33 Quick & Saucy Dinner Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes

33 Quick & Saucy Dinner Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes

Read Time: 14 mins

33 Quick & Saucy Dinner Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes2/30 Tenderloin with Herb Sauce 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tender pork is treated to a rich and creamy sauce with a slight red pepper kick. This hearty dish is very simple to prepare and is always a dinnertime winner at my home. —Monica Shipley, Tulare, California Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork: 238 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 495mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:

4 lean meat, 1 fat

4 lean meat, 1 fat. 3/30 Chicken with Cherry Wine Sauce 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My dad’s a chef, so I learned to cook at an early age. This saucy chicken was the first dish I made by myself. —Ben Diaz, Azusa, California Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 3 tablespoons sauce: 480 calories, 25g fat (14g saturated fat), 179mg cholesterol, 418mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 46g protein. 4/30 Pork with Mustard Sauce 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total

Now that I am, I really enjoy using pork

Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Back when I was a girl, I couldn’t wait until I was grown up and could start cooking for my own family! Now that I am, I really enjoy using pork. The tender meat and the rich mustard sauce in this recipe are delectable together. —Irma Pomeroy, Enfield, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 2 slices pork with 3 tablespoons sauce: 292 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 311mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. 5/30 Pork Chops with Nectarine Sauce 4 Reviews Test Kitchen

These juicy chops are fast, too

Approved Pork Chops with Nectarine Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to make meals healthy and delicious. These juicy chops are fast, too. —Suellen Pineda, Victor, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 1/2 cup sauce: 330 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 414mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fruit, 1 fat. 6/30 Steak and Portobello Mushrooms 15 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved

Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable

GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tasty steaks seem special, but they are fast enough for an everyday dinner. We enjoy the mushroom-topped filets with crusty French bread, a mixed salad and a light lemon dessert. —Christel Stein, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 steak with 1/3 cup sauce: 247 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 369mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable. 7/30 Peanut Butter Noodles 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peanut

It’s so good, we’ve never had leftovers

Butter Noodles Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: To get that luscious taste of Thai cuisine, combine ginger, basil, lime and peanut butter in a sauce for linguine. It’s so good, we’ve never had leftovers. —Allil Binder, Spokane, Washington Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 365 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 10g fiber), 14g protein. 8/30 Pork Medallions in Mustard Sauce 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings

I played around with different flavors until I found this combo

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like pork medallions with apricot preserves and wondered how else I could dress them up. I played around with different flavors until I found this combo. Wows every time. —Tahnia Fox, Trenton, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked pork with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 193 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 356mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 9/30 Chicken with Mushroom Sauce 57 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Contest-Winning Chicken with Mushroom Sauce Recipe photo by

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable

Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It looks impressive, but this mouthwatering chicken and mushroom sauce comes together in no time. I think its flavor rivals that of many full-fat entrees found in fancy restaurants. —Jennifer Pemberton, Muncie, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 225 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 541mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 10/30 Grilled Shrimp 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Buttery Grilled Shrimp Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

These shrimp are great with steak

Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak. For a special occasion, you can also brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill them. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 1 skewer: 201 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 168mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. 11/30 Cod with Hearty Tomato Sauce 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cod with Hearty Tomato Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe

We serve it with whole wheat pasta or brown rice

From the Recipe Creator: My father made up this sweet, flavorful recipe for my mother when he took over the cooking. We serve it with whole wheat pasta or brown rice. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 3/4 cup sauce: 271 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 746mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat. 12/30 Turkey Scallopini with Marsala Sauce 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Creator: My family requests this entree at least once a month

Creator: My family requests this entree at least once a month. The slightly sweet Marsala sauce is yummy over the turkey slices and hot cooked noodles. —Briana Knight, Ferndale, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without linguine): 459 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. 13/30 Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We try to eat salmon a lot because it’s so healthy, and I love thinking of new ways

to make it different and delicious

to make it different and delicious. This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for company. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 3 tablespoons sauce and 2 tablespoons coconut: 497 calories, 34g fat (12g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 467mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein. 14/30 Shrimp in Mango Chili Sauce 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp in Mango Chili Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On-hand ingredients make a tasty shrimp entree in a matter of minutes!

Try the shrimp over waffles or rice for another yummy option

Try the shrimp over waffles or rice for another yummy option. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup shrimp mixture: 283 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 895mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. 15/30 Turkey Linguine with Tomato Cream Sauce 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love an easy weeknight meal! This meal comes together quickly and uses up the half block of cream cheese that always ends up in my fridge. —Amy Lents, Grand

—Kathleen Specht, Clinton, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop

Forks, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 510 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 981mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. 16/30 Pork Chops with Blue Cheese Sauce 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sometimes a sauce is just a sauce, but with these tender chops, it really makes the dish. If you like a little spice, mix a pinch of nutmeg with the black pepper before you sprinkle it on the meat. —Kathleen Specht, Clinton, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop

Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 fat

with 3 tablespoons sauce: 263 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 17/30 Chicken with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings (2 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sister Amy came up with this recipe that makes standard chicken breasts a lot more exciting. My husband and I just love the wonderful sauce. —Molly Cappone, Lewis Center, Ohio

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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