When your workday stretches into the evening, coming up with easy dinners can feel like the last task you want to tackle. We’ve all been there — staring into the fridge, hoping for a quick and simple meal to magically make itself. That’s why this list of 18 easy dinners is a game-changer for anyone who’s had their share of overtime hours. These recipes are about getting a great meal on the table with minimal effort, so you can spend less time cooking and more time unwinding after a long day.

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Shake and Bake Pork Chops are easy to make and give you crispy pork chops in just 25 minutes without frying. This simple recipe is great for someone looking for a dinner that is quick and easy to make after a long day at the desk. You’ll need pork chops coated with a mix of mayonnaise, panko breadcrumbs, and some spices — paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, plus a bit of black pepper, dried thyme, Italian seasoning, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix all the dry ingredients in a big bag, then coat the pork chops with mayo before tossing them in the bag to get them well-coated with the breadcrumb mix. Bake them until they’re cooked through and the outside is crispy. Let them rest a bit before serving.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli Casserole is a crowd-pleasing side dish that makes dinner more exciting for tired desk workers. Broccoli is baked in a creamy sauce and topped with crushed crackers. Steam broccoli, then let it cool for a bit. In a big bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup, eggs, sour cream or Greek yogurt, dried onion, salt, and pepper. Add the steamed broccoli and half of the cheese to this mix. Pour everything into a baking dish, top with the rest of the cheese and a mix of crushed crackers and melted butter. Bake until it’s golden. Let it cool a little before serving it with bread, your choice of protein or salad.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup is a filling and nutritious one-pot meal that’s perfect for tired desk workers. This comforting soup has chicken, tortellini, veggies, and a flavorful broth. It takes only 40 minutes to make. In a large pot on medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté onion. Add carrots, celery, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, then simmer to soften veggies. Add chicken and tortellini, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for a few more minutes. Serve the soup in bowls, optionally garnished with chopped parsley and extra pepper.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is an easy one-dish meal that’s great for tired desk workers who want to break free from boring dinners. It’s a smart way to use up extra bell peppers. Ready in just 45 minutes, you’ll have a flavorful meal in no time. In a large skillet, brown ground meat on medium-high heat, then add onion and bell peppers, sautéing until tender. Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Add rice and chicken broth, ensuring the rice is spread out. Season, then bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir, then simmer again until the rice is cooked. Sprinkle with cheese and broil until golden.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Baked Ravioli

When you’re wrapping up a long workday, this Baked Ravioli is the perfect solution for an easy dinner. It’s like getting the comfort of lasagna without spending all that time in the kitchen. Grab a bag of frozen cheese ravioli, layer it with marinara sauce and plenty of cheese, and you’ve got yourself a great meal in about an hour. It’s straightforward, no complicated steps, just layer and bake. And with a cooking time that lets you decompress while it bubbles away in the oven, it’s just right for those nights when you’re getting home late but still want a home-cooked dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Spinach Chicken Bake

Spinach Chicken Bake is a quick, veggie-packed meal perfect for exhausted desk workers. Brown chicken thighs are layered with spinach and mozzarella cheese and baked for 30 minutes. Make sure to get your marinate right. Put chicken, avocado oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes into a freezer bag. Close the bag and use your hands to shake and knead the chicken until it’s fully coated with the marinade. Put the bag in the fridge to let the chicken marinate. Once baked, serve with rice, pasta or roasted potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is a comforting dish that’s great for busy desk workers. Broccoli and cauliflower are mixed with a creamy sauce, bacon, and seasonings, then baked. To make this, microwave frozen cauliflower and broccoli until tender. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble. Prepare the creamy cheese sauce, then fold in the vegetables with half the bacon and some cheese. Spread in a baking dish, and top with the rest of the cheese and bacon. Bake covered for 12-15 minutes, then broil until golden. Garnish with green onions to serve. This simple casserole is ready in 30 minutes and works well for meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a great quick dinner for exhausted desk workers. It’s an easy 20-minute recipe you can make right on your stovetop. Start with chicken breasts, cut them into small pieces, and coat them with a mix of cornstarch and salt. Cook these pieces in avocado oil until they’re golden and crisp. Then, mix them with a rich sauce made from butter, Italian seasoning, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and a bit of cayenne pepper for heat. You can adjust the cayenne to your liking. If you want, add some lemon juice and parsley on top before serving. This dish is simple, quick, and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a lifesaver for tired desk workers who want a great homemade dinner fast. With just one pan to clean and ready in 30 minutes, this easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights. Chop sausage and vegetables, and toss with avocado oil and seasonings in a bowl. Spread evenly on a sheet pan, using two if needed for a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes at the middle rack, stirring halfway. For extra crispness, move to the top rack and broil for 1-2 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving. Switch up the sausage and veggies for new flavors each time.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

When your office chair feels like it’s glued to you, this tuna noodle casserole is here to save the day. With just egg noodles, canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas, and cheddar cheese, you can whip up a comforting dinner in under an hour. Start by cooking egg noodles as per package instructions or al dente, drain and set aside. Make a milk and butter sauce, and season it. Mix noodles, tuna, sauce, milk, peas, and cheese in a bowl, then transfer to the dish. Top with extra cheese and buttery bread crumbs. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Serve with a salad, bread, or veggies, and you’re good to go.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

White Bean Soup

After a long day at your desk, this White Bean Soup is a quick and healthy dinner option. Just throw some cannellini beans, veggies, broth, and seasonings into a pot and let it simmer for 40 minutes. Serve with croutons, extra Parmesan, and pepper on top. Pair with salad or bread on the side for a complete meal that’ll give you the energy to face another day in that office chair.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

When your office chair has become your second home, and you’re too tired to spend hours in the kitchen, this Cabbage and Sausage skillet is a lifesaver. Grab some cabbage, sausage, and a few pantry staples, and you’ll have a tasty dinner ready in just 25 minutes. In a skillet, heat avocado oil and cook sliced sausages until crispy, then set aside. In the same skillet, sauté cabbage, onions, and spices, then add apple cider vinegar and return the sausages to the skillet. Season with pepper and garnish with parsley. Consider pairing it with roasted potatoes, rice, or chicken for protein.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Fajita Baked Chicken

When you crave fajitas but don’t want to leave your office chair, this Fajita-Baked Chicken is the perfect solution. In 30 minutes, you’ll have a flavorful, effortless dinner. You’ll brine the chicken to ensure it stays moist when it bakes. Mix all spices, mix some of them with the chicken and avocado oil and toss together. Place chicken in the pan, add cream cheese and peppers, sprinkle the rest of the spices, and mozzarella. Bake, then broil until golden. Garnish and serve.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

When you’re stuck in your office chair and need a homemade meal fast, this Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup has your back. Just sauté, simmer, and blend, then you’ll have a creamy, comforting soup in an hour. Start by sauteeing vegetables and adding spices and broth. Simmer the soup on low until the sweet potatoes soften. Blend it in the pot with an immersion blender or in batches with a blender until smooth. Optionally, stir in heavy cream. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt and parsley. This dish is great for those days when you just can’t deal with complicated recipes. Serve with bread, salad, or chicken bites.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

When you’re tired of the same old dinners after long days in your office chair, mix things up with this one-skillet wonder. Ground beef, cheddar, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms come together for a hearty meal that’s super easy to make in 30 minutes. Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Add onions and mushrooms to the beef, cooking for a minute. Mix in cream cheese, beef broth, heavy cream, tomato paste, and seasonings. Steam cauliflower rice in the microwave and add to the beef mixture. Top with shredded cheese, then broil until golden. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Garlic Chicken

When your office chair has become your second home, but you still want to eat something a little fancy, this Creamy Garlic Chicken is the way to go. Pan-sear some chicken, smother it in a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, and voila! A restaurant-worthy dinner in 30 minutes. To cook the perfect chicken, heat oil in a large pan and cook chicken in batches, about 3 minutes per side. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and pat yourself on the back for being such a boss in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Italian Sausage Soup

This Italian Sausage Soup is a quick and hearty dinner option for those nights when you can’t escape your office chair. It’s rich, comforting, and ready in only 30 minutes. Cook the sausage, breaking it apart, and cook until browned. Mix in chicken broth, cream cheese, both diced and pureed tomatoes, and spices. Cover, simmer, add heavy cream and Parmesan, and cook for a few more minutes. Serve the soup garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

When you’re exhausted from sitting in your office chair all day, these Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a great way to enjoy a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just pop them in the oven and whip up the homemade ranch dressing while they bake. In one hour, you’ll have a delicious dinner and maybe even some leftovers for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers