20 dinner ideas meant for everyone who hates cooking

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Looking for dinner ideas but hate cooking? These 20 recipes are for you. We focus on easy, quick recipes that cut down on kitchen time. Perfect for everyone who wants to eat a great meal without too much hassle. Simple steps, no fuss — just good food on your table fast.

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking pan.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. 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.

You can effortlessly enjoy a hearty meal with this recipe. Just place sausages and a mix of your favorite vegetables on a sheet pan and roast for 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for a quick dinner that requires minimal effort and cooking skills.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

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

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 comes together in just 45 minutes and yields a filling, flavorful family meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

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 a meal that’s both uncomplicated and filling, try this cheesy beef casserole. Simply combine ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese, bake, and you’re done. It’s a straightforward, hearty, flavorful recipe, perfect for those busy nights or relaxed evenings.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cabbage and Sausage

A fork in a bowl of cabbage and sausage.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In under 30 minutes, this dish brings together cabbage and sausage in a one-pan meal. This recipe is especially great for anyone who wants to enjoy a good meal without the hassle of complicated cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe is the easiest veggie casserole to pull off. Simply combine broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon together, pop it in the oven, and bake until bubbling and golden. It’s a great recipe for busy weeknights, ready in 30 minutes and made in just one pan.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Crock Pot Taco Soup

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

This recipe requires minimal effort – brown some ground beef, add it with other ingredients to the slow cooker, and let it work its magic. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this taco soup will make your dinners effortless and hassle-free.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Ready in 30 minutes and made in just one pan, this fajita bake features chicken breasts seasoned with spices and topped with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and shredded mozzarella cheese. This dish is perfect for a quick, easy, and filling weeknight dinner. Serve with a simple side salad or some steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

These chicken bites are perfect for a meal that’s ready in what seems like a flash — 20 minutes, to be exact. They cook quickly on the stove and are a great option if you want something straightforward and delicious with minimal cooking time.
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.

Try this easy one-pan dish if you’re looking for a simple yet savory meal. Saute the cabbage and bacon together and then serve. It’s super easy to make and uses ingredients most likely already in your pantry. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy days when you need to get dinner on the table quickly and without much trouble.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Canned Chicken Patties

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

Ready in just 20 minutes, make these easy chicken patties for a quick and flavorful meal. Made with canned chicken for convenience, these are pan-fried and yield perfectly crisp patties with juicy insides. They can be served on their own, alongside your favorite steamed vegetables, or on bread as a sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

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 a flavorful low-carb meal option that puts a fun spin on traditional jalapeño poppers. You can prepare it quickly — prep, mix everything together, and pop it in the fridge to chill. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, especially when you need an impressive and flavorful dish without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of soup with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This soup is a great choice for a quick, warming meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, it blends sausage with cream and tomatoes for a cozy and comforting dinner. It’s great for those nights when you want something hearty but just don’t have the energy to spend hours cooking.
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 and easy dinner, this ground beef skillet is a great choice. Ready in just 30 minutes, you’ll mix beef with cauliflower rice, cheddar, and mushrooms. It’s a great recipe for busy evenings when you need a straightforward but hearty dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These chicken poppers are always a great option for a quick and easy dinner. They’re simple to prepare, and in about an hour, you’ll have a savory and filling meal to enjoy. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, so you can make some the day before and enjoy whenever you’re ready.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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

You can easily whip up a comforting soup with this recipe. Add sweet potatoes and red peppers to one pot and let it simmer. In about an hour, you’ll have a warm, no-fuss dinner ready, perfect for cozy evenings, especially when cooking for hours isn’t on your agenda.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

You’ll find this one-pan chicken and spinach recipe perfect for a hassle-free dinner. Just combine the ingredients and bake. In 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal made with chicken, cheese, and spinach, especially perfect for those busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

The dish features chicken breasts cooked on the stovetop in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. It’s an impressive yet easy-to-prepare recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Shawarma Kebabs

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

These shawarma kebabs are a treat to make, especially if cooking isn’t your favorite pastime. The process is easy — marinate the chicken, skewer, and bake. Make this when you want to enjoy a delicious, protein-rich meal without the hassle of complicated cooking steps.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute meal is surprisingly simple to prepare. The chicken thighs cook in a creamy and flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce, creating a dish that’s low on effort but high on flavor. It’s a perfect pick if you want to whip up something special with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Big Mac Salad

Hands scooping up a serving of bacon cheeseburger salad from a bowl.
Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Experience the flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger in this easy-to-make salad. It’s a practical dish for a quick dinner, combining familiar tastes in a fresh, new way. This salad is perfect for those nights when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

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