Some nights, cooking is the last thing you want to deal with, and pretending to enjoy it is just exhausting. If you’re done with the kitchen drama and need something that’s quick, easy, and still hits the spot, you’re in the right place. These foolproof recipes will save you from yet another boring meal. Enjoy one-pan miracles, effortless skillet dishes, and slow cooker lifesavers that do all the work for you.
Escarole and Beans
Escarole and beans is a classic Italian dish that takes simple ingredients and turns them into something hearty and comforting. Perfect for when you need a no-fuss meal that still feels like you put in some effort.
Get the Recipe: Escarole and Beans
Mexican Vegetable Soup
Mexican vegetable soup is a quick, 20-minute dinner packed with veggies and protein-rich quinoa. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll reach for when you’re tired of complicated cooking but still want something nourishing.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup
Burger Bowls
Burger bowls take everything you love about a burger—minus the bun—and serve it up in a healthier way. With a homemade special sauce, this dish delivers all the flavor with less guilt, making it a great choice when you’re done pretending to enjoy the usual fare.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Bomb Meatloaf
This meatloaf is the definition of comfort food done right. Easy to assemble, tender, and juicy, it’s topped with a sweet and tangy glaze that’ll have you wondering why you ever considered takeout.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Sheet pan pork chops with red cabbage, potatoes, and apples make for a quick, one-pan dinner. When you’re not in the mood to juggle multiple pots and pans, this recipe has your back with its easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This honey garlic chicken brings the taste of takeout right to your kitchen with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with tender chicken and a sticky, sweet sauce that’ll quickly become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Smashed white bean and kale quesadillas are the indulgent meatless meal you need when you’re not in the mood to pretend you’re a chef. Gooey cheddar and a creamy BBQ sauce make this a simple dinner that hits all the right notes.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Gochujang Chicken
Gochujang chicken is a quick 30-minute dinner with a sticky, spicy, and sweet sauce that’ll have you thinking twice about ordering in. Serve it over rice for an easy meal that’s packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken
Cheddar Chicken Bake
This cheddar chicken quinoa bake is a straightforward casserole that’s perfect for busy nights. Using leftover rotisserie chicken makes it even easier, so you can throw together a comforting meal without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Garlic chicken bites with mushrooms, onions, and red peppers come together in just 20 minutes. A one-pan wonder that’s perfect for when you’re over complicated dinners and just want something quick and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground beef and sweet potatoes team up in this southwestern skillet for a meal that’s simple yet satisfying. Great for meal-prepping, this dish is one you’ll come back to when you need something easy and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
This ground beef pasta skillet is your go-to for a quick, comforting dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those nights when you need something hearty without all the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Taco seasoning and ground beef come together in this one-pan Mexican skillet, making it a flavorful, no-nonsense dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for when you’re tired of pretending you like to cook.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Pork and cabbage stir fry with mushrooms in a savory sauce is a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Ready in no time, it’s a foolproof recipe that gets the job done without all the extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Maple mustard chicken breasts baked with Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries make for an all-in-one sheet pan dinner that’s as easy to clean up as it is to prepare. A simple choice for those hectic nights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Pecan crusted chicken with a honey dijon yogurt sauce is a crunchy, flavorful dinner that’s quick to pull together. When you’re not in the mood to get fancy, this dish still delivers big on taste with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Pesto Salmon
Pesto salmon is a five-ingredient, oven-baked dinner that’s ready in less than 25 minutes. Perfect for when you want something healthy but can’t be bothered with complicated recipes.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken is a quick weeknight dinner that’ll have you rethinking your usual routine. Juicy chicken breasts baked with salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar cheese come together in under 30 minutes for a meal that’ll be a fast family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Jalapeño Chicken
Jalapeño chicken brings the bold flavors of takeout right to your kitchen with minimal effort. Bite-sized chicken pieces are pan-fried and cooked with spicy jalapeños in a sweet, sticky sauce, making this an easy, flavor-packed meal served over rice.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Bucatini cacio e pepe is a simple Italian dish made with just five ingredients. This creamy, decadent pasta is both easy to prepare and economical, making it a go-to when you want something special without spending all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Sweet and spicy mango shrimp is a quick 20-minute dinner that packs a punch. Balanced with just the right amount of heat and sweetness, this dish is perfect for those nights when you want something different without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
