Cooking’s not your thing? These 21 dinner recipes make it easy to get a satisfying meal on the table with little effort. Whether you’re short on time or just don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these simple recipes will help you get dinner ready fast. Perfect for busy nights or anyone who wants a homemade meal without all the fuss.
Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Caprese Panini
Skip the hassle and make a panini that’s crisp on the outside, melty on the inside, and packed with fresh flavor. Juicy tomatoes, basil, and gooey cheese turn a simple sandwich into something that feels special with almost no effort. Fire up the panini press or a skillet, and dinner is ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
A no-cook dinner that’s full of flavor makes any night easier. Pesto and sundried tomatoes bring a bold, rich taste to tuna salad, turning a few pantry staples into something delicious. Scoop it onto bread, crackers, or greens, and dinner is served with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Honey Glazed Chicken
Let honey do the work in this sweet and savory chicken dish that’s as easy as it is delicious. The glaze caramelizes beautifully, making every bite packed with flavor while keeping prep simple. Pair it with rice or veggies, and dinner is ready without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
A crunchy, flavorful salad with bold dressing and tender chicken makes dinner feel effortless. The mix of fresh veggies and a tangy kick comes together in minutes, giving a big flavor without the work. When dinner needs to be fresh, fast, and satisfying, this salad does the job.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
When cooking sounds like too much, this pasta saves the day with just a few ingredients. Tuna and a rich tomato sauce make every bite satisfying, and it all comes together in about 25 minutes. Skip the extra steps and let this dish take care of dinner with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Chicken Tenders
Crispy, golden chicken tenders come together fast without the need for takeout. A simple cornflake coating gives them a crunch that’s hard to beat, and they cook up in no time. When a homemade meal needs to be easy, these tenders deliver without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Let the slow cooker handle dinner with this tender, flavorful tomato lime chicken. Just toss in a few ingredients, and by the time dinner rolls around, a homemade meal is waiting. A little prep, a lot of flavor, and no stress—just the way dinner should be.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Bold, rich flavors come together with almost no effort in this slow cooker Thai pork. The ingredients blend into something tender and satisfying while the slow cooker does all the work. Set it, forget it, and enjoy a delicious dinner when the time is right.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Honey Habanero Tacos
Get a sweet and spicy kick with tacos that bring the flavor without the work. Honey and habanero balance each other perfectly, creating a bold bite that comes together in minutes. When dinner needs to be fast and full of flavor, these tacos deliver.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
A hearty, cheesy meal that practically cooks itself is always a good idea. This one-pot dish is packed with rich flavors and needs minimal effort, making it perfect for nights when cooking feels like too much. With simple steps and easy cleanup, dinner is done before stress has a chance to set in.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Shortcut Chicken Salad
No cooking, no hassle, just a quick and tasty chicken salad that comes together in minutes. Canned chicken keeps it simple, while a few fresh ingredients add all the flavor needed. Pile it on a sandwich or scoop it onto greens, and dinner is ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Tomato Soup
A rich, comforting bowl of tomato soup is the easiest way to get a homemade meal with almost no effort. A few pantry staples and a quick simmer are all it takes to make something warm and satisfying. Pour a bowl, grab some bread, and dinner is done.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeno Mayo
A smoky, spicy burger is the answer when dinner needs to be easy but full of flavor. Chipotle seasoning and creamy jalapeno mayo bring the perfect balance of heat and richness without a lot of work. Fire up the stove, and a bold, satisfying meal is ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Burger with Jalapeno Mayo
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
A simple mix of parmesan and spinach turns quinoa into a hearty, flavorful meal. This dish is filling without being complicated, making it perfect for nights when dinner needs to be easy. With just a few ingredients and a quick stir, it’s ready before hunger takes over.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Tomato Basil Bisque
A creamy, rich bowl of tomato basil bisque is always a good idea when cooking sounds exhausting. Just a few ingredients and a short simmer create a comforting meal that tastes like it took way more work. Grab a spoon and enjoy a homemade dinner with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Poached Orange Salmon
Light, fresh, and packed with citrusy flavor, this poached salmon is an easy win for dinner. A few simple ingredients bring out the best in the fish, creating a meal that’s as healthy as it is effortless. When cooking feels like a chore, this dish makes dinner a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
A slow cooker turns a basic pork roast into something tender and flavorful with almost no effort. Just season it, let it cook, and by dinner time, a delicious homemade meal is ready to go. When dinner needs to be easy, this is the way to do it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
French Onion Soup
Rich caramelized onions and melty cheese make this soup taste like a restaurant dish without the work. The flavors blend beautifully with just a few simple steps, creating a meal that feels special with minimal effort. Pour a bowl, grab some crusty bread, and dinner is ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Crockpot Carnitas
Let the slow cooker handle dinner with these tender, flavorful carnitas. Just toss in the ingredients, set it, and forget it while the flavors build into something delicious. By mealtime, a no-fuss, satisfying dinner is ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas
Chicken and Pea Risotto
Creamy, comforting risotto doesn’t have to be complicated with this simple recipe. Using rotisserie chicken keeps things easy while still bringing a big flavor to the dish. Stir it up, serve it warm, and enjoy a homemade meal without all the usual risotto fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Pea Risotto
Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Get all the cheesy, bacon-filled goodness of a restaurant burger without the extra effort. These juicy burgers come together fast, making them perfect for nights when cooking needs to be simple but satisfying. Fire up the grill or stovetop and make dinner feel like a treat with almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger