When the last email is sent and your laptop finally goes to sleep, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen — that’s where these 17 quick after-work dinners come into play. They’re just the ticket for turning that post-work hunger into a great meal without being attached to the stove all evening.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Straight from your desk to the dinner table, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a great way to cap off your workday. In a snappy 25 minutes, you can whip up something that’s not just quick but also hits the spot. Grab some pre-cooked chicken, toss it with store-bought Caesar dressing, and you’ve practically done the job. It’s a great pick for those evenings when you want a good meal without the long wait or the extra work. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet with budget-friendly ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
After a long workday, Shake and Bake Pork Chops make a straightforward, easy dinner. Coat the chops with mayonnaise, then the breadcrumb mix, and bake. Ready in 25 minutes, it’s great for a quick, filling meal. Serve with your favorite sides for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a comforting choice for when you’re exhausted after a day of work. Mix egg noodles, tuna, peas, and cheese in a homemade sauce, topped with breadcrumbs for a crunchy finish. Oven-baked to golden perfection, it’s a dish made to soothe your evening.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Opt for Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner for minimal cleanup and kitchen time. The recipe combines sliced Polish sausage and veggies, like zucchini and broccoli, that are seasoned and roasted to enhance their flavors. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish lets you relax sooner rather than later after a tiring workday.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is an easy-to-make dish that packs a flavorful punch, perfect for a quick dinner post-workday. Smoked sausage and cabbage are cooked with onions and a splash of apple cider vinegar, creating a hearty meal in under 30 minutes. Simple and efficient, it maximizes your relaxation time after work.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Combine frozen broccoli and cauliflower with bacon and cheese, and bake until golden to make a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. This dish is quick to prepare, giving you a flavorful meal with minimal effort and only 30 minutes. Comforting and filling, it’s the perfect dinner for unwinding after a busy day at work.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Baked Ravioli
For a comforting meal that you deserve after a tiring day at the office, try making this Baked Ravioli. Layer cheese ravioli with marinara and a variety of cheeses, then bake to recreate the flavors of lasagna with a new spin. It’s ready in about an hour, but 45 minutes of that is baking time, so you can sit back and relax while dinner cooks.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are quick to prepare, needing only 20 minutes of your evening. Chicken chunks are cooked on the stovetop and then tossed in a delicious, buttery garlic sauce. Serve with rice or veggies for an easy dinner that’ll fill you up whenever you’re exhausted from work. Plus, cleaning up is a breeze, with just one skillet needed.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This one-dish Cheesy Beef Casserole mixes ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach under a bubbly, golden layer of cheese. It’s easy to make and serves as a hearty dinner, perfect for filling your stomach with something delicious after a taxing workday. Plus, it’ll only take 30 minutes, which is barely any time at all!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is a great choice for a simple, hot meal anytime you come home exhausted from work. Combine broccoli, cheddar, and cream of mushroom soup, then bake. Ready in less than an hour with most of the work done by the oven, it’s a great way to end a long day with a comforting meal without much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is a simple option for a hearty meal. Just layer chicken, cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella, then bake. This dish is perfect for a relaxed evening, letting the oven handle the work while you unwind after work. Serve it with a side salad or vegetables for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is quick to make and easy to pair with other meals. Fry your bacon until crisp, then sauté the cabbage and onion in the flavorful fat. It’s a straightforward meal that’s great for a light dinner. Taking only 25 minutes to make, this recipe allows you more time to rest after a long day at work.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken simplifies your dinner routine, so you won’t have to exert too much effort in the kitchen post-weekday struggle. Coat chicken with fajita seasoning, add cream cheese, peppers, and onions, top with mozzarella, and bake. This 30-minute dish is a straightforward way to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal kitchen time required.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup gives you a comforting end to your stressful workday. Simmer sweet potatoes and red peppers with onions and garlic, then puree into a creamy soup. It’s a soothing meal that’s easy to prepare, and it only takes 1 hour tops.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms in one skillet for a quick and easy meal. Simply brown the beef, mix in the vegetables and cream, and enjoy a delicious dish in just 30 minutes. Perfect for relaxing after a busy day without spending too much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is effortless and quick to make. Season chicken breasts, cook them in a sauce made of heavy cream, chicken stock, and Parmesan cheese, and serve. This dish promises a comforting meal in minimal time and with minimal cleanup, letting you wind down after a long day at the office.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a comforting bowl perfect for unwinding whenever a day at work is too much. It combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes in a creamy base seasoned for rich flavor. Quick to prepare and filling, it’s great to treat yourself to, especially if you like a little kick of spice in your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup