Bookmark these 17 easy dinner recipes for lazy nights

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Looking for easy dinner recipes for lazy nights means finding those go-to meals that make your evening smoother. These are the 17 recipes you’ll want to have on hand, perfect for nights when you’d rather relax than spend hours cooking. They’re all about getting a great meal ready with minimal effort, proving that cutting down on kitchen time doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice eating well.

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

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

This Spinach Chicken Bake is the lazy dinner hero you wish you knew about last year. It takes 30 minutes to get chicken, spinach, and cheese ready for the oven. It’s super easy to make and even easier to clean up after. You can add any spices you like to switch it up. Perfect for a chill night in.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Cabbage and Sausage

A fork in a bowl of cabbage and sausage.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

When you’re out of dinner ideas and short on time, this Cabbage and Sausage is a game changer. It only takes 25 minutes from start to finish. You probably have all you need for it already. It’s the kind of easy, filling meal you wished you were making on the regular last year.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken bites with garlic butter and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the quick, no-stress dinner you wish you’d been making way sooner. Ready in 20 minutes using just one pan. Serve them with rice or veggies to round it out. Perfect for when you need something delicious without too much hassle on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

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

This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is what you need for those lazy nights but still want to put a good meal on the table. It’s a hit for weeknight dinners and gets ready in less than an hour. Simple to make and great for leftovers, this dish is the comfort food you wished you started making last year.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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

Grab some frozen broccoli and cauliflower. Mix them with a creamy sauce, cheese, and bacon, and you’ve got yourself a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. It all bakes up in one dish and is ready in 30 minutes. It’s your go-to for a no-sweat, delicious meal on those nights when time just isn’t on your side.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Broccoli Casserole

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

Perfect for an easy dinner, this broccoli casserole recipe is a must-bookmark for lazy nights. It takes only 50 minutes to make and is a quick and hassle-free meal. Great for beginners or anyone looking to minimize time spent cooking, this dish keeps things simple and efficient.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Pop sausages and whatever veggies you like on a sheet pan. Let it bake, and in 30 minutes, dinner’s on the table. This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is great for those slammed evenings. It’s the kind of meal that eases your night, giving you an appetizing, filling dinner with minimal effort.
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: Real Balanced.

Just throw ground beef and a few things from the cupboard into your Crock Pot and let it do its magic. With 20 minutes of prep, you’re all set for a hearty taco soup that cooks itself while you’re busy doing everything else. Great for freezing, this soup is a smart pick for making dinner easy now and later.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

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 ready in 30 minutes and cooks all in one pan. Chicken breasts get a boost from creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s the perfect dish for when you want something a bit fancy but easy to pull off. It’s quick, simple, and a total crowd-pleaser for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

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

Jump into this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole and find out why it’s the lazy dinner champion you’ll wish you discovered last year. It’s a 45-minute breeze, no stuffing, just straight-up delicious and filling goodness in one pot. Perfect for anyone wanting a stress-free meal that hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Chicken Corn Soup

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

Chicken Corn Soup is your less-than-an-hour ticket to a chill week. It’s got everything–chicken, corn, veggies–all mingling in a creamy broth in one pot. The clean-up is so easy that you’ll have extra time to kick back. It’s the complete meal you wished you were making on repeat last year.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Fajita Baked Chicken

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With Fajita Baked Chicken ready in 30 minutes, dinner’s not just quick, it’s a flavor party. Seasoned chicken meets cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella for an easy yet awesome meal. Perfect for nights when you want to mix it up without the hassle. This is the kind of dinner game-changer you wished you had in your back pocket.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Italian Sausage Soup

A fork in a bowl of cabbage and sausage.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Italian Sausage Soup gets dinner sorted in 30 minutes flat. Just mix Italian sausage with cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream in a one-pan wonder. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s simple, fast, and absolutely delicious. It’s the effortless, comforting choice you wished was in your weeknight rotation way sooner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken bites with garlic butter and herbs on a plate.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up Fried Cabbage with Bacon in 25 minutes and find out it’s the quick, flavorful meal you wished you had on your go-to list. Just cabbage, bacon, and onion in one pan, and you’re done. Whether it’s the main event or a hearty side, it’s easy enough for beginners and filling for everyone. Perfect for those nights when time’s tight, but you’re still craving something good.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

30 minutes are all it takes to serve up this Creamy Ground Beef Skillet. With cheddar, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms, it’s a hearty meal in one skillet. It’s easy to whip up and even easier to store for later. This dish is the smart move for busy nights and meal prep days alike. It’s the kind of recipe that makes life easier and tastier.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

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.

Mix up a Cheesy Beef Casserole with all the good stuff–beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, spinach, and cheese. It’s a 30-minute one-skillet meal that feels homemade without the hassle. It’s for those times you need something quick but don’t want to skimp on the home-cooked vibe. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to pack in the veggies.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

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.

In about an hour, this Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup comes together to create a creamy, comforting blend. Simple steps in one pot lead to a soup that’s perfect for any night. It’s the homemade meal that won’t have you stuck in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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