If you think extra easy dinners are as mythical as unicorns, think again. We’re about to make your evenings a whole lot smoother with 23 meals that’ll have you tossing those complex recipes out the window. These dishes are the heroes you didn’t know you needed, making those “what’s for dinner?” panic moments a thing of the past.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are the answer for a speedy dinner that’s ready in just 25 minutes with only a few easy steps. The recipe requires you to coat the pork chops in mayonnaise and seasoning, bake them till crisp and golden, and just like that, dinner is served. The coating contains spices and herbs such as paprika, onion powder, and dried thyme, which add a great flavor to the pork.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is an effective way to create a filling dinner without the stress. This recipe combines canned tuna, noodles, peas, and milk into a casserole topped with breadcrumbs and cheese for a golden brown top. Within about 55 minutes, you can enjoy a comforting meal that’s simple to put together. Just cook the pasta, combine the ingredients, and let the oven do the rest — easy as that!
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole streamlines mealtime with a quick recipe. Layer rice, ground beef, bell peppers, and cheese in a pan then bake. A dash of spices like cumin and paprika add a nice flavor touch without extra work. It’s an easy dinner that saves you from the hassle of intricate cooking, perfect for relaxed evenings.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Here’s a casserole that’s all about making dinner easy. You’re looking at less than an hour from start to finish, and you’ve got a meal that’s a hit with everyone. It’s great for your budget, and you can even get it ready ahead of time to bake later. And hey, if you cook too much, just toss the leftovers in the freezer for another day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
If you’re looking for a quick dinner solution, a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is just right. This 30-minute dish only needs you to steam frozen broccoli and cauliflower, cook bacon, and mix them with sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and spices before baking them in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Prepare a complete meal with minimal cleanup with this Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Toss sausages, bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli on a sheet pan and bake. It all comes together in 30 minutes, freeing up your evening. This dish is great for those nights when you need to quickly serve a balanced meal with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake combines marinated chicken, spinach, and cheeses in a delicious yet simple dinner. All you’ll need is 30 minutes and little effort since the oven will do most of the work. Plus, you can store any leftovers for 3 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer, so you’ve got an easily reheatable and filling meal you can depend on for a long time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Get ready to breeze through dinner prep with this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. You can have this on the table in just 25 minutes, and it’s perfect for busy evenings or when you’re meal-prepping for the week. It’s a no-brainer with pre-cooked chicken and store-bought dressing, so you spend less time cooking and more time doing, well, anything else. Whether you’re hosting some guests or just feeding the family after a busy day, this salad is a solid pick for an easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Set up the Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in the morning and come home to a ready meal. Plus, great flavor is absolutely ensured with ingredients like split peas, carrots, ham, and spices. All you have to do is add the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it simmer. Whether on a low setting for the day or a high setting for a quicker meal, it makes dinner prep easy and thought-free.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is a quick and straightforward meal that’s ready in 25 minutes. Simply cook the sausage, cook the cabbage, garnish, and you have a hearty 3-step dish. For added variety, consider using kielbasa or incorporating apple slices for a hint of sweetness. This recipe is a simple answer to dinner on those nights when you want to make something easy.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Broccoli Casserole
Mix broccoli, cheese, crackers, and a few pantry staples together in this Broccoli Casserole. With the oven doing the baking for 30 minutes, you just have to steam the broccoli and assemble the casserole base. Altogether, you’ll only have to spend 55 minutes in the kitchen. This dish is an effortless solution for a comforting dinner, plus it’s an effective way to include more vegetables in your meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This recipe combines the spicy kick of jalapeños with the comforting taste of chicken salad for a quick dinner fix. Mix cooked chicken, jalapeños, mayonnaise or sour cream, and your favorite seasonings in a bowl. For a healthier option, swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to keep the flavor but cut the fat. This dish is a smart choice for an easy dinner that you won’t have to labor over.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
This Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is quick yet hearty meal, combining ground beef, cauliflower rice, and cheese in beef broth and heavy cream. Ready in 30 minutes, it simplifies your dinner routine on nights when you want to make something easy. This recipe even makes cleanup a breeze, cooking everything in one skillet.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Canned Chicken Patties
These 20-minute Chicken Patties come together with a few simple steps to make an affordable and easy dinner. A mix of sunflower seed meal, canned chicken, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and spices are pan-fried in avocado oil until golden. Serving these patties with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp salad can make for a balanced, stress-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli makes dinner easy and straightforward, best for anyone who’s just starting out on their cooking journey. Start with cheese ravioli, layer it with marinara sauce, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake. It’s ready in about an hour, creating a hearty meal reminiscent of a classic lasagna. Using frozen ravioli makes the recipe much easier to make, skipping the complicated steps of making the pasta from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup is the definition of a filling meal that makes cooking look easy. One pot and 40 minutes are all it takes to combine the richness of chicken broth with the hearty addition of tortellini and vegetables. It’s a simple dinner option perfect for winding down after a busy day. Adding a sprinkle of Parmesan and a side of garlic bread turns this soup into a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is ready in just 30 minutes, making it a simple recipe for a hearty dinner. Combine ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach under a layer of melted cheese and pair with roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal. It’s a great choice for a dish that requires minimal work, allowing you more time to wind down after a packed day.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Dijon Chicken combines juicy chicken thighs, spinach, and bacon in a rich Dijon mustard sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish is quick to make, giving you more time to relax during the evening. Add capers for a tangy kick to the creamy sauce. Serve this with mashed potatoes or rice to fully enjoy its flavors without spending your whole evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Whip up this 25-minute Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach for a quick meal that will bring an Italian flair to your dinner table. Shrimp and spinach are sautéed in a garlic-rich sauce, making for a simple yet elegant one-pan meal. Serve it with crusty bread or over pasta to soak up the sauce. This dish is perfect for those busy nights when you need a meal that’s special yet easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce features chicken thighs simmered in a rich mushroom sauce, all prepared in one pan. Within 30 minutes, you can serve a meal that seems gourmet without much effort. Pair it with rice or pasta to capture all the creamy flavors. It’s a great choice for a cozy evening in, making a great meal without a complex cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Prepare Creamy Garlic Chicken in just 30 minutes for a quick yet flavorful meal. Chicken simmers in a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, creating a rich dish that’s simple to execute. Complement this meal with green beans or a Caesar salad for a complete dining experience. This one-pan meal shows that you can have a comforting dinner on the table without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Sausage Curry
Sausage Curry whips up a hearty and quick meal that puts a creative spin on traditional curry. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish pairs well with naan or rice to make it a full meal. It’s adaptable, allowing for additions like chickpeas or tofu to cater to different dietary preferences. This recipe is great for adding variety to your weeknight dinners with minimal labor required.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken makes for an effortless, hearty dinner. Seasoned chicken is baked with sweet peppers and cheese, all done in under an hour. Serve it in tortillas for a simple fajita night, or add refried beans for extra flavor and heartiness. This dish is perfect for evenings when you want something delicious but don’t have much time for cooking or cleanup, bringing fun and flavor to your dinner table effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken