If you’re someone who usually dreads the whole cooking process, these 17 easy meals are about to change your mind. These recipes are not only simple to make but also so good that even the most reluctant cooks will want to get in the kitchen. They’re great for those busy nights when you just need something quick or for when you’re trying to impress someone without spending hours over the stove.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
When you can’t face the thought of cooking, this sheet pan dinner is a lifesaver. Just toss sausages and veggies like bell peppers and zucchini on a pan, season them, and let the oven do its thing for 30 minutes. It’s perfect for those nights when effort is low, but you still want a solid meal. Plus, the cleanup is super easy — just one pan! This means more time relaxing and less time worrying about a mess in the kitchen. For an extra kick of nutrition and a boost in taste and texture, quickly shred some Brussels sprouts in a food processor and mix them in with everything else before baking.
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Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
For a no-hassle dinner, this casserole has your back. Mix bell peppers, ground meat, rice, and cheese in a dish, then bake. In 45 minutes, you’ve got a hearty meal that doesn’t require standing over the stove. To round out your dinner, pair it with a creamy cucumber salad for a perfectly balanced meal. Great for those evenings when you’re looking for simplicity and minimal dishwashing. It’s a fantastic choice for a comforting meal without the stress of cooking and cleaning up.
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Cabbage and Sausage
This cabbage and sausage skillet is your go-to for a quick meal fix. Chop, sauté, and in 25 minutes, dinner’s on the table. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense option for days when cooking is the last thing you want to do. Cleanup’s a breeze too, with just one skillet to wash. This dish is a champion at cutting down kitchen time, giving you more moments to unwind after a long day. Instead of fully-cooked chicken sausage, feel free to use smoked sausage, kielbasa, andouille, bratwurst, or any pork, beef, or turkey sausage.
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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
In just 20 minutes with a single skillet, you can have Garlic Butter Chicken Bites ready. This recipe calls for simple ingredients: chicken, butter, and garlic. Serve them with rice or veggies to make it a full meal. It’s a straightforward pick on nights when even thinking about cooking is too much. Plus, swapping in different seasonings is easy if you want to mix it up. For those who dread the thought of cooking after a long day, this quick and flavorful meal means you can still enjoy a homemade dinner without feeling drained.
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Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Whip up this comforting Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole in under an hour. You’ll need some pantry staples like egg noodles, canned tuna, and cheddar cheese. It’s super straightforward: mix, bake, and enjoy. Not only is it hassle-free, but you’ll likely have leftovers for tomorrow. If you’re out of tuna, canned chicken works great too. This is the kind of meal that cuts down on your kitchen time and ups your relaxation time, perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
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Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a 30-minute, one-pan recipe that feels like a treat. The essentials here are chicken breasts, garlic, cream, and Parmesan. It’s a rich and creamy dish that looks like you’ve spent hours on it. Ideal for a fancy yet lazy dinner option. On days when you want a ‘pick-me-up’ without the hassle, this dish brings the comfort of a restaurant meal right to your table.
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Spinach Chicken Bake
The Spinach Chicken Bake is like hitting the easy button for dinner. Just marinate chicken, toss it with spinach and cheese, and bake. Thirty minutes later, you’ve got a meal that’s high in protein, low in carbs, and free of gluten. With only 5.3 grams of net carbs per serving, it’s a smart pick for anyone keeping an eye on their carb intake. Whether you’re new to cooking or just want to keep dinner simple, this creamy, cheesy bake is sure to become a go-to in your weekly rotation. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get some greens in without making a separate side dish.
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Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
The Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole turns dinner into a breeze, especially on those nights when even the thought of chopping veggies is too much. It’s a creamy, cheesy dish with bacon that’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a stellar choice for a quick and filling meal. It’s perfect for adding a bit of comfort to your dinner without straying from health goals. This casserole is a smart pick for those looking to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort, leaving you more time to relax in the evening.
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Crock Pot Taco Soup
When you can’t even think about what to cook, Crock Pot Taco Soup swoops in to save your evening. It needs just 20 minutes of prep and brings together easy ingredients like ground beef, cream cheese, and some spices, all while keeping it low-carb and gluten-free. With only 5.8 grams of net carbs, this soup’s perfect for anyone cutting carbs but not flavor. It’s laid-back cooking at its best, letting you throw everything in the slow cooker and forget about it until dinner time. This recipe’s a no-brainer for a chill, flavor-packed meal that’s easy to tweak to your taste, making dinner one less thing to stress about.
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Fajita Baked Chicken
This 30-minute Fajita Baked Chicken dish brings the flavor with minimal effort. In just 30 minutes, you’ve got a dish packed with seasoned chicken, cream cheese, and sweet peppers, all under a blanket of melted mozzarella. It’s a delicious, stress-free meal perfect for when you’re swamped but still want something good. Feel free to swap in any veggies you have on hand. This meal turns your dinner into a flavorful escape from the day’s stress, with barely any cleanup involved.
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Broccoli Casserole
With just 50 minutes from start to finish, Broccoli Casserole makes a veggie-packed dinner easy. All you need is broccoli, cheese, and a few pantry items. It’s a straightforward recipe that’s comforting and simple. Plus, it’s easy to tweak based on what you’ve got — try adding rice or chicken for a heartier dish. For those looking to enjoy a hearty veggie meal with minimal effort, this casserole is a stress-free choice. It’s also a no-mess way to load up on veggies and keep everyone happy, making your evenings a little bit easier and a lot more delicious.
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fry up some cabbage and bacon in 25 minutes for a quick, savory meal. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s filling and flavorful. This dish is perfect for using up that leftover cabbage and can easily adapt to include other leftovers too. A great choice for a busy night. When time is tight, but you want something hearty, this dish is a great choice.
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Chicken Corn Soup
In less than an hour, you can have Chicken Corn Soup simmering on your stove. This recipe calls for chicken, corn, and a mix of veggies in a creamy broth. It’s easy to make and easier to clean up. Looking to cut down on carbs? Skip the corn and add more low-carb veggies like spinach or zucchini.
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Italian Sausage Soup
Whip up Italian Sausage Soup in just 30 minutes for a comforting bowl of goodness. You’ll mix Italian sausage with cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream. It’s a simple, hearty soup that’s perfect for a quick dinner. Running low on cream? A splash of milk can work too. This quick soup brings warmth and satisfaction with minimal effort, making it a great choice for chilly evenings when cooking feels like a chore. It’s not just easy to make and clean up after, but it also stores well.
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Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a 30-minute, one-skillet wonder. It’s packed with flavors from cheddar, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. Easy to prepare and perfect for leftovers. If you’re watching your calories, you can lighten it up with lean beef and low-fat cheese. It’s the weeknight hero for when you want something hearty but healthy, minimizing time spent cooking and maximizing enjoyment. It’s a great way to enjoy a creamy, cheesy dish that’s filling and packed with protein.
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Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Get dinner on the table in 30 minutes with the Cheesy Beef Casserole. It’s a hearty mix of beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese that’s surprisingly easy to make. This one-skillet meal is comforting and customizable, making it a solid choice for a no-stress dinner. Veggie swaps are easy, so use what you like. Perfect for anyone looking to whip up a balanced meal without having to wash a pile of dishes afterward. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel good about what you’re eating without spending all night in the kitchen.
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Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a creamy blend ready in about an hour. It’s a one-pot recipe that makes cleanup a breeze. Perfect for those cold nights when you want something warming but don’t want to spend ages cooking. Plus, it’s pretty adaptable — feel free to adjust the spices to your taste. On days when you need comfort but can’t deal with anything too complex, this soup is a perfect choice.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup