When you’re low on energy or time, these 21 easy dinners are a great solution that requires no brainpower to whip up. Perfect for those nights when you just can’t muster the energy to cook something complicated, this list has got you covered with meals that are simple to make but still hit the spot. So kick back, relax, and let these straightforward dishes take the load off your shoulders.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole features broccoli and cauliflower in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with more cheese and bacon, then baked until golden. You’ll steam the vegetables, combine them with the sauce, and then bake until golden. It’s a delicious, creamy, and savory combination of veggies that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when you’re too tired to make dinner choices.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
In this sheet-pan dinner, sausages are roasted alongside a medley of vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli. After arranging the veggies, you’ll season them and bake until caramelized and tender. It’s a great way to have a balanced meal with protein and vegetables without having to think twice. Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes, and everything cooks in just one sheet pan for easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This recipe takes all the flavors of stuffed bell peppers and turns them into an easy-to-make casserole. You’ll cook layers of cooked rice, ground beef, diced bell peppers, and cheese and bake until everything is bubbling and the top is perfectly golden. It’s a delicious one-pot weeknight dinner idea that is easy enough for beginner cooks to make and comes together in just 45 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
This skillet meal combines sliced cabbage and sausage and is ready for everyone to enjoy in just 25 minutes. You’ll saute the ingredients, season to your liking, and garnish — it’s that easy. The recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients, perfect for those times when you need a lifesaver dinner.
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Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
This oven recipe pairs seasoned chicken with spinach in a rich, creamy sauce made of cream cheese and mozzarella. This lifesaver dinner is as practical as it gets. You’ll bake everything in just one dish for convenience and have it ready in 30 minutes. It’s a great recipe to have on hand when you need an easy, hearty dinner after a long, busy day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Broccoli Casserole
For a quick and veggie-packed dinner, this Broccoli Casserole is a solid pick. It combines broccoli with cheese and a few other simple ingredients, baked together until bubbly and golden. It’s one of the easiest weeknight meals you can make. You’ll assemble the ingredients, pop them in the oven, and bake until the top is golden brown. This casserole is an excellent way to serve up something filling that both kids and grownups will enjoy. The best part is it only takes about 35 minutes from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This Tuna Noodle Casserole is a classic choice for a stress-free dinner. It mixes canned tuna with noodles, peas, cheddar, and a creamy sauce, topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. The recipe is designed for simplicity. You’ll combine the ingredients, bake them, and serve. It’s a comforting and filling dish ready in about 45 minutes, making it a practical option for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Creamy Dijon Chicken
This Creamy Dijon Chicken recipe is perfect for a quick, effortless, and flavorful dinner. You’ll cook juicy chicken thighs in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce with spinach and bacon. It’s ready in 30 minutes, perfect for a dinner that won’t keep you thinking or cooking in the kitchen all night long.
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Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach recipe is perfect for a simple but impressive dinner. This dish combines perfectly cooked shrimp with spinach in a rich, garlic-infused sauce, all cooked in one pan for convenience. It’s an easy recipe that brings a touch of Italian flair to your table without requiring a lot of time or effort. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a no-brainer for busy nights when you need a delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup requires only one pot from your kitchen and about 30 minutes of your time from start to finish. This recipe combines chicken chunks, corn, and a mix of veggies, simmered in a creamy and savory broth. When you’re stuck on what to have for dinner, make this quick and hearty dish that’s great for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Sometimes, simplicity is key, and this Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet stands out as a practical choice. It’s a one-pan dish that mixes ground beef and cauliflower rice in a creamy sauce, then topped generously with cheddar cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for those evenings when you need something quick, easy, and filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
For those days when you’d rather not think about cooking at all, the Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is a lifesaver. This recipe is the definition of simplicity. Just get your ingredients ready, throw them into the slow cooker, and let it do its magic. Whether you let it simmer on low all day or crank it up to high to have it ready sooner, this soup is all about convenience. It’s especially great for beginners or anyone who wants to minimize their time in the kitchen, offering a straightforward approach to dinner that requires minimal mental energy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
The dish features chicken thighs simmered in a creamy mushroom sauce, all in just 40 minutes. It’s very easy to prepare. You’ll start by cooking the chicken and preparing the sauce in the same pan to soak up all the flavors. This recipe is perfect for a relaxing evening at home, giving you a gourmet-like meal without the need for complicated cooking techniques.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach under a layer of melted cheese, all baked until perfectly golden. Ready in about 45 minutes, it’s a great way to feed the family with minimal effort and cleanup. Plus, it’s a smart way to sneak in some vegetables for a balanced dinner. Make this on weeknights when you need a quick and impressive dinner without much thinking.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Canned Chicken Patties
For those nights when even the thought of cooking is too much, these Canned Chicken Patties are a quick and easy solution. Using canned chicken, this recipe lets you create delicious patties with just a few additional ingredients, like almond flour and spices, all mixed together and pan-fried until crispy. It’s a simple process that transforms pantry staples into a meal in just 20 minutes. Great for a last-minute and effortless dinner on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Think of those evenings when you’re looking for something quick and easy to prepare. The Chicken Tortellini Soup is just the thing for such times. With a preparation time of only 40 minutes and requiring just one pot, this soup is about making your dinner routine as straightforward as possible. It’s a great way to have a meal that’s both filling and rich in nutrients without spending too much time or effort in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a no-hassle dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe is a smart choice when you need a dinner option that’s quick to make but doesn’t skimp on taste. You’ll cook juicy chicken on the stovetop in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and made in just one pan for convenience, making it perfect for those evenings when time and energy are in short supply.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Sausage Curry
With sausage as the main ingredient, this recipe adds a spin to the traditional curry by incorporating spices and vegetables in a one-pan dish. It’s designed for easy home cooking. Everything comes together in just one pan and 30 minutes. It’s the perfect pick for nights when you’re too tired to cook but still want a hearty and filling meal.
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Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
For those days when cooking feels like a chore, this Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is a lifesaver. It combines seasoned chicken, mini sweet peppers, and cheese, all baked together until perfectly tender and golden. In under an hour, you’ll have a flavorful meal that requires little attention, making it an excellent option for a laid-back evening.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This recipe combines the classic flavors of jalapeno poppers with the comforting taste of a chicken salad. You’ll combine cooked chicken with jalapenos, chicken breast, mayonnaise, or sour cream and season it to your liking. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and a great pick for those nights when you’re too exhausted to come up with a dinner plan.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a hearty dish filled with Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream. You’ll saute the ingredients, simmer it with the creamy broth, and you’re done. It’s also very versatile, so you can pick the sausage or meat you want to use depending on your spice tolerance. It’s ready in 30 minutes, perfect for evenings when you’re just too tired to think or cook.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup