Some nights call for something easy that still tastes like you worked hard. These 11 lazy dinner recipes are the kind you keep around because they save time and still hit the spot. With simple steps and big flavor, each one proves that dinner doesn’t have to be fancy to be really good.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Skip the stacking and bake up these roll-ups instead for something that’s cheesy, saucy, and simple to pull together. You still get all the flavor of classic lasagna, but with way less prep and mess. It’s the kind of meal that feels special even though it’s easy enough for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Cacio e Pepe
Stick to the basics with pasta, cheese, and black pepper that somehow turn into something rich and comforting. This dish takes only a few steps but brings a ton of flavor to the table. It’s quick to cook and hard to mess up, which makes it worth keeping in rotation.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Canned Chicken Salad
Open a can, toss a few things in a bowl, and you’ve got dinner that works with bread, lettuce, or crackers. It’s light, easy, and perfect when there’s not much in the fridge or no time to cook. The mix of creamy and crunchy makes it satisfying without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Italian Meatball Soup
Warm up with a hearty soup that’s packed with meatballs, pasta, and whatever veggies you’ve got around. It simmers together in one pot, which means cleanup is easy and the flavor builds fast. This one feels like comfort food but takes way less work than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Let the slow cooker handle dinner and end up with pork that’s juicy, tender, and full of garlicky goodness. All it takes is a short prep, and the rest of the time, you can walk away. When it’s ready, just shred it and serve it with anything you’ve got.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Toss everything into the slow cooker and let it cook down into something sweet, savory, and packed with flavor. It’s great over rice or in wraps, and it makes even better leftovers the next day. This one feels like takeout but couldn’t be easier to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Creamy Pea Pasta
Boil pasta, stir in some frozen peas, and finish it all off with cheese for a meal that’s way better than it sounds. The creaminess balances the sweetness of the peas in a really simple, tasty way. It’s fast, flexible, and great when you just need something filling and easy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
Simmer carrots, chicken, and broth until they all come together in a warm, cozy bowl of soup. It’s gentle, comforting, and doesn’t take much effort to make. You can add rice or noodles if you’ve got them, but it’s good just the way it is.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Use pantry staples like canned tuna and tomatoes to pull together a pasta dish that’s rich, saucy, and surprisingly satisfying. It comes together in one pot with little cleanup and zero stress. For something so simple, it really delivers on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss cooked chicken with spicy buffalo sauce and serve it over greens for a dinner that’s got crunch, heat, and creamy dressing to cool it down. You can prep everything ahead of time or throw it together last minute. It’s filling but not heavy, and the flavors hit just right.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Tomato Lime Chicken
Brown some chicken and simmer it in a quick tomato-lime sauce that’s fresh, tangy, and full of flavor. It only takes a few steps, but the end result tastes like you spent way more time on it. Serve it with rice or bread to soak up every drop.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken