Effortless dinners are often the saving grace for those who’d rather not spend hours in the kitchen. The thought of pulling together a meal after a long day can be daunting, but the good news is that a satisfying dinner doesn’t have to be a complicated affair. These 17 recipes were designed with the lazy cook in mind — those who want all the rewards of a home-cooked meal without elaborate preparation, complex steps, or endless cleanup. Simple yet hearty, these dishes hit the mark every time.
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Prepare for a relaxed evening with this Crock Pot Taco Soup. A quick 20-minute prep gives your slow cooker all it needs to create this hearty, flavor-packed meal. Ground beef and pantry staples are the main actors here, letting you minimize time and effort in the kitchen. The result is a cozy, well-rounded soup that warms you from the inside out. Plus, a single pot means an easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Spinach Chicken Bake
If you’re in the mood for a balanced meal without the fuss, the Spinach Chicken Bake is the answer. Throw chicken, cheese, and spinach into a single pan and you’re mostly done. Not only does it come together in a snap, but it also hits the mark with a blend of protein and greens. And since everything cooks in one pan, washing up is as straightforward as the cooking. It’s a solid go-to for a stress-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Cabbage and Sausage
Consider the Cabbage and Sausage dish for a meal that’s as easy to clean up as it is to prepare. Just one pan and less than 30 minutes are all that stand between you and this filling, flavorful meal. It’s the perfect solution when you’d rather not dedicate an evening to cooking and cleaning. Besides, the quick prep means you can get back to relaxing in no time. It’s practicality and flavor, neatly wrapped in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Here’s a dish that truly simplifies dinner for lazy cooks: the Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. It combines all its components — broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon — into a single dish. Pop it into the oven, and 30 minutes later you have a complete meal with minimal kitchen time. It’s a godsend for those who like their cooking routine to be as uncomplicated as possible. Plus, cooking it as a casserole makes both serving and cleanup easy.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Creamy Garlic Chicken
For a meal that’s quick but doesn’t skimp on flavor, try the Creamy Garlic Chicken. All it takes is 30 minutes and a single skillet to transform chicken thighs and sun-dried tomatoes into a comforting meal. This recipe is a lifesaver for those busy evenings when time and energy are running low. And when it comes to cleaning up, one skillet is all you have to worry about. It’s a smart choice for keeping both your stomach and schedule full.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Chicken Corn Soup
When you’re after something nourishing but quick, this Chicken Corn Soup has you covered. It’s a one-pot affair that’s ready in under an hour, featuring tender chicken and a medley of vegetables. No need for complicated steps or ingredients — just simple, wholesome fare. Plus, the single-pot cooking keeps the cleanup manageable. You get to enjoy a comforting meal without spending all evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Combine ground beef and cauliflower rice in a skillet, and 30 minutes later, you’ve got yourself an effortless dinner. This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet is a one-pan meal that speaks to all the lazy cooks out there. It offers the kind of simplicity that makes you look forward to cooking, even on a weeknight. And because it’s a complete meal in itself, there’s no need to fuss over sides. Cleanup is a breeze, adding to its appeal for a low-effort evening.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Streamline your dinner plans with this Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Just toss everything onto a single sheet pan and bake. In about 30 minutes, you’ve got a meal that ticks all the boxes: hearty, nutritious, and straightforward. The ease of preparation and cleanup makes it ideal for anyone who’d rather skip the culinary acrobatics. It’s the epitome of simple yet gratifying home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This Cheesy Beef Casserole offers a straightforward route to a well-rounded meal. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach come together perfectly, ready in just 30 minutes. You get a dinner that’s as simple to prepare as it is to enjoy. It’s perfect for those nights when you’d rather not juggle multiple pots and pans. Simple ingredients, quick cooking, and one-dish cleanup make this a perfect choice for the less-than-enthusiastic chef.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Canned Chicken Patties
For a dinner you can prepare almost as quickly as you can eat it, these Canned Chicken Patties are a solid bet. With just 20 minutes from start to finish, they offer a straightforward solution to the eternal question of “What’s for dinner?” They’re versatile, too, easily paired with various sides to round out the meal. And since they’re so quick to make, you have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your evening. It’s a stress-free route to a meal that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
If you’re short on time but crave something hearty, this Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a solid choice. It’s a one-pan meal that goes from stove to table in 25 minutes. With just cabbage and bacon, you have a balanced meal that requires minimal prep and cooking time. Cleanup is equally straightforward, making this dish a go-to for those who’d rather not linger in the kitchen. It’s simple cooking at its best, with no fuss or frills.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Italian Sausage Soup
A bowl of Italian Sausage Soup offers comfort without the headache of extended cooking time. The one-pot recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and combines Italian sausage, heavy cream, and canned tomatoes for a straightforward yet hearty meal. It’s a convenient choice for lazy cooks and those who want flavor without fuss. Plus, the one-pot format means that cleanup is as simple as the cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
Ease and speed define this Fajita Baked Chicken recipe. Chicken, cream cheese, and sweet peppers are all you need for this straightforward dish. The preparation is effortless, perfect for those new to cooking or short on time. Even better, the dish doesn’t skimp on flavor, quickly offering a well-rounded meal. It’s a stress-free way to enjoy a homemade dinner without the complications.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Big Mac Salad
Why make dinner complicated when you can have a Big Mac Salad? This recipe brings the familiar flavors you love but without any unnecessary complexity. It’s a complete, customizable meal that is ready quickly, perfect for when you’d rather not spend time assembling multiple dishes. It’s an easy and efficient way to enjoy dinner, perfect for those who like to keep their kitchen time to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Spice up your dinner routine with this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños come together in a dish that’s as simple as it is hearty. It’s a one-dish wonder that minimizes both cooking and cleaning time, ideal for anyone who’s not keen on complex recipes. Ready in less time than it takes to watch an episode of your favorite show, it’s a win-win for the laid-back cook.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Get dinner on the table without breaking a sweat with this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Using a single skillet, the dish marries chicken thighs with a sun-dried tomato sauce in just 30 minutes. It’s a convenient option for those who crave simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Plus, with only one skillet to wash, cleanup becomes an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers offer a casual yet filling dinner option. They’re quick to assemble and bake, leaving you more time to relax in the evening. The poppers are a standalone dish but can also be paired with simple sides to round out the meal. It’s a straightforward, no-fuss way to enjoy a good meal without committing to a lengthy cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers