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25 recipes that will have the lazy cook jumping for joy

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By Leah Ingram

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For those nights when cooking feels like a chore, easy recipes can be a lifesaver. These 25 dishes require minimal prep and cook time. They’re perfect for busy evenings or the lazy cook who is looking to make making dinner a breeze.

A pot filled with cooked chili containing black beans, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and ground meat.
Steak and Black Bean Chili. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers

A plate of white rice topped with chunks of chicken and sliced green bell peppers, all cooked in a creamy yellow sauce.
Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers is perfect for busy evenings, coming together in just about 20 minutes. It’s a quick and flavorful option when you need dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers

Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

A cast iron skillet filled with cooked chicken pieces and topped with sliced peaches.
Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken is a great choice for summer dinners, especially when peaches are in season. The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes it a standout dish for any busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

A wooden board with seasoned chicken wings, a bowl of white dipping sauce with lemon slices, and celery and carrot sticks.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

These Air Fryer Chicken Wings are perfect for busy evenings with their simple process and minimal ingredients. They cook quickly and result in crispy, flavorful wings that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Pasta Puttanesca is perfect for busy evenings, coming together in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients. It cooks so quickly and tastes so good that your family will think it came from a local Italian restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes

A fork piercing a piece of a seasoned roasted potato.
Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes . Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes recipe is perfect for busy evenings, offering a quicker and more affordable alternative to expensive meal kit services. Enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal without the high cost or long prep time.
Get the Recipe: Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes

One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili

A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado slices, accompanied by pieces of cornbread.
One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili is perfect for busy evenings due to its versatility. Cook it on the stovetop in a single pan, or use a slow cooker or Instant Pot for convenience. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese garnished with parsley.
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot is perfect for busy evenings, with dinner ready in under 30 minutes. The flavors are so satisfying, you’ll be glad you took the time to make it.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Creamy Chicken And Corn Pasta closeup partial of finished dish cropped horizontal.
30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta recipe is perfect for busy evenings, allowing you to transform leftovers into a tasty new meal. It all comes together in about 30 minutes, making dinner quick and easy.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Fast No Rise PIzza Dough

A ladle pours tomato sauce onto an uncooked pizza dough placed on a round black pan.
Fast No Rise Pizza Dough. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Fast No Rise Pizza Dough is perfect for busy evenings, letting you make homemade pizza quickly and affordably. Plus, if you make two pies, you’ll have convenient leftovers for the next day.
Get the Recipe: Fast No Rise PIzza Dough

Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Two cooked chicken thighs on a red dish, a bowl of cherry tomatoes behind, and a slow cooker in the background.
Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Slow Cooker “Fried” Chicken is perfect for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal effort and delivers great results. It’s a family favorite that you’ll likely be asked to make repeatedly.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce

A hand holding a slice of freshly baked pizza with cheese stretching between the slice and the rest of the pizza.
Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

After preparing the fast, no-rise pizza dough, enhance your pizza with a goat cheese pizza sauce. This unexpected addition brings a delightful flavor that you’ll truly enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce

Easy Shrimp Scampi

A blue bowl filled with shrimp and rice, topped with green herbs, with a metal spoon in the bowl.
Easy Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Shrimp Scampi is perfect for busy evenings, offering a quick and easy meal that feels like a special occasion. Using frozen, deveined shrimp makes the preparation even more effortless.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Scampi

Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

A white bowl filled with tri-color rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks, and feta cheese on a red-and-white checkered tablecloth.
Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is perfect for hot, busy evenings when you need a hearty meal. The most time-consuming part is waiting for the pasta to cook.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

A bowl of rice with corn and herbs on a striped cloth with garnishes on the side.
Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Craving Mexican food tonight? This Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole is perfect for busy evenings, requiring just five ingredients, including leftover rice, chicken, and cheese. It comes together for a hassle-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls

A person pulling apart a gooey, cheese-filled arancini with more of the fried rice balls and sauce in the background.
Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

If you miss buying arancini rice balls from Trader Joe’s, try making them at home instead. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover risotto and brings a delightful flavor to your table with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls

Leftover Lasagna That Tastes Freshly Made

A slice of freshly baked lasagna with melted cheese on a white plate.
Best Way to Reheat Lasagna. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Let’s face it: sometimes the easiest and fastest dinner to make is heating up leftovers. However, if you’re looking to heat up last night’s lasagna, you’ll want to follow these tips so it tastes like you just made it.
Get the Recipe: Best Way to Reheat Lasagna

Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

A close-up of a baked broccoli and cheese casserole in a white dish.
Broccoli Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole is perfect for busy evenings, featuring ingredients your family will love. With quick prep and cook time, you’ll have dinner ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

No Fail Sourdough Pizza Dough

A partially eaten pizza topped with arugula, red onion, mushrooms, and jalapeños on a cutting board next to a stack of white plates.
Sourdough Pizza. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

The crust on a sourdough pizza dough brings a unique flavor that’s hard to beat. If you have a sourdough starter, use it to make the best homemade pizza your family will ever enjoy.
Get the Recipe: No Fail Sourdough Pizza Dough

Steak in the Air Fryer

Close-up of a fork holding a piece of medium-rare cooked beef steak, with visible seasonings and a slice of lemon in the background.
Steak in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Ever considered making steak in the air fryer? This handy kitchen tool is perfect for busy evenings, as it cooks steak quickly and efficiently, delivering great results with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Steak in the Air Fryer

Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

A close-up of chopsticks holding a piece of glazed, grilled chicken. The chicken appears juicy and well-cooked.
Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Barbecuing is a summer staple, and this easy recipe for air fryer chicken drumsticks is perfect for busy evenings. Simply slather them with your favorite BBQ sauce for a quick and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of a stack of seasoned, grilled chicken drumsticks, with one drumstick partially eaten, revealing moist, cooked meat inside. A lemon wedge and herbs are visible in the background.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Thinking about grabbing a drive-through bucket of chicken? Skip it and try this Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe instead. With just 30 minutes of prep and cooking time, the flavor will have your family asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine

A hand holding a fork twirls spaghetti with shrimp in a white bowl, with a glass of white wine in the background on a wooden table.
Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pair a glass of wine with this classic Italian dish of linguine and shrimp scampi. Despite its elegant appearance and taste, it’s an easy and fast meal, perfect for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine

Salmon in the Air Fryer

A fork holding a piece of cooked salmon, with more salmon fillets, lemon slices, and seasoning shakers in the background.
Salmon in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Air Fryer Salmon delivers restaurant-quality taste right at home, making it perfect for busy evenings. Enjoy a delicious seafood meal without the wait or the expensive bill.
Get the Recipe: Salmon in the Air Fryer

Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Close-up of a roasted chicken with crispy, golden-brown skin seasoned with herbs and coarse salt, on a wooden cutting board.
Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Create a healthier version of rotisserie chicken at home with this Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie recipe in the air fryer. Once cooked, it’s versatile enough to serve in tacos, over salad, or straight off the bone.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks

Close-up of a stack of medium-rare, seasoned steak slices, showcasing a pink and juicy interior with a seared crust.
Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Skip the steakhouse and pull some steaks from your freezer instead. This Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks recipe gets everything cooked and on your plate in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks

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17 easy dinners that’ll make weeknight cooking a breeze

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