You know those days when even thinking about cooking feels like running a marathon? Don’t worry, we got your back. When easy meals are the only thing standing between you and a complete meltdown, you need recipes that come through in the clutch. These 18 meals are designed to keep you fed and sane without turning your kitchen into a disaster.
Fresh Corn Salad
When you’re too tired to cook but still want something fresh, this Fresh Corn Salad is your savior. Ready in 40 minutes, this dish combines corn, avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, and cheese, all tossed with a zingy lime dressing. It’s easy, quick, and saves you from staring into the fridge hoping for a miracle. Perfect for those days when even simple cooking feels like too much.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Think of those days when even your microwave seems too complicated. That’s when these Shake and Bake Pork Chops come in handy. Ready in just 25 minutes, they feature pork chops coated in a combination of mayonnaise and breadcrumbs. They come out crispy on the outside and so tender inside you’ll forget about the day’s chaos. Plus, the quick cleanup means more time to kick back or, let’s face it, catch up on some me time.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Reuben Bowls
You want the heartiness of a sandwich, but the thought of assembling one is a no-go? These Reuben Bowls are the answer, ready in just 30 minutes. They toss together browned corned beef, coleslaw or shredded cabbage, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese for a no-stress meal that will keep you from absolutely losing it. It’s an easy bowl that allows you to sit back sooner and enjoy a classic taste without the hassle of building a sandwich. It’s perfect for those “can’t even” kind of nights.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad happens when you want a dinner that whispers “extra effort” without requiring much. Throw pasta, shredded chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, Parmesan, and Caesar dressing, top with croutons, and it’s ready in just 25 minutes. Less time cooking means more time enjoying whatever you’d rather be doing — like binge-watching your favorite series or, better yet, taking a well-deserved nap.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is what you make when you want to convince yourself you’re doing the whole adulting thing right. Ready in 40 minutes, it mixes pasta, tuna, eggs, mayo, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Add celery or pickles, and you have a meal that says, “Yes. I did this.” — even when your energy says otherwise. It’s filling, simple, and keeps you from eating cereal out of the box on those chaotic evenings.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
For those nights when you’re so tired, even takeout sounds like too much work, this Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is your best friend. Just 30 minutes in the oven, and you’ve got sausages and a colorful mix of broccoli, mini peppers, and zucchini, all perfectly roasted and caramelized. It’s the ultimate in easy cooking — throw it on a pan, pop it in the oven, and boom, dinner’s ready. You get a filling meal with minimal effort and even less cleaning, leaving you more time to collapse on the couch.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is a little magic trick on those nights when you’re just feeling a bit on the edge of losing it. Throw in the garlic and herb-marinated chicken thighs, top them with a mix of creamy spinach and cheese, bake until golden, and 30 minutes later, dinner’s on the table. Not only does it taste great with all that creamy goodness, but it also spares you the horror of a messy kitchen. Who said you can’t have peace in the evening? With this dish, it’s pretty much guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
The Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet steps up when your to-do list is a mile long. Ready in 30 minutes, this skillet meal is a straightforward mix of ground beef, cauliflower rice, onions, and mushrooms, all tossed in a creamy sauce. This dish is like hitting the easy button on dinner, making it a perfect match for those evenings when you’re juggling too much but still want a great meal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is your go-to for those nights when you’re one burnt toast away from a meltdown. It’s packed with broccoli and cauliflower, a creamy mix of cheeses, and topped with crispy bacon — because everything’s always better with bacon. It’s ready in 30 minutes and perfect for those days when your energy is low but your stomach’s high maintenance. It’s like giving your taste buds the VIP treatment they deserve without exhausting yourself.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for those days when even boiling water feels like a major accomplishment. Ready in just 20 minutes, pan-fry the chicken and toss it in a rich garlic butter sauce, and you have a flavor-packed meal fast enough to make on your busiest day. Great for throwing together at the last minute but still substantial enough to keep the hangry at bay. Serve these with some veggies, and you’re all set. It’s almost too easy, making you wonder what to do with all that extra time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is your back-pocket recipe for those “what’s for dinner?” panic moments. Ready in 30 minutes, chicken breasts are cooked on the stovetop in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. Perfect for when you want to impress without the stress. Plus, it has that great home-cooked vibe without making your kitchen look like a tornado hit it. So, yeah. It’s pretty much the culinary equivalent of a mic drop.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is your classic combo on autopilot. Ready in less than 30 minutes using just one pan, cook cabbage and sausages with onion, season it with a few spices, and you’re done. It’s as simple as it gets, but don’t let that fool you — the flavors are right on point. Great for when you need something hearty without breaking the bank or spending hours at the stove. Dinner solved, you and your wallet happy. Plus, it’s so straightforward, even your stove might thank you for the night off.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Dijon Chicken is the answer to your mid-week meal slump. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features chicken thighs drenched in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce with just the right kick of flavor from added spinach and bacon. Perfect for those nights when you need a dinner that’s both quick and feels a bit special. With this dish, you can pretend it’s the weekend, even if it’s just Thursday.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is basically your kitchen’s way of saying, “I’ve got this.” Ready in 30 minutes, it’s loaded with flavors from hearty Italian sausage, onions, and tomatoes, simmered in a creamy tomato base, all in just one pot. Perfect for those nights when you can barely muster the energy to cook but still crave something great. And let’s be honest, the only thing better than a flavorful meal is one that practically cooks itself while you unwind.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
Think of the Fajita Baked Chicken as your midweek miracle chef. Seasoned chicken breasts are seasoned with a blend of spices and topped with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and shredded mozzarella cheese — all in just 30 minutes. It’s baked until golden and bubbly — just what you need to turn a rough day around. Serve it with a side of rice or salad, and voila, you’ve got a meal that’s quick and keeps the cleanup to a minimum. Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to end their day with a sink full of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Keep dinner simple but impressive tonight with the Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Ready in 30 minutes and made in just one pan, you’ll cook tender chicken thighs in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. This is the dinner that gives you that much-deserved pat on the back because you’ve earned a break and a good meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is what you turn to when you want something delicious without a side of stress. Ready in just 30 minutes, this casserole combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar, all seasoned with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a kick of red pepper flakes. This dish champions quick dinners, saving you from the dread of lengthy cooking after a busy day. It’s comforting, cheesy, and exactly what you need when you’ve already called it quits on cooking — at least for the day.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties are a miracle on those ‘can’t even’ days. In just 20 minutes, you’ll mix canned chicken, Parmesan, almond flour, sunflower seed meal, and a few spices, form them into patties, and fry them on the stove. This dinner is a solid choice when your spirit’s willing, but the flesh is weak, and standing in the kitchen is the last thing you want to do. Make these patties when you need a decent meal without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties