Lazy night dinners are a lifesaver when you’re starving after work and want to avoid the hangry meltdown. These 21 recipes are simple, quick to whip up, and just what you need to cap off a busy day. They’re great for those times when the thought of cooking feels like a chore, and you just need a meal without the hassle. Perfect for anyone who wants to eat well without too much extra work.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ready in only 25 minutes, the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a top pick for those lazy nights. It uses readily available ingredients that won’t break the bank. With the convenience of pre-cooked chicken and store-bought dressing, this dish slashes kitchen time, making it a reliable go-to for a quick dinner that’ll keep the hangry at bay.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops is perfect for tackling after-work hunger with a quick prep time. In just 25 minutes, you can enjoy pork chops that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without needing to fry them. The mayo and breadcrumb coating adds a nice crunch that complements the tender pork. This dish saves you time and energy, making it great for nights when you want a hearty meal without the hassle of a complex dinner preparation.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Maximize your downtime with the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. This meal involves simply tossing everything into a pan and roasting. The sausage delivers rich flavors, while zucchini, broccoli florets, and sweet mini peppers add freshness and variety. Ready in 30 minutes, this dinner option is perfect for those seeking a delicious, nutritious meal that doesn’t require a lot of effort or cleanup. It’s the ultimate solution for a stress-free evening that lets you relax and recharge.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are ready in 20 minutes and are the perfect quick dinner solution. Seasoned chicken is fried and then tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, then finished with some lemon and parsley. The flavors of garlic and butter come together to create a comforting taste that’s great for unwinding after a long day. This dish is not only quick to prepare but also helps you relax and enjoy your evening with minimal kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Dive into the comfort of Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, a dish that brings together tater tots, chicken, corn and cheese in a delicious bake. Ready in less than an hour, this casserole is a comforting and easy option for a no-stress dinner. The combination of crunchy tater tots and melted cheese on top makes this dish a hit for both taste and convenience. It’s a perfect meal for those nights when you need something hearty but easy, allowing you more time to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Tuna Macaroni Salad
This Tuna Macaroni Salad is a straightforward dish that comes together in just 40 minutes, making it another ally against post-work hunger. It’s simple enough for beginner cooks and uses common pantry items. Prep it ahead for a no-stress dinner. Just boil some pasta, and toss it with canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and a few condiments. Feel free to tweak the recipe with your favorite mustards or dressings to keep things interesting on those nights when you need a meal that’s both quick and good.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Cabbage and Sausage
For a quick and easy dinner, turn to Cabbage and Sausage. This dish cooks sausage, cabbage, onions, and spices all in one pan in just 25 minutes. It’s the perfect quick meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. The cabbage and onions absorb the delicious juices from the sausage, creating a flavorful meal that’s simple yet hearty. It’s a great way to enjoy a delicious dinner without spending all evening in the kitchen, leaving you more time to relax or catch up on your favorite show.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is a comforting meal that’s straightforward and quick to prepare. Mixing chicken thighs with cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach and then baking them together results in a creamy and filling dish. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dinner is great for those evenings when you need something both comforting and easy to prepare. It’s the perfect dish to wind down with after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
When you need a quick meal after a long day, the Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a perfect choice. This dish blends creamy ground beef with onions, cream cheese and mushrooms, adding cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. It’s all made in one skillet and ready in just 30 minutes, which means less time cooking and more time relaxing. Plus, it’s great for keeping things light and simple without compromising on taste. You can enjoy a hearty meal without feeling weighed down.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is the ultimate easy meal for a lazy night. Just layer frozen cheese ravioli with marinara sauce and cheese, then bake. In about an hour, you can dig into a cheesy, delicious dish that requires minimal effort. It’s like getting the cozy goodness of lasagna, but much simpler. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want a good meal without the effort of lengthy prep or cleanup. With Baked Ravioli, you can feed your hunger and still have plenty of time to relax.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup is a hearty, comforting choice for a stress-free evening. It combines white beans, onions, carrots, spinach and celery in a creamy broth, ready in just 40 minutes with a single pot. Topped with croutons for added texture, this soup is not only easy to make but also fills you up with good, nutritious ingredients. It’s a great solution for nights when you need a comforting meal without any complicated steps or long cooking times, helping you wind down after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
After a long workday, Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is your quick fix for a filling meal. This dish combines broccoli and cauliflower smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, topped with more cheese and crispy bacon, and baked until bubbly. The use of frozen vegetables cuts down on prep time and cleanup. It’s a perfect choice for a lazy night when you want something hearty without the effort. You can kick back and relax knowing dinner is covered and cleanup is easy.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken brings the flavors of a fajita in a simple, oven-baked format. Coat chicken breasts in fajita spices, layer with cream cheese, bell peppers, and mozzarella, then bake to perfection. It’s a quick meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor and is great for those nights when you’re too tired to do much but still want a meal that’s both filling and hearty. Plus, it’s so easy to make that you’ll have plenty of time left to just chill and enjoy your evening.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Chicken Tortellini Soup
The Chicken Tortellini Soup is the perfect cozy, no-stress dinner. It’s a hearty soup with chicken, cheese tortellini, onions, carrots, and celery — all simmered in a seasoned broth with a hint of red pepper. Ready in just 40 minutes and using only one pot, this soup is perfect for soothing your hunger quickly and efficiently. It’s a comforting meal that saves you time and energy on cleanup, so you have more time to unwind. This soup will comfort and fill you up — the perfect end to a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Broccoli Casserole
Turn to Broccoli Casserole for a no-stress dinner solution on those lazy evenings. This dish is all about simplicity and comfort, featuring broccoli in a creamy, cheesy sauce that comes together with minimal ingredients and effort. Just mix, bake, and serve. It’s perfect for conquering after-work hunger effortlessly and gives you a hearty meal without keeping you tied up in the kitchen. This way, you get more time to unwind after a busy day with a dish that feels like a hug.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a great way to wind down after a hectic day. Saute sweet potatoes and red bell peppers until tender, add broth and then blend them with onions and garlic to create a smooth, rich soup. Top it with a little sour cream or yogurt and some fresh parsley for extra flavor. This one-pot meal is effortless since the oven does most of the work, and it’s ready to enjoy whenever you are. It’s the perfect comforting dish to help you relax and take it easy at the end of the day.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This Cheesy Beef Casserole is your perfect go-to after a busy day. Ready in just 30 minutes and cooked in one skillet, this dish brings together ground beef, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cauliflower rice, and spinach into a comforting casserole. It’s hearty, creamy, and has a good dose of veggies, making it a balanced meal. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something filling but don’t want to deal with a mountain of dishes afterward. This meal means more time relaxing and less time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is the perfect solution for a hectic day. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish features tender chicken breasts simmered in a creamy sauce rich with garlic and Parmesan flavors. Easy to cook in just one pan, it’s perfect over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes and guarantees a comforting meal without a long wait. This dish will help you wind down in the evening with a delicious, hearty dinner that won’t leave you stressing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is an awesome choice for anyone looking for comfort without complexity. It combines Italian sausage with a creamy soup of chicken broth, cream cheese, and diced and pureed tomatoes, all seasoned with garlic and onions. Ready in just 30 minutes, it delivers a filling and flavorful dinner that’s great for cold nights. Pair it with a slice of crusty bread, and you’ve got a meal that allows you to spend your evening relaxing, not cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is straightforward and hearty, making it perfect for a lazy evening. It combines sweet onions and cabbage with crispy bacon cooked in bacon grease for extra flavor. This dish is ready in only 25 minutes and cooked in one pan, keeping your time in the kitchen minimal. It’s great for those who need something quick and hearty without spending much time or effort, helping you get to your relaxation faster.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a great pick for a quick dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features juicy chicken thighs seasoned with herbs and spices and covered in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. It’s a dish that’s rich in flavor and perfect over pasta or a side of veggies. If you’re looking for a meal that’s easy to prepare and gets you out of the kitchen fast, this is it. After a long day at work, this meal is a stress-free way to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken