Olive oil, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Cook pasta.
- Cook garlic in olive oil, add shrimp until pink.
- Stir in tomato sauce and cream.
- Toss pasta with sauce and season.
4. Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 apple, grated
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add milk and egg, whisk into smooth batter.
- Fold in grated apple.
- Cook pancakes 2–3 minutes per side.
5. Chickpea Tortilla with Halloumi Greek Salad
Ingredients:
1 tortilla
½ cup mashed chickpeas
50g grilled halloumi
Cucumber, tomato, olives, red onion
Olive oil & lemon juice
Instructions:
- Spread chickpeas on tortilla.
- Top with halloumi and veggies.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Fold and enjoy.
6. Grilled Tofu with Veggies
Ingredients:
200g tofu, sliced
1 tbsp soy sauce
Mixed veggies (zucchini, peppers, broccoli)
Olive oil, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Marinate tofu in soy sauce for 5 minutes.
- Grill tofu and veggies until lightly charred.
- Serve with rice or salad.
7. Rice Sandwich in Roasted Seaweed (Onigirazu)
Ingredients:
2 sheets roasted seaweed (nori)
1 cup cooked rice
Fillings: avocado, cucumber, tuna, egg, or leftovers
Instructions:
- Place seaweed on plastic wrap.
- Spread rice in center, add fillings.
- Fold seaweed corners, wrap tightly.
- Slice in half.
8. Lentil Soup with Fresh Herbs
Ingredients:
1 cup red lentils
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp cumin
4 cups vegetable broth
Fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions:
- Cook onion, garlic, carrot with oil.
- Add lentils, cumin, broth; simmer 15 minutes.
- Blend if desired and top with herbs.
9. Mediterranean Grain Bowls
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa, couscous, or rice
Cucumber, tomato, olives, red onion
Feta or hummus
Olive oil & lemon juice
Instructions:
- Place grains in a bowl.
- Add veggies and feta/hummus.
- Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice.
10. Poké Bowl
Ingredients:
1 cup sushi rice
100g raw/cooked fish or tofu
Cucumber, avocado, edamame, seaweed
Soy sauce, sesame oil
Instructions:
- Place rice in a bowl.
- Arrange fish/tofu and toppings.
- Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil.
11. Quinoa & Roasted Veggie Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup roasted veggies
Olive oil & balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
- Roast veggies with olive oil, salt, pepper.
- Toss with quinoa.
- Drizzle balsamic and serve.
12. Chicken (or Tofu) Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
200g chicken or tofu, diced
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic & ginger
Lettuce leaves
Optional: sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Stir-fry chicken/tofu with garlic, ginger, soy sauce.
- Spoon into lettuce cups.
- Garnish with sesame seeds.
13. Gnocchi with Spinach & Garlic Butter
Ingredients:
250g gnocchi
2 tbsp butter or olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups spinach
Parmesan or vegan cheese
Instructions:
- Cook gnocchi.
- Cook garlic and spinach in butter/olive oil.
- Toss gnocchi and top with cheese.
14. Avocado Toast with Eggs (or Tofu Scramble)
Ingredients:
2 slices bread
1 avocado
1 fried egg or tofu scramble
Salt, pepper, chili flakes
Instructions:
- Toast bread.
- Mash avocado with seasonings.
- Spread on toast, top with egg or tofu.
15. One-Pan Veggie Quesadillas
Ingredients:
2 tortillas
½ cup shredded cheese
Sliced veggies
Olive oil
Instructions:
- Heat pan with oil.
- Fill tortilla with cheese and veggies, cover with another tortilla.
- Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- Slice into wedges.
These 15 easy dinner recipes are perfect for anyone who wants to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen. Each recipe is quick, adaptable, and uses minimal ingredients while keeping flavors fresh and exciting.
For more inspiration, check out:
Calorie Deficit Breakfast Recipes – 5 Ways to Start Your Day Right
5 Easy Apple Desserts in Under 30 Minutes
Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok for more quick cooking tips!
Have questions or need ingredient swaps? Drop them in the comments or email us at info@oddlybalanced.com.
Cooking doesn’t have to be stressful — these 15 recipes are designed to save you time, reduce decision fatigue, and make weeknight dinners something to look forward to. Let us know which ones you tried and how you made them your own!
