On those days when cooking feels like too much, lazy meals are just what we need. They’re quick and straightforward, so you can relax instead of spending ages in the kitchen. Each of the 17 recipes here is great for nights when you want something homemade and hearty but don’t want to deal with a lot of ingredients or cleanup.
Cabbage and Sausage
This is a quick, easy meal using cabbage and sausage. It only takes one pan and less than 30 minutes to make. Great for days when you don’t want to spend much time cooking but still want a filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Mix broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, bake for 30 minutes, and you have a full meal. This casserole is easy to make and clean up, perfect for nights when you’re too tired to cook something complex.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
Want a quick and balanced meal? Try the Spinach Chicken Bake. Just mix chicken, cheese, and spinach in a pan, and you’re set. It’s easy to make and gives you both meat and veggies. The best part? Only one pan to clean afterward. It’s a favorite pick for a quick dinner on a lazy night.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Crock Pot Taco Soup
This Crock Pot Taco Soup is the ultimate lazy meal. It requires minimal effort with straightforward ingredients. Just brown ground beef, combine it with cream cheese, tomatoes, and spices in the slow cooker, and let it simmer to perfection. A lazy meal that’s filling, high-protein, and yields delicious leftovers for dinner tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a simple yet hearty meal. Just spread everything on a pan and bake. Enjoy roasted veggies and sausage, perfect for a relaxed evening meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This one-pot soup blends sweet potato and red pepper for a comforting meal. It takes about an hour to cook and is ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
In just 20 minutes, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites offer a quick, flavorful meal. This recipe is easy to make — always a great choice for when you need a fast dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a warm, rich meal that’s ready in 45 minutes. It’s great for a quick dinner any night of the week and easy enough for anyone to make.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a flavorful meal that’s ready in 30 minutes using just one skillet. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want a quick, enjoyable dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Use your leftover chicken (or a store-bought rotisserie chicken) in this easy 20-minute Green Chile Chicken recipe. It’s a delicious way to make a quick meal with ingredients you already have.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is a cozy choice for a simple meal. In just 1 hour, you’ll have a pot full of chicken and vegetables in a light broth. It’s perfect for those relaxed nights when you want something easy and wholesome. You may even have a majority of the ingredients needed in your kitchen right now.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a warm, straightforward dish, ready in about 30 minutes. With sausage, cream, and tomatoes, it’s a great pick for dinner when you want something cozy but don’t want to spend all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is a crowd-pleaser on lazy nights. It combines chicken, cream cheese, and sweet peppers for a filling meal. It’s the perfect choice for when you just don’t want to spend much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a simple dish that’s full of flavor. Plus, it’s high in nutrients and has a good dose of protein from the bacon. It takes about 25 minutes to cook and is a great option for a cozy, totally effortless dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This skillet meal is a quick solution for a warm dinner. Ground beef and cauliflower rice come together for a filling meal, perfect for those nights when you want something straightforward and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a cozy, easy-to-make dish. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have chicken in a sun-dried tomato sauce, a great choice for a warming dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole combines beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach for a comforting meal. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a simple yet filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach