If you despise cooking dinner after a long day, you’re not alone, but the right recipes can completely turn that feeling around. These 23 easy-to-follow recipes are so good, they might just make you look forward to getting into the kitchen. From quick-prep dishes to slow-cooked flavors that practically take care of themselves, these recipes are great for any skill level and perfect for shaking up your weeknight routine.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This meal is a breeze for those who’d rather not cook. Choose your veggies—potatoes, carrots, bell peppers—slice them up with some sausages, and spread them on a sheet pan to roast. It’s straightforward: no complex steps, just simple cooking. This dish proves that you can create a great meal without much work, perfect for changing the minds of cooking skeptics. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder. Cleanup is just as easy as the cooking part, giving you more time to relax after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This casserole is the answer if you dread dinner prep. You need noodles, canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and peas. Mix them, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top, and bake until golden. Prep is only 15 minutes, leaving you more time to relax. This easy dinner is designed to convert anyone who hates cooking into a believer in quick, great meals. It’s also an excellent way to make a meal stretch so you have delicious leftovers for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
If you want to make a hearty meal without the hassle, this casserole is the way to go. Just mix ground beef, rice, chopped bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake for 45 minutes, and that’s it. This recipe simplifies dinner into an easy task, making it a mouthwatering choice for those looking to minimize kitchen time and still enjoy a great meal. Not only does it save on effort, but this casserole also fills the house with delectable aromas.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole is a top pick for evenings when you’re looking to relax rather than cook. It’s easy to prepare and bake, with ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and plenty of cheese. Enjoy a hearty dish with the least effort possible. This recipe is for anyone wanting to keep their evening hassle-free while still having a good meal. Plus, it’s a clever way to sneak in some veggies, making your dinner both wholesome and effortless.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Cabbage and Sausage
This 30-minute meal blends cabbage and sausage in one pan for a quick, delicious dinner. Cooking them together brings out great flavors, serving a filling meal with minimal kitchen time. It’s the perfect solution for those busy nights when you want something good to eat without waiting too long. This dish also means less cleanup, streamlining your evening even further.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
If you’re pressed for time but still want a meal that’s more than just edible, these chicken bites are the answer. Ready in 20 minutes with just chicken and a garlic butter mix, they’re fast to make and packed with flavor. This recipe is great for those hectic evenings when you need a quick yet delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Crock Pot Taco Soup
When you’re juggling a busy schedule, this taco soup is a lifesaver. Brown some beef, then let the slow cooker do the rest with beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning. With only 20 minutes of hands-on time, it’s perfect for those days when you’re all about multitasking. This meal is a comforting end to any day and is one we love to make when we don’t feel like actively cooking in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Spinach Chicken Bake
For a straightforward and full-of-good-taste meal, this chicken bake always hits the spot. Layer chicken, spinach, and cheese, then let the oven do the work. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s an easy way to serve up a savory dinner on busy nights. This bake is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot of time or have fancy ingredients to make something great to eat.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
White Bean Soup
This White Bean Soup is a one-pot recipe that comes together in just 40 minutes. It’s easy enough to make for weeknight dinners, especially when you’re looking to get some extra fiber and veggies in.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Turn to this casserole on those hectic days when time is scarce. Just combine broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, and bake. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a fast track to a flavorful meal. This recipe is a godsend for anyone needing a quick dinner but still wants something really delicious and filling.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This Chicken Tortellini Soup is extra easy to make and comes together in only one pot in 40 minutes. It’s nutrient-dense, filling, and a great choice for weeknight dinners. If you dread making dinner, this easy soup is a great choice for you.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
Bringing fajita flavors to a simple 30-minute bake, this dish is seasoned with fajita spices, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. It’s easy, quick, and pairs well with any side. For those who want a flavorful meal without the lengthy prep, this recipe is a perfect choice. It’s a straightforward way to spice up dinner without adding extra work to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish combines cabbage and bacon for a simple, flavor-packed meal. It’s great for those evenings when time is tight, but you still want something good to eat. This recipe shows that awesome flavors don’t require complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen. It’s the quickest way to fall in love with cooking.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Broccoli Casserole
Choose this casserole for an easy family dinner. Combining broccoli with a creamy sauce and cheese, it’s simple enough for beginners and quick for those wanting to avoid a long stint in the kitchen. Ready in 50 minutes, it’s a great pick for a stress-free evening meal. This casserole makes it possible to enjoy a hearty dinner without all the prep and cleanup. You’ll have more time to bond with your family.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Canned Chicken Patties
These chicken patties are a quick dinner solution, transforming canned chicken into something delicious in just 20 minutes. Mix the chicken with breadcrumbs and seasonings, form patties, and cook until golden. Enjoy these patties on their own, as a side, or between bread as a sandwich. If you hate cooking, you’re going to love starting to learn with this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This chicken salad combines the kick of jalapeños with the creaminess of cream cheese and spices for a meal that’s as simple as it is full of flavor. It’s an easy, no-cook option for busy nights when you can’t spare the time for a cooked meal but still want something a little different.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Italian Sausage Soup
With this soup, you get a hearty meal with minimal kitchen time. Start by browning Italian sausage, then add broth, tomatoes, and veggies of your choice and let it simmer. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and easy dinner option for those nights when you want something warming without the hassle. This soup is a smart choice for anyone looking to keep dinner prep simple yet delicious.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This skillet meal is a speedy, filling option that combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheddar, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. It’s ready in around 30 minutes, making it a solid choice for those busy evenings when you’re short on time but still want a hearty meal. This recipe caters to anyone looking for a low-stress dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
For a flavorful meal that requires little effort, try these chicken bacon ranch poppers. Mix the ingredients, shape them into balls, and bake. Ready in about an hour, you can whip this up even with little love for cooking. Make these ahead, freeze, and you’ll have a quick meal later. They’re perfect for enjoying a flavorful meal with minimal kitchen work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This soup is the best example of easy cooking. Chop sweet potatoes and red peppers, simmer them with broth and seasonings, and in about an hour, you have a comforting soup. It’s perfect for chilly nights when you want a cozy meal without spending much time cooking. This recipe is all about simplicity, making it a great choice for a relaxing evening at home.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Simply sauté chicken and then simmer in a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s special enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight. This recipe is for those times when you want to impress, even when you don’t like cooking. It’s a simple way to make dinner feel like an occasion.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
This meal brings a burst of flavor with minimal effort in just 30 minutes. Chicken thighs cooked in a rich sun-dried tomato sauce create a dish that’s both simple and indulgent. It’s the go-to recipe when you want to serve something memorable without spending the whole evening in the kitchen, perfect for making dinner a moment to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Big Mac Salad
Enjoy all the flavors of a Big Mac without the bread in this fun and easy salad. Layer ground beef, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, pickles, and Big Mac sauce for a dish that’s delectable and straightforward to make. This salad is the ultimate pick for when you’re craving something familiar but you can’t be bothered to spend a lot of time cooking. It keeps dinner simple and light.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad