21 recipes meant for people who hate cooking dinner

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These 21 recipes are meant for people who hate cooking — the ones who look at their kitchen at the end of a long day and think, “Nope.” These dinner recipes are perfect for those of us who want to get a good meal on the table without the hassle. It’s all about making your life easier, getting you fed, and keeping things straightforward.

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking pan.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Throw sausages and your go-to veggies on a sheet pan, roast them for 30 minutes, and you’ve got a great dinner that’s perfect for anyone who hates cooking. This meal is all about getting a hearty dinner on the table fast, with barely any work or kitchen skills needed. It’s a real game changer for quick, hassle-free evenings.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a perfect weeknight meal that takes less than 1 hour to make — with only 15 minutes of prep time. It’s straightforward to make and reheats well, so any leftovers will make for a convenient meal tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you’re looking for a great dinner that’s easy and doesn’t involve a bunch of steps, this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is for you. It’s ready in 45 minutes, and you don’t even need to bother stuffing peppers. Just throw everything in one pot, and you’re good to go. It’s the perfect pick for nights when cooking is the last thing on your mind.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole in a dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s a dinner idea that’s as easy as it gets: Cheesy Beef Casserole. Just mix beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese, bake it, and dinner’s ready in half an hour. It’s great for those nights when you need something filling but don’t want to deal with a complicated recipe. Perfect for anyone who’d rather spend their evening chilling than cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cabbage and Sausage

A fork in a bowl of cabbage and sausage.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

30 minutes are all you need to whip up this Cabbage and Sausage dish. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a good meal without jumping through hoops. Just cook your cabbage and sausage together and voila, you’ve got yourself a great dinner that didn’t take all night to make.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is your go-to when you need something great but easy. Toss broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon into a pan, bake until it’s bubbly and golden, and you’re all set. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great choice for those busy nights when you’ve got a million other things to do.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A crock pot of taco soup.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

If you’re all about setting and forgetting, this Crock Pot Taco Soup is for you. Brown some beef, throw it in the slow cooker with the rest of your ingredients, and let it do its thing. With only 20 minutes of prep, you’re free to tackle your to-do list while dinner takes care of itself. It’s the ultimate hassle-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you’re in the mood for something fast and filling, this Fajita Baked Chicken is what you need. Ready in 30 minutes, using just one pan. Season chicken breasts with your favorite spices, top with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, and bake. It’s a quick, easy dinner that’s great for any night of the week. Pair it with a salad or steamed veggies, and dinner is served.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken bites with garlic butter and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

When you need dinner on the table yesterday, these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a lifesaver. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re fast, easy, and downright great. Cook them up on the stove, and you’ve got a meal that’s perfect for those nights when you want something delicious but don’t have the time or energy to cook.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is as easy as it gets. Cook the cabbage and bacon in one pan, and you’re done. It takes 25 minutes, tops. It’s the kind of meal you make when you’re busy but still want something good to eat.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up these Canned Chicken Patties in just 20 minutes for a fast dinner prep. They’re easy, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Great by themselves, with veggies, or on a sandwich. No sweat, just good food.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad for something quick and full of flavor. Mix everything, chill it, and it’s ready to eat. It’s the perfect pick for a busy night when you want something good but easy.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of soup with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Italian Sausage Soup is your go-to for a fast, comforting meal. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s sausage, cream, and tomatoes all in one pot. It’s what you make when you want something hearty without spending all night cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet is a no-brainer for a quick dinner. Mix beef with cauliflower rice, cheddar, and mushrooms, and 30 minutes later, dinner’s on the table. It’s perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want something filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are great when you need something easy and quick. They take about an hour to make and are simple to prepare. You can also freeze them for later, making them perfect for when you want a good meal without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

A bowl of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Making this Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is straightforward. Just toss everything into a pot, let it simmer, and in about an hour, you’ve got a soup ready. It’s great for nights when you want something cozy but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a dinner that’s low on effort but big on flavor, try the Spinach Chicken Bake. Mix everything, bake for 30 minutes, and you’re set. With chicken, cheese, and spinach, it’s a great meal for those nights when you’re too busy to worry over dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is all about making something fancy without the hassle. Cook chicken in a creamy sauce with garlic and Parmesan, and impress everyone at the table. It’s easy enough for any weeknight but special enough for guests.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shawarma Kebabs are the way to go when you want something good but easy. Marinate the chicken, stick it on skewers, and bake. It’s a great choice for enjoying a protein-packed meal without getting stuck in the kitchen for too long.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a 30-minute meal that’s easy to make. Chicken thighs simmer in a rich sun-dried tomato sauce, making a dish that’s low on effort but full of flavor. It’s the right choice for cooking up something special without too much work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Big Mac Salad

Hands scooping up a serving of bacon cheeseburger salad from a bowl.
Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Dive into a Big Mac Salad, where all your favorite burger components come to life in a salad form. This quick-to-assemble meal features hamburger pickle slices, romaine lettuce, crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and juicy ground beef, all tossed with that iconic Big Mac sauce. It’s the perfect dish for those evenings when you crave something delicious but don’t have the time or energy to cook a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

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