17 Quick Dinner Recipes for When You’ve Got 99 Problems and Cooking Is One

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17 Quick Dinner Recipes for When You’ve Got 99 Problems and Cooking Is One

We’ve all been there. Your day has been a circus, your to-do list is a mile long, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These recipes are your saving grace — they let you toss together a great meal without breaking a sweat — especially when you’ve got 99 problems, and cooking is definitely one.

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Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken is your new go-to for a quick dinner. This one-pan recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and features seasoned chicken thighs, a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crumbled bacon. With only one pan and a short time required in the kitchen, this Dijon chicken meal will quickly become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon 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.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole turns everyday vegetables into a dish everyone will actually want to eat. Frozen broccoli and cauliflower are steamed, then mixed with cream cheese, sour cream, and bacon, and finally baked to perfection. Make this a priority on those days when you’re juggling a million things, and cooking is just one more item on the list. This casserole cuts down cooking time, so you can spend more time unwinding and less time wondering why you ever thought cooking was a bad idea.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites come together in just 20 minutes, making them a perfect quick meal solution. Chicken pieces are fried until golden and seared before being coated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. This dish is about simplicity and speed, helping you serve a meal that hits the spot without keeping you tied up in the kitchen. With 99 problems on your plate, cooking won’t be one of them.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is the quick fix for those nights when cooking feels like just another problem on your list. Ready in 25 minutes, it combines shrimp, garlic, grape tomatoes, and spinach with coconut milk for a light yet flavorful meal. This dish brings a touch of elegance to your dinner table without the long prep time, perfect for enjoying a restaurant-quality meal at home without the hassle of dining out. Plus, it leaves you more time to tackle those other 98 problems — or maybe just binge-watch your favorite show.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is the stress-free answer to your weeknight woes. Simply toss sausages, mini peppers, broccoli, and zucchini in a pan and roast. This meal is quickly prepared, cooked fast, and easily cleaned up — great for busy families who need to balance mealtime with downtime. This recipe ensures you get a well-rounded meal on the table fast, perfect for those evenings when you want a nutritious meal but don’t want to spend all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh Caesar salad with chicken, croutons, tomatoes, and dressing, served in a large white bowl with a fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is your answer to the “What’s for dinner?” dilemma, ready in just 25 minutes with budget-friendly ingredients. Great for meal prepping, quick dinners, or potluck events, this versatile dish uses pre-cooked chicken and store-bought Caesar dressing to save you time. Plus, you probably already have most of the ingredients at home, perfect for those busy days when you’d rather relax than cook. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder why you ever thought cooking was one of your 99 problems.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

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

Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is your answer to quick, easy dinners. Made in only 30 minutes and just one pan, it features ingredients like ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. Perfect for nights when you need to get dinner on the table fast, it’s an excellent option for beginner cooks or those who’d rather be anywhere but the kitchen. The resulting dish is flavorful, filling, protein-packed, and stores perfectly in the fridge — if you have any leftovers, that is.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Reuben Bowls

A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Reuben Bowls are a delicious, easy-to-make meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The key components are simple — brown some deli corned beef, toss it with coleslaw or shredded cabbage, mix in sauerkraut, melt on some Swiss cheese, and drizzle homemade Thousand Island dressing on top. Make it for dinner tonight, or prep it in advance for ready-made meals. Leftovers store well, so you can have dinners ready to go for the next few nights. Because who has time for complicated recipes when you could be enjoying something this good with so little effort?
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Two shake and bake pork chops on a plate.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shake and Bake Pork Chops are the answer to your busy weeknight dilemmas. Ready in just 25 minutes, these chops are coated with a thin layer of mayo, shaken in a bag with seasoned breadcrumbs, and then baked to crispy goodness. Perfect for those evenings when you have 99 problems, and cooking is definitely one. This recipe lets you serve a delicious dinner quickly, giving you more time to either relax with family or pretend to tackle evening chores.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

Spinach Chicken Bake can be made in only 30 minutes and is perfect for weeknight family dinners. This casserole recipe features chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese. It’s an especially great option for beginner cooks new to making family dinners and a fantastic way to add more greens to your meals. It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about dinner in the first place — one less problem to deal with in your busy life.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a dinner solution you’ll love. Featuring chicken thighs cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce, this dish is filling, flavorful, and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or an impressive date night meal. This chicken recipe uses straightforward ingredients you may already have at home or that are easily accessible at the grocery store. It’s hearty and can be served on its own, on top of your favorite grain, on top of cauliflower rice, or alongside a simple side. Perfect for those evenings when you need a meal that solves at least one of your problems.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Cabbage and Sausage

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

Cabbage and Sausage is perfect when you’re short on time but still want a filling dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, it features a mix of sausage, cabbage, and onions, cooked in just one pan. Great for busy weeknights when you need to whip up something quickly without compromising on flavor or satisfaction. Plus, it’s so easy, you might even forget cooking was one of your problems.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Fajita Baked Chicken is your go-to when dinner needs to be quick, and your patience is on backorder. Ready in 30 minutes, seasoned chicken is topped with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella and baked until golden. It’s incredibly straightforward, perfect for those nights when you’re pressed for time but still want a meal that feels like a small triumph.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

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.

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a weeknight miracle. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, and fresh spinach under a delicious layer of melted cheese. It’s a practical choice for busy nights, especially when you need a quick win in the kitchen and a meal that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is your go-to for a quick dinner fix. Ready in 30 minutes, chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. This dish is a great choice for busy weeknights when the clock’s your enemy and you’re looking for an easy and good meal. Perfect for those times when life feels like a never-ending to-do list.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

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

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a one-pot dish that can be made in 30 minutes. It features ingredients like Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy whipping cream, giving this soup its delicious flavor and texture. This particular recipe is reminiscent of a creamy tomato soup. Serve it up with some crusty bread, a side of roasted vegetables, and your favorite protein, and tackle one less problem off your list.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Canned Chicken Patties are a quick and easy dinner solution, ready in just 20 minutes. Made with canned chicken, eggs, Parmesan, and ground sunflower seeds, the mixture is formed into patties and cooked right on the stovetop. Serve them on their own, paired with your favorite steamed vegetables, or tucked into bread for a tasty sandwich. Perfect for those nights when you need a quick meal and a break from pretending you have it all together.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

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