Some nights, cooking feels like an impossible task. You’re drained, you’re hungry, and the last thing you want is a long ingredient list or a pile of dishes. That’s where these dinners come in. They’re quick, low effort, and great for keeping you from resorting to a sad snack dinner or another round of takeout. Nothing fancy — just easy meals that get the job done without making you work any harder than you already have.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are your go-to for a fast and easy dinner. Start by lightly coating the pork chops with mayonnaise, which keeps them moist and helps the seasoned breadcrumb mixture stick to the meat. Then, bake the pork chops until they are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can get this meal ready in about 25 minutes, making it a great pick for a fast and hearty dinner on a busy weeknight. Perfect for a no-stress evening, this means more downtime and less time cooking, giving you a chance to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is the way to go for a comforting meal without the effort. This dish consists of chicken breasts seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then cooked in a rich creamy sauce made from heavy whipping cream, chicken stock, and grated Parmesan cheese, which adds a delicious depth of flavor. It’s great for those nights when you need a good dinner without the hard work. This meal is a perfect way to pamper yourself with little prep and cooking, ensuring you have more time to relax and less time standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Throw together this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole when you’re too tired to cook but still want a filling meal. This casserole combines wide egg noodles, canned tuna, frozen peas, and shredded cheddar cheese, all baked in a homemade creamy sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. The top is sprinkled with more cheddar and breadcrumbs, giving it a pleasing crunchy texture when baked until golden brown. It’s straightforward and hits the spot after a draining day. Plus, it’s a comforting classic that feels like a hug in a dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
For a great dinner with almost no cleanup, try the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Just chop, season, and bake. It features cooked Polish sausage with colorful vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, and sweet mini peppers, all spiced up with smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground thyme, onion powder, pepper, salt, and a touch of ground ginger. Everything is roasted, which helps to caramelize the vegetables and crisp up the sausage, boosting the flavors and texture. In half an hour, you’ve made a flavorful meal that lets you spend more of your evening relaxing. You’ll save time on washing up, so you can kick back sooner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
When you need a quick dinner, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are ready in 20 minutes. They consist of juicy, tender chicken pieces cooked and then tossed in a buttery garlic sauce. They’re simple to make and great with anything you feel like having, like rice or veggies. They’re a smart pick for a low-effort yet filling meal. Plus, they’re a hit with everyone in the family, making dinner time filling for everyone. It only requires one skillet, which means cleanup is also a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is perfect for a quick and hearty meal. This flavorful dish takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, just the kind of dinner you want after a busy day. The dish combines the smoked flavor of sausage with the subtle sweetness of cabbage, which soaks up the flavors during cooking. Other ingredients include onions and spices, with apple cider vinegar adding a slight tang. This simple meal cuts down on cooking time and is packed with flavors, boosting your evening with convenience.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole makes for an effortless dinner or side. Mix everything together, bake, and enjoy. It uses frozen broccoli and cauliflower for convenience, mixed with savory bacon and a rich cheese sauce, and is baked until it’s perfectly golden and bubbly. This dish is a practical choice for when you’re tired but still looking for something good to eat. It’s also a smart way to sneak more veggies into your dinner with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Baked Ravioli
After a long day, Baked Ravioli is perfect for when you want something good but easy. It’s like making lasagna but requires significantly less effort. Layer frozen cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, and a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses seasoned with dried basil, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes for a bit of spice. Pop in the oven and let it do the work. In about an hour, you’ll be sitting down to a comforting meal. It’s a great way to have a hot, home-cooked meal without spending your evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Broccoli Casserole
After a long day, you need something quick and comforting, and this Broccoli Casserole hits the spot. Mix broccoli, cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and a dash of garlic powder and black pepper. Pop it in the oven, bake, and you’ve got yourself a hearty meal. It’s easy to whip up, great for when you’re beat, and the leftovers are just as good the next day. Serve it hot with bread or garlic toast to keep you full and happy. It’s a stress-free way to make sure you’re eating a hot, home-cooked meal even on your busiest days.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
Try this Spinach Chicken Bake when you’re too tired to do much but still want a good meal. Just layer chicken, cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella, and let the oven do the work. This dish is great for unwinding after a tough day. It’s simple, fills you up, and the leftovers make a great lunch. Pair it with a salad or some veggies for a complete dinner. This dish means less time cooking and more time relaxing after work.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Tuna Melt Quesadillas
These Tuna Melt Quesadillas are an easy, flavorful meal you can throw together in just 30 minutes. Just mix up the tuna filling, layer it with cheddar cheese on flour tortillas, and cook on the stovetop until golden brown and crispy. Make it for dinner tonight or prep ahead for a quick lunch. Leftovers keep well, so you’ll have meals ready for the next few days.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Melt Quesadillas
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is your go-to for a quick, delicious dinner. Fry up some bacon, cook the cabbage and onion in the bacon fat, and serve it up with rolls on the side or alongside a soup. It’s quick to make, perfect for when you’re low on energy but want something good. Plus, it’s just as great the next day reheated. Quick to prepare and easy to clean up, it’s the perfect meal to minimize kitchen time and maximize relaxation.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is perfect for when you want a meal that’s easy to make and still really good. Coat your chicken with homemade fajita seasoning, cream cheese, peppers, and onions, top with mozzarella, and bake. It’s a solid choice for a laid-back dinner. Serve with rice and beans or tuck it into tortillas. Either way, you’ve got a meal that’s easy to make and clean up. With minimal prep and cooking, you can have a flavorful dinner ready with little effort, giving you more time to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Nothing beats coming home to a pot of Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. It’s simple: cook onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, and red peppers, then blend into a creamy soup. It blends the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the mild, slightly tangy taste of red bell peppers and seasonings. This comforting dish is easy to make, perfect for winding down. Enjoy with bread, salad or your choice of side dish for a complete meal. This soup serves a soothing end to your day, a nutritious dinner with minimal kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
If you’re looking for a quick dinner solution, this Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is it. Brown the beef in avocado oil with some onions and garlic, throw in cauliflower rice and mushrooms and finish with cream and cheese. Bake and broil until the cheese is golden brown. This dish is all done in one skillet in 30 minutes, making your evening a lot easier. Not only does it save you time, but this skillet meal also cuts down on dishes, simplifying your post-dinner cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Italian Sausage Soup
When you need something comforting, Italian Sausage Soup is the hug you need in a bowl. This one-pot soup features mild Italian sausage with a creamy base made from cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and both diced and pureed tomatoes, resulting in a rich, creamy texture. The flavor is enhanced with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a generous amount of shredded Parmesan cheese. It’s easy to make, great on its own, and even better with crusty garlic bread. This soup can quickly become your go-to for a comforting meal that requires minimal effort, perfect for decompressing after a hectic day.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
For a stress-free dinner, this Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is just what you need. It’s everything in one dish, featuring ground beef, cauliflower rice, fresh spinach, and a generous layer of cheddar cheese that becomes golden and bubbly in the oven. It’s easy to prepare, great on its own and makes plenty so you can relax about meals for a couple of days. This casserole is a lifesaver on busy nights, helping you cut down on meal prep and giving you more time to recharge.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach