We Can’t Live Without These 20 Lazy Dinners, and Neither Should You

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We Can’t Live Without These 20 Lazy Dinners, and Neither Should You

Lazy dinners are a game-changer in our hectic lives, totally necessary for whipping up something great without spending forever in the kitchen. These 20 are the kind of recipes you can’t and shouldn’t live without. They’re your shortcut to amazing meals with minimal effort, proving you can keep things simple, use a few ingredients, and still get a good meal on the table.

Chicken bites with garlic butter sauce and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This is our go-to when we can’t even think about cooking. Toss sausage and veggies on a sheet, bake it, and that’s dinner sorted. It’s easy, the clean-up’s a breeze, and it lands you a great meal fast. It’s a favorite for our lazy dinner nights.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

On those nights when cooking’s a no-go but you still want something good, this cabbage and sausage dish is a winner. It’s all done in one pan, takes less than 30 minutes, and leaves almost no mess. Simple, quick, and exactly what you need. It’s always in our lazy dinner mix.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A crock pot full of taco soup.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

For the easiest dinner ever, Crock Pot Taco Soup is what we pick. Throw everything in, let it cook, and you’ve got a hearty meal with zero work. It’s our secret weapon for lazy evenings, keeping things chill but still so good every week.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

You can skip the stuffing and still enjoy stuffed bell peppers with this one-pot casserole. It’s ready in 45 minutes and fills you up without the hassle. It’s our favorite for an easy meal on lazy nights.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This tuna noodle casserole is simple to make and always a hit. It’s quick to whip up, and the leftovers taste just as great the next day. It’s a mainstay for our lazy dinner nights, especially when we’re after something simple and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish brings a lot of flavors without much work. With chicken, cream cheese, and peppers, it comes together quickly. Use pre-cut veggies, and prep is even quicker. This recipe is what we reach for when we want a relaxed dinner at home, especially after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is a go-to for an easy, quick, and filling meal. With frozen veggies, cheese, and bacon, it’s a straightforward choice. It’s how we solve the dinner dilemma on nights when we don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A person is holding a wooden spoon full of chicken bites in a garlic butter sauce.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These chicken bites are perfect for those times when you’re hungry but feeling too lazy to cook a big meal. They come together on the stove in 20 minutes. It serves great flavor, is easy to make, and is quick to clean up. This dish keeps showing up in our lazy dinner rotation for all the right reasons.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Quick and easy, this fried cabbage with bacon mixes rich flavors with tender cabbage, all ready in 25 minutes. It’s the perfect pick when you want something delicious and savory without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Throw chicken, cheese, and spinach together for this effortless bake. It’s quick, easy, and exactly what you need on a hectic night. It’s a top choice for those days when you just can’t deal with long prep times.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach is the answer when you need a filling meal in 30 minutes. It’s our solution for busy nights when you still want something hearty. It’s a real winner for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This soup is like a toasty hug, ready without much hassle in about an hour. Great for busy nights or when you’re just looking to unwind on the weekend. It’s an easy, comforting pick that always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes, this creamy garlic chicken is cooked all in one skillet. It’s the answer on nights when you’re craving something flavorful but can’t handle much cooking. Quick, creamy, and effortless.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This chicken corn soup easily adds some warmth to your meal. It’s simple, mixing chicken and veggies in a delicious broth, and ready in under an hour. Perfect for chilly evenings when you want something cozy without a lot of kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Italian sausage soup brings a hearty meal to your table in about 30 minutes. Easy to make in just one pot, it’s perfect for your dinner lineup. It’s the meal you want on a busy night when you need something good but easy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a quick, hearty dinner, turn to this creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice. It’s fast to make and just what you need on nights when time is short but you’re craving something satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This jalapeño popper chicken salad is perfect for an easy, stress-free dinner. Make it ahead of time, and it’s ready to eat whenever you are. It’s a laid-back choice that smooths out weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Hungarian mushroom soup is your easy route to a comforting meal. Pick any mushrooms you like, cook everything in one pot, and quickly get a rich-flavored dinner on the table. It’s a great option for when you want something simple yet full of taste.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a cozy dinner that’s ready quickly, try Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Made in one skillet and ready in 30 minutes, it combines a rich sauce with tender chicken for a comforting meal that’s perfect after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Green Chile Chicken

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Turn leftover or rotisserie chicken into a flavorful meal with Green Chile Chicken, all in just 20 minutes. It’s an effortless dish that makes dinner easy and stress-free. This recipe serves a quick and delicious dinner solution every time.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

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