Cooking doesn’t have to be rocket science. We’ve got recipes so simple even your couch potato self can handle them. No fancy techniques, no exotic ingredients — just straightforward, no-stress meals anyone can whip up. These recipes are all about making cooking as effortless as possible so you can spend more time relaxing and less time in the kitchen.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is the ultimate lazy person’s dinner. It’s a simple combo of elbow macaroni, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sweet pickle relish, and mustard, tossed together to give you a creamy, crunchy dish. It’s all done in 40 minutes flat and perfect for those nights when the thought of cooking is more exhausting than a day at work. The best part? You can toss in any leftover veggies, making it a great clean-out-the-fridge meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad has got you covered when it comes to dinners in a pinch. Whip this up in just 25 minutes by mixing pre-cooked chicken, pasta, lettuce, tomatoes., Parmesan, and Caesar dressing. Throw in some croutons to complete the salad. It’s light, filling, and you won’t be stuck with a mountain of dishes afterward. It’s the perfect meal for when you’d rather binge-watch your favorite series than stand over a stove.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are here to rescue your busy weeknight. Coat the pork chops in mayo, shake them in a bag with breadcrumbs and spices, toss them in the oven, and voila — you have chops that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve them with a side salad or veggies, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Sometimes, you just need a big bowl of comfort without the hassle, and that’s where Chicken Tortellini Soup comes in. Ready in 40 minutes, this soup brings together chicken, cheese tortellini, and veggies in a delicious broth. Easy to prepare and perfect for batch cooking, it’s the smart choice for minimizing kitchen time and maximizing couch time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is as simple as it gets for a comforting meal. Just layer frozen ravioli with marinara sauce and cheese, then let the oven do its thing for about an hour. The result? A cheesy, gooey dish that’s almost like homemade lasagna with less work. It’s great for those evenings when you want to feel like you’re cooking, but not really. Perfect for getting back to what you were doing, like perfecting your couch groove.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Reuben Bowls
Reuben Bowls bring you the beloved flavors of a Reuben sandwich without the effort of actually making one. Layer some shredded cabbage or coleslaw, toss in chunks of deli corned beef, a bit of sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, then drizzle with Thousand Island dressing. It’s ready in 30 minutes and involves zero bread-slicing or making. This dish is your shortcut to gourmet without effort, perfect for those nights when you want to eat well but can’t face the thought of real cooking.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for any night of the week. This dish combines the creaminess of mushroom soup with the crispiness of tater tots, alongside shredded chicken and a mix of spices. Top with shredded cheese and bake until everything’s golden and crispy. It’s as fun to eat as it is to say. Great for when you want to throw something together that’s a bit nostalgic and totally comforting. It’s the perfect meal for convincing your kids that you’re cool or, at least, a cool cook.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is a great go-to dinner for those evenings when even ordering takeout seems like too much work. Chicken bites are seasoned and pan-friend and then tossed in garlic and butter for that rich, mouth-watering flavor, all in just 20 minutes. It’s a straightforward dish when you need something quick and delicious. Serve these over rice or with a side salad, and watch them disappear faster than your motivation on a Monday.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Who said you couldn’t be lazy and smart about your dinner choices? Ready in 30 minutes, ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms combine to create a rich and hearty meal, all in just a single skillet. It’s easy, filling, and hearty, perfect for those evenings when even ordering takeout sounds like too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake combines marinated chicken with cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella layers. All you need is 30 minutes to make this seriously simple and seriously good casserole. Serve it with rice or garlic bread, sit back, and enjoy how the evening just got a lot easier. Trust us — you’re basically a kitchen wizard now.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is your quick fix to a hearty meal. It combines the simplicity of frozen vegetables with the rich flavors of a creamy cheese sauce and crispy bacon. Just throw steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and some crispy bacon into a cheesy sauce, bake for a few minutes, and call it a day. It’s a straightforward 30-minute dish that’s perfect for when you want something comforting without spending the evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
White Bean Soup
For those evenings when even putting on pants feels like a chore, White Bean Soup is here to save your dinner plans. It’s ready in 40 minutes and combines white beans, spinach, carrots, and celery in a savory, creamy broth. It’s perfect for keeping your evening calm and your belly full without breaking a sweat in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is your best bet for those “can’t be bothered” evenings. This one-pan meal can be whipped up in less than 25 minutes, and combines cabbage, sausage, and spices, for a simple but delicious dish. It’s easy, filling, and definitely hits the spot on days when you just can’t even. And yes, you can brag about cooking, even if it was almost too easy.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a no-nonsense solution to your dinner dilemma. It promises flavor and convenience, perfectly suited for busy weeknights or meal prep. Toss sausage pieces with broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers onto a pan, season as you like. Ready in 30 minutes, this meal is your game plan for a night when you’d rather disappear on the couch and binge-watch your favorite series than work the stove.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. It features chicken breast seasoned with the zest of fajita spices, layered with cream cheese, bell peppers, and mozzarella. Just set your oven for 30 minutes and let it do its thing. This recipe is great for those nights when you want something good but don’t want to do much to get there.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
If you thought deciding between another episode or actually doing something productive was tough, meet the Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish brings together ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and a generous serving of cheddar. It’s lighter than your typical rice dishes but still hearty enough to make you feel like you’ve cooked a feast. Make this on days when you need something that tastes like effort without actually needing much.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the dinner you make when you want to convince yourself that you’re actually an adult who has their life together. It combines the delicious crunch of cabbage with the rich taste of bacon, all cooked in about 25 minutes. If you’re looking for a dish that’s simple and good enough to make you feel like you’re not just eating to survive, this is it. It’s straightforward, filling, and won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Who said good food had to be hard? This dish features tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. It’s got all the makings of a meal that seems like you tried hard without actually trying hard. Perfect for those nights when you want to impress someone or just treat yourself without the drama of a complicated recipe.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is your go-to for recipes that don’t feel like extreme sports. Ready in 30 minutes, it simmers Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes into a creamy, rich broth that tastes like you spent hours over the stove all day. Great for those nights when you’d rather be sitting on your couch, doing your thing. Make this on nights when you need to get back to more important things — like finding the next show to binge.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup