I Was Short On Time—these 27 Memorial Day Recipes Saved The Day
Short on time before the big Memorial Day cookout. These 27 easy recipes made everything better. Each dish was fast, tasty, and simple to prepare. Friends and family loved the flavors and asked for more. The whole day felt easy, fun, and full of good food.

Homemade Buckeyes

Chocolate and peanut butter came together perfectly in Homemade Buckeyes. They were quick to make and disappeared just as fast. Everyone enjoyed the rich flavor balance without needing a lot of prep time. These little bites really brought a smile to everyone’s faces on Memorial Day.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Buckeyes
Pizza Pinwheels

Rolling out quick bites like Pizza Pinwheels saved so much time! Warm, cheesy, and layered flavors made this snack an instant winner. They were simple to prepare and disappeared in seconds. Memorial Day got a lot tastier with these around.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pinwheels
BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw

Juicy and flavorful, BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw turned into the perfect hearty dish. They didn’t need hours to whip up, which made them the go-to choice. The fresh slaw added just the right crunch for a rounded bite. These sliders came through on a busy day when time was short.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Tangy sweetness is what Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars brought to the table in record time. Their creamy layers were quick to prepare and felt refreshingly light. They added just the right finishing touch to the day. It was hard to believe how easy and fast these were to create.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Crunchy, spicy, and cheesy that’s what Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos brought during the Memorial Day rush. Toss it all together and bake quickly; these were ready to serve in no time. The combination of flavors was bold but easy to enjoy with friends and family. This dish saved the day for anyone who needed a fast and filling option.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Creamy Avocado Sauce

Bringing depth to any dish, Creamy Avocado Sauce turned out to be the perfect add-on when time was tight. Ready in minutes, it paired with several options without needing much effort. The smooth texture made everything taste better instantly. It was a simple but effective solution for an already hectic day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Avocado Sauce
Jalapeño Popper Pinwheel

Spicy and cheesy are what made Jalapeño Popper Pinwheel a standout snack when the clock was ticking. Nothing fancy here just roll, slice, bake, and enjoy right away. The kick from jalapeños paired with creamy cheese hit the spot. Memorial Day foods felt complete with these easy bites on hand.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Pinwheel
Crunchy Onion Rings

Crispy perfection took no time with Crunchy Onion Rings on the menu. Cooking them up quickly was a lifesaver when side dishes were needed fast. Their irresistible crunch added variety without stress. Time was tight but these onion rings delivered with ease.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Onion Rings
Loaded Potato Skins

Packed with flavor, Loaded Potato Skins were the answer to last-minute cravings. Taking just a few steps, these turned into a solid appetizer or snack. Everyone appreciated how delicious they were without complicated prep work. Memorial Day felt a little easier thanks to this quick fix.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Skins
7 Layer Dip

Fast and layered goodness defined 7 Layer Dip. It came together in a hurry, making it a top choice for hungry guests. With all the delicious combinations, it felt perfect without being complicated. When Memorial Day got hectic, this dip offered an easy fix.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Dip
Potato Salad

Classic and dependable, Potato Salad came to the rescue during a busy day. Preparing it was quick but still brought a comforting element to the table. Its creamy texture and balanced flavors made it hard to go wrong. When every minute counted, this dish was there to help.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad
Queso Dip

Warm and cheesy, Queso Dip made Memorial Day simpler and tastier all at once. Melting everything together didn’t take long, making it a favorite go-to option. Everyone enjoyed dipping in and finding a quick snack ready to go. When time was short, this dish truly saved the day.
Get the Recipe: Queso Dip
Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies

Sweet, easy-to-make Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies were the ultimate dessert fix. The combination of flavors felt rich without being time-consuming. Stir, bake, and they were ready in no time at all. Memorial Day got a little sweeter thanks to this simple treat.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies
Antipasto Salad

Fresh and quick, Antipasto Salad was ideal to toss together without spending hours. Its vibrant mix offered variety in every bite with little effort involved. Preparing it didn’t become a chore, which made it a smart choice. When things got hectic, this saved so much stress.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad
Fruit Pizza

A refreshing twist made Fruit Pizza the unexpected star at a moment’s notice. It didn’t take long to put together, and the colorful presentation was fun for everyone. The easiest dessert to enjoy without spending forever in the kitchen. Memorial Day desserts felt extra special with this as the centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza
Key Lime Bars

When time was tight, these came to the rescue with their quick prep and tangy flavor. Making Key Lime Bars felt like a breeze, yet they delivered such a refreshing dessert. They were the perfect sweet ending for a busy Memorial Day. Effortless and delicious, they put the finishing touch on the day.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Bars
Grilled Veggie Kebobs

Pulling together something tasty in no time made these the MVP of the day. Grilled Veggie Kebobs were colorful, quick, and exactly what everyone needed. They packed so much flavor into such little effort. Plus, they made every moment feel that much easier.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Veggie Kebobs
Ice Cream Cake

A quick fix that brought smiles to everyone’s faces, this dessert didn’t need much work. This Ice Cream Cake felt like magic simple yet special. It was perfect for cooling down and fitting into a busy schedule. Even with limited time, it impressed everyone that day.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cake
Quinoa Salad

No time, no problem this was exactly the solution to that stressful rush. Quinoa Salad came together faster than expected and brought just the right balance. It looked good, worked for everyone, and kept things stress-free. Easy to make, even easier to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad
Mac and Cheese

Those last-minute plans were saved by something comforting and quick. Putting together Mac and Cheese helped keep things simple and felt like a lifesaver. It was warm, easy, and met everyone’s needs without much fuss. This classic dish made the day feel smooth and seamless.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese
Green Salad

Fast, fresh, and ready to go, this simple dish fit perfectly into the crazy day. Green Salad added color and health without too much effort. Its simplicity matched the need for speed while still feeling complete. A great choice for when there’s no time but still plenty of hunger.
Get the Recipe: Green Salad
Bacon Wrapped Smokies

When the rush was on, this quick option stole everyone’s attention. Making Bacon Wrapped Smokies was easy, yet they felt almost too good to be true. They brought just the right balance of flavor with barely any prep. A perfect fix for those short-on-time hustle moments.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Macaroni Salad

Being pressed for time meant something quick was needed, and this worked like a charm. Macaroni Salad came together fast and kept the energy flowing at the table. Keeping it simple while still feeling complete was all anyone needed that busy day. Done quickly, eaten happily.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad
Strawberry Shortcake

A time-saver that didn’t skimp on quality, this dish made itself known in the best way. Whipping up Strawberry Shortcake brought joy without much work. It kept things sweet and easy during what felt like a nonstop day. A reliable choice when every minute counted.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake
Honeycrisp Salad

Rushing around didn’t stop this dish from being an instant favorite. Honeycrisp Salad was simple, quick, and full of pleasant surprises. It added a refreshing option to the spread without taking much prep time. Just the thing everyone needed during a packed day.
Get the Recipe: Honeycrisp Salad
Key Lime Pie

Busy plans didn’t get in the way thanks to how easy this was to make. Putting together Key Lime Pie felt smooth and quick while delivering so much flavor. Its tangy and creamy combo worked in every way with almost no effort. It solved that end of day dessert dilemma beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie
Red, White, and Blue Walking Pretzel Salad

When the schedule barely allowed for extra steps, this dish made life simpler. Bringing Red, White, and Blue Walking Pretzel Salad to the table got everyone curious and happy fast. It was a breeze to prepare, perfect when there’s hardly any time. A quick fix with a fun presentation.
Get the Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Walking Pretzel Salad
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
