Known for her down-to-earth nature and casual delivery, Rachael Ray was an immediate hit when she premiered on the Food Network with 30 Minute Meals back in 2001. Unlike chefs on other programs, Rachael wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. She dropped ingredients on the floor, unwrapped food on camera and occasionally set the kitchen on fire. The show ran for 11 years, but after a long hiatus, 30 Minute Meals is back!
(If you’re too busy to spend more than a half-hour on dinner, check out our quick weeknight meals.)
Check Out the Sneak Preview
Rachael Ray posted a preview for the reboot on her website. The short clip features a skillet pizza with bubbling mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil and a Parmesan-dusted fennel salad. It’s a mix of healthy food and indulgent old-school classics that Rachael hopes will appeal to a new generation while still providing meal inspiration to her devoted fans. You can tell she’s having a blast in the kitchen, too!
For more information about what the show might have in store, we analyzed Rachael’s Instagram.
Where Can I Watch 30 Minute Meals?
You’ll be seeing more of Rachael Ray’s yum-o recipes on the full 30 Minute Meals reboot. The program is coming back for one month, showcasing thirty brand-new recipes on the Food Network’s channel and Facebook page. The show starts on April 1st and runs for the entire month.
In the sneak preview, Rachael promises thirty new 30-minute meals. We’re ready to watch!
(Love the Food Network? See Rachael and our other favorite celebrity chefs before they were famous.)
Find a Handful of 30-Minute Meals to Add to Your Recipe Collection
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Creamy Noodle Casserole
My husband, Ronald, works long hours and frequently won't arrive home until past 7 p.m. This casserole is great for those late nights—it's just as tasty after it's been warmed in the microwave. —Barb Marshall, Pickerington, Ohio
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Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
Tacos on a Stick
Teens like assembling these creative kabobs almost as much as they like devouring them. The whole family is sure to love the sensational Southwestern flavor of this twist on beef shish kabobs. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Pork Piperade
I like to spice up my meat dishes with peppers, and this Basque piperade—adapted from a Spanish recipe—is a family favorite. —Hyacinth Rizzo, Buffalo, New York
Beef & Bacon Gnocchi Skillet
This gnocchi dish tastes like bacon cheeseburgers. Go ahead and top it as you would a burger—with ketchup, mustard and pickles. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Pork with Mustard Sauce
Back when I was a girl, I couldn't wait until I was grown up and could start cooking for my own family! Now that I am, I really enjoy using pork. The tender meat and the rich mustard sauce in this recipe are delectable together. —Irma Pomeroy, Enfield, Connecticut
Quicker Chicken and Dumplings
Ready in 30 minutes, this easy chicken and dumplings recipe takes advantage of convenience items and uses time-saving, drop-style dumplings. —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa
Fajita Burger Wraps
This combo gives you a tender burger, crisp veggies and a crunchy shell, plus fajita flavor. Kids love it. —Antonio Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio
Grandma's Swedish Meatballs
My mother made these hearty meatballs when we were growing up, and now my kids love them, too. My daughter likes to help shake the meatballs in flour. —Karin Ness, Big Lake, Minnesota
Jiffy Ground Pork Skillet
Some people call it dinner hour, but many of us call it rush hour. Slow down the pace with this super-quick mouthwatering meal. The only thing you'll have left over is time to share with your family at the table. —Brigitte Schaller, Flemington, Missouri
Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches
I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Meat is a hard sell with my teenage daughter, unless I make it look like a restaurant dish. Drizzle ranch dressing or barbecue sauce on top, and it's a home run. —Donna Carney, New Lexington, Ohio
Mozzarella Beef Roll-Ups
The kids will love these pepperoni and beef wraps. They're easy to assemble because each tortilla is simply wrapped around a portion of hearty meat filling with a piece of string cheese. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Meat Loaf Muffins
Serve these tangy meat loaf muffins for dinner or slice them up for a take-along sandwich lunch. They're just as flavorful after freezing. — Cheryl Norwood, Canton, Georgia
Chicken & Cheese Tortilla Pie
Trust me when I say this hearty dish can be assembled in minutes, then devoured even quicker with no leftovers. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas
Thai Peanut Chicken and Noodles
This versatile chicken recipe is very similar to chicken pad Thai but easier to make and tastes just as good. Rice noodles can be swapped with mung bean noodles or any type of egg noodles. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
Easy Meatball Stroganoff
This recipe has fed not only my own family, but many neighborhood kids! They come running when I make this supper. It's one of those things you throw together after work on a busy day because you know it works. —Julie May, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Nacho Pie
In place of the ground beef and mozzarella cheese, consider topping this zesty pie with lean ground sausage and cheddar cheese. It tastes just as good.—LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
Honey-Mustard Brats
Our honey mustard glaze gives every bite of these brats a sweet and punchy flavor. Everyone who tries them agrees they're delicious. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Waffle-Iron Pizzas
These little pizza pockets are a fun mashup using the waffle iron. Try your favorite toppings or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs on this waffle pizza. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Cider-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
This is a super-easy recipe full of sweet fall flavor. The maple flavor really shines through. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Chicken-Pepper Alfredo
When I want a lighter dinner, I use lean turkey bacon in this recipe. It gives the pasta that richness you want without all the extra fat. —Courtney Harris, Denton, Texas
Shortcut Sausage Jambalaya
Secret ingredient alert: A pinch of coffee crystals gives my jambalaya its roasty, toasty flavor. This quick and easy dinner is one of my husband’s top picks. —Betty Henagin, Medford, Oregon
Parmesan Chicken Sandwiches
Coat tender chicken breasts with seasoned bread crumbs and smother in marinara sauce. Served on a hoagie, it’s a real treat! —Sue Bosek, Whittier, California
White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Super Quick Chicken Fried Rice
After my first child was born, I needed meals that were satisfying and fast. This easy chicken fried rice is now part of our routine dinners. —Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York
Pork & Mango Stir-Fry
A recipe is special when everyone in your family raves about it. My finicky eaters give thumbs up for this hearty, nutty stir-fry. —Kathleen Specht, Clinton, Montana
Garlic Toast Pizzas
Between working full-time, going to school and raising three children, finding time-saving recipes that my family likes is one of my biggest challenges. These quick pizzas pack a huge amount of flavor. —Amy Grim, Chillicothe, Ohio
Steak Fajitas
Zesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra-special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Italian Sausage with Bow Ties
We often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington
Lemon and Rosemary Chicken
This baked rosemary chicken with a tangy lemon sauce is my husband's favorite, and my sister always wants it for her birthday dinner. —Laurel Dalzell, Manteca, California
Italian Veggie Beef Soup
My sweet father-in-law, Pop Pop, would bring this chunky soup to our house when we were under the weather. We like it so well, we take it to our own friends who need comfort. Always does the trick. —Sue Webb, Reisterstown, Maryland
Chicken Pesto with Pasta
Prepared sauce accents this warm chicken pesto pasta. Keep pesto in the freezer for the next time you have leftover chicken. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Flavorful Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Folks can find me grilling, no matter the weather. This moist pork tenderloin has loads of flavor thanks to its special spice blend, and it doesn't get much easier to make. My wife especially likes that she doesn't have to do the cooking! —Steve Ehrhart, Villa Park, Illinois
Dijon-Crusted Fish
Dijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish from Scott Schmidtke of Chicago, Illinois lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get 4 servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
Weeknight Pasta Squiggles
This zesty pasta dish is ideal for busy weeknights. It's low on ingredients, easy to prep and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes it a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas
Chili Dog Pizza
My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
Breaded Mustard & Sage Pork Cutlets
After attending my daughter's back to school night and receiving a complimentary package of instant potatoes, I had to make something with them. I created these pork cutlets and they were fantastic. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Weekday Beef Stew
Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds a little surprise and joy to the weeknight menu. Make a salad and call your lucky companions to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo
Broccoli and rice casserole tops my family's comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Whole Wheat Pasta Bake
With a casserole this rich and saucy, it’s tempting to skip the crunchy topping and dip a fork straight into the skillet. But as one taster noted: “The bread crumbs on top make this one extra special.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Gram's Fried Chicken
As a boy, I wolfed down my grandmother's fried chicken. I never knew how she made it, but my recipe using potato flakes is crispy close. —David Nelson, Lincolnton, North Carolina
Saucy Skillet Lasagna
Thanks to no-cook lasagna noodles, this skillet lasagna makes a fresh, filling, flavorful and fast entree for any Italian meal. —Meghan Crihfield, Ripley, West Virginia
Lemon Chicken and Rice
On our busy ranch, we often need meals we can put on the table in a hurry. This all-in-one chicken dish - with its delicate lemon flavor - fits the bill and it's inexpensive to boot. —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
Zesty Apricot Turkey
You see a lot of steak, chicken and chops at cookouts, but how about something different? With its apricot-chile glaze, this juicy grilled turkey is one of our picnic faves. —Wendy Moylan, Crystal Lake, Illinois
Meatball Submarine Casserole
We were hosting a bunch of friends, and after a comedy of errors, I had to come up with a new plan for dinner. Turns out that much-loved meatball subs are even better as a hearty casserole—so delicious! —Rick Friedman, Palm Springs, California
Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner
This skillet dinner is doubly quick. The leftovers-if there are any-can be reheated to make a second meal as tasty as the first. —Karen Grimes, Stephens City, Virginia
Makeover Beef Stroganoff
I trimmed the calories, fat and sodium in a classic Stroganoff, and my comfy, cozy version still tastes like a Russian masterpiece. —Candace Clark, Connell, Washington
Crazy-Crust Sausage Pizza
This tasty pizza has an unusual crepe-like crust. The fast-to-fix entree gets its great flavor from sausage, green pepper, mushrooms and mozzarella. —Marie McConnell, Shelbyville, Illinois
Smothered Burritos
My brother-in-law teased that I only knew how to make five things using ground beef. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
Easy Chicken Paprikash
When my husband studied Hungarian in the Army, I made him the chicken and onions dish known as paprikash. We serve ours over rice or buttered noodles. —Susan Wildman, Haslett, Michigan
Taco Noodle Dish
I got creative while we were housebound during a snowstorm one winter...and used ingredients I had on hand to come up with this hearty casserole. Later, I modified it so it has less fat and fewer calories. —Judy Munger, Warren, Minnesota
Saucy Beef with Broccoli
When I’m looking for a fast entree, I turn to this beef and broccoli stir-fry. It features a tantalizing sauce made with garlic and ginger. —Rosa Evans, Odessa, Missouri
Skillet Mac & Cheese
This super creamy mac 'n' cheese is so simple it seems almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I've never met an adult who didn't love it too. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Favorite Meat Loaf Cups
My family enjoys meat loaf, but sometimes I can't spare the hour or more it takes to bake in the traditional shape. A quick alternative is to divide the meat mixture into muffin cups for individual servings that are ready in less than 30 minutes. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Beef & Pepper Skillet
I love Mexican-inspired food. I also enjoy experimenting with recipes like this one and making them as healthy—and downright good!—for my family as possible. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Quick Tacos al Pastor
We loved the pork and pineapple tacos from a food truck in Hawaii. My husband, a high school football referee, gives my version a thumb’s up. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas
Rigatoni with Sausage & Peas
With a tomato-y meat sauce and tangy goat cheese, this weeknight wonder is my version of comfort food. You want to have bowl after bowl. —Lizzie Munro, Brooklyn, New York
Meatball Pizza
I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland
Tasty Burritos
My cousin is of Mexican heritage, and I’ve watched her make this crunchy beef burrito recipe for years. The very first time I made them for my own family, they instantly became a favorite meal. They’re even better warmed up the next day in the microwave. —Debi Lane, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken
On lazy summer weekends, we like chicken and yellow squash tossed with bow tie pasta. Add extra fresh grated Parmesan for a Sunday touch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine
Almond-Crusted Chops with Cider Sauce
I use finely ground almonds to give pork chops a crunchy crust. The cider sauce makes them tangy, creamy and sweet. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Southwestern Goulash
I had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
Dill Pickle Hamburger Pizza
My husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it start laughing because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
Muffin-Tin Lasagnas
This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa
Pork Chops with Creamy Mustard Noodles
A fast, creamy skillet sauce dresses up everyday pork chops and noodles. Chicken also works well with this recipe and the zesty mix of mustards.—Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama
Chicken Pizza
Your family will never guess that this fun twist on typical pizza uses up leftover pesto. Loaded with protein, hearty slices of this chicken pizza will fill them up fast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Zesty Chicken Soft Tacos
We’ve made these tacos with corn and flour tortillas, but naan flatbread is our favorite. Set out toppings and let people make their own. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
Simple Taco Soup
We first sampled this chili-like soup at a church dinner. It's a warming dish on a cold day. And since it uses packaged seasonings and several cans of vegetables, it's a simple taco soup to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Chicken Enchiladas for Four
These chicken enchiladas put a little zip into any menu. The rolled tortillas are filled with a hearty mixture of cheese, chicken and green chilies and then topped with a creamy sauce and more cheese. I sometimes use leftover turkey instead of chicken. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
Oven-Baked Burgers
A crispy coating mix is the secret ingredient that dresses up these baked burgers. You bake them in the oven instead of grilling or frying. I like to use a sweet and spicy steak sauce for the best flavor. This is how to cook burgers in the oven. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota
Tortellini Carbonara
I've made this bacon, cream and Parmesan cheese pasta sauce for so many years and have always called it a carbonara. Low-and-behold, I recently found out it's actually more like an Alfredo sauce. In either case, it's absolutely heavenly and a great option for company! —Cathy Croyle, Davidsville, Pennsylvania
Gluten-Free Chili Beef Pasta
After I got married, my aunt gave me her recipe for skillet spaghetti and told me it was ideal for a quick weeknight meal. Over the years I’ve tinkered with the ingredients and played with the seasonings to make it healthier. It's a dish my family truly loves. —Kristen Killian, Depew, New York
Lemon-Garlic Pork Chops
My son James created these zesty chops spiced with paprika and cayenne. He keeps the spice rub in a jar to use with chops or chicken. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico
Turkey Linguine with Tomato Cream Sauce
I love an easy weeknight meal! This meal comes together quickly and uses up that half block of cream cheese that ends up in the fridge. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Creamy Paprika Pork
When I was little, I would often ask my mom to make "favorite meat." She knew what I was really requesting was this homey pork recipe. It's been in my family for more than 30 years and is still a favorite! —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia
Ham Pasta Toss
This is my favorite meal to make when I'm short on time. You can also use different meats or vegetables depending on what you have on hand. —Sharon Gerst, North Liberty, Iowa.
Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice
I like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Pecan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
I loved chicken nuggets as a child. This baked version is healthier than the original, and it's a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California
Italian Steak Sandwiches
My sister came up with these quick sandwiches that use minced garlic and other seasonings to bring pizzazz to deli roast beef. Add some carrot sticks or a tomato salad for a fantastic lunch in no time. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
The post Here’s the First Sneak Peek of Rachael Ray’s Return to 30 Minute Meals appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emma B. Kumer