Lazy dinners are a lifesaver for those of us who barely have time to breathe, let alone whip up a complicated meal. Let’s be real, after a long day, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 19 recipes are great because they keep things simple and stress-free, yet still manage to hit the spot. So, if you’re tired of juggling a million things and just want to eat something good without the hassle, you’re in the right place.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is great for a relaxed dinner, using ingredients you already have at home. Just boil elbow macaroni, add canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sweet pickle relish, and mustard, and you’ve got a comforting meal ready in no time. This salad is simple and easy to customize, making it perfect for an evening when you don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen. Its simplicity and minimal prep make it a quick and filling dinner option. It’s also great for meal prep to save time.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is perfect for a laid-back dinner after a long day. In just 25 minutes, you can prepare a refreshing meal using pre-cooked chicken, pasta, and store-bought Caesar dressing. The salad combines Caesar salad’s crispness with pasta’s heartiness. It’s quick, easy, and light yet filling, making it an easy go-to meal after a long day. Minimal prep and clean-up mean you can relax more. Add cherry tomatoes or croutons for extra crunch if you like.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are great for those nights you’re exhausted. Coat pork chops in mayo, then cover them with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture before baking. They come out crispy on the outside and juicy inside with very little effort. This dish is perfect for nights when you’re too tired for complicated cooking but still want a home-cooked meal. You’ll have more time to unwind with just a few minutes of prep and a single baking sheet to clean. Pair with a simple salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are great for a quick and flavorful dinner after a long day. In just 20 minutes, you can have bite-sized chicken pieces fried until golden and then tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce. This dish is flavorful and easy to make with minimal ingredients and effort. It’s great when you need something fast but crave a home-cooked meal. The quick cooking time and easy clean-up make it perfect for busy nights. Serve over rice or with a side salad for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is perfect for a laid-back evening when you want something hearty without much effort. This dish features marinated chicken topped with cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella, all baked to perfection in just 30 minutes. The rich and creamy texture is comforting and filling, making it a great choice when you’re short on time but still want a delicious meal. Minimal clean-up means you can relax after dinner instead of dealing with a pile of dishes. Serve with rice or garlic bread to round out the meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is great for an effortless dinner that tastes awesome. Ready in just 25 minutes, it features sautéed cabbage with crispy bacon, onion, and garlic. This hearty meal is perfect for nights when you need something good without spending too much time in the kitchen. The crispy bacon contrasts nicely with the tender cabbage, making it a filling dish that’s easy to make. It’s a simple and flavorful option for a great meal without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is great for lazy dinners because it’s low-effort and feels gourmet. Layer frozen ravioli with marinara sauce and cheese, then bake for about an hour to create a lasagna-like dish without the work. The gooey cheese and rich marinara make it a comforting and filling meal, perfect for when you’re too tired to cook from scratch. This easy preparation means you can have a hearty dinner with minimal effort, perfect for a relaxed evening after work. This recipe is great for those who want a good dinner without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Reuben Bowls
Reuben Bowls are great for a quick dinner that hits the spot. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a meal with deli corned beef, coleslaw or shredded cabbage, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing. The mix of tangy sauerkraut and creamy homemade dressing makes each bite flavorful and delicious. This dish is perfect when you need a quick dinner that feels like you put in more effort than you did. You can even prepare components ahead of time to make it even easier.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is easy to make and ready in 30 minutes, perfect for a lazy dinner. It combines ground beef, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, and cauliflower rice, all cooked in one skillet. The creamy texture and rich flavors make it feel like a hearty meal without much effort. Plus, the one-skillet prep means you won’t have a ton of dishes to wash, making it great for when you want to relax and enjoy a meal with minimal clean-up. This recipe is great for those looking for a quick, rich, and creamy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is a fast dinner that’s hearty and simple, perfect for a lazy evening. Combine sausage with cabbage, sautéed onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a meal ready in just 25 minutes. This one-pan dish is easy to make and combines simple flavors in a filling way. It’s great for a quick home-cooked meal after a busy day, and the minimal clean-up makes it even better for those nights when you want to kick back and relax. The sausage adds rich flavor to the tender cabbage, making it a quick and great meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is perfect for lazy evenings after work. Toss sausage, broccoli, zucchini, and mini peppers on a pan, season, and bake for 30 minutes. The result is a hearty meal with great flavors and minimal clean-up. The one-pan approach means you won’t spend much time washing dishes. For variety, use whatever veggies you have at home, which helps reduce waste and makes dinner prep even easier. The roasted veggies and sausage create a flavorful meal, making it great for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a no-stress dinner ready in less than an hour, perfect for lazy dinners. It’s budget-friendly and can be prepped beforehand, which is great for relaxing after work. The combination of crispy tater tots, shredded chicken, frozen corn, and melted cheese is hard to resist, making it a hit for kids and adults. It’s perfect for nights when you want something easy and comforting. Plus, you can easily double the recipe for leftovers, making your weeknight dinners even more convenient. This recipe is a real crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is perfect for nights when you want something great without much effort. Season the chicken with fajita spices, layer it with cream cheese, bell peppers, and mozzarella, and bake it for 30 minutes. This dish gives you a flavorful dinner that’s great for relaxing after a long day. The peppers and onions add a nice zing to the creamy, spicy chicken. It’s also perfect for meal prepping since the leftovers are just as good. This recipe makes dinner simple while delivering great flavors, making it a go-to for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is quickly prepared and packed with great ingredients, perfect for a quick and delicious meal. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines broccoli and cauliflower in a cheesy, creamy sauce topped with bacon. It’s a comforting meal that helps you unwind after work. The rich sauce and crispy bacon make it feel like a treat, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. This recipe is great for those who want comfort food without spending a lot of time cooking. Leftovers reheat well, too, saving you time on future meals.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is great for lazy dinners. It’s ready in 30 minutes and combines ground beef with cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese. The cauliflower rice makes it lighter than traditional rice, which is perfect for a hearty meal that isn’t too heavy. It’s an easy, no-stress dinner for busy evenings. The comforting flavors and simple preparation make it great for beginners. You’ll appreciate how quickly this meal comes together, giving you more time to relax after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup is perfect for cozy nights when you need something quick and comforting. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s packed with chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, and celery. This soup is great for lazy dinners, giving you a hearty meal that’s easy to whip up after a busy day. The tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and fresh veggies make it convenient. You can make a big batch to save time and effort for the rest of the week. It’s perfect for those evenings when you need a simple yet hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup is a great choice for lazy dinners, serving a filling and nutritious meal without much hassle. Ready in 40 minutes, it features white beans, spinach, carrots, and celery ribs in a hearty broth. The beans give the soup a hearty texture, and blending some adds smoothness and creaminess to the broth. It’s an easy meal that’s filling yet light, perfect for winding down after a long day. This soup keeps your kitchen time minimal while still enjoying a nutritious dinner.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is great for nights when you want something quick and delicious without much effort. Ready in 30 minutes, it features chicken breasts in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. This dish is perfect for lazy dinners, letting you spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing. The rich garlic sauce pairs perfectly with tender chicken, making this an easy yet hearty meal. You’ll love how this simple recipe is a special treat without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a quick, comforting dinner choice after a busy day. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes in a rich, creamy soup. This meal is great for cold nights when you want a hearty dish without spending hours in the kitchen. The flavorful sausage and creamy base make this soup a filling option that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy evening. This recipe is perfect for when you need a comforting meal quickly without sacrificing taste.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup