We’re tackling dinner recipes that are so straightforward that you’d really have to try hard to mess them up. These 20 dishes are perfect for anyone who’s pressed for time or still getting comfortable in the kitchen. You’ll find that putting a great meal on the table can be quick and stress-free. Whether you’re a cooking newbie or just looking for easy options to keep everyone happy at dinner, these recipes are about making your life simpler, not harder.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a delicious one-pot weeknight dinner idea that is easy enough for beginner cooks to make — no stuffing vegetables required. It takes just 45 minutes to make and results in a filling and flavorful family meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
You can’t ruin this stir-fry dinner even if you tried. Ready in less than 30 minutes, it combines cabbage, sausage, and onions for a simple but flavorful meal. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quick and delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
You can have this warm casserole on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s filled with broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon and baked until bubbling and golden. It’s an easy recipe that’s hard to mess up, perfect when you need a warm, hearty meal but don’t want to spend endless time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan dinners are the epitome of effortless cooking. In this recipe, you’ll arrange the sausage and vegetables onto a sheet pan and pop it in the oven until perfectly caramelized and fork tender — it’s that easy. It’s also very customizable. You can add or replace the veggies with whatever you have on hand. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s great for anyone looking to make a good meal without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
In just 30 minutes, whip up this hearty soup that’s foolproof and loaded with flavor. It combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream in one pot, creating a rich blend that’s perfect for any dinner table. It’s a fantastic choice for those just starting out in the kitchen or anyone in need of a quick, hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
With just a bit of prep and less than an hour in the oven, you can put together a meal that’s packed with the tastes of seasoned chicken, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. It’s so simple, making it nearly impossible to mess up, which is perfect for anyone looking to impress without the stress. This meal is a fantastic choice for a busy night or when you’re just getting comfortable in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Here’s another effortless dish you can pull off anytime. With just 20 minutes of prep, you’ll only need to prep the ingredients, toss them in the slow cooker, and let your Crock Pot handle the rest. It is a practical and low-effort dinner that brings out the best flavors without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen cooking.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This meal is a flavorful mix of cabbage, bacon, and onion, ready in about 25 minutes. It’s incredibly easy to cook and a great way to enjoy a hearty dish made with simple ingredients. Whether you’re new to cooking or just in need of a quick and filling meal, this dish makes it clear that great flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Garlic Chicken
In half an hour, you can cook up this chicken in a creamy garlic sauce. It’s a one-pan wonder that pairs beautifully with rice. The sauce makes the chicken juicy and full of flavor. You’ll see it’s hard to mess up, which makes it a top pick if you’re not too confident in the kitchen yet.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Ready in just 30 minutes, this skillet dish brings ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheese, and mushrooms together for a hearty and simple meal. It’s an easy, protein-rich dinner made with staple pantry ingredients, making it nearly impossible to mess up.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This hearty soup takes just an hour to prepare and combines sweet potatoes and red peppers into a creamy, comforting meal. You’ll appreciate the simplicity of this dish, especially on those days when you need something warm and filling without any complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
This casserole is the definition of comfort food. This dish is an easier version of the twice baked potatoes but still has the same comforting flavors. It’s an easy-to-make dish that you can even prepare ahead of time, perfect for those nights when you want a warm, comforting meal without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This one-pot soup brings the classic flavors of chicken pot pie into a simple, hearty soup. Ready in just an hour, it’s an excellent option for family dinners as it’s straightforward to make and uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and a great way to enjoy a wholesome meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This cheesy ground beef casserole is one of the easiest recipes you can possibly make. Ready in 30 minutes and made in just one skillet, this dish features simple pantry ingredients like ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese. It’s a straightforward and freezer-friendly recipe that packs so much flavor without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This dish brings the savory Tuscan flavors right to your table. Perfectly cooked shrimp are paired with fresh spinach and tomatoes and then simmered in a savory garlic sauce. Ready in 30 minutes and made in just one pan, it’s an easy recipe that’s great for anyone looking to prepare a special dinner without the need for expert cooking skills.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
In 30 minutes, you can whip up this dish that pairs chicken with a delicious creamy mushroom sauce. It’s a simple, one-pan meal that enriches your dinner without any fuss. Great for beginners or when you need something quick and hearty, this recipe ensures you get a flavorful meal on the table without any trouble.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Canned Chicken Patties
These chicken patties come together in 20 minutes, making them a perfect quick meal solution. Whether you’re putting together a sandwich or looking for a simple protein addition, these patties are versatile and easy to prepare. They’re an excellent choice for when you need something filling without spending a lot of time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
In 30 minutes, mix up a salad that brings the heat with jalapeños and a creamy base. This recipe is straightforward, creating a spicy twist on the chicken salad that’s memorable and easy to whip up. It’s perfect for a quick meal that stands out, proving that you don’t need complex recipes for a dish to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Spinach Chicken Bake
Ready in 30 minutes, this one-pan meal mixes chicken thighs, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach for a hearty dish. It’s quick to prepare, making it an excellent option for those busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
With this dish, you only need 30 minutes to make a dish featuring chicken with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s a one-pan meal that’s easy to make and packed with flavor. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it shows you don’t need to be an expert to cook up something special.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken