These 19 Recipes Are So Easy, You’ll Forget You’re Actually Cooking

Sometimes you just want dinner to feel like less of a chore and more like you’ve found a life hack. That’s where these recipes come in. No extra steps, no complicated techniques — just straight-to-the-point meals that let you get food on the table without breaking a sweat. They’re great for when you’re not in the mood to channel your inner chef but still want something that feels like effort happened (even if it didn’t).

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Tuna Macaroni Salad is so simple, it’s like the kitchen’s doing all the work for you. Just toss together elbow macaroni, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and mustard. Forty minutes later, you’re all set with a great salad that lets you use leftover veggies. Perfect for a busy weeknight when you’d rather relax than cook. You’re just mixing stuff in a bowl — think of it as the lazy person’s guide to gourmet. No fancy techniques here, just straight-up mixing and chilling. If you can open a can, you can make this salad. And before you know it, dinner’s ready!
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole makes dinner a breeze. Just stack tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn in a dish, sprinkle cheese on top and bake. This recipe is perfect for those evenings when you’re juggling chores and need a hands-off approach to cooking. It’s so easy, you’ll forget you’re even in the kitchen! This casserole is basically a dump-and-bake affair — no sautéing, stirring, or sweating. The tater tots get crispy, the cheese gets gooey, and everything just kind of takes care of itself in the oven. Throw it in, set a timer, and go find your couch. Dinner will sort itself out.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad comes together quicker than you can say “easy.” Just mix pre-cooked chicken, pasta, lettuce, tomatoes, Parmesan, and dressing. Throw in some croutons for crunch, and in about 25 minutes, you’ve got yourself a fresh meal. It’s great for a lazy day or a casual get-together without the hassle. Think of this salad as your midweek lifesaver when turning on the stove feels like too much trouble. It’s refreshing and filling and doesn’t need you to be a whiz in the kitchen. Just toss everything together and call it a day. It’s that straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are quick and straightforward. Season, fry, and toss them in garlic butter for a meal that packs a punch without much work. Serve these with rice or a simple salad; dinner’s ready in 20 minutes. They’re so straightforward that you might wonder if you missed a step! They’re little nuggets of joy — crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Perfect for when you want something mouth-watering but can’t face the thought of an elaborate cooking session. Plus, they cook up so fast, you’ll have time to kick back and relax.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup is like a cozy blanket after a long day of work. Mix chicken, cheese tortellini, veggies, and broth, and let it simmer. It’s ready in 40 minutes, perfect for a comforting and effortless dinner. Just the thing for when you need a filling meal without the hassle. This soup doesn’t ask for much — just some chopping and simmering. It’s forgiving, too, so if you throw the ingredients in and forget about them for a while, you’ll still end up with something great. It’s like the easy-going friend who doesn’t mind if you’re a bit of a kitchen klutz.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Reuben Bowls

Reuben Bowls are your new best friend if you’re into quick fixes that don’t skimp on flavor. Think of it as a deconstructed Reuben sandwich with all the classic ingredients: tangy sauerkraut, tender corned beef, and creamy Swiss cheese, all mixed with coleslaw and topped with Thousand Island dressing. It’s a whole meal that comes together in 30 minutes flat — no bread-building skills required. It’s great for those nights when the thought of cooking is about as fun as a root canal. This dish embodies the theme of recipes so easy, you’ll forget you’re cooking. Just toss, dress, and eat!
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Here’s a dish that practically cooks itself. Combine broccoli and cauliflower with crispy bacon bits and drown them in a cheesy sauce. Pop it in the oven, and in a short while, you’ve got a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole that’s perfect for dinner. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, and it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies without feeling like you’re just eating plants. Great for busy weeknights or when you can’t face the idea of a complicated meal but still want something that tastes like you tried. It’s simplicity at its best — dinner’s ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli is practically a cheat code for dinner. Layer frozen ravioli with marinara sauce and cheese, pop it in the oven and relax. It’s perfect for those times when you want a nice meal but don’t want to spend all night cooking. Just set it and forget it — it’s that easy. This crowd-pleaser dish asks for minimal input and gives maximum flavor. It’s like playing a kitchen version of hide and seek — except the ravioli always wins. And the best part? You get to eat the results. No cooking degree required, just a functioning oven and an appetite.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

This Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is what weeknight dinner dreams are made of. Just brown some ground beef, throw in the cauliflower rice, sprinkle some cheese, and let it all get cozy together in the skillet. It’s hearty, filling, and all done in one pan, which means less cleaning and more relaxing. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is a real time-saver, especially when you’re running low on time and energy. It’s the epitome of easy cooking that makes you forget there’s any effort involved at all.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Spinach Chicken Bake

This Spinach Chicken Bake is the lazy person’s ticket to a fancy meal. Start with some chicken, throw on a heap of cream cheese, pile on the spinach, and sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella. Bake until everything’s gooey and golden. You get a creamy, cheesy, and incredibly delicious dish ready in about 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for those evenings when turning on the oven feels like a feat. Plus, it’s so easy, it’s almost funny — like, you’re eating this great meal, but did you even cook?
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

White Bean Soup

White Bean Soup is your go-to when you want comfort without the effort. It’s loaded with white beans, spinach, carrots, and celery, all simmering in a flavorful broth. This soup is ready in about 40 minutes with minimal prep involved — just chop, drop, and let it do its thing. It’s perfect for cold nights when you only want to wrap yourself in a blanket and wait for dinner to magically appear. With this recipe, it’s almost like the kitchen fairies are on your side. Easy, healthy, and you barely lifted a finger.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage and Sausage is straightforward cooking with a punch of flavor. Just slice up some cabbage, brown some sausage, toss them together in a pan, and let the magic happen. The sweetness of the cabbage pairs perfectly with the rich, meaty sausage, and you can go from zero to dinner in less than 25 minutes. It’s a great pick for when you’re too tired to even think about cooking but still want something filling and delicious. This dish is all about making your life easier. You don’t need to be a kitchen wizard to whip up something great.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is as easy as chopping some veggies and letting your oven do the heavy lifting. Throw in some sausage, broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers, add a sprinkle of your favorite spices, and you’re halfway to dinner. It cooks in just 30 minutes, which is perfect when you’re more interested in relaxing than cooking. It’s a colorful, nutrient-packed meal that’s effortlessly good, making it feel like you barely cooked at all. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze — just one pan! Now, isn’t that a relief on a busy weeknight?
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Fajita Baked Chicken

Fajita Baked Chicken packs all the flavor of a fajita with minimal effort. Just lay your chicken breasts in a dish, coat with fajita spices, cream cheese, bell peppers, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Slide it into the oven and let it bake for 30 minutes. You get a creamy, spicy chicken that makes dinner feel like an event but without any hassle. It’s a great way to enjoy a flavorful meal without spending your evening over a stove. This dish shows that sometimes, the best dinners are the ones you hardly have to think about.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

For a dinner that’s almost too easy, try these Shake and Bake Pork Chops. Just slather your chops in mayo, coat them with a mixture of breadcrumbs and spices, and let your oven do the rest. They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside in about 30 minutes. No mess, no stress, and a dinner that looks like you put in more effort than you did. It’s perfect for those “I can’t even” days. Plus, who doesn’t like saying “Shake and Bake”? It’s almost as fun as eating it!
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a low-carb dream that doesn’t skimp on taste. Mix ground beef with cauliflower rice and spinach, add a layer of cheese, and bake. You’ll have a wholesome, cheesy meal ready in 30 minutes. It’s filling, cheesy, and keeps your kitchen clean. Whether you’re trying to eat better or just need something straightforward for dinner, this dish has got you covered. It’s like your weeknight dinner hero — there when you need it, without any complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried Cabbage with Bacon might just be the easiest way to get your veggies in with a dose of good old bacon. Fry up some cabbage with chunks of bacon until crispy, about 25 minutes, and you’ve got a side that could very well steal the show. It’s simple, quick, and has bacon — what’s not to love? Perfect for when you want something hearty but don’t want to cook all night. Plus, it’s a smart way to use up leftover veggies. Just toss them in and call it a masterpiece.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Garlic Chicken

This Creamy Garlic Chicken says you can have gourmet on a weeknight or any night for that matter. It’s all about making the most out of a few ingredients. Tender chicken breasts in a creamy garlic sauce, all topped with a dusting of Parmesan. It comes together in no time and tastes like you spent hours on it. This dish is perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself after a long day. It’s so easy you might find yourself making it on repeat. Dinner’s ready before you know it, and it’s absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Italian Sausage Soup

Nothing beats the simplicity of this Italian Sausage Soup. Toss in some sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes, let it simmer, and you’ve got a comforting soup that tastes like it cooked all day. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, which is great for when you’re more interested in curling up with a good book than watching a pot. This soup is comforting, hearty, and ridiculously easy to make. It’s the equivalent of a cozy blanket on a chilly evening in the cooking world. Plus, it’s so straightforward that you’ll want to make it all the time.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup