Let’s face it, after a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen, which is why lazy lifesaver recipes are a total game changer. Dinner can feel like a chore, something you’d rather skip than tackle. Thankfully, we have this collection of 25 recipes that are so easy, you can practically make them with your eyes closed (but please don’t).
Green Chile Chicken
Green Chile Chicken is a smart choice for reusing leftover shredded chicken thighs in a delicious and effortless way. This one-skillet dish combines chicken with jalapeños, cheddar cheese, heavy cream, milk, cream cheese, green chiles, and various spices like chili powder and cumin. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want to turn minimal effort into a delicious and fancy dinner. This dish is great for those moments when you need a quick solution that still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
When you’re looking for a quick meal that you’ll wish you had known about yesterday, the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is your go-to. Just place some sausages, broccoli, zucchini, sweet mini peppers and spices on a sheet pan, bake, and dinner is served. This dish combines the rich flavors of sausages with the fresh taste of vegetables, all roasted to perfection with minimal cleanup involved. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want a good meal but don’t want to deal with a bunch of dishes afterward. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies in a delicious way.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
This comfort food favorite, Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, is ready to serve in under an hour. It’s not just easy on your wallet but also on your schedule, allowing for advance prep to simply bake later. And if you’re thinking about future meals, the leftovers freeze beautifully. This dish is a no-brainer for a stress-free dinner that everyone will love, making it a superb choice when you want to avoid the dinner chore hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is exactly what you need if you want something good to eat without spending the whole evening in the kitchen. It’s a breeze to make, just 25 minutes, and you’re using ingredients that are easy to grab from the store and won’t break the bank. Perfect for when you’ve got to prep lunch for the week or need something solid to bring to a get-together. Plus, with the chicken already cooked, you’re just mixing things up, and that’s it — dinner’s ready to be put on the table. It’s the kind of recipe that’s got your back on those lazy days.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup is another top pick for an easy dinner. You’ll need ingredients like browned ground beef, onions, cheese, heavy cream, and tomatoes that you’ll toss into your crock pot. This dish is the ultimate lazy recipe that lets you go about your day and come back to a ready meal that’s hearty and full of flavor, spiced just right with classic taco seasonings. The warmth and richness of this soup make it a perfect end to a long day, serving comfort without requiring you to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s exactly what you need to take the load off a hectic day.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
When you need a quick veggie dish, try the Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Just mix frozen broccoli and cauliflower with cheese and bacon bits, bake, and you’ve got a dinner that makes eating veggies easy and delicious. This casserole turns ordinary vegetables into a cheesy, creamy creation that even kids will love. It’s a lifesaver for busy parents who want their family to eat healthy without spending hours preparing meals. Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear from the plates, this dish will make your dinnertimes peaceful and smooth.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
If you like stuffed peppers but don’t like the prep time, the Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is perfect. Mix bell peppers with ground meat, bake, and skip the usual work of stuffing peppers. This recipe simplifies the traditional process of making stuffed peppers, serving a robust mix of meat and peppers topped with melting cheese. It’s great for anyone who wants a good dinner fast and hates the time it normally takes to stuff peppers. Serve this at dinner to see smiles around the table, making your evening less about cooking and more about relaxing.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
For a quick and delicious meal, try these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. The recipe is a quick and flavorful stovetop dish, ready in just 20 minutes. The main ingredients include boneless skinless chicken breasts, cornstarch, avocado oil, and a mix of butter and spices. The magic happens when you toss the cooked chicken in a homemade garlic butter sauce made by melting butter and mixing in the spices. This not only adds a rich, garlicky flavor but also gives the chicken a great finish. These bites are a lifesaver on hectic days and bring a homemade touch to your dinner table without the long prep time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
For a comforting meal without the hard work, the Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a great choice. Combine canned tuna, noodles, and cream of mushroom soup, bake, and serve. This casserole brings together the hearty flavors of tuna and the creamy texture of the soup to create a filling dish that recalls the comforts of home-cooked meals. It’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a straightforward, quick meal that feeds the soul as well as the stomach. Perfect for those evenings when you’re too tired to cook but still want something nourishing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
This Fajita Baked Chicken recipe is perfect for when you’re craving something flavorful but don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen. Just season your chicken with fajita spices, layer some cream cheese and sliced peppers on top, and pop it in the oven. It’s quick and requires minimal effort, and you end up with a meal bursting with the flavors of a restaurant-style fajita. It’s great for those busy evenings when you want a delicious dinner without the need for extensive prep or a long cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a comforting and rich flavor with minimal effort, making it a top pick for anyone looking for a soothing meal on a busy day. It’s simple to whip up – sauté onions and mushrooms, add flour to form a roux, simmer with broth, and finish with a dairy mixture and spices. Perfect for warming up on cold evenings, this soup serves a gourmet-like experience without the need for complex cooking skills. The soup can also be stored in the fridge or frozen for later, making it convenient for meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Cabbage and Sausage
If you’re looking for a straightforward and comforting meal, this Cabbage and Sausage recipe is a great choice. It’s a quick, one-pan meal that you can cook in under 30 minutes. It combines the hearty flavors of crispy sausage with the mild, absorbent cabbage. This dish is low in carbs, gluten-free, and rich in protein, using simple ingredients such as cabbage, sausage, onions, butter, and apple cider vinegar. It’s perfect for nights when you’re exhausted but still need a hearty dinner. This dish not only fills you up but also cuts down on dishes, making after-dinner cleanup a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
A Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup that’s a breeze for anyone to make, especially if you’re new to cooking. Toss your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do its magic. Set it on low to develop flavors throughout the day, or turn it up to high to have it ready in less time. It’s a great pick for lazy lifesaver recipes because it requires minimal effort for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these Shake and Bake Pork Chops are a quick, 25-minute path to a great meal. Skip the frying and shake your way to a delicious dinner that’s perfect for those busy evenings. This recipe is not only straightforward but also a great choice for those evenings when dinner feels like a chore, but you still want a meal that hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Baked Ravioli
For those nights when you’re craving something reminiscent of lasagna but could do without the lengthy prep time, this Baked Ravioli has got your back. With frozen cheese ravioli as a shortcut, you layer it with marinara sauce and a generous amount of cheese for a comforting dish that’s ready in just an hour. It’s the perfect lazy lifesaver recipe to whip up a great meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Spinach Chicken Bake
The Spinach Chicken Bake is an effortless meal that’s ready in no time. Layer some chicken, fresh spinach, and your favorite cheese, then let the oven do the work. This recipe is a lifesaver on busy weekdays when you’re trying to keep things healthy but don’t have much time. It combines the nutritional benefits of spinach with the hearty texture of baked chicken, resulting in a dish that’s both nutritious and comforting. Perfect for those evenings when you need a quick meal that supports your health goals without adding stress to your day.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is an easy, quick recipe that delivers a lot of flavors. It takes just 25 minutes to sauté cabbage and bacon into a dish that’s simple yet packed with taste. It’s a great option for anyone looking to spice up their meal routine without adding complexity to their cooking process. The combination of savory bacon and sweet cabbage is a great way to enjoy vegetables. This dish is particularly perfect for adding some variety to your meals without requiring any fancy ingredients or complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
If you’re craving a hearty meal but don’t want to spend all evening cooking, this Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is just what you need. It’s ready in 30 minutes, combining the rich taste of ground beef with the lightness of cauliflower and the freshness of spinach, all under a delicious layer of melted cheese. This dish not only cuts down on carbs but also minimizes your time in the kitchen, making it a perfect option for a filling dinner that’s easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is an easy and quick solution for a nourishing meal that requires minimal effort. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the slight sharpness of the red peppers blend beautifully in a smooth, creamy soup that comes together in no time. It’s perfect for lazy, cold evenings when you want to eat well but can’t find the energy to prepare a complicated meal. This soup serves both comfort and nutrition, filling you up without draining your energy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a great solution for a stress-free meal that’s ready when you are. This recipe marries the bold flavor of jalapeños with the heartiness of chicken, all wrapped up in a creamy dressing that’s perfect for a refreshing meal. It’s easy to make and packed with taste. Prepare it in advance to effortlessly enjoy a flavorful meal after a long day. This is a go-to recipe for anyone needing a quick yet delicious dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is perfect for those evenings when you’re looking for something quick yet impressive. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features boneless, skinless chicken thighs seasoned with Italian herbs and simmered in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a great recipe for when you’re short on time but want a meal that feels indulgent and special, making it seem like you’ve spent much longer in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a simple yet delicious choice for a quick dinner. In just 30 minutes, you can cook chicken in a creamy, aromatic garlic sauce that’s sure to be a hit. The recipe involves browning seasoned chicken breasts in avocado oil and combining them with a homemade creamy sauce made from sautéed onions, chicken stock, heavy whipping cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. The rich flavors of garlic and cream are balanced perfectly with herbs, making this one-skillet meal a go-to for days when you’re short on time but want a meal that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
For a robust and hearty meal that won’t keep you tied to the stove, try this Italian Sausage Soup. Packed with flavorful Italian sausage, hearty tomatoes and onions, and a savory broth, it cooks in just 30 minutes and all in one pot. This soup is perfect for busy nights when you want a filling dinner that’s both easy to prepare and clean up afterward. Enjoy a flavorful dining experience that simplifies your evening routine without sacrificing taste.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This dish is a lifesaver because it’s quick to prepare and seriously filling. The combination of savory ground beef, creamy sauce, and low-carb cauliflower rice creates a hearty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Preparing the dish is straightforward, taking only 30 minutes using a single pan. With everything cooked in one skillet, cleanup is a breeze, saving you even more time. This meal is great for those who want to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is an effortless meal that brings the wholesome goodness of chicken and corn to your table quickly. This comforting soup combines tender chicken pieces, carrots, potatoes, sweet corn, and a flavorful broth for a meal that feels like a hug. It’s especially great for those evenings when you need something comforting but easy, as it comes together in less than an hour. Serve this up on a chilly night and wind down with minimal kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup