If you’re a Boomer or Gen Xer looking to spice up your dinner routine, our list of 17 updated lazy dinner classics is just the thing you need. We’ve taken those familiar favorites and given them a modern touch, so you have all of the same flavors but can still get a meal on the table with minimal effort. These recipes are perfect for when you want a good meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Cabbage and Sausage
Let’s talk about making a great meal with cabbage and sausage in about 25 minutes. This one is perfect when you’re feeling lazy but still want something that reminds you of what mom used to make. You just throw cabbage and sausage together, maybe sprinkle some herbs on top if you’re feeling fancy. It’s super easy, fills you up, and gets you back to relaxing in no time. And really, it’s like bringing a piece of mom’s kitchen into your home without the hassle. Serve it straight from the pan for that ultimate comfort meal vibe.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Here’s a dish that takes you back: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. It’s noodles, tuna, and cheese, and it can be ready in under an hour. It’s a solid choice for a chill night, giving you that classic taste without much work. It’s like mom made it for you, except you didn’t have to bug her to do it. Scoop it onto your plate and maybe add a side of green beans to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
In just 30 minutes, you can have a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole on the table. It’s a bit of a modern take on the veggie dishes we grew up with, mixing in cheese and bacon for good measure. Easy to make and helps you get those veggies in. It’s a no-brainer for a lazy dinner that’s still good for you. Plus, it’s got that comfort food vibe that mom’s cooking always had. A big spoonful goes well with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Throwing in some beans, corn, and taco seasoning into a Crock Pot and letting it do its thing. That’s Crock Pot Taco Soup for you. Prep time is just 20 minutes, then you let it simmer. It’s the perfect lazy dinner for a busy day, giving you that cozy feeling without needing to do much at all. It’s like one of those recipes mom or dad would set up in the morning and have ready by dinner, only easier. Ladle it into bowls and top with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream for an extra touch.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is ready in 50 minutes. Just broccoli, cheese, and crackers. It’s straightforward, doesn’t take much effort and you end up with a comforting meal. Great for those evenings when you want something good but don’t want to do a lot of cooking. It’s a nod to those classic dinner bakes that many grew up on, proof that you can keep the tradition alive even on your laziest days. Cut it into squares and serve hot, maybe with a side salad for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Toss sausages and veggies on a sheet pan, bake for 30 minutes, and you’re set. It’s a super easy weeknight dinner that makes both cooking and cleaning a breeze. Plus, it’s balanced, getting you those veggies without any extra work. This is exactly the kind of meal that feels like a lazy version of mom’s cooking. Serve it up right from the sheet pan to keep those laid-back vibes going. Try different types of sausages or veggies to mix it up.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Corn Soup
Whip up Chicken Corn Soup in less than an hour. It’s just chicken, corn, and veggies in a creamy broth, all cooked in one pot. The simplicity means less cleanup, and the comfort factor is through the roof, perfect for boosting your mood with a taste of nostalgia. It’s like a hug from Mom in a bowl. Ladle it into your favorite bowls, sprinkle some parsley on top, and maybe serve with a slice of crusty bread. Feel free to throw in some potatoes or swap the corn for another favorite veggie.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Get a Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole going in 45 minutes with ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomatoes. It packs all those classic flavors for retro stuffed peppers into an easier-to-make meal. It’s both nutritious and filling, making your dinner prep a breeze. This dish is a shortcut to that stuffed pepper goodness mom used to make. Dish it out hot from the oven and watch it disappear fast. For a lighter version, try using ground turkey or even a meat substitute.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
Mix chicken, spinach, cheese, and spices, bake for 30 minutes, and you’ve got a Spinach Chicken Bake. A modern twist on baked chicken, this dish incorporates greens for an effortlessly delicious meal. With minimal prep, it’s great for unwinding in the evening. This bake brings back memories of mom’s kitchen without all the work. Slice it up and serve hot, maybe with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple salad. Adding mushrooms or swapping spinach for kale can bring a delicious change.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cook up Creamy Garlic Chicken in just 30 minutes in one pan. Chicken in a rich garlic and Parmesan sauce makes this dish a standout. It’s simple, yet feels like something special for any night of the week. Reminiscent of classic comfort cooking, but without the stress. Serve it over pasta or rice to soak up all that creamy sauce. For an extra veggie boost, toss in some spinach or asparagus.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken
Need something exciting but easy? Fajita Baked Chicken comes together with chicken, cream cheese, and sweet peppers under melted mozzarella in 30 minutes. It adds a kick to dinner without any hassle. It’s like mom’s cooking but with a fun take on it. Slice it up and maybe wrap it in soft tortillas or serve alongside rice for a full meal. Try adding black beans or corn to the mix for even more flavor.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is ready in 30 minutes, featuring sausage, herbs, cream cheese, and tomatoes. It’s hearty, filling, and as easy as it gets. This soup combines traditional Italian flavors with the ease of modern, quick cooking methods. Serve this soul-filling soup with a side of garlic bread for dipping into that creamy broth. Consider using spicy sausage or adding kale for a different spin.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fry up some cabbage with bacon and onions in 25 minutes for a dish that’s both easy and packed with flavor. This meal or side dish brings a fun way to get more veggies into your dinner. It’s like one of those simple, great recipes mom used to whip up on the fly. Make it even quicker by getting pre-cooked bacon and pre-sliced cabbage for an extra lazy dinner. Add a dash of vinegar or a sprinkle of sugar for a sweet and tangy version.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with cauliflower rice comes together in 30 minutes in just one skillet. It’s an easy, nutritious dinner that simplifies your evening routine. A quick, hearty meal that’s good for you, reminiscent of parents’ hearty beef and rice dishes — made a little lighter by using cauliflower rice instead of white rice. Spoon it onto plates, maybe with a sprinkle of extra cheese on top, for a comforting finish. Swap the beef for chicken or tofu for a different flavor profile.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Whip up a Cheesy Beef Casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach in just 30 minutes for a quick, hearty dinner. It blends rich beef, veggies, and gooey cheese in a simple, nutritious meal. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a hearty, comforting dish that’s packed with good stuff, making your evenings more relaxing. Serve it bubbly and hot, straight from the oven, for that cozy, comforting vibe. For something different, try adding varying spices or swapping in turkey for a lighter touch.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Get Garlic Butter Chicken Bites ready in just 20 minutes with chicken, garlic, butter, and herbs. This super quick recipe needs just a few ingredients and one pan, making both cooking and cleanup incredibly simple. It’s the perfect pick for busy nights when you crave something good but easy, bringing a bit of mom’s kitchen magic of easy chicken dishes to your table without the extra effort. Dish these bites out onto a platter with some toothpicks on the side for an easy, grab-and-go dinner, or serve them over a bed of fluffy rice to soak up the garlicky butter sauce. Toss in some chili flakes or paprika for a bit of heat.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Create Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup in about an hour using just sweet potatoes, red peppers, onions, and stock in one pot. It’s a fun spin on classic tomato soup. The mix of sweet and slightly spicy makes this a hearty, nutritious choice that’s super easy to make. It’s like one of those hot, comforting soups mom used to simmer on the stove but simplified for your hectic schedule. Serve this vibrant soup in bowls, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. For variety, add carrots or lentils to add extra body and nutrition.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup