Some nights, cooking feels like too much, but that doesn’t mean settling for boring food. These 21 easy recipes are perfect for when you want a good meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Each one is simple to make but still tastes like you put in the effort. From quick pastas to hearty soups, these dishes make dinner feel easy and satisfying.
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Honey Glazed Chicken
This chicken is coated in a sweet and savory glaze that tastes like it took way more effort than it did. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, it turns into a flavorful dinner that feels special without the hassle. When cooking feels like too much, this recipe delivers big flavor with almost no work, making it perfect for lazy dinner nights.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
A can of tuna and a few pantry staples come together to make a comforting, no-fuss pasta dish that’s ready fast. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for nights when the idea of cooking feels overwhelming but you still want something satisfying. This is the kind of easy recipe that proves lazy dinners can still be delicious and filling without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Crockpot Carnitas
Toss everything into the slow cooker, and let it handle dinner while you do anything else. These tender and flavorful carnitas are perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls, all with almost no effort from you. When a hands-off, lazy night meal is needed, this recipe delivers big on taste while keeping things simple.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas
Thai Chicken Chili
A little spice and a lot of bold flavors make this chicken chili a perfect option when time and energy are low. It comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients and offers a hearty, satisfying meal without much effort. When standing over the stove isn’t an option, this recipe brings big flavor to the table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
This slow cooker pork turns out juicy, tender, and packed with garlic flavor without any need for babysitting. Just toss in the ingredients, let it cook low and slow, and come back to a meal that tastes like it took all day to make. When dinner needs to be effortless but still feel hearty, this no-fuss recipe gets it done.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Set it and forget it—this slow cooker Thai pork takes care of itself while you relax. The result is a flavorful, tender dish that’s perfect for lazy dinners when cooking feels like too much. With just a few simple ingredients and almost no hands-on time, this meal makes itself while you do anything else.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Cacio e Pepe
A few pantry staples come together to make a rich, cheesy pasta that’s ready in minutes and perfect for lazy nights. It’s bold, creamy, and comforting, proving that simple meals can still be satisfying. When energy is low but the craving for something delicious is high, this no-fuss recipe hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie chicken and a few simple ingredients make these enchiladas easy without sacrificing flavor or comfort. A quick bake turns them into a cheesy, satisfying meal that feels homemade but takes a fraction of the work. When dinner needs to be effortless but still deliver on flavor, this is the recipe to reach for.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
These roll-ups give you all the saucy, cheesy goodness of classic lasagna with way less effort and time. A little prep and a quick bake turn them into a hearty, satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. When you want something that feels comforting but requires minimal work, this recipe gets it done.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Italian Meatball Soup
This meatball soup is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for nights when cooking feels like a chore but you still want something warm and filling. Simple ingredients come together quickly to make a meal that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did. When a lazy dinner is all that’s possible, this recipe makes it easy to have something satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Crockpot Chili
The slow cooker handles dinner while you take it easy, letting this chili simmer into something hearty and delicious. With almost no effort, it becomes a warm, comforting meal that’s perfect for when cooking feels like too much. Just toss in the ingredients, walk away, and come back to a lazy night dinner that’s ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Creamy Pea Pasta
A handful of pantry staples and some peas turn into a creamy, comforting pasta dish that’s ready in minutes. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for nights when standing over the stove sounds like too much. When dinner needs to be easy but still full of flavor, this recipe makes it possible.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Tomato Lime Chicken
Big, bold flavors come together fast in this zesty chicken dish that’s perfect for lazy nights. It cooks quickly with just a few simple ingredients and works well over rice, in tacos, or alongside a salad. When you want a meal that’s flavorful but doesn’t take much effort, this recipe keeps things easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Canned Chicken Salad
This no-cook chicken salad is perfect for nights when even turning on the stove feels like too much. It comes together in minutes with pantry staples and is light, filling, and easy to serve on sandwiches, crackers, or straight from the bowl. When lazy dinner nights happen, this is the kind of recipe that makes eating easy and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Pesto Salmon
Big flavor doesn’t have to mean big effort, and this pesto salmon is proof of that. With just a few ingredients and a quick cook time, it turns into a meal that feels special without the hassle. When you want something that tastes great but doesn’t take much work, this recipe makes it happen.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
This hearty chicken and carrot soup comes together fast, making it great for nights when cooking feels like too much. It’s warm, flavorful, and tastes like it took way more work than it actually did. When lazy nights call for something cozy, this simple recipe makes dinner easy and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Let the Instant Pot handle dinner while you relax or catch up on everything else. Packed with chicken, beans, and bold flavors, this soup comes together quickly and tastes like it cooked all day. When you need an easy and filling dinner, this recipe makes it possible without all the effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavor, these chicken leg quarters are perfect for lazy nights. The air fryer makes them easy to cook with almost no effort and fast cleanup. When dinner needs to be simple but still taste great, this recipe does the trick.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback
Juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, and melted mozzarella come together in a dish that looks fancy but is surprisingly simple to make. It’s full of bold flavors and requires minimal prep, making it perfect for lazy nights when cooking feels like too much. When you want a meal that feels special without the effort, this recipe is the one to try.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback
Curry Chicken with Onion
Tender chicken and rich, caramelized onions cook down in a bold curry sauce that tastes like it took all day to make. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for nights when dinner needs to be delicious but effortless. When cooking feels like too much, this recipe brings big flavors with almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Curry Chicken with Onion
Breaded Panko Pork Chops
These pork chops come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, proving that easy meals can still feel special. The crunchy panko coating adds texture and flavor without a lot of extra work. When a lazy dinner is the goal but you still want something that tastes great, this recipe makes it happen.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops