How to Quit Your Day Job and Start a Ceramics Studio

Betsey Johnson turned 75 last year, and her feminine hippie style is famous in fashion. The designer has dished on how to nail your own personal style, rents out her stylish Mexican home via Airbnb, and knows how to rock a red carpet with her signature split. In this week’s How to Quit Your Day Job series, we chat with the fashion maven herself, Betsey Johnson, who blazed a path for herself, starting in the 1960s, to create a whimsical style that is uniquely hers. Here, Johnson shares some hard-earned wisdom for future fashionistas and creatives with all the sparkle and wit you’d expect from the pretty in pink powerhouse.

MEET THE FASHION ICON: BETSEY JOHNSON

In 1964, Betsey Johnson won a Mademoiselle magazine contest to become a guest editor and charmed editors at Mademoiselle with her home-sewn t-shirt dresses. A year later, she became the top designer for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique in New York City, that catered to a younger clientele that offered silver mini skirts and neon bikinis, and had go-go girls dancing in the store windows. It was London-style by way of NYC, and Johnson was one of the first employees. After her experience at Paraphernalia, Johnson wanted to branch out on her own. Now, with 50+ years working in the fashion industry, the style icon gives an inside look at how she built her empire and what she hopes other creative women implement in their own career journeys.

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Cartwheels and love to all my Betsey Babes. Thanks for all the lovely messages XoX Betsey 💖

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on Apr 4, 2019 at 6:42pm PDT

Brit + Co: What’s your morning routine?

Betsey Johnson: Lately I have been crawling out of bed at 8:30am, which is quite late for me because I am usually a 7am girl. I really enjoy spending time in my backyard, so once I’m up, I drift into the kitchen and have my one cup of black coffee. I often take my coffee to my birds-of-paradise garden in the backyard and sit among my flowers. I’m all about fruit for breakfast, and I’ve been on a grape kick recently. Once I’ve eaten, l call my assistant and we will go over what I am up to for the rest of the day. My schedule usually changes from day to day, so I never know what the day will bring!

B+C: What inspired you to start your brand?

BJ: I worked for 10 years in the industry before starting my namestake brand, and between the ’60s and ’70s, I realized that I wanted to be my own boss, have my own company, do my own thing. I simply just didn’t want to work for anyone anymore.

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Sparkle in our step ✨ Dancing on our minds 💃

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on Apr 3, 2019 at 5:38pm PDT

B+C: You are a pioneer in the fashion industry and celebrated diversity like casting transgender models in your runway shows. How were you able to trust your inner voice in your business life and beyond?

BJ: Sometimes you have to keep your blinders on and move full speed ahead without distraction from what others are doing/saying. I cast my shows to represent the world I see around me, and that is the most important thing to me.

B+C: You’ve got a book in the works about your life, a boutique hotel in Mexico, and continue to be involved in your company. What keeps your creative spark alive?

BJ: Nothing can keep you creative, you either live it and you have it, you either do it or you don’t. There is no time zone, season, or reason for you to be creative. You just have to motivate yourself and be your own biggest source of energy! No one or anything should be able to make you do something if you don’t have passion for it.

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No such thing as too much pink 💖

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on Mar 21, 2019 at 7:26pm PDT

B+C: What have you’ve learned from a failure or mistake you made?

BJ: Your past, the mistakes you’ve made, and the failures that follow you are only going to help you direct how you want to live your future. I am always looking back to my past to inform the way I want to do things now. We should never be ashamed of our mistakes. They make us who we are!

B+C: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

BJ: “Love it or it will leave you.” I feel you have to love what you do, and be connected to the whole business, then the best results will happen.

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Fashion made to #FLEX in 👯 Shop the new activewear collection at BetseyJohnson.com #DoubleTrouble #FitButMakeitFashion

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on Mar 15, 2019 at 4:33pm PDT

B+C: Your clothes, design style, and personality are iconic while remaining true to who you are as a person. What would you tell future female fashion designers about how to blaze their own trail?

BJ: Always be true to yourself. It’s the most important thing you have. Be kind, respect others, and fight hard for the things you want.

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Chocolates in boxes and eyeliner wings, these are a few of my favorite things 💋💗💐 Announcing our #BetseyBabeContest winner who will receive the entire cosmetics collection for two ✨ Luckily if you didn’t win, you can still shop cosmetics by Betsey Johnson at @fragrancenet 💖

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on Feb 14, 2019 at 6:36pm PST

B+C: Name two female heroes who you think should get a shout-out.

BJ: First, I want to give a shout out to [my daughter] Lulu and my grandkids. I’ve been with them more than anyone else in my life, and I don’t know where I’d be without them. Also, women like Tina Turner, Madonna, and Janis Joplin have always been huge inspirations for my clothing and in my life. I can’t just pick two!

B+C: If you could tell aspiring creative women anything, what would it be?

BJ: You have to work really really really hard, but you should want to work hard. I think you make your own luck. I’ve been lucky in my life, but that is because I’ve worked hard. I believe the same thing can happen for any other young women out there.

RELATED: Insta Icon Eva Chen Dishes on Her Career, Fashion, and Her Latest Dream Collabs

(Photos via Betsey Johnson)

If your sweet tooth is your calling, why not learn how to turn your dessert dreams into a full-time passion from women entrepreneurs who took their inspiration beyond an idea? One movie date with her future husband to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory prompted Sugarfina co-founder Rosie O’Neill to wonder why grown-up candy stores didn’t exist. Food blogger Katie Higgins flipped her side gig of writing healthy dessert recipes into a career, and food scientist Natalia Butler found her ideal job creating new flavors for the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream empire. In this week’s How to Quit Your Day Job, we chat with Kim Malek, the CEO and founder of Salt & Straw — a popular West Coast chain of ice cream parlors focused on local flavors — about how she turned her idea for a community-based gathering spot for good times into a sweet success story.

Meet the Ice Cream Pro: Kim Malek

Years before Salt & Straw founder Kim Malek started her company, she worked at Starbucks Coffee, Yahoo!, adidas, and Gardenburger in marketing, community outreach, and product management and development. But inspired by the time she lived in the foodie paradise of Portland, Oregon, she had a vision to create a local eatery where friends could gather. Fourteen years later, she and her cousin Tyler, now head ice cream maker, started with an ice cream cart in Portland. Their unique flavors, like Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper and Pots of Gold & Rainbows (a mix of colorful marshmallows and cereal milk-flavor), garnered fans and graced Food Network’s list of the Top 5 Ice Creams in America.

With brick-and-mortar scoop shops now open in Los Angeles, Downtown Disney District, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, the neighborhood ice cream dream Malek had 14 years earlier is now a thriving company. This year, Salt & Straw is gearing up to open its 19th location, and the team will be releasing its first cookbook, the Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook (out April 30).

Brit + Co: What’s your morning routine?

Kim Malek: I have three kiddos, and I try to always take them to school when I’m not traveling. My mornings are all about them. I wake up around 5:30am, take our new puppy out for a little walk, make coffee, and pull myself together over a morning dose of NPR, and then wake up the littles and get them rolling. I’m big into ensuring they have a well-rounded breakfast, so I’m always dreaming up new things to serve along with a large plate of fruit daily. We dash out the door to be sure they have some time to play before school starts (essential to burn energy before sitting all day), which also gives me time to connect with other parents and teachers. Having accomplished all of that before I arrive at the office by 8:30am makes me feel like I’ve already packed in a lot. It’s great momentum for my busy day ahead.

B+C: What inspired you to start your company?

KM: I’d spent most of my adult life in Seattle but lived in Portland for a brief period in the mid-’90s. While there, I was struck by the incredible sense of community and collaboration that I experienced, and I was convinced that an ice cream shop would be the perfect way to reflect that. I wanted to create a place where people could run into their neighbors and spend time with friends and family. I started to work on a plan to open a shop and even looked at real estate. But I got cold feet and retreated back to my safe corporate job for the next 14 years, until the stars aligned for me to move back to Portland in 2010 and dust off my plans. Now, when I see the lines and groups of people who come together at our shops, it’s really gratifying to know that my original inspiration of creating great neighborhood gathering places has come to life in so many wonderful places up and down the West Coast.

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Shoutout to our scoopers at Portland's Northeast Alberta scoop shop, where we first served Salt & Straw's classic flavors way back in 2011. The team is still one of the grooviest gaggles of ice cream ambassadors we've ever met, and we couldn't do what we do without them. Thanks for spreading the happiness, friends! (Thanks for the photo, @bridgesandballoons!)

A post shared by Salt & Straw Ice Cream (@saltandstraw) on Jan 19, 2019 at 5:02pm PST

B+C: How do you challenge yourself as an entrepreneur?

KM: I heard [football quarterback] Joe Montana speak several years ago and identified with a statement he made about being motivated by fear. As a classic entrepreneur who is motivated by the possibilities with a great appetite for risk, also being motivated by fear seemed ironic to other people when I described it. I had the opportunity to sit next to Joe at a dinner a few months ago and let him know that his statement had stuck with me all these years later and asked him if he’d explain a bit more what he meant by that. He said that he was generally pretty confident that he’d succeed at whatever he was doing, but he was motivated by fear to create contingency plans, be more ready than seems logical, and work harder than anyone else. I loved that!

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Guess who's back?! 💕⭐🐴👠🍀🌙🍯🌈🎈Get ready to time warp to fabled flavors past because our March menu launches Friday 3/1 with some of the most beloved ice cream concoctions we've ever made—including Pots of Gold & Rainbows—so stop by your local scoop shop ASAP for a taste of this cereal-rific creation as well as a few more fan faves you've been waiting for...

A post shared by Salt & Straw Ice Cream (@saltandstraw) on Feb 28, 2019 at 10:01pm PST

B+C: Tell us about how your family and friends help support your business.

KM: My family has been instrumental in the company. I founded the company with my cousin Tyler. He wanted to join me to make ice cream when I was getting the company started, but he’d never made ice cream before and just started culinary school. He lived in my basement and experimented with ice cream making on a machine he got at Goodwill. It quickly became apparent that he was really talented, and he became the head ice cream maker right off the bat. It turned out to be a terrific partnership, and his culinary sense has made the company what it is today. The other person I have to mention is my partner Mike. Before I started Salt & Straw, I lived in Seattle and was about to move to NYC. I came to Portland for a birthday and met a guy in a bar, which doesn’t usually end well, but we are still together with three kids. And so I moved to Portland instead of NYC for love. I began working on the business but didn’t really have the funding needed. I cashed in my 401(k), sold my house, and had a garage sale to raise money, but was still $40K short. Mike put his house up as collateral for a small loan from the City of Portland to secure the final funds needed. He’s been an incredible support ever since.

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"Dear @saltandstraw, you have made my day with your delicious vegan ice cream. I have to eat as much as I can. Please don't tell mom and dad. Love, Paris. PS please send more!!" Thank YOU for giving our Toasted Coconut Milk & Cookies a try, @paristhefrench. We like your style!

A post shared by Salt & Straw Ice Cream (@saltandstraw) on Jan 3, 2019 at 9:11am PST

B+C: What have you learned from a failure or mistake you made?

KM: One mistake that most growing companies make is around hiring. I’ve learned what a costly mistake this can be. I’ve found that spending more time on scoping roles to be sure we understand what the company needs over the next two to three years and collaborating with the team on core competencies associated with the position are key to ensuring that we find the right person. It slows us down at the start but allows us to move forward with everyone aligned on what we are looking for in a candidate.

B+C: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

KM: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten: not to take advice! Stay clear about your original vision and mission, and come back to that when making decisions. I find it most helpful for others to share their experiences versus offering advice. I’ve learned the most that way and have been able to choose how to incorporate that experience into my decision-making.

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If you're planning a midnight celebration for New Year's, make sure the freezer is stocked with your favorite flavors! We've teamed up with Postmates to offer FREE Salt & Straw delivery from December 31st through January 6th. That's right—check your #Postmates app to get some pints delivered to your front door.

A post shared by Salt & Straw Ice Cream (@saltandstraw) on Dec 30, 2018 at 10:00pm PST

B+C: What do you love about your job?

KM: I’m most inspired by working side-by-side with people who have been with Salt & Straw since the beginning and have had a long career, continuing to push the company and others to new heights. It’s incredible to see how people have grown and taken the idea of this company far beyond what I could have imagined. I popped into a meeting recently with folks from all over the company working to figure out how to introduce a new product. It blows my mind to see these super-smart, passionate people creating a new future together.

B+C: Name two female heroes who you think should get a shout-out.

KM: First, Maggie Weissman, a principal at Billings Montana High School where I grew up and who went on to own Great Harvest Bread in Seattle. Before that, she was in the Peace Corps. I remember going to the drug store with her to buy toiletries for someone she was hiring who was recently released from prison. She worked on a plan to help him be successful in the job. Watching her go through the process changed everything I knew about what creating jobs could mean for others.

Second is RBG [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]. One story I love about her is that when her son’s school called about her son’s behavior, she said, “He also has a father. Please call him from now as the first point of contact for issues pertaining to our son.” Since they both worked, it didn’t seem fair that the school always contacted her first. Funny enough, she said when the school now had to interrupt a man at work, they stopped calling so frequently. As a household with two working parents, it was a good reminder to be sure the systems and institutions we work with are supportive of co-parenting. It’s an ongoing struggle to make it all work.

B+C: If you could tell aspiring creative women anything, what would it be?

KM: Find your voice and use it. You have terrific ideas that the world deserves to hear. I think women tend to be too conservative in sharing their thoughts, dreams, and plans, and wait until they have things perfect to speak out. One of the biggest gifts someone can give you is to underestimate you.

RELATED: How Two College Roommates Turned a Food Allergy Into a Superfood Ice Cream

(Photos via Leela Cyd Ross)

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Even the best easy dinner recipes like mac and cheese and *all* the healthy slow cooker concoctions can get boring when you cook them night after night. That's why we suggest you spice things up with these easy dinner recipes that totally satisfy! These quick and easy dinner ideas will give you major inspiration for those nights when you're drawing a blank on what to make and need a quick weeknight dinneron the table, stat.

Scroll on for 47 quick and easy dinner recipes that make mealtime a breeze!

What's the easiest thing to cook for dinner?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

In our experience, meals that feature a bunch of different ingredients thrown together (think poke bowls, burrito bowls, stews, and salads) end up being the easiest options to cook for dinner. Plus, they're a great way to clear out any leftovers you may have from the fridge!

What can I cook in 10 minutes?

Cats Coming / PEXELS

Easy meals like air fryer salmon, scrambled eggs and toast, and our risotto cupscan be made in 10 minutes or less. You probably won't be able to make something like a chicken breast or casserole in 10 minutes, but that doesn't mean your dinner still can't be delicious!

What can I cook in 30 minutes?

Engin Akyurt / PEXELS

In addition to the 10-minute meals mentioned above, there are plenty of recipes you can make in 30 minutes (some of them are right on this list!). You can also check out our Instant Pot Recipes and Air Fryer Recipes for some more quick and delicious meals.

What meals can I make for $5?

C1 Superstar / PEXELS

Meals like canned soup, frozen veggies, bagged salads, and other single-serve, pre-assembled meals usually fall under $5. Frozen pizza and spaghetti with marinara sauce are some other great hearty options!

Easy Dinner Recipes To Make Tonight

Brittany Griffin

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

We love a good Instant Pot meal, and this creamy and delicious pasta dish does not disappoint. It's great for any day of the week, and the leftovers save really well to last you all week! (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Heart-Shaped Pizza

The only thing we can think of that could make pizza better is making heart-shaped pizza. It's the perfect way to show just how much we love this tasty meal. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

20-Minute Vegan Nachos

Nachos that have no animal byproducts and only take 20 minutes? BRB — we're adding this to our easy dinner recipes lineup for the week. (via Brit + Co)

Brittany Griffin

Instant Pot Steamed Cod With Ginger Scallion Sauce

This easy Instant Pot-made dish can be on your table in roughly 30 minutes. From a frozen state, the fish only takes 5 minutes to pressure-cook! (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Brittany Griffin

Pressure Cooker Vegan Chili

Easy dinner recipes are supposed to be simple. Just dump the ingredients for this pick into your pressure cooker, and you'll have enough food to feed a family, all in less than 30 minutes. (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

10-Minute Vegan Trader Joe's Stir-Fry

Keep a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies and frozen brown rice on hand, and you have the base of a healthy, fast meal you can enjoy for dinner and beyond. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Mango Shrimp Curry

A jar of mango chutney acts as the base of this flavorful shrimp stir-fry. Talk about summery goodness! (via Brit + Co)

Brittany Griffin

Pancetta Pasta

This hearty, saucy, and salty pasta inspired by none other than Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis is the perfect easy dinner idea to whip up on chilly nights. You can make some easy swaps if you don't have pancetta or Pecorino on-hand, using bacon and Parmesan instead. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Dinner Recipes To Try This Week

Justina Huddleston

Vegan Veggie Sausage Foil Packs

Whether you cook them on the grill or in the oven, these foil packets require no cleanup. That's why they're one of the best easy dinner recipes to keep in your back pocket! (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

Ashley Bare

Thai Basil Stir-Fry

Punchy Thai basil, chiles, and garlic add a burst of flavor to this simple ground chicken stir-fry. Serve with sticky white rice, so you can soak up every last bit of sauce. (via Ashley Bare for Brit + Co)

Justina Huddleston

4-Ingredient Vegan Baked Ziti

Bake your pasta without having to boil it beforehand by giving it a quick soak. You'll be surprised at how much time you save with this easy dinner idea. (via Brit + Co)

Meredith Holser

20-Minute Pizza

Trader Joe's ready-made pizza dough saves the day for this easily customizable pizza idea. (via Meredith Holser forBrit + Co)

Brittany Griffin

Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

A rotisserie chicken cuts a lot of the labor involved in assembling these lettuce wraps. You can even use canned chicken if a rotisserie is out of reach. Add blue cheese crumbles and walnuts for a meal that's a little more elegant than your usual chicken salad. (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Audrey Bruno

Cacio e Pepe Chickpeas

Get the classic flavor of cacio e pepe in even less time than usual. Skip waiting for a pot of pasta water to boil, and swap your noodles for chickpeas instead. They have more protein, too! (via Audrey Bruno for Brit + Co)

Jessi Devenyns

Foil Pack Chicken & Broccoli

Seasoned with your favorite spices or marinade, these flexible chicken and broccoli packets can be changed up every time you make them for dinner. (via Jessi Devenyns for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Instant Pot Tuscan White Bean Soup

We love easy dinner recipes that are hearty and perfect for winter! Start with this veggie-loaded soup, then add sausage, bacon, and Parmesan. (via Brit + Co)

Easy + Quick Dinner Ideas

Melanie Burke

Vegetarian Pigs in a Blanket

Three ingredients, 12 minutes, and vegetarian to boot — could it get any easier?! (via Melanie Burke for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Sheet-Pan Lemon Chicken, Squash, and Green Beans

We love everything about this simple and fresh sheet-pan chicken and veggies. Swap out the veg depending on what you've got in the fridge for an easy dinner. (via Brit + Co)

Justina Huddleston

Vegan Sheet-Pan German Sausage and Veggies

Hearty vegan cooking doesn't have to take forever. Whip out your handy sheet-pan, and you'll be eating this medley of veggie sausage, potatoes, and cabbage in about 45 mostly hands-off minutes. (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

Make These Fast Dinner Ideas Tonight!

Patricia Conte

Mexican-Style Hot Dogs in Lettuce Wraps

A jumble of veggies and black beans put a much fresher spin on traditional hot dogs. (via Patricia Conte for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

20-Minute Tahini Salmon Salad

The rich and nutty tahini dressing is the key to transforming this salmon salad into an scrumptious easy dinner recipe you'll actually get excited about eating. (via Brit + Co)

Gentl and Hyers

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio With All-O the Parsley

You will always have something to eat when you bust out this recipe, which calls for all pantry staples: spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, anchovy, red pepper, and whatever herbs you have. (via Where Cooking Begins)

Munchkin Time

Easy Chicken Piccata

Whip up your this easy dinner recipe in just over a half hour with a cast iron pan! A side of pasta or mashed potatoes completes the meal perfectly. (via Munchkin Time)

Primavera Kitchen

Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast

Sneak in some veggies by sandwiching them in between slices of cheese and chicken. (via Primavera Kitchen)

My Modern Cookery

Baked Greek Chicken Wings With Tzatziki

Chicken wings don't have to be a labor of love — this recipe bakes them on a sheet tray for easy clean-up. Tangy tzatziki dip on the side is a fresh alternative to ranch dressing! (via My Modern Cookery)

Tasty Easy Dinner Ideas

Crazy for Crust

Bean Stuff Casserole

Cheesy bean casserole will please the whole fam any night of the week. (via Crazy for Crust)

Takes Two Eggs

15-Minute Spam Fried Rice

This quick fried rice dish is savory, salty, and protein-filled, thanks to the addition of Spam. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Bowl of Delicious

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Pizza

You won't think twice about adding more Brussels sprouts to your meals after you taste them in this smoky, cheesy pizza. (via Bowl of Delicious)

Wholesome Yum

Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

This stir-fry will please those on paleo, low-carb, or gluten-fee diets. Plus, it's thrifty in time and cost of ingredients. (via Wholesome Yum)

The Cozy Cook

Chicken Scallopini

This classic pasta dish stars a few secret convenient ingredients you probably have in your pantry already. (via The Cozy Cook)

Neil's Healthy Meals

Chorizo Scallop and Kale Stir Fry

Spicy chorizo and sweet scallops cook up quickly in this kale-flecked stir-fry. (via Neil's Healthy Meals)

Primavera Kitchen

Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil

Cooking this buttery salmon in foil means you've got an easy dinner recipe that has a very seamless cleanup. (via Primavera Kitchen)

Laughing Spatula

Greek Chicken Sheet-Pan Dinner

Sheet-pan chicken gets a big boost of flavor with lemon, feta, olives, and roasted veggies. (via Laughing Spatula)

Hearty Easy Dinner Ideas For You!

The Life Jolie

Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops

Using the grill for these pork chops adds another nice layer of unexpected flavor. (via The Life Jolie)

Easy Dinner Recipes For Every Season

Simple Seasonal

Honey Ham, Gouda, and Apple Quesadillas

This unique spin on the quesadilla is the tastiest answer for nights when you can't bear the thought of eating yet another grilled cheese. (via Simple Seasonal)

Goodie Godmother

Kale and Shrimp Tortellini

Keep frozen tortellini on-hand for when you need to whip up some filling dinners in a flash. (via Goodie Godmother)

Foodal

Lemon Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Loaded with veggies, these protein-packed lemon chicken quinoa bowls fill you up while fueling your body with good stuff. (via Foodal)

Life as a Strawberry

Margarita Chicken Quesadillas

Make your quesadillas into a more substantial meal by filling them with tequila-lime chicken. A dollop of sour cream on top, and dinner is served. (via Life as a Strawberry)

Family Food on the Table

Mexican Shrimp Skillet

This savory Mexican shrimp skillet can be on the table and ready to eat in 20 minutes tops. (via Family Food on the Table)

Mindy's Cooking Obsession

Pasta With Peas & Ricotta

Creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheeses transform this pasta dish into a grown-up version of macaroni and cheese. (via Mindy's Cooking Obsession)

Fannetastic Food

Quinoa Taco Salad

Skip the fried tortilla bowl, and add extra nutrition to your taco salad by including a healthy dose of quinoa. If you're still craving some crunch, sprinkle in a handful of pepitas. (via Fannetastic Food)

Salt & Lavender

Coconut Lime Shrimp

Zesty shrimp cooks up in minutes for a seriously ideal meal any night of the week. (via Salt & Lavender)

The Rustic Foodie

Spicy Vietnamese Salad With Garlic Shrimp

This is not your average salad. Garlic shrimp, avocado, rice noodles, and lots of herbs combine for a hearty bowl with quite the kick! (via The Rustic Foodie)

Primavera Kitchen

Spinach & Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Bake these rolled chicken bites in the oven for a surprisingly easy and satisfying meal. (via Primavera Kitchen)

The Freelancer's Cookbook

Tortellini, Pesto, and Asparagus Soup

A cozy soup featuring pasta and veggies is the fastest way to sate your comfort food cravings. Pesto contributes to the bright, herbaceous flavor of this easy dinner recipe. (via The Freelancer's Cookbook)

Inside the Rustic Kitchen

Tuna Panzanella

Adding a little protein to your favorite Italian bread salad makes it into a full meal. Use oil-packed Italian tuna for a luxurious touch. (via Inside the Rustic Kitchen)

Living Sweet Moments

Za'atar One Pot Chicken & Rice

Za'atar, a blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame, puts a Middle Eastern twist on this easy, one-pot chicken and rice dish. (via Living Sweet Moments)

Show us your favorite quick and easy dinner recipes in the comments below or by tagging @BritandCo on IG! Join our newsletter for more ideas and inspiration and check out our new cooking and baking classes!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.