We’ve all had those days where the thought of cooking dinner feels like a mountain too high to climb. That’s where these easy meals come in, ready to save your evening with minimal effort but maximum flavor. They’re great for those moments when time is tight or when your motivation is just not there. These 17 recipes are the perfect solution for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want a good meal without too much effort.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner is a go-to for an effortless evening meal. Combine sausages with a selection of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, toss them with oil and your favorite seasonings, and bake for about 30 minutes. It’s a practical choice for lazy dinners we’ve been adding to our meal plan because it’s a one-pan meal with a quick cooking time and even quicker cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Simplify your dinner with this easy casserole that mixes bell peppers, ground meat, rice, and cheese. Just mix the ingredients in a baking dish and cook for 45 minutes. It’s a perfect pick for those lazy dinners because it streamlines the process without sacrificing flavor, and you’re left with fewer dishes to wash afterwards.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
For a quick meal, slice up some cabbage and sausage, then sauté them together in a skillet. This meal comes together in 25 minutes, making it an excellent addition to the lazy dinners we’ve been adding to our meal plan. It’s straightforward, uses commonly found ingredients, and is a one-skillet wonder that keeps the evening relaxed.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
If you’re pressed for time, these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites come to the rescue. Ready in a mere 20 minutes and using only one skillet, they pair perfectly with rice or vegetables to create a complete meal without any hassle on a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
The Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a go-to dish for those evenings when you want a comforting meal without the effort. Ready in under an hour, it features wide egg noodles, canned tuna, cheddar cheese, whole milk, and bread crumbs. It’s straightforward to prepare and yields enough for leftovers, making your future meal planning a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan meal combines chicken with a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, creating a dish that seems sophisticated yet is incredibly easy to make. It’s perfect for those days when you’re looking for something special but straightforward, making your dinner prep a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Crock Pot Taco Soup
For a comforting and filling meal with minimal prep, the Slow Cooker Taco Soup is a top choice. With only 20 minutes of preparation, you can let the slow cooker work its magic, leaving you free to tend to other tasks. It’s also perfect for batch cooking, so it’s even a great option for future lazy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Spinach Chicken Bake
With a prep time of just 30 minutes, this Spinach Chicken Bake is an excellent option for a laid-back dinner. Combining chicken, spinach, and cheese, it’s a breeze to prepare and even simpler to clean up. A perfect addition to our lazy dinner meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
For a no-stress meal that’s ready in 30 minutes, try the Loaded Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole. Just combine your frozen vegetables with a creamy cheese sauce and bacon for a dish that’s effortless to prepare and comforting to eat on those busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is a 30-minute meal that’s simple yet packed with flavor. Seasoned chicken joins forces with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella to create a low-effort, high-reward dinner perfect for a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Broccoli Casserole
This easy Broccoli Casserole is a lifesaver for a straightforward dinner, taking just 50 minutes to prepare. It’s an easy, quick dish that’s perfect for anyone looking to cut down on the time spent in the kitchen while still enjoying a veggie-based meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a quick, flavor-packed meal that you can whip up in 25 minutes. It’s a simple one-pan dish that works great as a filling main course or a robust side. This recipe comes in handy for those nights when you’re short on time but still want something filling.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Chicken Corn Soup
Ready in under an hour, Chicken Corn Soup is a straightforward dish that combines chicken, corn, and veggies in a creamy broth for a meal that’s easy to make and just as easy to clean up, giving you a relaxing weeknight option.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a quick, 30-minute fix for a comforting meal. Just combine Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and you’ve got a no-stress soup that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a one-skillet meal you can serve up in just 30 minutes. With ingredients like cheddar, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms, it’s an easy dish to prepare and perfect for leftovers, making your weeknights smoother.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
In just half an hour, the Cheesy Beef Casserole brings together beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, spinach, and cheese for a one-skillet meal that feels like home cooking without the time commitment. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get your veggies in.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a creamy, comforting blend that’s ready in about an hour. It’s a simple, one-pot affair that produces a homemade meal without requiring you to spend your whole evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup