In a perfect world, you could put in a full day’s work, drive the kids to soccer practice, hit the gym for a Pilates class, and still have time to cook dinner and sit down to enjoy it. Well, time for a reality check. Mealtime still matters, but it has to be shoehorned in among the activities, people, and interests that make up your real world.

That’s where these recipes come in. We’ve gathered a collection of time-saving main dish recipes to help you get a dinner on the table without putting a dent in your day. While our objective is convenience, the focus is on great-tasting food.

Convenience means different things at different times, depending on your needs. If you’re a planner, you’ll rely on our make-ahead dishes such as Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells with Smoky Marinara, which you can make over the weekend to pull out of the freezer later in the week. The key is to cook when it’s convenient for you.