19 Easy recipes to beat weeknight cooking stress

Photo of author

| Published:

Easy recipes are the key to beating weeknight cooking stress. After a long day, the last thing you want is a complicated meal. These recipes are designed to be quick, simple, and great for busy evenings. They’re all about making dinner time easier, so you can spend more time relaxing and less time worrying about what to cook. Perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a stress-free meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

A wooden plate holds six sliders filled with shredded chicken and coleslaw, arranged neatly on a surface.
BBQ Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

A blue bowl of ham and potato soup.
Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Enjoy a hassle-free dinner with Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder. Packed with tender ham and hearty potatoes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need an easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Bacon ranch pasta salad in a clear bowl with a striped towel.
Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Enjoy creamy goodness with Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick dinners or potlucks, packed with flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Tomato Basil Soup

Two bowls of soup with sour cream on top.
Tomato Basil Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Relish the taste of summer with Tomato Basil Soup. Quick to prepare, it’s a great choice for stress-free weeknight dinners, delivering fresh flavors in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Soup

Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

A cheeseburger on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion on a wood board.
Cast Iron Skillet Burgers. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Make dinner effortless with Cast Iron Skillet Burgers. Cooked to perfection and customizable with your favorite toppings, this recipe makes busy evenings a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

A skillet filled with beef, rice and vegetables.
Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Busy nights call for Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner. With fluffy rice, savory peppers, and onions, this dish is a quick and flavorful option for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Grilled chicken flatbread pizzas on a marble countertop.
BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Craving pizza? Try BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza for a quick and flavorful meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, whether you use leftovers or cook fresh chicken.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

BBQ Green Beans

A white bowl with barbecued green beans and chuncks of ham.
BBQ Green Beans. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Add some flair to dinner with BBQ Green Beans. Featuring tender beans, crispy onions, and tangy sauce, this easy side dish brings maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Green Beans

Chicken and Corn Noodle Soup

Chicken corn noodle soup in bowl with spoon.
Chicken and Corn Noodle Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Warm up with Chicken and Corn Noodle Soup. Loaded with tender noodles and veggies, it’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings when you need an easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Corn Noodle Soup

BBQ Chicken Sliders

A wooden plate holds six sliders filled with shredded chicken and coleslaw, arranged neatly on a surface.
BBQ Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Skip the fancy dinners with Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders. Juicy BBQ chicken piled onto sweet Hawaiian rolls makes for an easy and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders

Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch

A white plate with two wedges of lettuce with bacon and dressing.
Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Keep dinner simple with Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch. A refreshing option for summer evenings, it delivers great taste without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch

Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup

Corn and bean soup in a blue bowl.
Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Fight off the cold with Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup. Packed with corn, beans, and spice, it’s perfect for chilly days when you need a quick, hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Pork chop topped with onion gravy on a white plate.
Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Enjoy easy cooking with Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops. Cooked in a creamy mushroom and onion gravy, this recipe makes for a stress-free dinner on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown and hamburger casserole in white pan.
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Gather the family for Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Creamy and packed with flavor, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend feast.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta.
Meatball Pasta Bake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Simplify dinner with Meatball Pasta Bake. Just toss everything in a pan and bake for a flavorful casserole, great for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Mini Chicken Taco Cups

Mini chicken taco cups on a silver tray.
Mini Chicken Taco Cups. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Impress your guests with Mini Chicken Taco Cups. Fun and flavorful, they’re perfect for game day or parties, offering easy preparation and maximum taste.
Get the Recipe: Mini Chicken Taco Cups

Rainbow Salad

A rainbow salad with lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, olives, corn, and mozzarella balls is drizzled with dressing.
Rainbow Salad. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Dive into Rainbow Veggie Salad for a burst of color and flavor. Packed with a mix of crisp veggies, this salad is as fun to look at as it is to eat, perfect for a quick and healthy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Salad

Quick Skillet Pizza

Margherita pizza on a white cutting board.
Quick Skillet Pizza. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Craving pizza? Try Quick Skillet Pizza for a satisfying weeknight meal. Made with beer dough, it’s easy to make and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Quick Skillet Pizza

Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

A roasted chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Gather the family for Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken. With a zesty kick from lemon pepper seasoning, it’s a hit for a stress-free and flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

Chicken and Rice Casserole

A casserole dish filled with vegetables and cheese.
Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Enjoy comfort with Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole. Easy to make and a family favorite, it’s packed with flavor for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.