17 easy weeknight dinner ideas for people who hate cooking

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Looking for easy weeknight dinners, especially if cooking isn’t your thing? These 17 recipes are the answer. Simple, quick, and requiring as few ingredients as possible, they’re crafted to make your dinner routine as effortless as possible, minimizing time in the kitchen and simplifying your meal prep.

A plate of cabbage and sausages with a fork.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

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 great pick for anyone who wants a straightforward dinner. Mix broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, bake for 30 minutes, and your meal is ready. It’s perfect for those who need a quick solution on busy evenings. Using pre-shredded cheese and pre-cooked bacon makes it even easier.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Two bowls of Crock Pot taco soup with cheese and sour cream.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Choose Crock Pot Taco Soup for a stress-free cooking experience. Just brown the beef, add it with other ingredients to the slow cooker, and let it cook. This is a great choice for those who want a filling meal without much effort. Opt for pre-cooked beef to make it even simpler.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is ready in just 30 minutes, needing only one pan. This recipe combines various vegetables and sausage, making it a great choice for those who want quick meals with little effort. Pre-chopping the veggies can speed up the process.
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.

Cabbage and Sausage is perfect for a hassle-free dinner. It’s a one-pan meal that you can cook in less than 30 minutes. It’s great for people who prefer spending less time cooking. Simple ingredients, quick prep, and you have a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

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.

Try this Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice for an effortless weeknight dinner. This one-pan dish, ready in 30 minutes, mixes ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. It’s perfect for those looking for a quick meal without much fuss. Pre-made cauliflower rice is a time-saver.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is easy to prepare and refreshing. Simply slice cucumbers and onions, mix with the dressing, and toss. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great addition to your cooking routine. A mandoline slicer can be used for quick and uniform slicing.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Canned Chicken Patties

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

Canned Chicken Patties are perfect for a quick and easy meal. Using canned chicken, you can have these patties ready in just 30 minutes. They are simple to make and go well with steamed vegetables or as a sandwich filler, great for a fast dinner.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is an easy-to-make dish, especially suited for beginners. This one-pan recipe, which takes only 30 minutes, combines chicken breasts with a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s a straightforward choice, often with ingredients already in your pantry. Using jarred minced garlic can save time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

This Spinach Chicken Bake is a great choice for a simple dinner. It takes just 30 minutes to prepare with ingredients like chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. This dish is easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. Using pre-shredded cheese can make it even quicker.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is an easy recipe and hard to get wrong. Just sauté the ingredients, season to taste, and in 25 minutes, you have a flavorful dish. Pre-cut cabbage can be used for quicker preparation.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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 great for a simple yet impressive meal. It takes only 30 minutes to combine shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach in a garlic sauce. This dish is perfect for those seeking something quick and flavorful. Use pre-peeled shrimp and jarred minced garlic to save time.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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 fantastic option for beginners in the kitchen. It’s a one-pot recipe, blending sausage, cream, and tomatoes into a hearty soup. Ready in 30 minutes, this recipe is great for a quick dinner. Consider using pre-cooked sausage for an even easier preparation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

The Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a straightforward recipe, excellent for those new to cooking. In 30 minutes, you can prepare chicken thighs in a creamy mushroom sauce, all in one pan. This dish is a great choice for an easy dinner. Opt for pre-sliced mushrooms can make preparation even faster.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish. It combines chicken thighs with a sun-dried tomato sauce in one skillet. This recipe proves that great cooking can be easy and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

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

This Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is a great choice for weeknight dinner. It features seasoned chicken breasts baked with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, all ready in 30 minutes. This recipe is suitable for both beginner and experienced cooks. Using pre-cut fajita veggies can speed up preparation.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole in a dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For easy cooking, try the Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. This dish bakes ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese into a simple casserole. It’s ready in 30 minutes and is a hearty meal option. Using pre-riced frozen cauliflower can reduce prep time.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Shawarma Kebabs are surprisingly easy to make. The recipe involves marinating chicken, skewering, and then baking. It’s a straightforward process with minimal hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

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