Those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking are precisely the times you could most benefit from a home-cooked meal. But next time you feel tempted to swing through the drive-through or order takeout, give these wholesome, quick and easy dinner recipes a try instead.
1. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Sheet pan meals are perfect when you don’t want to dirty a bunch of dishes. Plus, you get a whole meal in one fell swoop. This recipe from Gimme Deliciousis easily customizable with different types of sausages or veggies. My family, for instance, loves chicken and apple sausages. Round out your meal if you like by serving it on a hoagie roll or with brown rice or quinoa, easily made in the Instant Pot or rice cooker.
2. Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
Who doesn’t love fajitas? And especially when they can be done in 20 minutes! Avoid the temptation of endless chips and queso the next time you need a quick weeknight meal and instead opt for delicious skillet shrimp fajitas you can make at home with this recipe from Life Made Sweeter. Serve up a zesty skillet of shrimp, onion and peppers with avocado, lime and tortillas, or lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
3. Spiralized Zucchini and Grape Tomatoes
Perfect for the summer, when zucchini and tomatoes are fresh and plentiful, or for any time you need a simple, healthy meal. Keep it simple (and vegan!) with spiralized zucchini, garlic, basil and grape tomatoes, as this recipe from Skinny Taste details. You can also make it a little more hearty with sausage and Parmesan cheese. Either way, you’ll look forward to making it over and over.
4. Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
I love that quesadillas are endlessly customizable with whatever protein, cheese and veggies you have on hand. They’re also quick to make, easy to reheat and you can even freeze them for later. And with this 10-minute black bean and corn quesadilla recipe from Dashing Dish, you can make the filling ahead of time and use it to make quesadillas throughout the week. Just pick up your favorite salsa and cheese, mix with black beans, cilantro and corn and you’re ready to create a seriously delicious lunch or dinner.
5. Poached Eggs with Avocado Toast
Breakfast for dinner anyone? Poached eggs may seem intimidating, but this clever hack from Pinch of Yum makes it surprisingly easy. Slide your velvety eggs onto creamy avocado toast and serve with juicy tomatoes. You’ll feel like you’re out at a fancy brunch (without the wait— or the price tag!).
6. Balsamic and Blueberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Regular old grilled cheese not exciting enough? Well, look no further! This grilled cheese recipe from Amanda K. By the Baymay seem a little kooky, but the ingredients (cheese, spinach or arugula, blueberries and balsamic) go together beautifully with minimal prep and cooking. I’m always trying to find more ways to get wild blueberries into my diet, and this does the trick!
7. Noodles with Vegetables and Peanut Sauce
Instead of takeout Thai, why not make your own delicious bowl of goodness with just noodles, peanut sauce and whatever veggies you have on hand? This recipe from Averie Cooks breaks down the myth that peanut sauce is hard to make with a simple yet scrumptious combo of ingredients. The whole meal can be tailored based on the type of noodles, veggies and sauce elements you have or like. I love to add some tahini and coconut aminos to my sauce, and use brown rice noodles.
8. Chicken Cobb Salad Pitas
Sometimes, not only do you not feel like cooking, but you also need to eat on the run. For those busy days and nights, look no further than the simple pita pocket. Perfect for filling with your favorite salads, like this fresh and filling Cobb with avocado ranch from Dine and Dish. Make it even quicker with your favorite pre-made dressing instead! I also like toasting my pita lightly before filling to help it hold up a little better.
9. Superfood Quinoa Bowl
Maybe you indulged in a donut at work or need to make up for a weekend of chowing down. If so, try this super green bowl as a great way to detox for dinner without much effort. Gimme Some Oven offers a fresh mix of green veggies on a bed of light, yet protein-packed, quinoa, your favorite almonds and a homemade sesame vinaigrette.
10. Margherita Flatbread Pizza
Before you reach for your phone to order pizza, try this quick and easy flatbread recipe that uses pre-made naan bread as its crust. Let the Baking Begin puts a whole new twist on the always reliable margherita pie that you can make in less time than it would take to get delivery. The recipe calls for using the oven, but if you’re making a flatbread for one, you could probably get away with the toaster oven. Just watch it closely!
11. Asian Salmon in Foil
There’s no better way to cook salmon than wrapped up in a foil pouch. It locks in all the flavor and juices for tender, flaky fish. And the best part? Just toss the foil and cleanup is done!Damn Delicious teaches you how to drench your salmon with delicious teriyaki flavor with minimal prep and only 20 minutes of cook time. I like to leave room on the pan to roast some broccoli next to the salmon for a full meal in a snap.
12. Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteak
Bust out your sheet pan again for an easy, all-in-one hoagie filling. Instead of stopping by the sandwich shop, satisfy your own Philly cheesesteak craving with this ridiculously simple recipe from Eazy Peazy Mealz. Make prep a breeze with pre-chopped veggies from the grocery store. And when this glorious mess of peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheese and beef comes out of the oven? Simply scoop it into your roll and scarf it down.
13. Chilled Cantaloupe Soup with Lime and Basil
Does eating— let alone cooking — sound really undesirable on a hot, hot day? Do you have a blender? Then chilled soup is the perfect dinner for you! Simple Bites shares a quick cantaloupe soup full of the fresh flavors of basil, mint and yogurt. This one will be a hit with adults and kids alike. Most chilled soups can be stored for a few days, or even up to a week, for a quick meal whenever you need it.
14. Ravioli Lasagna
When the craving hits for some comforting lasagna but you don’t have the time to make it happen, try a quick trick — frozen ravioli! This recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod suggests using spinach ravioli, but feel free to use your favorite. Layer them up with your preferred sauce and cheese, then add fresh basil. And just like that, you get all of the flavors of lasagna without the effort.
15. Mediterranean Sweet Potatoes
I could eat sweet potatoes with nearly every meal, but even I get bored of the same old thing. These Mediterranean sweet potatoes from Minimalist Baker will get you excited to cook and eat them all over again. Simply spice potatoes with some chickpeas and roast while you make the delectable garlic herb sauce. Pair with tomatoes and parsley and you’re done!
16. Juicy Grilled Turkey Burger
Turkey burgers don’t have to be dry and boring. Try these simple tips from The Stay at Home Chef and you’ll have a light, lean burger that’s easily customizable with the cheese and veggies of your choosing. Keep it simple with lettuce, tomato and onion on top, or try some avocado, cucumber and a red pepper ring with a dollop of yogurt.
Are these yummy-looking recipes getting you excited to (really quickly) cook again?
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