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27 Lazy Dinner Ideas for the “Ugh, I Don’t Wanna Cook” Days

May 15, 2024 by Iryna Bychkiv Leave a Comment

Delicious dinners don’t have to be complicated. This post has 27 recipes that are perfect for nights when you just can’t muster the energy for a fancy feast.

These recipes use simple ingredients you might already have on hand. Think pantry staples like pasta, canned beans, and frozen veggies. We’re also keeping things quick and easy, with minimal prep and cooking time. So try these recipes. You’ll be surprised at how amazing a satisfying meal can be, even on the laziest of nights.

Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta close up.
Photo credit: Always Use Butter

Done in 15 minutes & crazy delicious this salmon crème fraîche pasta with lemon and chives is a true weeknight winner. Made with fresh or frozen salmon, crème fraîche makes it a bit lighter – for a pasta you’ll love having year round. Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies

Kielbasa, potatoes and vegetables on a sheet pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies is a quick and fuss-free dinner recipe for busy weeknights. Just dump all of the ingredients on a cooking tray and bake. This recipe can be made with regular sausages and any vegetables you have in your fridge. Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies

Super Easy Sloppy Joes Recipe

Beef Sloppy Joe on burger buns on a wooden board.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This super easy sloppy joe recipe requires only 5 ingredients and will be ready in 15 minutes! It’s the perfect weeknight meal for those busy days when you want to whip up something the whole family will love!  Easy Sloppy Joes Recipe

Creamy Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy, savory, luxurious dinner inspired by delicious Eastern European cuisine and it’s ready to eat in just half an hour! You simply can’t beat this easy stroganoff recipe for a one-skillet, thirty-minute dinner when you’re ready for a satisfying, comforting meal that doesn’t involve slaving in the kitchen all afternoon. Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

Cod Piccata

Cod Piccata with a sauce.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Easy Cod Piccata in a creamy Picatta sauce makes a quick 30-minute dinner recipe your family will love. Creamy, a bit briny and so so good! Cod Piccata

Polish Dill Pickle Soup

Polish Pickle Soup in a white bowl with a spoon on the side.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Dill Pickle Soup is my all-time favorite soup recipe for busy weeknights. It requires merely 30 minutes of your time and provides you with a hearty and satisfying bite. This easy soup is savory, creamy and kids love it too. Perfect for lunch or dinner, especially in cold winter weather. Polish Dill Pickle Soup

Easy Vegetable Coconut Curry

Vegetable curry with rice in a white bowl sprinkled with parsley on a burlap napkin.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This easy Curry Recipe with chickpeas and coconut milk is perfect for cleaning out the fridge. Use any vegetables you have, add some aromatic spices and coconut milk, and boom, you have a fantastic and healthy plant-based meal perfect for busy days. Vegetable Coconut Curry

Chicken Ragu Pasta

Chicken ragu pasta in a big enameled pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This healthy, savory, and quick-to-make Chicken Ragu Pasta is bound to become a favorite family meal. Enjoy this homemade pasta with ground chicken in just half an hour. Chicken Ragu Pasta

15-Minute Creamy Garlic Mussels

Creamy sour cream mussels in a pan sprinkled with parsley.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

A ridiculously quick and easy recipe for dinner requires just a handful of ingredients. These Garlic Mussels In Sour Cream Sauce are such a comforting seafood dish, perfect for those busy weeknights when you just don’t feel like cooking. 15-Minute Garlic Mussels

Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Mustard Chicken in a stainless steel pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Decadent and delicious, this Stovetop Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken skillet meal is just 30 minutes away. Filled with rich flavors and made in one pan, this simple and easy recipe is sure to be your new fave. And the creamy honey mustard cream sauce is amazing on rice, potatoes, and roasted veggies, too! Honey Mustard Chicken.

Turmeric Salmon and Couscous

Turmeric salmon and couscous in a pan.
Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings

This Turmeric Salmon and Couscous skillet is super easy to make on a weeknight but seasonal and tasty enough for company.  Loaded with good-for-you ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes! Turmeric Salmon and Couscous

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken with rice and green beans on a plate.
Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings

Treat your family to a delicious dinner that is ready in under 30 minutes. This Instant Pot Orange Chicken will become one of your go-to recipes using the Instant Pot for spring because it is made with pantry staples. It also comes with a sweet and savory sauce that you can spoon over your rice. Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Beef Stroganoff over mashed potatoes. Close up.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe features tender strips of beef that are quickly seared and then simmered in a flavorful sour cream-tomato sauce. This 40-minute recipe requires just 7 ingredients and is cozy and delicious! Perfect for busy weeknights! Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Baked Teriyaki Salmon

Three pieces of Teriyaki Salmon on a plate.
Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings

Need a quick, healthy weeknight meal? This easy Baked Teriyaki Salmon is a must for those nights when you can’t be bothered to cook but want something delicious. The teriyaki glaze is sticky sweet, and is a cinch to prepare. The salmon also cooks quickly in the oven. Baked Teriyaki Salmon

Pork Tostadas with Mango Salsa

Pork Tostadas with Mango Salsa cut.
Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings

Try these Pork Tostadas with Mango Salsa! Use a tenderloin cut, which is perfectly juicy and tender when you take it out of the oven. The freshness of the mango salsa compliments the richness of the meat. Pork Tostadas with Mango Salsa

Teriyaki Chicken Yaki Udon Noodles

Teriyaki Chicken Yaki Udon in a pan.
Photo credit: Pups With Chopsticks

A quick and easy stir-fried teriyaki chicken yaki udon stir fry recipe, made with leftover chicken (or store-bought rotisserie chicken), vegetables, chewy udon noodles, and tossed with a sweet and sticky teriyaki sauce. Teriyaki Chicken Udon Noodles

Thai Basil Chicken

Thai Basil Chicken with a fried egg close up.
Photo credit: Pups With Chopsticks

A delicious, simple, quick, and easy, spicy Thai Basil Chicken recipe made with diced or ground chicken, yardlong beans, and fresh Thai basil tossed in a savory umami sauce made with fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Thai Basil Chicken

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Creamy Ukrainian Mushroom Soup in a bowl with sautéed mushroom on top.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

It’s a Ukrainian Mushroom Soup. After you take the first sip of it, you’ll instantly feel cozy and warm. Classic autumn soup with a ton of flavor. Creamy Mushroom Soup

Sheet-Pan Greek Chicken With Vegetables

Sheet pan Mediterranean chicken with potatoes and broccoli.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Vegetables recipe is the perfect example of delicious flavors and easy cooking. The best part? It’s a one-pan wonder, delivering tender, juicy chicken and perfectly crisp veggies with minimal cleanup. Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Vegetables.

Casarecce Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Casarecce pasta in a bowl.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Casarecce Pasta recipe will give you an incredibly delicious pastca recipe that’s family-friendly and ready in just a little over 20 minutes! This recipe features a plant-based sun-dried tomato pesto topped with fresh basil that you’ll absolutely love. Casarecce Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Udon Noodle Soup

Udon Noodle Soup in a black bowl.
Photo credit: Pups With Chopsticks

A quick and easy udon noodle soup made with leftover turkey or chicken, udon noodles, bok choy, and a simple miso soup. Ready from start to finish in 15 minutes! Udon Noodle Soup

Homemade Pork and Bean Recipe 

Homemade Pork and Beans in a pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Craving a delicious dish that’s quick and easy to make? This Homemade Pork and Beans recipe is the one for you! With tender chunks of pork shoulder, crispy bacon, and soft navy beans, it’s a dish that’s as satisfying as it looks! What’s best is that it’s ready from scratch in just 35 minutes! Homemade Pork and Bean Recipe

Eggplant Potato Stew Recipe

Vegetable stew in a cast iron skillet.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This thick and hearty Eggplant Potato Stew Recipe features chewy eggplants, tender potatoes, and aromatics full of flavor. Made with plenty of veggies in just under an hour, it’s the ultimate delicious stew. Eggplant Potato Stew

Chicken Goulash

Chicken Goulash in a bowl. Close up.
Photo credit: Corrie Cooks

Who can resist the delightful flavors of a rich, aromatic Chicken Goulash? This hearty dish, deeply rooted in Hungarian cuisine, has been loved by people around the globe. Filled with tender chicken, robust spices, and flavorful vegetables, this recipe offers a comforting bowl of goodness. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or simply when you need something warm and satisfying. Chicken Goulash

Gnocchi Carbonara

Gnocchi Carbonara in a bowl.
Photo credit: Corrie Cooks

Whip up a comforting dinner with this Gnocchi Carbonara recipe. It combines pillowy gnocchi with a creamy, rich sauce for a truly delightful dish. Gnocchi Carbonara

Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach

Tortellini Casserole in a baking dish. Tasting.
Photo credit: Always Use Butter

This cheap & cheesy Tortellini Casserole is a weeknight favorite done in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients. A cheesy tortellini al forno that’s packed with flavor, and a dish the whole family will love. It also heats up really well for delicious leftovers! Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach

Shrimp Linguine Recipe with Lemon Garlic Breadcrumbs

Shrimp Linguine with Lemon Garlic Breadcrumbs in a pan.
Photo credit: My Everyday Table

You are going to love this shrimp linguine recipe! It’s perfect for a special dinner at home, but fast enough to make for a delicious weeknight dinner as well. This shrimp and linguine starts with a base of chewy linguine, is topped with buttery garlic shrimp, and finished with crunchy garlic breadcrumbs for big time flavor and texture in each bite. Get the recipe.

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I'm Iryna, a food writer, photographer, and taster behind Not Enough Garlic. Here, you'll find easy and delicious recipes your whole family will enjoy.

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