Long day? You’re hungry, tired, and not in the mood to do much. These 15 quick recipes skip the fuss but still give you something that tastes good and fills you up. No need to dig through your pantry or clean a bunch of dishes. When dinner needs to be simple and still worth it, these ideas have you covered.
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Honey Glazed Chicken
This sweet and sticky chicken cooks in one pan and only needs a few things from your kitchen. The glaze thickens as it cooks and covers each piece without much effort at all. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that feels like more than it is and gives you a break from complicated cooking.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Pesto Salmon
Spread some store-bought pesto on top of salmon and let the oven take care of everything. The fish turns out tender and full of flavor without you having to stand over the stove. This is a great dinner recipe when you’re hungry but don’t have the energy to do a lot.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Grab a can of tuna, add some tomatoes, and toss it all with pasta for a warm and filling dinner. It all comes together in one pot and doesn’t leave much to clean up after. Try this quick recipe when you’re tired and just want something that tastes good and feels easy.
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Creamy Pea Pasta
Boil your pasta, stir in some peas and something creamy, and you’ve got a meal that feels comforting without being heavy. It uses things you probably already have and doesn’t take much time or effort. This is one of those dinner recipes that’s perfect for nights when you need to keep things simple.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Canned Chicken Salad
Open a can, mix in your favorite add-ins, and dinner is done before you even start thinking about what else to make. There’s no cooking involved, and cleanup is just as fast. When you’re too tired to cook but still want something that hits the spot, this recipe is the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Salad
Tomato Lime Chicken
Sear the chicken, pour in a few things for the sauce, and let it simmer until everything comes together. It’s bright, tangy, and tastes fresh even though it comes from pantry staples. This is a good dinner recipe to pull out when you want real flavor but don’t want a lot of steps.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Stir creamy ricotta into warm tomato sauce and pour it over your favorite pasta for something rich and easy. It feels like comfort food, but it only takes a few minutes to pull together. When you’re tired and hungry, this dinner makes everything feel a little more doable.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Toss some pork and garlic in the slow cooker and let it cook while you go about your day. By dinner, it’s tender and full of flavor without any extra work. This is one of those easy dinner recipes that helps you rest while still getting something really good to eat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Use rotisserie chicken and jarred sauce to throw together enchiladas that taste homemade without all the steps. They’re cheesy, saucy, and exactly what you want when you need something warm and satisfying. Keep this recipe in mind for nights when you want comfort food without the full effort.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Let the pork cook low and slow in a sweet and savory sauce that takes care of itself. It’s great over rice, tucked into a wrap, or eaten straight out of the bowl. This is a simple dinner recipe that makes it easy to eat well when your energy is low.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork
Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
Simmer carrots and chicken in broth until everything is soft and the flavors come together just right. It’s a gentle, quiet kind of meal that helps you feel full without being too heavy. When dinner needs to be calm, warm, and easy, this is the one to reach for.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Carrot Chicken Soup
Cacio e Pepe
Cook your pasta, toss it with cheese and pepper, and serve it right from the pot for the easiest dinner ever. It’s rich, salty, and feels cozy without needing anything fancy. On nights when you’re hungry and tired, this recipe keeps things quick and still tastes great.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Mix cooked chicken with buffalo sauce, pile it on a bed of greens, and top it with something creamy to cool things down. It’s full of flavor, has a nice crunch, and comes together fast. This is a great dinner recipe when you want something bold without spending too much time.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Crockpot Chili
Throw everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back later to a thick and cozy pot of chili. The flavors build while it cooks, and there’s almost nothing for you to do. When you need a dinner that takes care of itself, this is one to keep nearby.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Crockpot Carnitas
Put pork in the slow cooker, wait a few hours, and it’ll turn tender and easy to shred without any effort from you. Serve it in tacos, rice bowls, or sandwiches, depending on what you have. This is one of those simple and tasty dinner recipes that works every single time, even on your busiest or laziest nights.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas