Having a collection of go-to easy dinners you can’t mess up on hand can be a game-changer. Between work commitments, social engagements, and family obligations, finding time to make a wholesome meal is often daunting. With that in mind, these 17 recipes are designed to take the stress out of mealtime. Each recipe is simple to prepare and aims to minimize cooking and cleanup time, making them practical choices for busy households.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
This recipe marries chicken thighs with cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach for a full-flavored dinner. Preparation is straightforward; simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a hearty meal that’s easy to perfect. It’s a one-dish dinner, making cleanup simple. This recipe offers a practical way to include protein and vegetables in a meal.
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Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
The blend of sausages and vegetables roasts together on one sheet pan. This meal requires little hands-on time and minimal cleanup, saving you effort on a busy night. It takes less than an hour from start to finish, making it a quick dinner option. If you’re looking for a meal that’s straightforward to prepare, this is a reliable choice.
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Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
This casserole combines sirloin steak, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese. It’s designed for those evenings when you want a filling meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. This dish will be ready in less than an hour, serving as a time-efficient dinner option. The recipe is simple enough to guarantee a successful outcome, even for novice cooks. Cleanup is manageable with just one casserole dish and a cutting board.
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Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole combines steamed broccoli and cauliflower with a cheese sauce and crispy bacon. It’s a straightforward recipe; just steam the veggies and bake everything together. This dish takes less time than you’d think and provides a well-rounded meal in one pan. Each bite is flavorful, making it a hit for kids and adults. As a dependable go-to, it simplifies dinner while offering variety in texture and flavor.
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Italian Sausage Soup
This quick soup recipe features Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream. It requires only a single pot and is ready in 30 minutes, making it a time-saving option for busy nights. The simple ingredients come together to offer a rich depth of flavor. Its ease of preparation makes it an excellent choice for an uncomplicated but filling meal. Just heat, stir, and serve for a no-fail dinner solution.
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Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This one-pan dish pairs chicken thighs with a creamy mushroom sauce for a hearty meal. Preparing takes little time and is cooked in a single pan for easy cleanup. The dish is ready in under an hour, making it suitable for weeknights. The mushroom sauce ensures that the chicken stays moist and flavorful. This recipe is a reliable option for a simple yet substantial meal.
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Cabbage and Sausage
Combine cabbage and sausage in this easy one-pan dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes. All it takes is some slicing and a quick sauté to get this meal on the table. The pairing of cabbage and sausage makes for a filling, balanced dish. It’s ideal for those nights when you need something quick and foolproof. Cleanup is minimal, as it all cooks in a single pan.
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Big Mac Salad
This salad mimics the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger but in a more streamlined form. The ingredients are simple, and the assembly is straightforward — just toss and serve. It combines proteins and veggies in one bowl for a complete meal. The salad format makes this a lighter yet equally fulfilling alternative to a classic burger.
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Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
For a balanced meal, this recipe utilizes boneless chicken thighs and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Cooking time is just 30 minutes, and only a single pan is needed, simplifying preparation and cleanup. The sauce ensures the chicken stays tender and adds a rich, tangy flavor. It’s a hassle-free dish that will turn out well every time. Ideal for busy weeknights, it delivers comfort food in a more manageable form.
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This recipe combines cabbage, bacon, and onion in a one-pan dish. It requires minimal prep and is ready in just 25 minutes. The combination of cabbage and bacon offers a balance of texture and flavor. It’s a straightforward meal that’s almost impossible to get wrong. With minimal cleanup, it’s a practical option for a quick weeknight dinner.
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Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
This baked chicken recipe is flavored with cheese and peppers for a simple, protein-packed meal. It takes less than an hour to bake and only requires a baking dish, making cleanup easy. The preparation is as simple as layering the ingredients and baking. It offers a complete meal in one dish, saving you time and effort. As an uncomplicated recipe that’s hard to mess up, it’s a solid choice for any weeknight dinner.
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Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
In this recipe, ground beef comes together with cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms for a quick dinner. It’s all cooked in one skillet and ready in 30 minutes, simplifying both cooking and cleaning. The cauliflower rice provides a light balance to the rich ground beef and cheese. It’s a surefire choice when you need a meal that’s easy to execute and offers a variety of flavors. It’s ideal for those busy evenings when you still want a hearty meal.
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Creamy Garlic Chicken
This dish features chicken in a smooth garlic sauce, all cooked in a single pan. The prep is minimal and comes together in under an hour, making it a feasible weeknight dinner option. The garlic sauce provides a flavorful yet simple backdrop to the tender chicken. It’s a one-pan meal that minimizes cleanup, making it a convenient choice. The recipe is simple to follow and ensures a successful outcome each time.
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Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This salad offers a unique twist on the classic jalapeño popper, suitable for both dinners and lunches. It requires only simple ingredients and minimal prep, making it an easy-to-perfect meal. The recipe is quick to prepare and combines protein and vegetables for a complete meal. It’s an innovative but uncomplicated way to enjoy the flavors of a jalapeño popper in a less indulgent form. As it’s served cold, it also offers a quick solution for meals on the go.
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Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole combines beef, cheese, cauliflower rice, and spinach for a well-rounded dinner. It requires just one casserole dish, keeping the cleanup to a minimum. Preparation is uncomplicated: simply mix the ingredients and bake. It’s ready in under an hour, making it suitable for quick dinners. This recipe is a reliable option for a fuss-free, filling meal.
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Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup
This soup combines cauliflower, heavy cream, cheese, and bacon for a rich meal. It’s cooked in a single pot and is ready in 30 minutes, making it a speedy option for busy evenings. The straightforward cooking process ensures a smooth, creamy texture. The added bacon offers a smoky note, rounding out the flavors. With minimal cleanup and quick cooking time, it’s a dependable choice for a no-fail dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This light salad features cucumbers, dill, and sour cream, making for a refreshing dinner option. It’s a cold dish, which means no cooking time and almost immediate serving. The straightforward recipe makes it practically impossible to mess up. Due to its simplicity and the minimal ingredients required, it’s a go-to when you need a quick dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad