19 dinner recipes for anyone who hates cooking

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If you’re searching for recipes to cook when you hate cooking, this is the list for you. These 19 dinner recipes are straightforward and quick to prepare, making them perfect for anyone who wants to minimize time spent in the kitchen. Each recipe is designed to be fuss-free while still delivering on flavor. Save time and effort while still enjoying a solid meal.

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

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese in a straightforward manner. It’s an easy-to-make dish that requires minimal culinary skills. Whether you dislike cooking or are short on time, this is an easy and quick solution. You’ll have a complete meal ready without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cabbage and Sausage

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

This Cabbage and Sausage is a one-pan meal that takes under 30 minutes to prepare. This recipe is an excellent choice for those who dread spending time in the kitchen. The quick prep time and minimal clean-up make it a practical pick. The outcome is both flavorful and filling.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole merges broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon in a straightforward manner. If you’re new to cooking or simply want to avoid a complicated process, this 30-minute dish is for you. It’s an accessible choice that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner after being cooked.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is ideal for novice chefs. It includes roasted sausage and vegetables and is ready in just half an hour. The simplicity of this dish is perfect for those who dislike cooking. It offers a complete meal with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Two bowls of Crock Pot taco soup with cheese and sour cream.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Crock Pot Taco Soup requires only 20 minutes of prep time, and then the slow cooker does the rest. Ground beef and some kitchen staples are the main items you’ll need for this meal. This recipe is an ideal choice for those who want a nearly hands-off cooking experience.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

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 with Cauliflower Rice is a one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. This dish is an excellent choice for people who want a hassle-free cooking experience. The recipe is straightforward, resulting in a complete meal that requires minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Canned Chicken Patties provide a quick meal solution that’s ready in a mere 20 minutes. They’re perfect for those who aren’t comfortable with complex recipes. These patties offer versatility and are a straightforward choice for novice chefs.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad provides an exciting twist to conventional chicken salads. It’s well-suited for beginner cooks or for those who dislike cooking. The preparation is simple, and the resulting dish is easy to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy spinach chicken bake in a glass baking dish.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Spinach Chicken Bake is a one-pan dish featuring marinated chicken, cheese, and spinach. If you’re new to cooking or don’t enjoy it, this recipe offers a simple yet flavorful solution. It combines multiple ingredients into a complete meal with minimal hassle.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

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.

This Italian Sausage Soup is a 30-minute dish that combines Italian sausage with heavy cream and canned tomatoes. This recipe is an uncomplicated and comforting option for those who prefer not to spend much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

If you hate cooking but still need to get something on the table, try these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. They’re cooked to perfection right on the stovetop to yield bite-sized pieces of juicy, tender chicken in a delicious buttery garlic sauce. This is an easy-to-make recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is a one-pan meal that pairs well with rice or vegetables. It’s especially suitable for beginner cooks who want a straightforward yet hearty meal. With only 30 minutes of cooking time, it’s a practical choice for those who dread the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon comes together in just 25 minutes. This straightforward dish is perfect for newcomers to cooking or those who want to avoid a complicated process. The result is a flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Shawarma Kebabs are oven-baked and ready in a snap, making them a good choice for cooking novices. This recipe is a great fit if you’re looking for a straightforward, protein-rich dish. The cooking process is simple, resulting in a hearty and impressive meal.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole combines chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños into a simple yet memorable dish. This recipe is an excellent option for those just starting their cooking journey or who want to avoid a complicated recipe. It’s an easy way to make dinner more enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken recipe pairs chicken thighs with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, and it’s all done in one skillet within 30 minutes. It’s a practical and straightforward dish, perfect for those who want a quick and easy meal without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Big Mac Salad

Hands scooping up a serving of bacon cheeseburger salad from a bowl.
Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Big Mac Salad mimics the components of a classic burger but in salad form. It’s an uncomplicated choice, particularly useful for those new to cooking. Ready quickly, this dish is practical and offers a complete meal without the complexity.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

This Fajita Baked Chicken blends chicken with cream cheese and sweet peppers. It’s an easy recipe that’s especially good for people new to cooking. This dish is straightforward to make and offers a complete and high-protein meal.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a simple and fun finger food that takes little time to prepare. If you want to avoid a lengthy cooking process, this dish is for you. It’s a great way to enjoy a casual, home-cooked meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

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