Simple dinners are a godsend when finding your keys feels like solving a mystery. These recipes are so easy, you could whip them up with your eyes closed. No fancy ingredients or complicated steps — just straightforward, great meals that come together faster than you can say, “Where did I put my keys?” Perfect for those nights when you need something quick and stress-free.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
If you’re after a dinner that’s simpler than finding your keys, try this Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Toss zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, and your favorite sausages onto a sheet pan, bake for about 30 minutes, and you’ll have a delicious and filling meal. This dish cuts down on dishes — just one pan to wash — and packs a punch with the juicy sausages and crisp veggies. It’s perfect for those nights when even microwaving seems like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Reuben Bowls
Whenever you feel like making dinner is more complicated than programming your DVR, Reuben Bowls to the rescue! Ready in just 30 minutes, these bowls layer corned beef, coleslaw or shredded cabbage, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese for a meal that’s so straightforward, it’s almost embarrassing. It’s like making a sandwich but without the effort of actually building one. Each spoonful delivers hearty, creamy, and tangy flavors that’s great for recharging your batteries after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. Coat them, bake them for 25 minutes, and voila — you have a crisper dinner than any of your dollar bills. The secret lies with the mayonnaise coating for the pork chops, which keeps them moist and helps the seasoned breadcrumbs stick perfectly. It skips the mess of frying and keeps things light on cleanup. Make this on days when you need something delicious, filling, and easier than remembering where you left your keys.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is the perfect fallback for those evenings when you just can’t deal with cooking. Take some frozen cheese ravioli, layer it with marinara sauce, generously sprinkle cheese, and bake until golden. The result is a gooey, cheesy dish that’s about as comforting when you’re wearing your favorite sweatpants. It’s a simple meal that warms and fills you up, great for any night when you’d rather watch another episode than hover over a stove. And the best part? The oven does all the heavy lifting while you relax.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is the king of easy meals. Mix elbow macaroni with canned tuna, mustard, and mayo, and in about 20 minutes, you’re ready to eat and chill. This dish is a lifesaver on those nights when even the idea of cooking makes you tired. It’s also perfect for making ahead, so you can let it chill in the fridge and have a ready-made meal for dinner. Plus, it’s a great way to clear out those pasta boxes and tuna cans that have been hanging around for quite some time in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
For a dinner quicker than finding your misplaced keys, it’s time to make these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. These delicious bites are ready in just 20 minutes. Start by cutting the chicken, sauté it, and then toss it with garlic butter for a flavor that punches above its weight class. They’re a smart pick for when you want something good but don’t have the time or energy to make a big meal. Plus, they’re so easy that you could probably make them while blindfolded — but we can test that theory for another day.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
When you want a comforting meal without the effort, Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole has your back. Just mix cooked egg noodles, canned tuna, and peas in a creamy sauce, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake. You only need 30 minutes to make this hot, hearty dish, and it’s definitely easier than remembering where you left your keys. It’s just the thing for evenings when you want to feel like you’ve got your life together without exerting effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is your casual weeknight warrior. In under an hour, you’ll have a dish with crispy tater tots on top, a creamy chicken mix beneath, and perfectly melty cheese. It’s a lifesaver on nights when even choosing a TV show feels like too much effort. Plus, the straightforward prep and quick cleanup mean more time to relax.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is about as complex as remembering where you left your keys — meaning, it’s not at all complicated. Toss broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon in a creamy sauce, and let the oven do the heavy lifting. It’s ready in 30 minutes and definitely the superhero of weeknight meals. Perfect for those nights when “What’s for dinner?” is the last thing you want to think about. It promises a great meal with minimal kitchen time, letting you unwind or easily tackle other evening tasks.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is like the friend who says, “I’ve got this,” just in time when you really need a break. The hearty sausage and tender cabbage combined with simple spices make for a no-nonsense dish that’s simple but still packed with so much flavor. It’s the perfect answer to a busy day, made in just one pan and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake takes the guesswork out of a nutritious and filling dinner. Mix chicken thighs, cream cheese, and spinach, bake until golden, and you’ve got a hearty dish ready to serve in just 30 minutes. This chicken bake is just the ticket when you’re too tired to worry about dinner but still want something that tastes like you’ve put too much effort into it.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a great go-to when you need a hearty meal without the hassle. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach come together under a generous layer of cheese for a dish that’s simple to make and comforting to eat. This casserole takes the stress out of dinner and is perfect for those evenings when you’d rather relax than cook. It’s quick, filling, and cuts down on the dishes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is like the easier, less fussy younger sibling of traditional stuffed peppers. Just mix ground beef, rice, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheese, bake it until golden, and voila — a comforting and hearty dish ready in 45 minutes max. This recipe simplifies your evening, allowing you more time to enjoy dinner rather than making it. It’s about keeping things straightforward so you can focus on the eating, not the cooking.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is the cooking equivalent of pressing the easy button on a busy evening. Brown Italian sausage, toss in tomatoes, onions, cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, and spices, and in 30 minutes, you’re spooning out bowls of rich, comforting soup. This soup serves great flavor with minimal effort, which shows that a mouthwatering meal doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s all about getting a delicious dinner on the table quickly so you can enjoy your evening more.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken is your solution for nights when you’re too tired to think but craving something flavorful. The dish brings together the sweetness of honey with just the right hint of spice, all slathered on chicken that’s grilled to perfection. It takes about 40 minutes from start to finish, and if you’re a planner, you can whip up the sauce ahead of time and keep it chilled until you need it. Grill the chicken, baste it with the sauce, and you’ve got a meal that makes you look like a cooking genius without the mental gymnastics.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
Crock Pot Taco Soup
This Crock Pot Taco Soup is one of the easiest dishes you can make, especially when you’re already running on fumes after a long day. Add beef, tomatoes, cheese, cream, and seasoning into your slow cooker, set the timer, and let it do its thing. You only need 20 minutes of prep, so you can make this before you leave for work and have a hearty soup waiting for you when you get home. Perfect for days when you just can’t be bothered even to remember where your keys are.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup is like hitting the easy button for dinner. Combine white beans, veggies, and a creamy broth, and let it simmer until done. It’s ready in 40 minutes and perfect for nights when you’d rather not attempt anything complicated. This soup is easy, hearty, and fills you up without any kitchen drama.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
The Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is your speedy solution to a delicious and effortless meal. This dish combines pre-cooked chicken, pasta, and creamy Caesar dressing, ready in just 25 minutes. It’s the perfect meal for those chaotic evenings when you’re juggling more than you can handle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
For those craving something different without the long prep time, this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is practically heaven-sent. This recipe combines cream cheese, tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fiery jalapeños into a creamy, spicy salad. Perfect for evenings when the thought of lighting the stove is daunting, this dish brings excitement straight to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
The Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is the ultimate dish for simplifying your dinner routine. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines juicy ground beef, fluffy cauliflower rice, rich cheddar cheese, and earthy mushrooms into a comforting skillet meal. Just toss the ingredients into a skillet and let them sizzle — the result is a flavorful dish that doesn’t make dinner feel like another exhausting task. It’s tailored for those draining evenings when even remembering how the day went seems a stretch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a great pick for those days when you need a straightforward win in the kitchen without the complex steps. Sauté tender chicken breasts in a luxurious garlic Parmesan sauce and have dinner on the table quicker than settling on a Netflix show. This dish is the epitome of quick-and-easy gourmet, designed for busy weeknights when you want to impress without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Big Mac Salad
When you’re craving a Big Mac but can’t deal with another trip out, this has your back. Mix ground beef, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and pickles, and toss everything in the homemade Big Mac sauce. This quick fix gets dinner on the table fast — as if you’ve hit the fast-food flavor jackpot without leaving the comfort of your home. Great for those days when even finding your keys seems like too much work. Seriously, why stress when you can toss a great salad and call it a day?
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Picture this: Add some split peas, carrots, celery, and ham into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it. By the time you’re back, this easy Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is ready to fill you up. It cooks on its own while you tackle your day and gives you a hearty soup that asks nothing more of you than to enjoy it. Great for busy days or lazy evenings, it’s dinner made easy, peasy — split peas squeezy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup is the perfect dish to whip up when you need something filling without a lot of work. Toss chicken, cheese tortellini, and a bunch of veggies into a pot, let it simmer, and have a soup ready to serve in just 40 minutes. It’s just the ticket for getting something hearty on the table fast, especially on those nights when cooking feels like the biggest chore. Plus, who doesn’t love a good cheesy tortellini moment?
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is your new best friend if you’re after a meal that’s both easy to prep and packs a punch. Season some chicken with spices, top with sweet mini peppers and mozzarella, pop it in the oven to bake, and top with sour cream and green onions before serving. It’s ready in 30 minutes, perfect for those days when even simple decisions feel like solving algebra.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is for those evenings when you want something hearty but don’t want to make a big deal about dinner. It combines tender broccoli with a creamy cheese sauce, topped off with a crispy cracker layer, and it’s ready in about 50 minutes. This casserole is a hit for a family meal that doesn’t require a cooking degree to impress. It’s your secret recipe for a no-stress, delicious dinner that keeps everyone happy and keeps you out of the kitchen. Just mix, bake, and serve — because who needs more complications after a long day?
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties are the epitome of simple and effective. Just mix canned chicken with eggs, Parmesan, almond flour, and spices, form into patties, and fry straight on the stovetop. In 20 minutes, you’re ready to enjoy a delicious and filling meal that took almost no effort at all. These patties are a great way to turn the what’s-for-dinner dread into a quick, easy meal solution. Plus, they’re a great way to pretend you’ve got it all together — even if your keys are still in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties