10 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

10 Easy Dinner Recipes You Can Make in Under 30 Minutes (With Ingredients You Already Have!)

Dinner Recipes a long day, no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen. Good news? You don’t have to. If you’ve got your masalas, some rice or roti, and a few basics in your pantry, you’re all set. Here are 10 desi-friendly dinner ideas that are quick, satisfying, and full of flavor.

Egg Curry (Anda Curry)
Egg Curry

1. Egg Curry (Anda Curry)

Time: ~25 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Spicy, cozy, and pairs perfectly with rice or parathas.

Ingredients:

  • Eggs
  • Onions
  • Tomatoes
  • Ginger-garlic paste
  • Haldi, red chilli powder, garam masala
  • Quick Tip: Boil the eggs while you prep the masala. Fry the boiled eggs a bit before adding them to the gravy for extra flavor.

Aloo Bhujia (Spicy Potato Fry)

Time: ~20 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Cheap, cheerful, and nostalgic AF.

Ingredients:

  • Potatoes
  • Mustard seeds or cumin seeds
  • Curry leaves (if you’ve got them)
  • Turmeric, red chilli powder, salt
  • Serve it with: Roti, or stuff it into a wrap with some chutney.
Aloo Bhujia (Spicy Potato Fry)
Aloo Bhujia

Tamarind Rice (Imli Sadam)

Time: ~25 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Tangy, spicy, and great for lazy evenings.

Ingredients:

  • Cooked rice
  • Tamarind paste
  • Mustard seeds, dried red chillies
  • Curry leaves, peanuts
  • Pro Move: Make extra tamarind mix and store it—it lasts for weeks in the fridge.
Tamarind Rice (Imli Sadam)
Tamarind Rice

4. Paneer Bhurji

Time: ~20 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Think scrambled eggs, but with paneer and way more flavor.

Ingredients:

  • Crumbled paneer
  • Onions, tomatoes
  • Green chillies, coriander
  • Turmeric, cumin, garam masala
  • Hot Tip: Toss it into a chapati roll for an easy paneer wrap.

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4. Paneer Bhurji
4. Paneer Bhurji

Masala Oats Khichdi

Time: ~25 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Comfort food with a healthy twist.

Ingredients:

  • Rolled oats
  • Moong dal
  • Veggies (carrot, peas, etc.)
  • Mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilli
  • Haldi, jeera
  • Extra: Top with a dollop of ghee because…why not?
Masala Oats Khichdi
Masala Oats Khichdi

Besan Chilla (Savory Gram Flour Pancakes)

Time: ~15 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Fast, protein-rich, and totally customizable.

Ingredients:

  • Besan (gram flour)
  • Onions, green chilli, coriander
  • Spices: salt, red chilli, ajwain (optional)
  • Serve with: Green chutney or plain yogurt.
Besan Chilla (Savory Gram Flour Pancakes)
Besan Chilla

Tomato Rasam + Rice

Time: ~20 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Light, tangy, and perfect when you’re under the weather (or just lazy).

Ingredients:

  • Tomatoes
  • Tamarind
  • Mustard seeds, curry leaves
  • Black pepper, jeera, garlic
  • Tip: Add some cooked dal to make it more filling.
Tomato Rasam + Rice
Tomato Rasam + Rice

Cabbage Stir-Fry (Bandh Gobi Sabzi)

Time: ~20 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Super simple and low-effort veg option.

Ingredients:

  • Cabbage
  • Mustard or cumin seeds
  • Green chillies
  • Turmeric, salt
  • Yummy Add-on: A pinch of grated coconut if you’ve got it.
Cabbage Stir-Fry
Cabbage Stir-Fry

Chickpea Salad Chaat

Time: ~15 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: High-protein, no-cook (if you use canned chana), and super fresh.

Ingredients:

  • Boiled chickpeas
  • Onions, tomatoes, cucumber
  • Lemon juice, chaat masala
  • Green chutney (optional but delicious)
  • Serve it as: A light dinner or a filling snack.
Chickpea Salad Chaat
Chickpea Salad Chaat

Instant Veg Upma

Time: ~25 mins

  • Why you’ll love it: Classic, quick, and adaptable.

Ingredients:

  • Rava (semolina)
  • Mustard seeds, urad dal
  • Onion, green chillies, ginger
  • Mixed veggies
  • Curry leaves, salt, lemon
  • Pro Move: Dry roast rava in advance and store it—it cuts down cook time even more.
Instant Veg Upma
Instant Veg Upma

Final Thoughts

You don’t need exotic ingredients or a ton of time to whip up something tasty. Most of these recipes use stuff you probably already have: onions, tomatoes, haldi, jeera, and a few core veggies or pantry items.

So next time you’re staring into your kitchen wondering “Kya banaun yaar?”—pull up this list and you’re sorted.

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