After a long day’s work, the last thing you want to do is spend another hour in the kitchen — that’s where lazy dinners come into play. These 19 recipes are about to become your new after-work best friends, ready to give you a break without breaking the bank or your back. They’re the culinary equivalent of slipping into your favorite sweatpants: uncomplicated, comforting, and just what you need.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
In just 25 minutes, you can whip up this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. It’s the perfect dish for those nights when you want something quick and without much effort. Grab some pre-cooked chicken, toss it with pasta and store-bought dressing, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s great for winding down after work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is great for a laid-back evening. Marinated chicken thighs topped with cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella create a comforting dish. It’s ready in 30 minutes and makes a perfect choice for a relaxed, hearty meal. The creamy texture and rich flavors come together in a delicious way. It’s perfect when you’re short on time but want something filling. The minimal clean-up makes it a great option for busy weeknights when you just want to relax.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for a quick and easy dinner after a long day. Bite-sized chicken is pan-fried and tossed in a garlic butter sauce, creating a flavorful dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. The rich garlic butter coats each bite perfectly. It’s a great pick when you need something fast but still want a delicious, home-cooked meal. This dish is simple to make and doesn’t require much clean-up, perfect for busy nights when you want to unwind as quickly as possible.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Tuna Macaroni Salad
This Tuna Macaroni Salad is straightforward, needing ingredients you’re likely to have on hand. Just boil some pasta, add in the tuna, eggs, mayo, sweet relish, and mustard, and you’re all set. You can even play around with the flavors to match your mood. This one’s a great pick for a laid-back dinner that doesn’t skimp on comfort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is your go-to for a low-effort meal. Just layer frozen ravioli, marinara, and cheese, and bake for about an hour. It’s perfect for a relaxed dinner that feels like a treat, delivering a lasagna-like experience without the effort. The gooey cheese and robust marinara make this dish comforting and filling. It’s great for when you’re too tired to cook but want something hearty. Plus, the easy preparation means you have more time to relax after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Cabbage and Sausage
This Cabbage and Sausage is great when you need dinner fast. Combine sausage and cabbage together with sautéed onions and apple cider vinegar for a hearty meal that’s ready in just 25 minutes. This one-pan dish is easy to make and perfect for unwinding after work. The flavors are simple but filling. It’s perfect for when you want something quick and easy but still crave a home-cooked meal. The minimal clean-up also makes it a great choice for busy nights when you’re too tired to cook.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a perfect choice for a simple dinner after a long day. It combines ground beef, mushroom, cheddar cheese, and cauliflower rice and is ready in 30 minutes, giving you more time to relax. The flavors blend well, creating a comforting and filling dish. It’s great for when you want something easy but still want to feel like you cooked a proper meal. The one-skillet preparation means less clean-up, perfect for busy evenings when you just want to chill.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are great for a quick and easy dinner after a long day. Coat the chops in mayo, toss in a breadcrumb mix, and bake for 25 minutes. The result is crispy, juicy, and just right for a low-effort, home-cooked meal. This dish is a perfect choice for when you’re too tired to make something complicated but still want a hearty meal. The best part is that it requires minimal prep and clean-up, so you can enjoy more time relaxing after work.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This easy sheet pan dinner is great for winding down after a long day. Just toss sausage, broccoli, zucchini, and sweet mini peppers on a pan, season, and bake. In 30 minutes, you have a comforting and hearty meal with minimal cleanup, perfect for a lazy dinner after your 9-to-5. The flavors come together nicely, and you only need one pan, so cleaning up is a breeze. Plus, it’s customizable, so you can use whatever veggies you have on hand, making it a great way to use up leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
For a no-stress dinner, Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a great choice. Ready in less than an hour, this dish is budget-friendly and can be prepped ahead, perfect for relaxing after work. It’s a hit with both kids and adults, making it a great meal to bookmark for lazy dinners after a busy day. The combination of crispy tater tots, shredded chicken, frozen corn, and melted cheese makes this casserole hard to resist. Plus, it’s easy to double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd or want to have leftovers for another night, adding to its convenience.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is great for easy dinners. Season the chicken with fajita spices, layer with cream cheese, bell peppers, and mozzarella, and bake. In 30 minutes, you have a flavorful dinner with minimal work, perfect for maximizing your downtime after a long day. The peppers and onions add some zing to the creamy, spicy chicken. This dish is perfect for those who want a comforting yet easy meal without spending much time in the kitchen. It’s great for meal prepping, too, as the leftovers are just as delicious the next day, making it a smart choice for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole is quick to prepare and packed with great ingredients. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines broccoli and cauliflower in a cheesy, creamy sauce, topped with bacon. It’s perfect for a filling and comforting meal that helps you unwind, making it a great lazy dinner option after your 9-to-5. The rich and creamy sauce, along with the crispy bacon topping, makes this casserole feel like a treat, but it’s surprisingly easy to throw together. It’s the perfect solution for when you want comfort food without the hard work of complex cooking.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This cheesy beef casserole mixes ground beef with cauliflower rice, spinach, and mushrooms. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great meal that’s easy on your schedule. The cauliflower rice is a lighter substitute for traditional rice. It’s a great no-stress dinner for relaxing after work, especially when you want a filling meal that won’t weigh you down. The combination of flavors is comforting and hearty without being too heavy, and the recipe is simple enough for even beginner cooks to handle. It’s the perfect choice for lazy dinners after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Chicken Tortellini Soup
When you want something comforting, Chicken Tortellini Soup is the perfect choice. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s filled with chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, and celery. It’s a great choice for a soothing, easy dinner, perfect for cold evenings when you need a cozy meal after your 9-to-5. The mix of ingredients results in a delicious soup with layers of flavor from the chicken, pasta, vegetables, and seasonings. Plus, it’s easy to make a big batch and enjoy leftovers for the next day so it’s both comforting and convenient, hitting all the right notes for lazy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
For a relaxed evening after work, Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a great choice. Ready in just an hour, this hearty and creamy one-pot meal combines chicken, veggies, and seasonings in a thick broth. It’s perfect for chilly nights when you want a comforting meal without much effort, making it feel like home without the stress. The creamy broth, with its mix of chicken and veggies, serves a filling taste. It’s great when you want a homestyle meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup is a great quick dinner option for lazy evenings. Ready in just 40 minutes, it features white beans, spinach, and veggies in a soothing, hearty broth. Blending half the beans adds a silky texture. It’s great for minimizing kitchen time while still enjoying a nutritious meal, perfect for unwinding after a long day. The combination of beans and veggies creates a hearty soup that fills you up without much effort. It’s the soup to make during busy weeknights when you want something delicious and easy.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is perfect for busy weeknights after your 9-to-5. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick meal features chicken breasts in a creamy white sauce with Parmesan and garlic. It’s a great option for nights when cooking feels like a chore, letting you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your evening. The creamy garlic sauce pairs perfectly with the chicken, making it a comforting and filling meal that’s great for when you want something delicious yet easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a great choice for a quick, comforting dinner after work. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes for a rich, creamy soup that’s perfect for cold nights. It’s great for those who want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen, showing how simple ingredients can create a treat. The Italian sausage adds a burst of flavor, while the creamy base makes it filling and flavorful, perfect for when you want something quick and easy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
For a straightforward, filling dinner after a busy day, Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a great option. Ready in about 25 minutes, it combines sautéed cabbage with crispy bacon, onion, and garlic. It’s perfect for nights when you want something hearty without long prep times, letting you relax and unwind with a simple yet delicious meal. The crispy bacon adds a nice contrast to the tender cabbage, making it a great choice when you want a filling meal that’s easy to put together.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon