Lazy dinners are the culinary equivalent of wearing sweatpants to a Zoom meeting — comfortable yet surprisingly presentable. You want your dinner guests to think you’ve been channeling your inner gourmet chef all day, when in reality, you’ve just perfected the art of looking like you tried. These 21 recipes are so easy and yield a great meal.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This no-hassle dinner just needs you to throw some sausage and your favorite veggies on a sheet pan, bake, and you’re all set. It’s a game-changer for busy nights, providing a nutritious meal without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. The best part? It cuts down on dishes, giving you more time to relax after a long day. This recipe is a must-have for anyone looking to streamline their dinner routine without sacrificing quality or taste.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
This Chicken Tater Tot Casserole recipe is very easy to make, ready in less than an hour, and the perfect comfort food for any day of the week. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, can be prepped in advance to bake later, and leftovers freeze really well. It’s easy to make, delicious, and a hit with both kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad comes together in just 25 minutes using budget-friendly ingredients that are easy to find. It’s a great recipe choice for meal prepping for work lunches, a quick dinner, or bringing along as a dish to pass at potluck events. This recipe is always a great pick because it’s so easy to put together. You skip the cooking with pre-cooked chicken and store-bought Caesar dressing, cutting down the time you spend in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Crock Pot Taco Soup
All you need for this Crock Pot Taco Soup is to toss ground beef, onions, heavy cream, cheese, diced tomatoes, and spices into your slow cooker and let it do its magic. It’s a total “set it and forget it” type of recipe, so you can free up your evening for whatever you need or want to do. Coming home to a ready-to-eat meal that’s both hearty and flavorful can turn a stressful day into a relaxing evening.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Toss frozen broccoli and cauliflower with cheese and bacon bits, bake, and enjoy a veggie-rich meal. This dish is a lifesaver for busy parents wanting to serve vegetables in a way that everyone will love. Dinner time is made less about persuasion and more about enjoyment.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Mix your favorite bell peppers with ground meat in a pot, bake for 45 minutes, and skip the traditional stuffing hassle with this simple casserole. It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves stuffed peppers but not the time it takes to make them. It’s a delicious alternative that fits into a busy lifestyle.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Combine canned tuna, noodles, and cream of mushroom soup, bake, and serve up a comforting dish that simplifies your dinner plans. This recipe is a win for anyone looking for an economical, no-stress meal. It brings back memories of home without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
Grab a pan, some cabbage, sausage, and in less than 30 minutes, you’ve got a filling meal that’s both good and easy. It’s the perfect fix for those nights when you’re too tired but still want a home-cooked meal. Plus, with everything cooked in one pan, the cleanup is as easy as the cooking process. This dish proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen for a meal that feels like home, making it a great pick for anyone seeking convenience and comfort.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Sauté chicken pieces in garlic butter for a quick, flavorful main that’s ready in 20 minutes. These bites are the answer for those craving a homemade meal but strapped for time. This recipe delivers big flavors without a big time commitment.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Sauté cabbage and bacon for a 25-minute dish that’s simple and savory. It’s great for adding some variety to your meal routine without complicating your life. It is a straightforward yet delicious way to enjoy vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fajita Baked Chicken
Season chicken with fajita spices, add cream cheese and sliced peppers, bake, and you’ve got a flavorful dish with minimal prep. It’s perfect for those who love bold flavors but need a quick and easy solution. It’s the quickest way to bring a restaurant favorite to your table without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Spinach Chicken Bake
Layer chicken, spinach, and cheese, then bake, and you’ve got a nutritious meal in no time. This bake is a godsend on busy weekdays when you’re trying to eat healthily but also need to cater to a tight schedule. It easily blends convenience with nutrition.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Mix ground beef with cauliflower rice and spinach, top with cheese, bake, and in 30 minutes, you have a low-carb comfort meal. This dish addresses the need for quick, health-conscious dinners that don’t skimp on taste or satisfaction. Healthy eating just got easier.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Green Chile Chicken
Mix green chile sauce with shredded chicken, heat, and serve for an effortless, delicious dish. It’s a great pick-me-up for those using leftovers creatively, providing a quick and delicious dinner option that breathes new life into yesterday’s chicken.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Simmer sweet potatoes and red peppers until tender, blend, and serve up a soup that’s both comforting and easy to make. This recipe is a boon for those seeking warmth and nutrition in one bowl. It’s especially a great choice on days when cooking feels like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Mix cooked chicken with jalapeños, cream cheese, and spices for a make-ahead salad that’s flavorful and easy. This dish is a stress reliever, ready to eat whenever you are. It’s perfect for busy days when meal prep time is scarce.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Sauté mushrooms, add broth and seasonings and simmer for a soup that’s rich in flavor and easy to make. It’s great for anyone wanting to enjoy a comforting, gourmet-like meal without needing to be a gourmet chef. It simplifies sophisticated dining.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cook chicken in a creamy garlic sauce in one skillet for a 30-minute meal that’s rich in flavor. It’s a dream for anyone needing a quick yet impressive meal to unwind after a long day. This dish turns dinner into a relaxing moment rather than another task.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Brown Italian sausage, add veggies and broth, simmer, and in 30 minutes, enjoy a great one-pot meal. This soup is a lifesaver for busy evenings. It provides a filling and flavorful dinner that won’t leave you stuck in the kitchen all night.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Brown ground beef, mix with cauliflower rice and cream, and cook for a quick, filling one-pan meal. It’s perfect for those looking to cut carbs without cutting flavor. This dish is a simple yet hearty dinner solution on hectic nights.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Sauté chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce for a 30-minute meal that tastes gourmet. This dish is a treat for those seeking a special meal after a busy day. It delivers a luxurious dining experience without the luxury of time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken