We’re all about lazy meals that make weeknight dinners a breeze, and we’ve rounded up some great options that have been hitting the spot for us lately. After long days, the last thing any of us want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That’s why these 19 recipes are perfect: they’re quick to prepare, require minimal effort, and still turn out delicious.
Cabbage and Sausage
In less than 30 minutes, you can cook up a meal that’s great for those days when you’re not in the mood to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This recipe pairs cabbage with sausage for a hearty and flavorful dish. It’s simple to make with ingredients you likely have on hand. Perfect for a quick, no-stress dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This dish is a go-to for a busy night, ready in 30 minutes. Using frozen broccoli and cauliflower, it’s mixed with a creamy sauce, sprinkled with cheese and bacon, and baked until golden. It’s super easy and perfect for when you want something filling but don’t have much time to cook. Serve this on those evenings when you’re looking for comfort without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a delicious one-pot weeknight dinner idea that is easy enough for beginner cooks to make — no stuffing vegetables required. Make it even quicker by using store-bought pre-cut vegetables. It comes together in just 45 minutes and yields a filling and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a perfect weeknight family meal that takes less than 1 hour to make. It’s really straightforward to prepare, and it reheats well, so if you have any leftovers, you have tomorrow’s lunch or dinner already made.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
Here’s a dish that’s both quick to make and perfect for a hearty dinner, ready in about 30 minutes. You’ll bake chicken thighs with cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach, creating a meal that’s comforting and filling. It’s just right for those nights when you want a warm meal but don’t want to spend ages cooking. This recipe ensures you get a great dinner on the table without much work.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
If you’ve got 30 minutes, you can have a nutritious meal on the table with almost no effort. Just lay out your sausages and veggies on a sheet pan, bake them, and you’re done. It’s a great choice for those nights when you’re short on time but still want a meal that’s good for you. This recipe is all about making dinner simple, letting you relax instead of spending the night cooking.
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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
When you need a filling dinner but don’t want to spend all evening cooking, this meal is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s made in one skillet, combining juicy chicken pieces with a rich buttery garlic sauce. You can pair it with rice and veggies for a complete meal or put it over a salad if you’re looking for something lighter. This recipe is a great pick for a delicious meal without the complicated steps, perfect for wrapping up a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Spend just 20 minutes in the morning prepping, and you’ll come back to a fully cooked soup that’s got all the flavors of a taco. This meal is great for busy days or when you’re too tired to cook but still want something hearty to eat. It’s a perfect way to make dinner easy and full of flavor, proving you don’t need to be in the kitchen all day for a good meal.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Green Chile Chicken
Turn your leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken into a new and exciting meal with this easy 20-minute recipe. Using just one pan, it combines the rich taste of green chiles with shredded chicken for a meal that’s simple yet full of flavor. It’s perfect for turning what’s already in your fridge into a dinner that feels anything but leftover. Choose this dish for a practical option during the week.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This soup is perfect for when you want something delicious and hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll need about an hour to make it, but it’s mostly hands-off. Just get your sweet potatoes and red peppers ready, then sauté, simmer, blend, and serve. It’s a straightforward way to enjoy a homemade meal, especially on those nights when you’re looking for comfort with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
In just 45 minutes, you can enjoy a comforting bowl of this soup, making it a great choice for an effortless dinner. Cooked in one pot, mushrooms are simmered in a creamy broth with spices, sour cream, milk, and butter, bringing a hearty flavor to your table without much work. Serve this with bread, salad, or veggies for a complete and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This dish serves up flavor and comfort in just 30 minutes, using only one pan for easy cleanup. Chicken breasts are simmered in a sauce packed with Parmesan, garlic, and cream, creating a dish that feels special without the fuss. It’s an excellent option for those evenings when you’re looking for something more than the basics but still want dinner to be straightforward and quick.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Chicken Corn Soup
In under an hour, you can serve a warm and comforting soup that combines the flavors of chicken and creamed corn. It’s all made in one pot, making it a straightforward choice for a filling meal on a chilly evening. This recipe is easy enough for beginners but filling for all, making it a great pick for a cozy night in when you’re looking for a hearty dish without the work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Italian Sausage Soup
In 30 minutes, you can have this creamy soup ready. It’s made with Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes, all in one pot. This is great for a cold evening when you want a filling dinner but don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking. It’s easy to make and perfect for a comfy night in.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
You’ll season chicken breasts and top them with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, then bake everything to perfection. It’s all done in one pan, meaning you won’t have to worry about a pile of dishes afterward. This recipe is perfect for those busy evenings when you still want a meal that’s packed with flavor but doesn’t require much effort or time.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
You can make this flavorful dish in just 25 minutes, using only one pan. It combines cabbage, bacon, and onion for a meal that’s simple. This is a great option for a quick dinner that’s still hearty. Whether you’re looking for a savory side or a light main dish, this recipe has you covered on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
In just 30 minutes, you’ll combine ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms in a single skillet for a meal that’s easy yet filling. It’s a smart pick on days when cooking feels like a chore but you still want something good to eat. And if you end up with too much, it freezes well, so you can have a quick meal ready for another day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
This one-pan meal brings together chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, and Parmesan for a hearty dinner, ready in 30 minutes. It’s perfect for when you’re looking for something special to eat but don’t want to spend all night cooking or cleaning up. The rich flavors make it a great choice for a relaxed evening meal.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Get dinner on the table fast with this 30-minute, one-skillet meal. It’s packed with ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese, making it a balanced meal without the hassle. This recipe is especially good on those busy nights when you need something straightforward yet hearty to feed yourself or your family.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach