20 Lazy Dinners For When You Simply Cannot Be Bothered

PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

I’m going to let y’all in on a secret: Even though I make my living through food and cooking, some days, the last thing I feel like doing is stepping into the kitchen for a multi-hour dinner project. It’s okay to feel that way, and take it easy sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that your eating should suffer. On days when I really can’t be bothered, I turn to these 20 ridiculously easy, lazy-day recipes. Now, a “lazy” recipe can mean many different things, but what I really want to focus on here is recipes that deliver on quality while staying fairly , quick, , and —cause if I’m already struggling to get the desire to cook, there’s no chance I’m jumping into a sink full of dishes as soon as I finish eating.

Kitchen appliances like air fryers and slow cookers are going to be your best friends here. With both, you really get to almost set it and forget it. Dishes like our and let the appliances do the work for you, allowing you to take a little R&R before dinner. I included some other dishes—like our and —where you will have to be a bit more hands-on, but even then, the cooking process is simple, one-pan, and an hour or less from start to finish.

Looking for more lazy day recipes? Check out all our favorite and dinners featuring for even more inspo.

1

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

When it comes to , it's hard to beat this one. The sauce is simple but so flavorful thanks to garlic, tomatoes, and most importantly, cream. It's bright and easy and just as good in the summer as it is in the winter, whether you're craving or a dinner fancy enough for guests.

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2

Creamy Pesto Orzotto

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

is the ultimate , but this creamy orzotto is giving it a run for its money. Pesto and cheese are folded into orzo and topped with a shower of fresh basil for a weeknight dinner that’s ready in under .

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Slow-Cooker Cajun Alfredo

PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

What’s more comforting than a carb-y bowl of goodness? A carb-y bowl of pasta goodness that’s virtually hands-off! We love a slow cooker recipe, and this Cajun spin on a classic is taking that love to new heights.

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4

Sheet-Pan Garlicky Shrimp & Veggies

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This recipe combines well-seasoned with red , , and onions for a ready in a little more than 30 minutes. Not only is it so simple to throw together, it's extremely versatile.

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Creamy Coconut-Lime Chickpea Skillet

PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

When we’re in need of a quick and easy dinner, this creamy coconut-lime chickpea skillet is always my first choice. It’s ready in well under an hour, uses affordable ingredients, and packs in plenty of flavor for a dinner fit for any day of the week.

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6

BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We have our own , but we don’t always want to go through the effort of shaping raw pizza dough. Enter: the BBQ chicken French bread pizza. This recipe combines the uniquely sweet and savory flavor of the BBQ chicken pizza with the ease of a Stouffer’s-style .

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Black Bean Tostadas

PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

During busy weeknights, we can't get enough of quick, easy, and . With only 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes, these black bean tostadas will have you serving up an easy and delicious on the table with hardly any work at all.

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8

Chicken & Broccoli

PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This fast and easy chicken and broccoli is coated in a sweet and savory sauce, featuring plenty of ginger and garlic for a delicious . The best part? This dish comes together in under with minimal prep work.

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Cacio E Pepe

PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

Cacio e pepe is the Roman dish that’s more intricate than its few ingredients imply. This classic dinner has a quick cook time and makes for a simple yet impressive meal.

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10

Slow-Cooker Korean Beef

PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Toss a in the with a host of flavorful ingredients and soy sauce, and you will have a killer Korean beef ready for . This versatile slow-cooked meal can be enjoyed over rice, in tacos, in a sandwich like a , or anywhere you’d use .

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The Original Marry Me Chicken

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This is the that we know will make jaws drop every time. In it, are seared until golden brown before being baked in a simple (but extremely satisfying) cream sauce that results in a chicken that's packed with flavor in every bite.

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12

Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon

PHOTO: ETHAN CALABRESE

This savory-sweet is quick and easy enough for (ready in under 30 minutes), but is also fancy enough for special occasions.

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Pasta Alla Gricia

PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Along with , , and , pasta alla gricia completes the four classic of Rome. It's a classic for good reason: With only four ingredients, it's simple to make and easy to indulge.

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14

Baked Cod

PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you’ve never cooked before, newsflash: It’s practically foolproof. Not only does cod cook quickly, but it can also take on a variety of flavors and seasonings—in this case, , garlic, olive oil, and lemon.

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Slow-Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken

PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This creamy lemon herb chicken spends all day bubbling along, and results in a comforting, easy dinner that will have your entire home smelling like a dream. By cooking low and slow, the humble is transformed into something that melts in your mouth.

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16

Marry Me Gnocchi

PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

This is a true meal. Like our other Marry Me dishes, this saucy dinner features a base of fresh garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, heavy cream, and Parmesan tossed with pillowy-soft and quick-cooking , then topped with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra spicy kick.

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Pesto Ramen

Joel Goldberg

Since we'll be flavoring the instant ramen noodles with your choice of pesto, it truly doesn't matter what flavor of ramen you purchase. You can also use any on hand, so long as you like it: , , or will all work nicely here.

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18

Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken

PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Don't get us wrong, we love a good sandwich, but there's something extra-special about this brown sugar BBQ chicken. Ready with minimal effort and ingredients, this recipe combines a brown sugar BBQ sauce with for a flavor-packed, versatile dinner.

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One-Pot Lazy Lasagna

PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Let’s be honest—nothing sounds better after a long day than the classic, cheesy, saucy , but it’s also the last thing we want to take the time to prepare. Enter: this lazy lasagna. With some store-bought hacks, you can achieve a weeknight-friendly that’s every bit as comforting.

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20

Cube Steak

EMILY HLAVAC GREEN

Cube steak is often overlooked when planning out a delicious —we're here to change that. Dredged in a seasoned flour mix and smothered in an onion soup mix gravy, this recipe turns this cut into a flavor-packed steak that was made to be served alongside creamy and fresh veggies.

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