Lazy dinners are a lifesaver when you’re wiped out from a long day at work. You want something quick and easy to put together, but it’s got to taste good too. These 17 recipes are perfect for those evenings when you can barely muster the energy to cook — they’re simple, they’re fast, and they always hit the spot.
Baked Ravioli
When you’re beat from work and need a great dinner without the extra work, this Baked Ravioli has your back. It’s like a simplified lasagna. Grab some frozen cheese ravioli, throw in some marinara sauce, top it with cheese, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s both easy and comforting. Plus, it’s all done in about an hour, so you can kick back and relax while it bakes. Perfect for those nights when you want to keep things simple but still enjoy a good meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
These Shake and Bake Pork Chops are the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you’re a full-time worker who can’t quit lazy dinners. They’re ready in just 25 minutes, which is amazing for a hectic evening. Simply coat the pork chops in a mixture of breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, then bake them until they’re crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These pork chops are easy to make and so good to eat. This simple recipe is great for those who don’t want to compromise on a delicious meal after a long day at work. Serve these pork chops hot with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or a simple salad for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a lifesaver for those exhausting days when cooking feels like too much work. Just toss together some canned tuna, egg noodles, cheddar cheese, and cream of mushroom soup, then bake it in the oven. In no time, you’ve got a hot, hearty meal that beats anything from a box. It’s the go-to dish for full-time workers who can’t quit their lazy dinner habits but still want to feel like they’ve made an effort. This simple casserole might just change the way you think about cooking after a long day at work. Serve it hot out of the oven with a side salad or some steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
If you hate doing dishes, the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is your new best friend. Just chop up some smoked sausage, bell peppers, onions, and potatoes, throw them on a sheet pan with some olive oil and seasoning, and let the oven do the work. In 30 minutes, you’ve got a great dinner that’s as easy to clean up as it was to make–perfect for full-time workers who want good food with minimal effort. The best part? It’s a complete meal on one pan, so you can spend more time enjoying your evening and less time cleaning up. Serve this sheet pan dinner hot out of the oven for the best flavor and texture.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are ready in just 20 minutes, making them a super quick meal option for full-time workers who can’t quit their lazy dinner habits. Made with chicken breast, garlic, butter, and parsley, they go with pretty much anything, so you can use whatever you have on hand to make a complete meal. Plus, they’re just as good the next day, so if you make extra, you’ve got a head start on tomorrow’s lunch or dinner. These bites might just prove that homemade meals can be faster than waiting for takeout. Serve them hot with rice, pasta, or your favorite veggies for a nutrient-packed meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
This Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is a game-changer for long workdays. Just toss the ingredients like dried split peas, carrots, celery, onion, and ham into the slow cooker before you leave for work and let it do its thing. By the time you get home, a hot, hearty meal will be waiting for you. You can cook it on low or high, depending on your schedule. It’s perfect for full-time workers who want to come home to a finished dinner without any extra effort. Serve this comforting soup hot with some crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Cabbage and Sausage
When you’re in a rush but still want something delicious, Cabbage and Sausage is the way to go. With just one pan and less than 30 minutes, you’ve got a meal that’s so good you’ll forget how easy it was to make. Simply cook sliced smoked sausage with chopped cabbage, onion, and garlic until the veggies are tender. It’s the kind of dish you turn to when you want a hearty meal without spending all night in the kitchen. This simple recipe proves that homemade meals can be both easy and rewarding, giving you a break from the usual takeout. Serve this dish hot as a complete meal, or pair it with some crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This dish is a game-changer for busy nights. Toss together broccoli, cauliflower, cream cheese, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Bake for 25 minutes, then add some green onions on top. It’s super easy to make and works great as a main or a side dish. If you have leftovers, they’ll last in the fridge for a few days. Looking to mix things up? Try swapping the cheese or adding some chicken or beef to keep things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
When you’re not up for a big kitchen project, this Broccoli Casserole is exactly what you need. Just mix together chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and your favorite seasonings like garlic powder and black pepper, then let it bake. In about 50 minutes, dinner’s ready. It’s a simple dish that’s perfect for lazy evenings after work. Plus, it might become a regular in your weekly meal plan, helping you relax more after a long day. Any leftovers? Easy to store for tomorrow’s dinner. Serve this casserole hot with crusty bread or dinner rolls to make it extra filling.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
This dish is all about making your life easier. Grab some chicken, cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Season your chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then lay it in a baking dish. Mix the cream cheese and spinach, spread it over the chicken, and top it off with mozzarella cheese. Bake it until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is bubbly. Perfect for those nights when you’re too beat to cook but still want something great. Plus, it reheats well, so you’ve got a solid meal ready to go for the next couple of days. Pair it with a side salad or some steamed veggies, and you’re all set.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is quick, easy, and totally delicious–perfect for lazy dinners you just can’t quit. Crisp up some bacon, then use the bacon fat to cook the chopped cabbage and onion until it’s tender. Serve it with mashed potatoes to make it a full meal. Once it’s cooled, store any leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat to get that perfect texture back. It’s a great option for full-time workers who want a delicious homemade meal fast and easy. This dish is best served hot as a side or main course, depending on your appetite.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fajita Baked Chicken
This one’s a keeper for an easy dinner. Mix fajita spices, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and onions. Spread that goodness over your chicken, sprinkle some mozzarella on top, and bake. It’s a great pick for when you want something awesome without spending all night cleaning the kitchen. Got leftovers? They’ll keep in the fridge just fine. Whip this up, serve it with rice and beans or wrap it in tortillas, and dinner is done.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Here’s a soup that’s ready in about an hour with little effort. You’ll need sweet potatoes, red peppers, onion, garlic, and a few spices. Cook up the onion and garlic, add the sweet potatoes and red peppers, pour in the stock, and season. Once the veggies are soft, blend it all up and let it simmer. It’s the perfect dinner to lift your spirits. Cool the soup down before storing it in the fridge, and it’ll reheat just fine. Serve it with some crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
For those days when you’re beat but still hungry, this 30-minute dish is a lifesaver. Brown some ground beef with onion and garlic, add mushrooms and cauliflower rice until it’s all cooked, then stir in some heavy cream and melt cheddar cheese into it. Season with salt and pepper. It’s a one-skillet dinner that’s as easy as it gets. It reheats well, too. Just add a little water or broth when reheating to keep it nice and moist. Dinner, done easy and good.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This dish brings chicken to life with a creamy garlic sauce and Parmesan cheese. It’s a great main dish that pairs well with pasta, rice, or veggies. Have leftovers? They keep well and reheat easily; just add a bit of water or chicken broth to keep the chicken moist and the sauce perfect.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
When you’ve had a long day and need something comforting, this soup is like a hug in a bowl. Brown some sausage with onion and garlic, add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. After it simmers, stir in spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan. It’s hearty enough to stand alone as a meal. Serve it with garlic bread, and you’ve got a great dinner that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole is your best friend when you’re looking for something straightforward and filling. Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic, then mix in cauliflower rice, spinach, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Bake it all with some mozzarella on top until it’s bubbly. It’s a solid dinner option on its own. Plus, it reheats well, so you’ve got a great meal waiting for you, making life a bit easier when you’re figuring out what to eat next.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach