My Favorite Quick Cook Dinner Recipes (2024)

Here are my favorite quick cook dinner recipes that require little cooking time and less mess. These wholesome, healthy meals are perfect for busy families who do not want to compromise their health.

My favorite quick cook dinner recipes:

Vita Clay Chicken Tortilla Soup

VitaClay chicken tortilla soup is the perfect meal for those cozy winter evenings. It tastes just like the chicken tortilla soup I have had at many Mexican restaurants.

There are many variations to this recipe and you can add and top it with whatever you’d like!

The VitaClay is a non-toxic, organic multi-cooker and stock pot and also my new favorite cooker for soups and stews. It cooks faster than a slow cooker, preserving the nutrients and flavors of your meals.

To make VitaClay chicken tortilla soup you will need:

1. 1-2 pounds cooked or raw chicken
2. 4 cups chicken broth
3. 10 ounces enchilada sauce
4. 1 can diced tomatoes with juice
5. 1 whole onion, chopped
6. Whole or minced garlic
7. 10 ounces frozen corn
8. 1 teaspoon cumin powder
9. 1 teaspoon chili powder
10. 1 teaspoon white pepper
11. 1 bay leaf
12. Toppings – fresh squeezed lime juice, sour cream, shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips
13. VitaClay organic cooker – Save 10% with code ALLNATURALANDGOOD10 at checkout

Directions:

1. Add all of the ingredients to the VitaClay, except toppings.
2. Cook on “fast” for 2 hours.
3. Serve and add additional toppings as desired.

Save 10% on your VitaClay with code ALLNATURALANDGOOD10 at CHECKOUT

Instant Pot Vodka Penne

Instant pot vodka penne is a quick and yummy recipe that I love. The instant pot is one of a mom’s best friends! Pair it with some wine while cooking quick and healthy dinners, even better 😉

This instant pot vodka penne recipe is so good and only takes about 15 minutes total! Ain’t no mama got time to cook all day! This recipe is a little spicy, but you can omit the pepper or use less if you want. We always have plenty of leftovers too!

What you need:

1. 1 pound penne pasta (or you can substitute for another pasta such as rigatoni)
2. 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
3. 1 diced onion
4. 6 cloves minced garlic
5. 1 tablespoon olive oil
6. 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
7. 1/2 cup vodka
8. 2 cups water
9. 1 teaspoon salt
10. 1/2 cup cream
11. 1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano
12. fresh chopped parsley (optional)

Directions:

1. Select “saute” on the instant pot. Add the olive oil, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute for 2 minutes.
2. Next, add the vodka and mix well. Cook it down for 2 minutes or so. Add the canned diced tomatoes, pasta, salt and water.
3. Put on the lid and lock it into place. Be sure it is on correctly for pressure cooking.
4. Pressure cook for 4 minutes then do a quick release according to the instant pot directions.
5. Add the cream, grated cheese and parsley and mix. Enjoy!
6. Serve it with my freezable garlic bread.

VitaClay Vegetarian Chili

I am obsessed with making vegetarian chili every week! It is seriously a healthy and hearty meal that is so easy to make and leftovers will last you for days. This vegetarian chili recipe can be made with meat if you want (just add it to this recipe).

VitaClay chili is a great recipe that the whole family will enjoy!

What you need:

3 cloves minced garlic
1 diced bell pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper (I prefer white pepper)
1 small can diced green chilis
3 15(ish) ounces of beans, rinsed and drained (I like to use 1 can of black beans, 1 can of kidney beans and 1 can of pinto beans as a nice, tasty variety)
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup beer (lager) or water if you don’t have beer handy
Optional for toppings – sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, chives or tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Add all of the ingredients to your VitaClay except for the toppings.
2. Cook on fast for 1 hour.
3. Add toppings and serve 🙂

Save 10% on your VitaClay with code ALLNATURALANDGOOD10 at CHECKOUT

VitaClay Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a classic meal that is perfect during cold and flu season. This recipe also uses the VitaClay. Can you tell it’s my favorite cooker???

What you need to make this VitaClay chicken noodle soup:

1. 10 cups chicken broth – I use Better Than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base
2. 1-2 pounds cubed chicken (I use raw, but you can also used cooked)
3. 2-3 carrots, chopped
4. 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
5. 1 whole onion, chopped
6. 5-10 whole garlic cloves (I prefer a lot of garlic)
7. Fresh herbs of your choice – I like using thyme and parsley from my garden

Directions:

1. Add the chicken to the VitaClay pot. Add the remaining ingredients on top, except for the noodles.
2. Cook on slow for 2 hours, adding the uncooked noodles in the last 10 minutes.

Save 10% on your VitaClay with code ALLNATURALANDGOOD10 at CHECKOUT

Copy Cat Olive Garden fa*gioli Soup

You can make Olive Garden’s fa*gioli soup right at home with this awesome recipe! I love this soup because it is really hearty and is a meal in itself.

I make this fa*gioli soup in my VitaClaycooker.

fa*gioli Soup Ingredients:

1. 1 pound ground beef
2. 1 whole onion, chopped
3. 3 celery stalks, diced
4. 3 carrots, diced
5. 24 ounces tomato sauce
6. 4 cups chicken broth
7. 1 can diced tomatoes
8. 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
9. 1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
10. 3 cloves minced garlic
11. 1 teaspoon dried basil
12. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13. 1 teaspoon dried parsley
14. 1/2 pound pasta (cooked separately)
15. Grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook the ground beef then add it to the VitaClay pot.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, except the pasta.
3. Cook on fast for 1 hour.
4. Cook the pasta separately according to the package directions. I used penne pasta.
5. Add desired amount of pasta to a bowl and top with the fa*gioli soup hot and fresh from the VitaClay.
6. Top with grated parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Ready to make these favorite quick cook dinner recipes in a flash?

Save 10% on your VitaClay with code ALLNATURALANDGOOD10 at CHECKOUT

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.