Some nights you’re too tired to think about dinner, let alone cook it. You stare at the kitchen and wonder if cereal counts as a meal or if you should just order pizza again. These 23 no-fuss meals solve that problem by getting dinner done in minutes without much effort on your part. They use simple ingredients you probably already have and require very little prep work or cleanup.
Thai Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it cook while you get other stuff done. The pork turns out tender, full of flavor, and feels like something you’d serve on a weekend. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that doesn’t need much from you but still makes the whole house smell like you worked hard.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Crockpot Carnitas
The pork cooks until it’s soft enough to fall apart, and you barely have to do anything to get there. Use it in tacos, on top of rice, or however you like—it always works. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that takes care of itself while you take care of everything else.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
These roll-ups pack in all the cheese, sauce, and pasta without the work that lasagna usually needs. You don’t have to layer or wait around for it to bake forever. It’s one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that brings comfort food to the table without a big mess.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Honey Glazed Chicken
A little honey and a few spices turn plain chicken into something sweet and savory in no time. It tastes like you planned ahead, even if you didn’t. This is one of those delicious dinner recipes that works when you want something easy that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Thai Chicken Chili
This chili brings heat and flavor with ingredients that are simple to throw together. You don’t need much time, but the result feels bold and satisfying. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that hits the spot when you want something with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili
Pesto Salmon
This salmon uses just a few things from the fridge and cooks up fast with hardly any prep. The pesto gives it a bold flavor that feels more put-together than it really is. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that makes a basic piece of fish feel like a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spicy chicken, crisp greens, and creamy dressing come together for a filling salad that doesn’t feel like a side dish. You can pull it together fast, and it still feels like dinner. This is one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that turns salad into something worth looking forward to.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
This soup uses simple ingredients but ends up tasting rich and homemade every time. It’s warm, filling, and fast enough to make after a long day. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that brings comfort without making you stay in the kitchen all night.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
Italian Meatball Soup
Packed with pasta and meatballs, this soup feels like it took all day to cook, but it’s ready way sooner. It’s hearty, easy to make, and full of flavor in every bite. This is one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that’s perfect when you need something warm and filling.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Cacio e Pepe
A few pantry ingredients turn into creamy, cheesy pasta with barely any effort. It’s ready fast and feels a lot fancier than it really is. It’s one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that saves the day when you want something comforting but quick.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Crockpot Chili
Just toss everything in and let the slow cooker handle the rest while you go about your day. It comes out thick, flavorful, and ready to eat when you are. It’s one of those easy-to-make dinner recipes that always works, no matter how busy you are.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Canned tuna and tomatoes come together fast to make a meal that tastes way better than it should. It’s quick, easy, and uses things you probably already have. This is one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that gets dinner on the table when the fridge is nearly empty.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Slow Cooker Thai Pork
You barely lift a finger and still end up with pork that’s tender and full of flavor. It works great with rice or noodles and tastes like it took way more effort. It’s one of those delicious dinner recipes that makes busy nights feel a lot easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Tomato Lime Chicken
This dish mixes bright tomato and lime flavors to make plain chicken taste fresh and exciting. It’s quick to put together and doesn’t need anything fancy. It’s one of those delicious dinner recipes that brings something different to the table without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Creamy Pea Pasta
A handful of kitchen staples come together to make this pasta rich, smooth, and ready in minutes. The sauce sticks perfectly and makes it feel filling and complete. It’s one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that always satisfies without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Using rotisserie chicken cuts the prep down to almost nothing while still giving you cheesy, flavorful enchiladas. They bake fast and taste like something homemade without all the mess. This is one of those easy-to-make dinner recipes that hits the spot when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Fresh tomatoes and soft ricotta make this pasta feel fancy, but it’s actually fast and simple. The flavors come together without any stress or complicated steps. It’s one of those super-easy weeknight recipes that makes a plain pasta dinner feel like something more.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Canned Chicken Salad
Mix up a few things with canned chicken, and you’ve got a meal that’s ready in no time. Eat it on crackers, in a sandwich, or by itself when you’re short on time. It’s one of those easy-to-make dinner recipes that saves the day when cooking isn’t an option.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
The Instant Pot takes care of all the hard work while you take a break. The soup is full of chicken, beans, and spices, and tastes like it took hours. When you need an easy and filling dinner, this one makes itself with barely any help from you.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Curry Chicken with Onion
This chicken cooks in a thick curry sauce with soft onions that give it a sweet flavor and depth. You don’t need to do much to get great results that feel like takeout. It’s one of those delicious dinner recipes that makes a regular night feel like something better.
Get the Recipe: Curry Chicken with Onion
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
These chicken quarters cook up juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside without a lot of effort. The air fryer makes it simple and fast, with barely anything to clean up after. When dinner needs to be good but easy, this recipe gets it done fast and right.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback
This dish looks like it took a lot of work, but it’s actually quick to put together. Tomatoes and mozzarella melt into juicy chicken for a meal that tastes like something from a restaurant. It’s one of those dinner recipes that feels special without being a project.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback
Breaded Panko Pork Chops
These pork chops get a crispy crust that’s crunchy outside and tender inside without any fancy steps. The panko adds texture and flavor without turning the kitchen upside down. When you want something that feels like real cooking but isn’t hard to make, this recipe always delivers.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops