28 Super Easy Dinners That’ll Make You Laugh at Your Old Cooking Struggles

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28 Super Easy Dinners That’ll Make You Laugh at Your Old Cooking Struggles

Say goodbye to those chaotic evenings where you felt like a contestant on a cooking show gone wrong. These super easy dinners are a game-changer, and once you dive into them, you’ll wonder why you ever stressed over dinner in the first place. Think meals that are so straightforward, they’ll make you laugh at your past self for making such a big deal out of cooking.

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Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Grilled chicken pieces with a glossy glaze, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate.
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken makes cooking look easy. Just chicken, a mix of honey and hot sauce for that sweet and spicy glaze, grilled until it’s got a nice char. Takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. It’s the kind of meal that lets you play chef without the stress, perfect for impressing at a BBQ or enjoying a chill dinner at home. This simple dish will make you chuckle at the days when grilling seemed like a chore. This recipe isn’t just quick; it keeps the kitchen cool and the cook happy. Because good food doesn’t need to keep you tied to the stove.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Reuben Bowls

A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Reuben Bowls make it straightforward to enjoy the classic sandwich flavors without the mess. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and homemade Thousand Island dressing all thrown into a bowl — dinner in 30 minutes. This bowl is a quick meal that packs a punch with rich flavors and hearty ingredients, perfect for a filling dinner without the hassle of complicated preparations. It’s so simple that it’ll have you laughing at how you used to stress over dinner. These bowls are the answer to your busy nights, giving you a delicious meal without the need to juggle multiple pots and pans.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Baked Ravioli

A close-up of a cheesy baked ravioli garnished with herbs, with a fork lifting a portion to show the melted cheese.
Baked Ravioli. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Baked Ravioli is your ticket to an easy, cheesy dinner. Frozen ravioli layered with marinara sauce and cheese, then baked until bubbly. About an hour later, you’re all set. This dish is a crowd-pleaser and makes you feel like a kitchen pro without all the effort. Perfect for busy, laid-back, and all nights in between, it turns a regular evening into a special occasion. Remember when cooking felt like a puzzle? This recipe makes those days seem like a distant memory. It’s a comforting dish that reassures you that the simplest meals are sometimes the most rewarding.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Close-up of a creamy pasta salad sprinkled with paprika and garnished with chopped herbs in a white bowl.
Tuna Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuna Macaroni Salad mixes pasta, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and a simple mayo-mustard dressing. It’s ready in 40 minutes, and it’s the kind of dish that answers your call for a quick, filling meal. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense recipe that leaves you more time to relax after a long day. This salad is a testament to the power of simplicity in the kitchen. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complex steps to create a meal that hits the spot. It’s perfect when you’re too tired to cook but still want something more substantial than a snack.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

Spinach Chicken Bake combines chicken thighs, fresh spinach, and cheese, all baked and ready in about 30 minutes until everything is perfectly melty and flavorful. This dish is as easy as it gets, yet it looks and tastes like you’ve put in a lot of effort. It’s great for impressing guests or just treating yourself to a delicious, easy meal on a weeknight. This bake shows that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be great. It makes you wonder why you ever bothered with those intricate recipes when something this simple can be so good.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh Caesar salad with chicken, croutons, tomatoes, and dressing, served in a large white bowl with a fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the ultimate quick fix for a busy evening. Just boil some pasta, toss it with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded chicken, Caesar dressing, and croutons, and in about 25 minutes, dinner is ready. It’s light yet filling, with a great mix of creamy dressing and crisp veggies. This salad is perfect for those nights when you’re tempted to pick up takeout, showing that you can whip up a fresher, healthier meal in less time. It’s a straightforward dish that will make you laugh at how much you used to dread cooking after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

A dish of seasoned shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage slices, and potato chunks garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil will turn your kitchen woes into a chuckle. Just layer those baby red potatoes, corn, andouille sausage, shrimp, and lemon slices on a pan, sprinkle with Old Bay, and let the oven do its thing. You’ve got a great meal with minimal mess in under an hour. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you’d rather chill than grill. This meal will streamline your kitchen time, making it a favorite for anyone looking to cut down on their kitchen duties without cutting down on taste. And hey, the leftovers are great for a lazy evening — or three!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish filled with tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn, topped with melted cheese and green onions.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Throw shredded chicken, tater tots, and cheese into a dish, bake, and voilà — Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is ready in 55 minutes. This dish blends the crispiness of tater tots with the hearty goodness of chicken and the melt-in-your-mouth appeal of cheese, making it a comforting meal for any evening. Perfect for when your brain’s too tired to think about cooking complicated meals. Plus, it’s all done in one dish, so clean-up is a breeze. This casserole is a laughably easy solution for dinner, turning what used to be a kitchen struggle into a relaxing end to your day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Fresh Corn Salad

A bowl of fresh salad featuring corn, avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, and crumbled cheese, mixed with herbs.
Fresh Corn Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Think of whipping up a dish so quickly that your old kitchen struggles look like bad TV reruns. Enter Fresh Corn Salad. Just slice some corn off the cob, chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and red bell peppers, and toss them all with a bit of cheese and a lively lime dressing. No stove, no oven, just some slicing and dicing, and you’re done in 40 minutes. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a light meal without heating up the whole house. This salad is a breeze, making it a no-brainer for those who want to spend less time cooking and more time eating.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad

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.

If you’re trying to make dinner without making a whole production out of it, the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is your ticket. Toss some sausages, zucchini, broccoli, and peppers on a sheet pan, and let the oven work its magic. This one-pan meal is a dream come true for anyone looking to reduce their dishwashing time. It’s hearty, wholesome, and won’t keep you in the kitchen all night. Great for when you want a full meal but don’t want to juggle pots and pans. Just one pan, 30 minutes, and you’ve got a simple, hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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

Let’s keep dinner simple and delicious with Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Just toss some shrimp, tomatoes, and fresh spinach into a pan with a good heap of garlic and let it all sizzle. You’ll be eating in less than 30 minutes. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like a treat, minus the hassle. This dish will have you ditching the takeout menus and impressing yourself with your kitchen skills. Plus, it’s so quick and easy that it practically makes itself — perfect for a busy weeknight when you want to eat well but don’t want to put in too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Two shake and bake pork chops on a plate.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shake and Bake Pork Chops are the hero of the busy weeknight. Coat those chops, pop them in the oven, and they’re ready to eat by the time you’re done setting the table. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and no standing over a hot stove. This dish is a straightforward solution to those nights when you want something hearty but don’t want to spend the evening cleaning up. Just 25 minutes from start to finish, these pork chops are a testament to the power of keeping it simple. Plus, they’re proof that a great meal doesn’t need a ton of ingredients or time.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

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

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is like a magic trick for the kitchen. Mix canned tuna, noodles, and peas, sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake until golden. It’s all about turning pantry staples into a dinner that seems way more complicated than it is. Ready in about 55 minutes, this casserole is a weeknight wonder, perfect for those evenings when you’re too tired to think about cooking but still want to sit down to something hearty. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward meal that’ll make your kitchen struggles a distant memory.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

A bowl filled with a quinoa salad that includes chickpeas, chopped red bell peppers, cucumbers, red onions, and fresh herbs, presented on a light-colored surface.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Quinoa Chickpea Salad is here to win dinner, especially if you want a quick, filling meal that won’t leave you scrubbing pots and pans. This dish combines cooked quinoa with cucumbers, red bell peppers, chickpeas, and a few herbs, all dressed in a homemade lemon-garlic dressing. It’s fresh, easy, and ready to eat in no time. Perfect for a light lunch or a simple dinner, this salad is about throwing things together in a bowl and calling it a meal. It’s so straightforward that you’ll spend more time eating than cooking — and that’s the kind of kitchen magic everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

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

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole turns traditional stuffed peppers into a simple, one-pan dish. Combine rice, ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheese in a baking dish and let the oven do the work. In 45 minutes, you’ve got a hearty dinner that’s a no-brainer. It’s perfect for busy evenings when it seems too much to do more than stir. This dish makes you laugh at your old cooking struggles and comforts you with familiar flavors and minimal clean-up. So, next time you’re tempted to dial up some takeout, remember this casserole is faster and simpler.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow cooker split pea soup in a slow cooker with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Set it in the morning, forget about it, and come home to Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. Toss split peas, carrots, and ham into your slow cooker and let it simmer. A thick, hearty soup awaits by dinner, turning a busy day into a relaxing evening with minimal effort. It’s great for when you want to look like you tried without really trying. This soup makes your old kitchen struggles seem like a distant memory, allowing you more time to unwind. And the best part? It’s a meal that practically makes itself while you’re out conquering the world — or at least pretending to.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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

Make this Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole for a quick and hearty meal. Broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and a delicious cheese sauce come together in an oven-ready dish that takes about 30 minutes to be ready. It’s the kind of meal that asks, “Why sweat over the stove when the oven can handle everything?” Great for those days when even simple tasks feel overwhelming. This casserole laughs in the face of complicated recipes, serving a full-flavored dinner with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage combine in a single pan for a meal that’s ready in about 25 minutes. Just sauté cabbage, sausage, and onions, add a hint of apple cider vinegar and let it cook. This dish is straightforward and quick and fills the kitchen with delicious aromas that promise a great meal just moments away. Perfect for when you’re looking at the clock and the takeout menus, but remember, this will be ready faster and with less clean-up. It’s a smart pick for getting dinner on the table fast without sacrificing taste or your evening relaxation.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Broccoli Casserole is your quick fix to a delicious meal. Mix broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, eggs, and sour cream, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly. It’s the superhero of busy weeknight dinners, rescuing you from the urge to order in. With its creamy texture and hearty ingredients, this casserole is a steadfast ally in your battle against time-consuming recipes. It makes you wonder why you ever spent so long in the kitchen when dishes like this exist that allow for more sofa time than cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a delicious spin on traditional jalapeño poppers, mixing chicken breasts, bacon, and jalapeños as the main ingredients, with green onions, mayonnaise, hot sauce, garlic powder, pepper, and salt enhancing the flavors. It’s spicy and creamy and is here to make your life easier. Think of it as your sidekick in the kitchen when the clock is ticking and hunger is high. This salad shows that meals can still be exciting and full of flavor, perfect for when ‘easy dinner’ needs to be good, too.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

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

The Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is all about simplicity and speed. Brown some beef, stir in cauliflower rice, sprinkle some cheddar, and let it simmer. In about 30 minutes, you have a hearty skillet meal that feels like a cheat code to dinner time. It’s the perfect choice for when your schedule’s packed but your stomach’s empty. This dish brings comfort food to the table quickly enough to make any hectic day more manageable. It’s about making life easier, one skillet at a time. Delicious doesn’t have to be difficult.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Canned Chicken Patties

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

These Canned Chicken Patties are a game-changer for quick dinners. Mix up some canned chicken, a couple of eggs, and a sprinkle of Parmesan, fry them, and boom — you’ve got patties that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s so quick you’ll be checking if you missed something, but no, it’s really that easy. They’re perfect when you’re short on time and still want something homemade. Ready in just about 20 minutes, these patties pair well with a simple salad or your favorite sides for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tortellini Soup is like giving yourself a break on a busy evening. Just toss some chicken, cheese tortellini, and veggies into a pot, let it simmer, and you’ve got a comforting soup ready before you know it. It’s a great pick-me-up meal that’s ready in about 40 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights or lazy weekends. This dish is a practical choice for anyone looking to cut down kitchen time without sacrificing flavor. You’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your meal. It’s about making life easier, one bowl of soup at a time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

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.

Dive into the simplicity of making a Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Start by browning some ground beef, mixing in cauliflower rice and fresh spinach, sprinkle with cheddar, and baking. In about 30 minutes, dinner’s on the table. It’s a nutritious and hearty meal that won’t leave you hanging over a hot stove all night. This casserole is the perfect example of a super easy dinner that simplifies your life and still tastes great. You don’t need to be a kitchen wizard to whip up something great, fast.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken serves a mouthwatering meal without the hassle. Chicken thighs cooked in a creamy sauce with Dijon mustard and herbs are ready in less than an hour, all in one pan. It’s the kind of dish that makes you seem like a cooking genius without actually needing to be one. Serve this up for a weeknight feast that’s both simple and impressive. This dish fits perfectly on those days when time is tight, but you want something that feels a bit fancy. It’s the go-to recipe when you need to impress but don’t want any of the stress.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage Curry is your ticket to a stress-free, flavorful dinner. Just toss sausages, sweet potatoes, and carrots into a skillet, sprinkle some curry powder and spices, and let it all cook together. This dish is a straightforward, delicious way to bring some international flair to your dinner table without a passport. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight when you want to spice things up without spending too much time in the kitchen. This curry will save your evening from being just another boring dinner night.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a simple yet filling dish that’s perfect for those days when you’re too tired to even think about dinner. Pan-fry some chicken breasts, smother them in creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, and in no time, you’ve got a flavorful dish. It cooks quickly and fills your kitchen with a great aroma that hints at the goodness to come. With minimal effort and ingredients, this recipe fits perfectly into the super easy dinners theme, giving you a comforting meal at the end of a long day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is all about minimal effort with maximum taste. Just layer chicken with cream cheese, sweet mini peppers, and mozzarella, and bake. In about 30 minutes, you’re enjoying a cheesy, flavorful dish. It’s almost like throwing a mini fiesta in your oven — easy to prepare and even easier to love. This dish is a perfect example of how super easy dinners can transform your evening, turning a regular night into a special occasion. It’s great when you want something festive but need it to be simple and quick.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

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