Zero time to cook? Here's how to organize your week with ready meals in less than 20 minutes!

Monday 31 March 2025 14:03
Zero time to cook? Here's how to organize your week with ready meals in less than 20 minutes!

Between the rush of work, daily commitments and that chronic lack of desire to spend hours at the stove, planning the week's meals can seem like an impossible task. Yet, there is a solution (and it's simpler than you think). All you have to do is ask yourself the right question: How to organize the week with ready-made meals in less than 20 minutes?

The answer is: aim for quick and easy recipes that can be prepared even at the last minute, without having to spend hours at the stove. And for those who want a practical alternative to traditional cooking, the air fryer is a great ally: it allows you to get crispy and tasty dishes in minutes. Whether you're looking for quick dinners, last-minute lunches, or simply a more streamlined and organized kitchen, it only takes a few tricks to eat well every day, even with little time on your hands.


1. Pasta with creamy zucchini

If you're wondering how to organize your week with ready-made dishes in less than 20 minutes, this is one of the recipes to save to your smart menu right away. Creamy Pasta with Zucchini and Greek Yogurt is the perfect example of how to bring a light, tasty and ready-to-eat dish to the table in no time, without sacrificing creaminess. Perfect for those who want to eat well even on the most hectic days, this pasta is a practical solution to face the week with more flavor and less stress.

For the step-by-step recipe of creamy pasta with zucchini and Greek yogurt click here.

1. Pasta with creamy zucchini
Photo: Petitchef.com

2. Salmon in air fryer

When you're short on time but don't want to give up a healthy and tasty meal, the salmon in an air fryer is one of those solutions that saves your day. Rich in protein and good fats, it cooks in less than 15 minutes and is perfect to fit into your weekly plan. Just flavor the fillets with spices and a drizzle of oil, turn on the air fryer, and you're done: a complete, light and delicious dinner without stress or dirtying a thousand pots. Whether you are following a balanced diet or simply want to save time in the kitchen, salmon in air fryer is a great choice to replicate every week. Looking for variety? Pair it with seasonal vegetables also cooked in the fryer, or a fresh salad ready in 5 minutes.

For the step-by-step recipe for salmon in air fryer click here.

2. Salmon in air fryer
Photo: Petitchef.com

3. Asparagus, feta and walnut salad

Looking for a fresh, quick and nutritious idea for your weeknight meals? This asparagus, feta and walnut salad is the perfect answer for those who want to eat well without wasting time at the stove. Rich in flavor and ready in less than 20 minutes, it is ideal to include in a smart weekly plan designed for those who are short on time but don't want to give up healthy, balanced meals. Perfect as a tasty appetizer, but also as a light one-pot meal for a quick lunch or last-minute dinner, this recipe combines the crunchiness of asparagus with the savoriness of feta and the rustic note of walnuts.

For the step-by-step recipe of the asparagus feta salad and walnuts click here.

3. Asparagus, feta and walnut salad
Photo: Petitchef.com

4. Cheese omelet.

When time is scarce and hunger strikes, you need a quick, tasty and possibly low-input solution. That's why the cheese omelet is one of those wild card dishes to keep on the pan at all times: ready in just 5 minutes, creamy just right and customizable in a thousand variations. If you're wondering how to organize your week with quick dishes, the omelet is a great answer: perfect for a time-saving dinner, ideal for a last-minute lunch, and even a last-second brunch. All you need is a couple of eggs, some good cheese, and you're done. Add it to your weekly menu!

For the step-by-step recipe for the cheese omelet click here.

4. Cheese omelet.
Photo: Petitchef.com

5. Pasta with olive sauce

Ready in less than 20 minutes, with simple ingredients that are always available in the pantry (tomato puree, black olives, garlic and a drizzle of oil) this recipe is the perfect ally in times when time is scarce but the desire to eat something good is not lacking. Light, flavorful and very quick, pasta with olive sauce is one of those quick and easy recipes that will save you a last-minute, stress-free lunch or dinner. Incorporating it into your weekly menu is a breeze, especially if you're wondering how to organize your week with quick but still tasty and satisfying dishes.

For the step-by-step recipe for fusilli with olive sauce click here.

5. Pasta with olive sauce
Photo: Petitchef.com

6. Mini quiche with tortillas

Have you ever thought of turning simple tortilla into tasty mini quiches? This recipe is proof that with just a few ingredients and a little creativity, you can make quick, inexpensive, and really tasty dishes. Perfect for an original appetizer, brunch, or to bring to work as a take-out lunch, mini quiches with tortillas are also ideal when time is tight. They are prepared in minutes, bake quickly, and keep well for several days-in short, a smart solution for those wondering how to organize their week with quick dishes and looking for practical ideas to include in their weekly menu.

For the step-by-step recipe for the mini quiches with tortillasclick here.

6. Mini quiche with tortillas
Photo: Petitchef.com

7. Croque monsieur in air fryer

Organizing the week with quick dishes is often the key to coping with busy days without stress. The solution? Aim for crafty recipes, the kind that can be prepared in a snap but still know how to deliver taste and satisfaction. A perfect example is the Croque Monsieur in air fryer, a modern and very quick take on the famous French sandwich. Ready in minutes, this stringy, crispy sandwich is ideal for a time-saving dinner or express lunch without sacrificing the pleasure of comfort food. The advantage of the air fryer? No pan to wash, no oven on: just stuff, bake and enjoy. Simpler (and tastier) than that, impossible!

For the step-by-step recipe for the croque monsieur in air fryer click here.

7. Croque monsieur in air fryer
Photo: Petitchef.com

8. Baked lemon chicken

When thinking about how to organize your week with quick dishes, the oven can also become a valuable ally: just bake, set the timer and let it cook while you get on with other things. One of the simplest, lightest and most fragrant recipes is undoubtedly the lemon chicken in the oven. With just a few ingredients, no complicated preparation, and an irresistible aroma, this main course is perfect for either a last-minute dinner or a lunch to take the next day. If you're looking for quick and practical ideas for weekly meal planning, this recipe is a real wild card to save!

For the step-by-step recipe for baked lemon chicken click here.

8. Baked lemon chicken
Photo: Petitchef.com

9. Zucchini sticks in air fryer

A smart recipe that is suitable for a thousand occasions: last-minute appetizer, tasty side dish or, why not, even as a healthy snack to take to work. Thanks to the air fryer, you can prepare these sticks with very little oil, keeping all the flavor of fresh zucchini. They are super easy to make, perfect for those who are short on time but don't want to give up eating well. If you're looking for ideas to organize your weekday meals with quick dishes, put this recipe at the top of your list now-it will save you over and over again!

For the step-by-step recipe for zucchini sticks in air fryer click here.

9. Zucchini sticks in air fryer
Photo: Petitchef.com

10. Fish fingers with air fryer.

Fish fingers in an air fryer are the perfect choice for those who want a quick and healthy dish that can easily fit into their weekly menu. Ready in minutes, they are prepared with simple and light ingredients, but still provide an irresistible texture: crispy on the outside and soft inside. Forget long frying and the lingering smell in the kitchen: thanks to the air fryer, you'll get a golden and flavorful result with very little oil and in a very short time. Ideal for a last-minute dinner or to win over even the smallest palates, these sticks are the smart solution for those who want to eat well without complicating their lives. A true resource for those who focus on practical, light and smart cooking.

For the step-by-step recipe of fish fingers in air fryerclick here.

10. Fish fingers with air fryer.
Photo: Petitchef.com

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DanieleDaniele
Every day I immerse myself in the world of cooking, looking for new recipes and flavors to share: from grandma's dish to the latest food trends. I have been working in food communication for over 10 years!