After a long day of work, the last thing you want is a complicated dinner that feels like a second job. Enter these quick after-work dinners that are so easy, you’ll wonder if they’re pulling a fast one on you. Perfect for when you finally escape the clutches of your desk, these recipes will make your evenings feel like a well-deserved break.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are your secret dish for ditching the takeout menus after a long day at work. Just slather those chops in mayo, coat them with breadcrumbs, and let the oven do its magic. In 25 minutes, you’re looking at crispy, juicy chops that practically scream, ‘Dinner is served.’ Great for when you’re too tired to even think about cooking but hungry enough to eat a horse. This meal is fast, easy, and won’t chain you to the stove. Pair with whatever’s in the fridge for sides, and call it gourmet.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is like that comfy sweater you can’t wait to slip into after work. It’s a straightforward dish packed with egg noodles, tuna, peas, and cheese, all thrown together with a homemade sauce and then sprinkled with breadcrumbs for a bit of crunch. Bake it for about 30 minutes, and you have a comforting meal perfect for zoning out in front of the TV. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward situation for any night you’re just over it. Plus, the leftovers mean you’re set for dinner tomorrow, too!
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is the epitome of tossing it all together and hoping for the best. This dish features Polish sausage, zucchini, and broccoli, seasoned and roasted, and is a no-brainer. Ready in 30 minutes, it gives you just enough time to kick off your shoes and pour a drink. Who said cooking had to be complicated? It’s a great dish for using up whatever veggies you’ve got lingering in the drawer, making your fridge clean-out feel like less of a chore.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is the dinner equivalent of a reliable old friend. It’s packed with smoked sausage, cabbage, onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar come together in less than 30 minutes, giving you more time to unwind or whatever else you’d rather be doing than cooking. It’s a straightforward dish low on effort but high on flavor, showing you can whip up a great meal without breaking a sweat. Perfect for those evenings when you want to cook something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole might be the easiest way to convince yourself that eating veggies is a good idea. Frozen broccoli and cauliflower get tossed with bacon and cheese, and everything’s baked until it’s golden and bubbly. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it the perfect dish to collapse in front of after a hectic day. Anything with cheese and bacon will be a hit, so you might as well get some greens while at it. This casserole is all about maximum taste with minimum effort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Baked Ravioli
You just got home from work, and instead of facing a daunting kitchen ordeal, layer some cheese ravioli with a good dollop of marinara sauce, sprinkle a hearty mix of cheeses over it, and toss it into the oven. You can kick back as it bakes into a bubbly, cheesy dish with all the vibes of a lasagna without the effort. It’s ready in about an hour, making this Baked Ravioli the perfect dinner hack for those evenings when you want a great meal but don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen. Perfect for chilling out after a long day and fooling everyone into thinking you spent hours cooking.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the answer if you need a dinner that’s ready before you can finish an episode of your favorite show. Cook some chicken chunks, drench them in a lush garlic butter sauce, and there you have it — a meal that screams “homemade” without all the effort. Toss them with some rice or a side of veggies, and you’ve nailed dinner in 20 minutes flat. It’s perfect for those days when you’re too drained to cook but still want something that tastes like you did. Plus, the single skillet clean-up is a breeze, giving you more time to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is the perfect quick meal for busy nights. You brown the beef, mix in cauliflower rice and mushrooms, and stir in cream. In just 30 minutes, you’ve got a hearty, filling dinner that’s easy to make and tastes great. This dish combines the rich flavor of ground beef with the slight crunch of cauliflower rice, making it good without much effort. It’s a great option for when you need something comforting and fast. No one wants to be over a stove after work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Dinner after a hectic day should be simple. This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad gets it done. Mix pre-cooked chicken with creamy Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and fresh tomatoes for a dish that’s as easy as it is. Ready in 25 minutes, the meal lets you decompress instead of stress. Plus, you can prep it ahead to make your evening even smoother. This salad is a smart choice for a stress-free dinner with plenty of time to relax — or whatever else you need to do.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Let this Cheesy Beef Casserole come to the rescue after a long day at work. It combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and a load of cheese into a dish that needs you to mix and bake. About 30 minutes later, you’ll be diving into a comforting casserole that almost feels like a hug. This dish is perfect for when you want something delicious but easy, making it the ultimate dinner solution after a tiresome day. It’s quick, good, and exactly what you need when you’re looking to eat well without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal for a relaxed evening. Combine broccoli with a creamy mixture of mushroom soup, eggs, and cheese, then bake until it’s bubbly and golden. In less than an hour, you’re sitting down to a hot and hearty meal that practically made itself. This dish is a winner for those nights when you’re too spent to cook but still crave something comforting. It’s your kitchen cheat code for a no-stress dinner that feels like you tried harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
Wrap up your workday with a Spinach Chicken Bake that’s as effortless as delicious. Stack layers of chicken, cream cheese, spinach, and mozzarella in a dish, bake it, and let the magic happen. It becomes a creamy, melty, comforting meal just for winding down. Ready in under an hour, it’s the perfect dish for those evenings when cooking feels like the last thing you want to do. Serve it with a simple side salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal that’s big on taste and low on effort.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is great when you want to chill after work but still need a solid dinner. You fry some bacon until it’s crispy, then sauté cabbage and onion in the bacon fat. This light meal takes 25 minutes, so you’re out of the kitchen fast. It’s perfect for those nights when you can’t be bothered but still want something that tastes good. Plus, the bacon makes everything better, right? No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen forever after a long day, so this recipe saves time and energy.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is perfect for a speedy dinner that lets you relax. Coat your chicken with fajita seasoning, throw in some cream cheese, peppers, onions, and mozzarella, then let it bake. In 30 minutes, you’ve got juicy chicken, melted cheese, and bright veggies. It’s the perfect dish for when you want something hearty but can’t stand the idea of spending ages in the kitchen. This one-pan wonder is great for busy evenings, letting the oven do the heavy lifting while you kick back.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a great way to wind down after a long day. You simmer sweet potatoes, red peppers, onions, and garlic, then blend it all into a creamy soup. It’s ready in an hour, and the rich, comforting flavors make it a perfect cozy dinner. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs perfectly with the red peppers, making it a real treat. Perfect for when you want to curl up with a bowl of something filling. It’s also a great way to get some veggies in without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a great no-stress dinner option. Season chicken breasts, cook them in a creamy sauce with garlic, chicken stock, and Parmesan cheese, and serve. This dish is ready in about 30 minutes, serving a rich garlic flavor with minimal cleanup. Perfect for when you need a comforting meal quickly. The creamy sauce is delicious, and everything comes together without much hassle. It’s for those nights when you want to relax and enjoy a good meal without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is perfect for evenings when you want to unwind with a comforting meal. You combine Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes in a creamy base for a rich soup with a slight kick. It’s quick to make and filling, perfect for a soothing dinner after work. The sausage adds flavor, while the cream cheese makes the soup smooth and hearty. This recipe is great when you need something easy and comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup