Lazy Fridays, 17 low-effort delicious dinners

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We’ve all been there—Friday night rolls around, and after a long week, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen, right? Well, fear not, because we’ve got you covered with a lineup of 17 mouthwatering dinner ideas that require minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor. Lazy Friday nights deserve a delicious reward, and these recipes are here to make sure you get just that.

Whether you’re flying solo or hosting an impromptu gathering with friends, these low-effort dinner options are perfect for those moments when cooking feels like a chore. So, kick back, relax, and let’s dive into a world of tasty, stress-free meals that’ll have you saying, “Why order takeout when I can make this at home?” Get ready for some seriously satisfying, yet hassle-free, culinary adventures!

BBQ pulled pork nachos on a plate.
BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Gochujang Chicken

Chinese gochujang chicken in a skillet on a table with black kitchen towel wrapped around the handle.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up gochujang chicken in just 30 minutes, featuring a takeout-inspired sauce perfect for serving over white rice on a low-effort Friday night.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef stir fry in a skillet.
Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef stir fry simplifies your Friday evening meal prep with a homemade stir-fry sauce and fresh veggies, delivering a quick and tasty alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Prosciutto Stromboli

Prosciutto stromboli on a red and white kitchen towel.
Prosciutto Stromboli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Indulge in pizza flavors without the hassle by using store-bought pizza dough to make this prosciutto stromboli, a delightful, no-fuss Friday night treat.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Stromboli

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Smashed white bean quesadillas on a cutting board.
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Treat yourself to oozing, cheesy quesadillas without the meat, making for a satisfying, meatless Friday night dinner with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp lo mein in a skillet with chopped green onions in a white bowl on the side.
Shrimp Lo Mein. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Skip the takeout and make delicious shrimp lo mein at home in 20 minutes, the perfect low-effort dinner for your Friday night.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein

Burger Bowls

Burger bowl with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and special sauce.
Burger Bowls. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Savor the flavors of your favorite fast food burger without the fuss with these burger bowls, a healthier alternative that’s perfect for a carefree Friday evening.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Bucatini pasta with shrimp in a white bowl.
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up this speedy bucatini pasta with garlic shrimp and cherry tomatoes in under 30 minutes, a perfect low-effort option for a weeknight or lazy Friday night.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos

BBQ pulled pork nachos on a plate.
BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Treat yourself to cheddar cheesy BBQ pulled pork nachos that are easy to assemble, whether it’s for a relaxed night in with friends or a solo, stress-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos

Easy Creamy Stroganoff

Dairy-free venison stroganoff over pasta garnished with parsley.
Easy Creamy Stroganoff. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Make a creamy stroganoff with a twist effortlessly using coconut yogurt, a dairy-free option that simplifies your Friday night dinner preparation.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Stroganoff

Kung Pao Chickpeas

Kung pao chickpea dish in a bowl with rice and skillet off to the left.
Kung Pao Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy a vegan twist on your favorite takeout dish with Kung Pao chickpeas that recreate the original’s bold flavors with minimal effort on a relaxed Friday night.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas

Chorizo Naan Pizza

Chorizo naan pizza on parchment paper.
Chorizo Naan Pizza. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turn your lazy Friday into a pizza night with this effortless chorizo naan pizza, where naan bread serves as the easy, no-fuss base for a delightful meal.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Naan Pizza

General Tso Shrimp

Homemade general tso shrimp with broccoli and rice in a bowl with chopsticks.
General Tso Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Say goodbye to takeout with this one-skillet General Tso shrimp recipe, ready in just 10 minutes, ideal for a lazy Friday when you want to relax, not cook.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Let your slow cooker do the work with this honey garlic chicken, featuring a sticky, sweet sauce perfect for a lazy Friday when you’d rather not cook.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Buffalo chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy ultra-crispy air fryer buffalo chicken tenders with minimal effort – a healthier alternative to deep-fried delights, perfect for a laid-back Friday night.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Bucatini cacio e pepe in a bowl with a gold fork and a pepper mill off to the side.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Prepare a simple, indulgent pasta dish, bucatini cacio e pepe, using just five ingredients, making it a perfect low-effort and economical choice for a laid-back Friday night.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli stir fry served with white rice on a white plate.
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Thinly sliced beef makes for a quick and effortless stir-fry, complete with a mouthwatering sauce, ideal for a lazy Friday evening when cooking feels like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Garlic Pizza Bread

Pepperoni garlic pizza bread on a cooling rack.
Garlic Pizza Bread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Combine the comfort of garlic bread and pizza with this easy-to-make garlic bread pizza, ideal for a budget-friendly and effortless Friday night dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Pizza Bread

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