20 weeknight meal ideas for everyone who hates cooking

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Looking for weeknight meal ideas that won’t have you dreading dinner time? We’ve got you covered. These 20 recipes are a game-changer for anyone who’s not exactly thrilled about cooking after a busy day. They’re designed to be prepped quickly, with minimal ingredients or steps involved. So, you can forget about lengthy prep times and complicated instructions. Instead, think about getting a great meal on the table with as little hassle as possible.

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

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

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

Looking for something quick and stress-free for dinner? The Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is perfect. It’s a no-nonsense dish that’s on the table in less than an hour. Plus, it’s easy to whip up and even easier to clean up after. Great for anyone who’d rather do anything but cook dinner, and it reheats well for lunch the next day, too.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish is a lifesaver for anyone who wants a good dinner without spending a lot of time cooking. It uses frozen broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, so you just mix them together and bake for 30 minutes. Dinner is on the table before you know it. If you’re looking to cut down on prep time even more, go for pre-shredded cheese and pre-cooked bacon. This casserole is perfect for those busy nights when you want something good to eat but don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

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

If you’re not into cooking but still want a great meal, Cabbage and Sausage is the way to go. It’s a one-pan meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, mixing cabbage with sausage for a meal that’s both easy and filling. It’s perfect for those nights when you need a good dinner without the hassle. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze, making it a top pick for a stress-free weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Crock Pot Taco Soup

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

Crock Pot Taco Soup is perfect for anyone who’d rather not spend their evening cooking. Just brown some ground beef and throw it in the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. It’s a great way to get a filling meal without having to do much work. If you want to make it even easier, use pre-cooked ground beef. This soup is great for a comfy dinner that’s ready when you are, with hardly any effort needed.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

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 not a fan of cooking dinner after a long day, this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a lifesaver. It skips the hassle of stuffing veggies and instead gives you all the flavors in a straightforward, one-pot meal. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a great pick for a filling meal that doesn’t require much effort or cooking skills.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

The Spinach Chicken Bake delivers simplicity and taste in one easy-to-make dish. With just 30 minutes of cooking time, it uses simple ingredients like chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. It’s a stress-free recipe that always comes out great, perfect for those hectic evenings. Opt for pre-shredded cheese to make this dish even quicker to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Fajita Baked Chicken is perfect for a quick dinner. It involves baking seasoned chicken breasts with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, all ready in 30 minutes and requiring only one baking dish. It’s easy enough for beginners and also good for those more confident in the kitchen. To save time, you can use pre-cut fajita veggies.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This meal is a game-changer for anyone who dreads cooking. Ready in 30 minutes and needing only one pan, it combines veggies and sausage for a quick and easy dinner. It’s exactly what you need when you want a good meal without spending much time or doing a lot of dishes. If you chop the veggies ahead of time, you can make this meal even faster.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

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 with Cauliflower Rice is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. It’s a one-pan meal that blends ground beef, cheddar, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms, ready in just 30 minutes. For those nights when you want something good without much work, this dish is a great choice. Using pre-made cauliflower rice can also speed up the process.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Hash brown breakfast casserole in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Hash Brown Casserole is your go-to for a “breakfast for dinner” night. Loaded with hash browns, bacon, eggs, and cheese, it’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to tweak to your taste. Perfect for anyone looking to whip up a filling meal with minimal fuss, it makes dinner something to look forward to without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you’re looking for something simple and flavorful, the Fried Cabbage with Bacon is your go-to. It’s nearly impossible to go wrong with this dish. Just sauté everything together, and in about 25 minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal. For an even faster prep, consider using pre-cut cabbage. This recipe is great for a quick, quenching dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Canned Chicken Patties

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

Canned Chicken Patties is the perfect solution for a quick meal. With canned chicken, you can have these patties done in 30 minutes. They’re simple to make and go great with steamed veggies or in a sandwich for a speedy lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For those who want a fancy meal without the hassle, Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a top pick. It’s quick, ready in 30 minutes, and mixes shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach in a delicious garlic sauce. This dish is great for a night when you want something special but easy. To make it even simpler, go for pre-peeled shrimp and jarred minced garlic.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a no-stress recipe that’s perfect for cooking novices. You can have tender chicken thighs in a creamy mushroom sauce ready in 30 minutes, all using one pan. It’s an excellent choice for a worry-free dinner. For an even quicker prep, choose pre-sliced mushrooms.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For those just starting to cook, the Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a winner. It’s a cozy one-pot meal that mixes sausage, cream, and tomatoes into a hearty soup, all ready in 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a quick dinner solution, this soup is it. Plus, using pre-cooked sausage makes it even simpler to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Garnished creamy garlic chicken over cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is an easy dish, perfect for those starting out in the kitchen. This 30-minute, one-pan recipe brings chicken breasts to life with a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s an uncomplicated meal with easy-to-find ingredients. For a time-saver, use jarred minced garlic.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you’re looking for something light and quick, the Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is the way to go. Just slice the cucumbers and onions, mix up the dressing, and toss it all together. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a nice way to add something fresh to your meal. A mandoline slicer can help you get those cucumber and onion slices done fast and evenly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is easy to make and full of flavor. Just use one skillet to mix chicken thighs with a sun-dried tomato sauce. It shows you can create a great meal without a lot of stress. This dish is perfect for anyone looking to whip up something good without too much trouble.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is an easy-to-make dish. It combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese into a simple, baked casserole. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a hearty meal. For quicker prep, consider using pre-riced frozen cauliflower.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Shawarma Kebabs

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

Making Shawarma Kebabs is simple, even for beginners. The process involves marinating chicken, skewering it, and baking. It’s easy and requires little active time. This recipe is a good choice for those looking to try their hand at something new with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

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