The Best Superfast Recipes

Photo: Johnny Autry

Reader Favorites

We've got a hunch as to why our Superfast recipes are so popular. They're delicious and quick—certainly a double threat. We've done a little research to find out which of our 20-minute recipes you, our readers, deemed the very best.

We'll start with showstopping Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca.

“This dish will be a regular in our household. Fancy enough for company, yet so simple to make!” —EMCULP1

Serve this Italian favorite with sautéed broccoli rabe or haricots verts.

View Recipe: Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca

Photo: Johnny Autry

Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce

“The tarragon in this recipe absolutely makes it. Don’t substitute!”
—REDSOX19762

If you can’t find exotic mushrooms, sliced button or cremini mushrooms are a good substitute.

View Recipe: Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce

Photo: Johnny Autry

Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

“Great recipe with amazing results every time! The lemon brightens the flavor in a huge way.” —CWPINATL1

If you choose to peel your own shrimp, save the shells to flavor a homemade seafood stock.

View Recipe: Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Apples

Photo: Johnny Autry

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

“This dish wraps you in a blanket of comfortfood goodness.” —CINNABEAVE

The sautéed apples make a great side dish on their own. This spice mixture would also make a wonderful rub for lamb.

View Recipe: Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

Photo: Johnny Autry

Mongolian Beef

“Just like takeout, but healthier (and much less expensive)!” —CARACOOK

Serve this slightly spicy dish over wide rice noodles to catch all the garlic- and ginger-laced sauce.

View Recipe: Mongolian Beef

Photo: Johnny Autry

Loaded Potato Soup

“The search for the perfect potato soup is now over!” —ANNAMSOT

Serve this kid-friendly soup with a mixed greens salad for a light dinner.

View Recipe: Loaded Potato Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry

Chicken & Summer Vegetable Tostadas

“Very yummy! You could use the chicken mixture as filling for anything.” —DANIELLELEE

Be sure to use fat-free tortillas for the crispest results. To make this a year-round favorite, use frozen corn.

View Recipe: Chicken & Summer Vegetable Tostadas

Photo: John Autry

Cider-Glazed Chicken with Browned Butter-Pecan Rice

"So easy and quick to make!!! I will definitely make this again." —DSTARON

With chicken cutlets and boil-in-bag rice, this unique take on the chicken-and-rice dinner couldn’t be easier (or faster!) to make.

View Recipe: Cider-Glazed Chicken with Browned Butter-Pecan Rice

Photo: Randy Mayor

Salmon Croquettes

"I love this recipe. I made it as a Saturday early dinner and got rave reviews. Will make this over and over and over!!" —TAMMYRVC

Salmon Croquettes are packed with fresh flavors from lemon juice, green onions, and red bell pepper. Easy to prepare and even more easily devoured, if the question around your house is centered on what’s for dinner, then the answer is Salmon Croquettes.

View Recipe: Salmon Croquettes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Creole Shrimp and Sausage Stew

"The broth on this stew is great, and no one would know that it had very little prep and cooking time." —SAECCA

Warm up cool evenings with a delicious stew that's just as delicious on its own as it is when ladled over rice. Serve with crusty bread and hot sauce.

View Recipe: Creole Shrimp and Sausage Stew

Photo: Randy Mayor

Spicy Chicken Shawarma

"My husband and I love this recipe. The spice mix is great and it was really easy to make. We will be making it again soon." —KALJ197

Tangy, yet cool Greek-style yogurt is the perfect counterpoint to spicy chicken tossed in a blend of Middle Eastern spices and sautéed to perfection. Your mouth will by watering from the moment smells begin wafting from your skillet.

View Recipe: Spicy Chicken Shawarma

Photo: Randy Mayor

Scallop Piccata with Sautéed Spinach

"Simple and easy and came out great and loved the sauteed spinach too!" —TACOMA

Serve these quick-cooking scallops over a bed of whole-grain pasta or brown rice for a filling (and impressive) meal.

View Recipe: Scallop Piccata with Sautéed Spinach

Photo: Randy Mayor

Chicken-Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese

"Fabulous! I made for a 4th of July picnic and everyone raved over it. About six months later a relative of a close friend called and wanted the recipe, she had been thinking about the salad since the picnic!" —PURDUEKEL

Tangy and creamy goat cheese makes a nice partner to starchy orzo in this salad, which comes together in 10 minutes or so. If even that is more time than you have, it can be made ahead, whenever you can find the time. Mix together the dressing and all ingredients except the arugula and tomatoes, then add those just before serving.

View Recipe: Chicken-Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese

Photo: John Autry

White Pizza with Tomato and Basil

"We love this recipe and have added it to our weeknight rotation because it is so easy. I like the techinique of heating the pan in the oven first - it really does make for a crispier crust." —DMT4641

Crushed red pepper is optional in this recipe but, if you can take the heat, it will give the flavors in this pizza a kick. Heating a cookie sheet in the oven before you put the pizza on it gives you a crisper crust.

View Recipe: White Pizza with Tomato and Basil

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Falafel with Avocado Spread

"These are outstanding! My husband is a big meat eater and when I make these there is no complaining where is the beef! They reheat well for a great lunch the next day!" —SAMJ142

The beauty of this Latin twist on the classic Middle Eastern sandwich is its simplicity, and of course, flavor. Garnish with microgreens and sliced red onion.

View Recipe: Falafel with Avocado Spread

Photo: John Autry

Shrimp Cobb Salad

"This simple salad was full of flavors that worked very well together, none overpowered the other. It was light but, filling." —ASHLEYAUTUMN

Typical Cobb salads include chicken and hard-cooked eggs; this riff uses shrimp and corn.

View Recipe: Shrimp Cobb Salad

Photo: John Autry

Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Hazelnuts

"Incredible flavor & texture. Simply delicious!" —PROMOGAL

Fresh pasta pairs well with a simple, barely-there sauce that will gently coat each noodle, highlighting the fresh pasta's uniquely soft, smooth texture without overwhelming it or stealing its shine. This dish makes for a satisfying meatless meal that is sure to please your taste buds.

View Recipe: Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Hazelnuts

Photo: Randy Mayor

Steak Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy

"This was YUMM-Y! This page in my Cooking Light magazine has definitely been dog eared. Goes great w/ a nice red wine and good company!" —LADYAMC

Briefly cooking the gravy with thyme sprigs saves the time of stripping the tiny leaves from the stem, but still gives you the herb’s woodsy flavor. Serve this rich and hearty beef mixture on a bed of egg noodles and you will find that this comforting meal is just the thing you had in mind.

View Recipe: Steak Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Grilled Chicken with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce

"Such a great weeknight meal!! Very easy, and the dressing is delicious! I followed the directions exactly. I just wish we had more salad because it went quickly." —SAECCA

A tangy sauce enlivens simple grilled chicken breasts; a hint of sugar balances the flavors.

View Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce

Photo: Johnny Autry

Gnocchi with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Pesto

"I made this for my husband and his family last night and everyone raved about it!! It was a last minute decision to stay in so I needed something quick. This fit the bill and it was super yummy." —CHEFBACCHUS

Gnocchi—small Italian potato dumplings—are a hearty alternative to pasta. While making gnocchi from scratch could take more than an hour, premade vacuum-packed dumplings cook in a few minutes.

View Recipe: Gnocchi with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Pesto