As a meals editor, I’ve written the phrase “sooner than takeout” extra instances than I can bear in mind, however even these of us who love cooking are generally—OK usually—too exhausted on the finish of a busy work day to do something however seize takeout or ready meals. However takeout is pricey and, in the event you’re like me, comes bundled with method an excessive amount of guilt about single-use plastics and packaging. Luckily, there are many dishes, particularly people who lean on pantry staples, which are filled with taste and nonetheless come collectively in a flash. Every one of many recipes that follows—together with spicy steamed mussels with ‘nduja, a easy stovetop mac and cheese, a Chinese language-style layered omelette, and sambal-smashed rooster—comes collectively in 20 minutes or much less.