Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen after a long day? If so, you’re in luck with these 21 extra easy dinners that you’ll wish you’d tried yesterday. These recipes epitomize simplicity, designed for even the most inexperienced home cooks. With minimal prep time and fuss-free cooking methods, these dishes are practically effortless to prepare. So, if you’re tired of complicated recipes and drawn-out cooking processes, try these easy dinners — you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t make them sooner.
Spinach Chicken Bake
This 30-minute meal consists of chicken thighs, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach, all cooked together in a single pan. It’s a forgiving recipe that minimizes room for error, making it an excellent choice for those who are new to cooking. Serve it hot right out of the oven. You’ll appreciate how uncomplicated this extra easy dinner is. The one-pan method also simplifies clean-up.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Cabbage and Sausage
This Cabbage and Sausage dish offers a flavorful, complete meal with minimal effort. It only requires cabbage and sausage, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. You can prepare the entire meal in a single pan, which simplifies both cooking and cleaning. With no need for additional side dishes, it truly is a standalone dinner option. Its quick cooking and easy clean-up make this a practical choice for busy evenings.
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Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is as easy as it is delicious. It includes steamed broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and crispy bacon, all combined in one baking dish. The recipe is quite forgiving and allows for easy customization to suit your taste. Once prepared, you can serve this casserole hot for a comforting meal that’s quick to get on the table. Its simplicity and quick cooking time make it a great choice for those new to cooking.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup comes together in just 30 minutes in a single pot. The combination of Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream creates a rich texture that’s comforting and filling. Its simplicity makes it nearly foolproof, even for those who are new to cooking. This soup is a complete meal by itself, so no additional sides are needed. With minimal equipment and quick cooking time, it’s a great choice for an easy dinner.
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Crock Pot Taco Soup
This Crock Pot Taco Soup is a convenient slow cooker recipe that requires just 20 minutes of prep. Ingredients like ground beef and pantry staples make this dish uncomplicated and straightforward. Once you’ve set up your slow cooker, you can go about your day and return to a ready-to-eat meal. The recipe is also very forgiving, making it hard to mess up. Its simplicity and convenience make it an ideal choice for busy days.
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Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice recipe delivers a complete meal in 30 minutes. It uses everyday ingredients like ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. All of these are cooked together in a single skillet, making both cooking and cleaning a breeze. Because it’s a complete meal on its own, you won’t need to prepare additional side dishes. Its ease and speed make this dish a go-to choice for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This 30-minute dish uses a single pan to cook chicken and a rich mushroom sauce together. The uncomplicated method is perfect for those new to the kitchen. Pair it with rice or noodles to make it a full meal. Its fast cooking time and simplicity are major draws. This is an extra easy dinner you’ll wish you’d tried yesterday.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Fajita Baked Chicken
This recipe is ready in 30 minutes and features chicken with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. No complicated steps are involved, making it ideal for novice cooks. Serve this dish hot right out of the oven for a complete meal. The fast preparation time makes it perfect for busy weeknights. If you haven’t tried this yet, it’s an extra easy dinner that will make you wish you had.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This meal takes 30 minutes and requires just one sheet pan for preparation. With roasted sausage and vegetables, it’s a complete meal in itself. Clean-up is a breeze, making it a practical choice for busy evenings. Even if you’re new to cooking, this dish is nearly foolproof. It’s another extra easy dinner you’ll wish you had tried sooner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This Creamy Garlic Chicken dish is a one-pan wonder that takes 30 minutes from start to finish. The garlic cream sauce adds a rich texture to the chicken, elevating it beyond a simple protein. Serve it with steamed vegetables or rice for a complete, satisfying meal. The straightforward steps make this a solid choice for beginners in the kitchen. Because it uses common pantry items, you likely won’t have to make a special shopping trip.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole dish combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach under a layer of melted cheddar cheese. Assembly is straightforward, taking around 30 minutes from start to finish. All ingredients are mixed and baked in one dish, making for easy clean-up. The casserole stores well, offering leftovers for the next day if you’re cooking for a smaller group. Its simplicity and comfort-food vibe make it a go-to for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This salad is ready in 30 minutes and combines the spiciness of jalapeños with the creaminess of a mayo-based dressing. Chicken adds a hearty protein element, making it more than just a side dish. It’s an ideal recipe for those new to the kitchen due to its simple ingredient list and easy-to-follow steps. Plus, the salad holds well in the fridge for leftovers. No special cooking techniques are required, making it a practical choice for a quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach dish comes together quickly in just 30 minutes. The one-pan preparation minimizes clean-up and makes the cooking process seamless. It combines shrimp, garlic, tomatoes, and spinach for a balanced meal that is both nutritious and flavorful. The steps are simple enough to follow, making this dish practically foolproof for cooking newcomers. The meal serves well hot, providing a quick yet sophisticated dining experience.
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Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
In just 30 minutes, this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken recipe delivers a complete meal using just one pan. The boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook to perfection in a rich sun-dried tomato sauce. The simplicity of the recipe’s steps makes it a great choice for those new to cooking. You can pair this dish with rice or pasta for a more filling experience. Quick to make and easy to clean up, it’s a practical option for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon dish is a quick meal solution that’s ready in about 25 minutes. Combining cabbage, bacon, and onion in one pan, it required minimal clean-up. The recipe’s simplicity makes it great for those new to cooking or with limited time. It’s a standalone meal that doesn’t require additional side dishes, simplifying dinner planning. The quick cooking time makes it a convenient choice for busy weeknights.
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Canned Chicken Patties
These Canned Chicken Patties require just 20 minutes of prep time and provide a convenient dinner solution. The use of canned chicken ensures that even those who are new to cooking can manage this recipe effortlessly. You can serve these patties on their own or use them to create sandwiches. The recipe is versatile enough to be incorporated into various meal plans. The quick preparation time makes it ideal for those who are short on time but still want a homemade meal.
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Big Mac Salad
This Big Mac Salad captures the essence of a popular fast-food item but leaves out the bun for a lighter touch. Assembling the salad with lettuce, ground beef, and a special sauce takes no more than 20 minutes. This recipe is a great option for those new to cooking, given its straightforward steps. Serve this dish as a main course to have a complete meal that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare. With such a simple recipe, it’s a great way to enjoy fast-food flavors without leaving the house.
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Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole offers a spicy and creamy flavor profile, ready in under an hour. All ingredients, including chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños, are mixed and baked in one dish, simplifying both preparation and clean-up. This makes it a perfect dish for those new to cooking or those looking for convenience. Serve it hot straight from the oven for a comforting meal. This casserole is ideal when you’re seeking comfort food but don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is ready in just 30 minutes and serves as a no-fuss main or side dish. The combination of sour cream, mayo, and dill offers a unique and tangy flavor profile. Its straightforward recipe makes it highly accessible, even for those new to cooking. You can serve this salad chilled, making it an excellent option for make-ahead meal planning. The simple ingredients and easy steps make it a foolproof choice for any mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Shawarma Kebabs
These Shawarma Kebabs offer a quick and flavorful meal option, ready in about 30 minutes. The protein-rich skewers are seasoned and can be grilled or broiled, giving you flexibility in cooking methods. The recipe is simple enough for cooking novices to tackle without hassle. Serve them with a side of rice or salad to make a complete meal. The straightforward preparation and quick cooking time make this dish a practical choice for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Ready in about an hour, these Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers make a perfect finger food main dish. The combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch flavors is achieved using minimal ingredients. The simplicity of the preparation steps makes it suitable for cooks of all skill levels. Because they’re baked, clean-up is also relatively simple. These poppers offer a quick, satisfying meal option that is both easy to prepare and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers