No time and no clue what to make for dinner? You’re not the only one. These 15 recipes are made for nights when cooking feels like a chore, but you still want something good to eat. There are no fancy steps and no guessing because these dinners keep things simple.
Tomato Basil Bisque. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Start with something easy that still feels like a full meal. This spinach and parmesan quinoa is a great dinner recipe for non-cooks because it only takes a few steps and comes together fast. It’s cheesy, filling, and tastes good without needing much effort at all.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Cacio e Pepe
Keep it simple with pasta that’s big on flavor but light on work. Cacio e pepe is an easy dinner recipe for non-cooks because it uses just a few pantry ingredients and cooks in minutes. You still get a creamy, peppery bowl of noodles that tastes like more than it took to make.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Honey Glazed Chicken
Try a chicken recipe that’s sweet, sticky, and easy to get just right. This honey glazed chicken is a great dinner for non-cooks because it only needs a handful of ingredients and comes together without much work. It looks fancy on the plate but takes almost no skill to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Go with something crunchy, quick, and full of flavor. This Kung Pao chicken salad is a smart dinner recipe for non-cooks because it needs very little chopping and almost no cooking at all. It tastes fresh and bold and feels like something you didn’t just throw together, even though you did.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Chicken and Pea Risotto
Pick a meal that feels comforting without being hard to make. This chicken and pea risotto is a great dinner recipe for non-cooks because it skips all the tricky steps and still turns out creamy and rich. With rotisserie chicken and one pot, it comes together fast and tastes homemade.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Pea Risotto
Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Let the slow cooker handle the work while you go do something else. This Thai pork is a perfect dinner recipe for non-cooks because it cooks low and slow with almost no prep and still ends up full of flavor. The sauce builds on its own, and the meat comes out juicy every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Tomato Basil Bisque
Choose something warm and rich that only takes a little effort. This tomato basil bisque is an easy dinner recipe for non-cooks because it just simmers for a bit and doesn’t need a long list of ingredients. The soup is creamy, flavorful, and always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Caprese Panini
Grab some bread, cheese, and tomatoes for a sandwich that feels like a full meal. This caprese panini is a great dinner for non-cooks because it only takes minutes to make and tastes like something special. You can use a pan or press and still get warm bread and melty cheese in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Crockpot Chili
Pick a dinner that’s as easy as dumping things in a pot and walking away. This crockpot chili is a great dinner recipe for non-cooks because it needs no real steps and still comes out thick, hearty, and packed with flavor. You don’t even have to watch it while it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Choose a dinner that fills you up without a lot of mess or work. This cheesy beef and rice casserole is a great recipe for non-cooks because it all cooks in one pan and comes out bubbly and rich. The steps are simple, the cleanup is fast, and the result feels like something from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
French Onion Soup
Go for a soup that smells great and tastes even better without all the fuss. This French onion soup is a good dinner for non-cooks because it only takes a little slicing and some simmering before it’s ready. The broth is rich, the onions are soft, and the cheese on top makes it feel special.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Poached Orange Salmon
Try fish that feels fancy but is actually easy to make. This poached orange salmon is a great dinner recipe for non-cooks because it only takes a few steps and still comes out tender and full of flavor. The orange adds something fresh without needing extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Set it and forget it with this bold and simple chicken dinner. This tomato lime chicken is a great dinner for non-cooks because it uses just a few things and still comes out juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Serve it with rice or wrap it up in tortillas, and you’re done.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Kefta Kebabs
Mix it, shape it, and cook it quickly for something different and tasty. These kefta kebabs are a fun dinner recipe for non-cooks because they use simple ingredients and don’t take long to make. The spices bring bold flavor without any tricky steps.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Honey Habanero Tacos
Stick with tacos when you want something bold that’s easy to make. These honey habanero tacos are a great dinner for non-cooks because they balance sweet and heat without being hard to pull off. You just cook the filling, build your tacos, and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos