Let’s talk lazy dinners, because let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen after a long day. But here’s the kicker: lazy doesn’t have to mean bland or boring. This collection is packed with 19 lazy dinners that are so good, you’ll pat yourself on the back for being so clever with minimal effort. So, roll up your sleeves (but not too high), and let’s get cooking with some serious flavor that’s just a few easy steps away.
Reuben Bowls
For those evenings when you want a meal that’s both quick to prepare and packed with flavor, these Reuben Bowls are a solid pick. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up something that’s perfect for a lazy dinner. Brown up some deli corned beef, throw it together with coleslaw or shredded cabbage and add in some tangy sauerkraut. Top it off with melted Swiss cheese and a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing — homemade or store-bought, your choice. This dish is not only a breeze to make but also versatile enough to serve as a make-ahead lunch.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is perfect for lazy dinners after work. In just 25 minutes, you can have a refreshing meal on the table. Simply use pre-cooked chicken, toss it with pasta, and add store-bought dressing. This dish brings the flavors of a classic Caesar salad with the added heartiness of pasta. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require much effort, making it a great choice when you want to relax after a long day. Plus, the minimal prep and clean-up mean more time for you to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are a great choice for a lazy dinner when you’re exhausted. You coat the pork chops in mayo, then cover them in a breadcrumb mixture before baking. They come out crispy and juicy, giving you a great home-cooked meal with little effort. This dish is perfect when you’re too tired for complicated cooking but still crave a hearty meal. With just a few minutes of prep and a single baking sheet to clean, this recipe makes after-work dinners easy and stress-free. It’s a simple way to get a filling dinner on the table quickly.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is great for a laid-back evening when you want something hearty without a lot of effort or time commitment. This dish features marinated chicken thighs topped with a creamy mix of cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella, all baked to perfection in just 30 minutes. The rich and creamy texture makes it a comforting choice, perfect for when you’re short on time but still want a filling meal. With minimal clean-up, this dish is a win for busy nights, allowing you to spend more time relaxing.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner after a long day. In just 20 minutes, you can have bite-sized chicken pieces fried and then tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce. This dish is packed with flavor and is super easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort. It’s a great pick when you need something fast but still want a home-cooked meal. The quick cooking time and easy clean-up make it perfect for busy nights when you want to relax as quickly as possible.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is great for a laid-back dinner using ingredients you likely have at home. Just boil elbow macaroni, add in tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sweet pickle relish, and mustard, and you’ve got a comforting meal ready in no time. This salad is straightforward and easy to customize to your taste, making it perfect for a lazy evening when you don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen. Its simplicity and minimal prep make it a go-to option for a quick and filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a straightforward dinner for busy days. Ready in 25 minutes, it features sautéed cabbage with crispy bacon, onion, and garlic. This meal is perfect for nights when you want something hearty without long prep times, making it easy to relax and unwind. The crispy bacon adds a nice contrast to the tender cabbage, creating a filling dish that’s quick and easy to make. It’s a simple and delicious option for when you want a flavorful meal without much effort, great for lazy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is perfect for a low-effort meal that feels gourmet. Layer frozen ravioli with marinara sauce and cheese, then bake for about an hour to get a lasagna-like dish without the effort. The gooey cheese and rich marinara make it a comforting and filling meal, great for when you’re too tired to cook from scratch. This dish’s easy preparation means you can have a hearty dinner with minimal effort, making it perfect for a relaxed evening after work.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Cabbage and Sausage
This Cabbage and Sausage is great when you need a fast dinner that’s both hearty and simple. Combine sausage with cabbage, sautéed onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a meal that’s ready in just 25 minutes. This one-pan dish is easy to make and brings together simple flavors in a filling way. It’s perfect for a quick, home-cooked meal after a busy day, and the minimal clean-up makes it an even better choice for those nights when you just want to kick back and relax.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This dish is perfect for lazy dinners after a long day because it’s easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes. It combines ground beef, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, and cauliflower rice, all cooked using one skillet. The creamy texture and rich flavors make it feel like a hearty meal without a lot of effort. Plus, the one-skillet prep means you won’t have a ton of dishes to wash, making it perfect for when you just want to relax and enjoy a delectable meal with minimal clean-up. This recipe is a real time-saver and perfect for a quick but rich and creamy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner is perfect for lazy evenings after work. You just toss sausage, broccoli, zucchini, and mini peppers on a pan, season them, and bake for 30 minutes. The result is a hearty meal with great flavors and minimal clean-up, perfect for a lazy dinner. The one-pan approach means you won’t spend much time washing dishes. Plus, it’s flexible enough to use whatever veggies you have at home, which helps reduce waste and makes dinner prep even easier. This recipe is a great way to enjoy a quick meal that tastes like you put in a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a great no-stress dinner that’s ready in less than an hour. It’s budget-friendly and can be prepped ahead, making it perfect for relaxing after work. The combination of crispy tater tots, shredded chicken, frozen corn, and melted cheese is hard to resist, making it a hit with both kids and adults. It’s perfect for lazy dinners when you want something easy and comforting. Plus, you can easily double the recipe for leftovers, making your weeknight dinners even more convenient. This casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is perfect for easy dinners with minimal work. You season the chicken with fajita spices, layer it with cream cheese, bell peppers, and mozzarella, and bake it for 30 minutes. This results in a flavorful dinner that’s great for relaxing after a long day. The peppers and onions add a nice zing to the creamy, spicy chicken. It’s also great for meal prepping since the leftovers are just as good, making it a smart choice for busy weeknights. This dish simplifies dinner time while delivering great flavors.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole is quick to prepare and packed with great ingredients, making it perfect for lazy dinners. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines broccoli and cauliflower in a cheesy, creamy sauce topped with bacon. It’s a comforting meal that’s great for unwinding after work. The rich sauce and crispy bacon make it feel like a treat, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. This recipe is perfect for those who want comfort food without spending a lot of time cooking. It’s a simple way to get a great meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole mixes ground beef with cauliflower rice, spinach, and mushrooms and is ready in 30 minutes, making it great for lazy dinners after work. The cauliflower rice is a lighter alternative to traditional rice, making the meal filling without being too heavy. This no-stress dinner is perfect for relaxing after a busy day, especially when you want a hearty meal that’s easy to prepare. The combination of flavors is comforting and the recipe is simple enough for beginners, making it a great choice for lazy evenings. This dish makes dinner time easy and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup is great for lazy dinners after a long workday. It’s ready in 40 minutes and packed with chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, and celery. This soup is perfect for cozy evenings when you need a quick and comforting meal that feels like a hug. The combination of tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and fresh veggies makes this soup a hearty option that’s easy to whip up after a busy day. It’s also convenient for making a big batch to enjoy leftovers, saving you time and effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup is a great quick dinner option for lazy evenings. It’s ready in 40 minutes and features white beans, spinach, carrots and celery ribs in a hearty broth. This soup is great for minimizing kitchen time while still enjoying a nutritious meal, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The beans give the soup a hearty texture, and blending some of them adds a silky smoothness to the broth. It’s an easy meal that’s both filling and light, perfect for winding down after a long day at work.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is perfect for busy weeknights after work. This quick meal is ready in 30 minutes and features chicken breasts in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. It’s great for nights when cooking feels like a chore, letting you spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing. The rich garlic sauce pairs perfectly with tender chicken, making this dish a go-to for when you want something easy yet hearty. It’s a simple recipe that feels indulgent without a lot of effort, perfect for lazy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a quick, comforting dinner choice after work. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes in a rich, creamy soup. This meal is great for cold nights when you want a hearty dish without spending hours in the kitchen. The flavorful sausage and creamy base make this soup a filling option that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy evening at home. It’s a great choice for when you need a delicious meal quickly and easily, making it a lazy dinner favorite.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup