17 lazy dinners that are as good as mom’s classics

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When you’re craving those lazy dinners that remind you of the comforting meals your mom used to whip up, you’re in the right place. These 17 recipes are just as great as the classics, but with less effort required in the kitchen. Each recipe is straightforward, easy to make, and sure to hit the spot, just like mom’s cooking always does.

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare a filling dinner of Cabbage and Sausage in just 25 minutes with common kitchen ingredients. This simple recipe combines the hearty flavors of cabbage and sausage for a quick and nutritious meal. It streamlines your evening, so you have more time to relax.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole combines noodles, tuna, and cheese in under an hour. This hearty classic saves time and is a really delicious and nostalgic meal that’s perfect for a laid-back evening. It also serves as a great leftover so you’ll have a great meal for tomorrow night, too.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mix broccoli, cauliflower, creamy sauce, cheese, and bacon for a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole ready in 30 minutes. This dish adds a different spin to retro dinners, making it a perfect choice for quick and healthy eating. It simplifies adding more vegetables to your meals, enhancing your diet and easing your nightly cooking routine.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A crock pot of taco soup.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Spend 20 minutes prepping and let the Crock Pot simmer Taco Soup to perfection. This meal uses ingredients like beans, corn and taco seasoning for a no-effort dinner. It’s good for busy days so you can have a cozy, flavorful meal with minimal time spent actively cooking in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 50 minutes, create a Broccoli Casserole with broccoli cheese and crackers. It’s easy and quick for a nutritious meal. This dish brings nostalgia and convenience to your dinner, saving you time and effort.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Put sausages and vegetables on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes. This one-step meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It makes cooking and cleanup easier and supports a balanced diet.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make Chicken Corn Soup in under an hour with chicken corn and vegetables in a creamy broth. This one-pot meal is extra comforting with minimal cleanup. Enjoy a cozy dinner, improving your mood with a nostalgic meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pot.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare a Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole in 45 minutes with ground beef, bell peppers, rice and tomatoes. This dish simplifies traditional flavors into an easy meal. It makes dinner prep effortless while being nutritious and filling.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Combine chicken, spinach, cheese and spices and bake for 30 minutes for a Spinach Chicken Bake. This dish is an easy way to eat more greens. It’s a nutritious dinner with minimal prep work and is perfect for relaxing evenings.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cook Creamy Garlic Chicken for 30 minutes in one pan. The dish features chicken in a savory garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s easy and special for any night, making dinner stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken needs 30 minutes to bring juicy chicken cream cheese and sweet peppers together under melted mozzarella. This dish adds excitement without the hassle. Enjoy a flavorful, filling meal that keeps your evening smooth.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Italian Sausage Soup is ready in 30 minutes with sausage, herbs, cream cheese and tomatoes. This hearty soup is easy and filling. Enjoy a taste of Italy in a simple dish that fills the soul.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make this Fried Cabbage with Bacon in 25 minutes with cabbage bacon and onions. This easy meal or side dish is filling and flavorful. It adds vegetables to your diet in a delicious way making meals fun without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet takes 30 minutes and uses cauliflower, rice, cheddar and mushrooms for a one-skillet meal. It’s an easy, nutritious dinner that simplifies your evening. Enjoy a quick, hearty meal that’s good for you.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Create a Cheesy Beef Casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach in just 30 minutes for a quick and hearty dinner. This dish blends the rich flavors of beef with the health benefits of veggies and the gooey goodness of cheese, all while being simple to prepare. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a hearty meal that feels indulgent yet is packed with nutrients, making your evenings more fun and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare Garlic Butter Chicken Bites in just 20 minutes, using chicken, garlic, butter, and your favorite herbs. This quick-cook recipe only requires these few ingredients and one pan, significantly simplifying both the cooking process and cleanup. It’s the perfect dish for busy evenings when you want something delicious yet straightforward, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal without dedicating too much time to kitchen work.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup in about an hour with sweet potatoes, red peppers, onions, and stock, all in a single pot for hassle-free preparation and cleaning. This combination of sweet and slightly spicy flavors creates a hearty and nutritious dish. It’s a great choice for nights when you’re hoping for a comforting and easy-to-prepare meal, streamlining your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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