I have a bit of good news and a bit of bad news.

Which do you want first?

Doesn’t that sound nice (and warm)?

sausage and peppers

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

The bad news: Things are going to start gettingreallybusy.

Longer days and warmth mean soccer and baseball practices, track meets, and playdates at the pool.

So why am I telling you this?

Ground beef and broccoli stir fry over rice in a bowl at a table setting with a glass of water, a bowl of sliced scallions, and a bowl of sesame seeds

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Enjoy the incoming warmth!

Then, know there are plenty of dinners you could whip up for your familymany in under 30 minutes.

Here are five of my favorite quick and easy dinner recipes, including tips from our contributors.

A pot of cooked Italian sausage, peppers, and onions

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

If you don’t have one of the ingredients, leave it out!

(Though having pastaany shape!is pretty critical.)

Side angle view of two bowls with a cream based soup with beans, sausage, kale and potatoes, and two green water glasses

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

salmon fried rice oiled in a blue bowl

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Pouring spaghetti aglio e olio from a skillet to a plate

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne