Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore, so having meals that are easier than getting out of bed on a Monday is a game-changer. On the toughest days, these recipes simplify things and take the pressure off. They’re no-stress meals that let you relax while still getting a great dinner on the table.
Spinach Chicken Bake
If getting out of bed feels impossible, this Spinach Chicken Bake makes dinner less of a chore. Just layer chicken, spinach, and cheese in a dish, pop it in the oven, and you’re done in 30 minutes. The chicken turns tender, and the cheese and spinach melt into something not heavy. It’s perfect when you want something wholesome but can’t find the energy for complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Reuben Bowls
Reuben Bowls are a quick, easy solution when cooking feels as tough as a Monday. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing all come together in one bowl — no need to make a sandwich. Toss in some coleslaw for crunch, and you’ve got dinner in no time. It’s hearty and filling, with barely any prep, so you can relax and spend less time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Tuna Macaroni Salad
On those days when cooking sounds worse than getting out of bed on a Monday, Tuna Macaroni Salad makes dinner easy. Elbow macaroni, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and mustard combine to create a filling, creamy dish in about 40 minutes. It’s quick and great for meal prepping, so you can knock out multiple meals in one go. Great for a simple, no-stress dinner that still feels like you put in some effort — even if you didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
When dinner feels like another Monday-level challenge, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad steps up. It’s a quick 25-minute meal that combines pasta with leftover chicken, croutons, and a Caesar dressing that ties everything together. The pasta makes it hearty enough to fill you up, perfect for nights when you want something easy but don’t want to compromise on taste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
On nights when cooking feels harder than getting out of bed on a Monday, the Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil comes to the rescue. Shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes roast together in one pan, seasoned with Old Bay, giving you a full meal without the mess. It’s ready in under an hour, and the best part is cleanup is a breeze. One pan, no stress, just a good meal that takes care of itself.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
If dragging yourself out of bed on a Monday sounds tough, making Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is even easier. Put split peas, ham, broth, and veggies in your slow cooker and let it handle the rest. Whether you let it simmer all day or cook it a bit faster, you’ll end up with a great meal that’s hearty and comforting. Perfect for nights or when you need a no-stress dinner. It’s a simple dish that takes the work off your hands and gives you something filling without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
When dinner feels as hard as a Monday morning, Chicken Pot Pie Soup makes things easy. All the comforting flavors of a classic pot pie — chicken, potatoes, veggies, and a creamy broth come together in one pot. There is no crust to worry about here, just simple ingredients that cook up in about an hour. Whether making dinner for the family or needing a comforting bowl, this soup keeps things simple and filling without much time or effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
When you need dinner to be as simple as possible, especially after a Monday, Grilled Hot Honey Chicken is here to help. The honey brings a sweetness, and there’s just enough spice to make it interesting. In just 45 minutes, you’ve got a juicy, flavorful meal without much work. It’s just one of those dishes that makes dinner feel manageable, no matter how busy your day has been.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
Tuna Egg Salad
On nights when making dinner feels too much, Tuna Egg Salad is a quick, helpful option. It’s simple and filling without taking much time, and it has hard-boiled eggs, tuna, Greek yogurt, celery, and pickles. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish works great as a sandwich, with crackers, or on a salad. This salad helps take the pressure off dinner while giving you something fresh and easy.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Egg Salad
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
When dinner feels like a mountain to climb, Shake and Bake Pork Chops make things easier. Coat the pork chops in mayo, add breadcrumbs, and bake. In just 25 minutes, you’ve got a crispy, juicy, and so simple meal. It is perfect for those nights when you don’t have the energy to spend a lot of time cooking but still want a nice dinner. The mayo moistens the meat, while the breadcrumbs give it that great crunch. It’s great for weeknights when you want to quickly get dinner on the table without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
If getting out of bed on a Monday feels tough, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites will make dinner easy. With just chicken, garlic, butter, and a few herbs, you can have a great meal on the table in 20 minutes. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for nights when you want something quick without sacrificing taste. Plus, you only use one pan, which means less cleanup and more time to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is perfect for days when you need dinner to be easier than Monday morning. It’s packed with broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and crispy bacon, all coming together in 30 minutes. The casserole brings comfort without being heavy and is a simple way to get veggies into your day. Everything comes together in one dish, so you’re not left with a pile of pots to clean.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
When you need something as comforting as your favorite blanket but easier than rolling out of bed on a Monday, Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is just what you need. It’s got shredded chicken, frozen corn, crispy tater tots, and melted cheese, and it’s ready in under an hour. There’s very little prep involved, making it perfect for those nights when you’re tired but still want a filling, home-cooked meal. This casserole keeps things simple but leaves you feeling good.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is what you need when making dinner feels like a lot. It’s as easy as throwing sausage, zucchini, broccoli, and peppers onto a sheet pan, seasoning, and baking for 30 minutes. You get a balanced meal that’s hearty yet light, and there’s only one pan to wash at the end. Great for when you want something wholesome but need to keep things as easy as possible.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup is perfect when you don’t have the energy to think about cooking. Just throw ground beef, tomatoes, green chilies, and taco seasoning into the crock pot and let it work. A few hours later, you have a flavorful soup ready. It’s comforting and hearty, perfect for when you need something hands-off but still want to serve a home-cooked meal. This recipe is great for busy days, letting you focus on what matters most while dinner takes care of itself.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
If making dinner feels more work than getting up on a Monday, this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is here to help. It’s everything you love about stuffed bell peppers without all the extra effort. Ground meat, bell peppers, and spices bake together in one dish, and it’s all ready in just 45 minutes. This meal is hearty and filling, making it a great option when you need something quick but wholesome.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
When cooking seems as tough as getting out of bed on a Monday, this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is perfect. It’s a simple mix of pantry staples — canned tuna, egg noodles, peas, and cheese — baked all together. It’s comforting without being complicated, and there’s no need for extra shopping trips. This dish is perfect for those nights when you need something quick, reliable, and filling. Leftovers work great for lunch or another easy dinner the next day, giving you more time to relax.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
This Cabbage and Sausage dish is great when you need a simpler meal than when dealing with a Monday. It’s ready in 25 minutes, and you only need one pan. The sausage crisps up while the cabbage and onions cook in all the flavor, making it hearty without any unnecessary steps. The best part is cleanup is quick and easy — it takes just one skillet to wash. It’s the perfect meal when you’re low on time but want something homemade that still feels thoughtful and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is perfect for busy nights when you want something easier than getting out of bed on a Monday. Season the chicken, top it with cream cheese and peppers, and bake. In 30 minutes, it’s ready to serve with rice or tortillas and prepare dinner without much effort. With minimal prep and cleanup, it’s easy to make a home-cooked meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
When dinner feels like a chore, this Cheesy Beef Casserole makes things easier than a Monday morning. It’s a hearty meal made with ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese, baked and ready in 30 minutes. It’s comforting but also brings in some lighter elements with the cauliflower and spinach so that you can feel good about your service. It’s perfect when you want something simple, nutritious, and filling, all in one dish. Plus, cleanup is a breeze with just one pan after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Green Chile Chicken
When cooking dinner feels like a challenge you can’t handle, Green Chile Chicken is a great solution. You only need shredded chicken, green chiles, and cheese, and in just 20 minutes, it’s ready to go. The green chiles add just enough heat without being overwhelming, and the melted cheese brings it all together. It’s a great way to have a good meal without feeling like you’ve added more to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is perfect when you need something easy and comforting. With sweet potatoes, red peppers, cumin, and paprika, you get a smooth, flavorful soup ready in about an hour. Most of that time is spent letting everything simmer, so it’s a great dish when you need something low-effort. This soup is light but filling, making it a great option for craving something rich without feeling weighed down. Pair it with bread or eat it on its own.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
If you’re after a dinner that’s quick but still feels a little special, Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a great choice. It combines broiled jalapeños, cooked chicken, and crispy bacon in a creamy dressing that pulls it all together. The jalapeños add a little heat, but the creaminess and crunch from the bacon balances it. This salad is light, easy to make, and perfect for those nights when you want something different but don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken is a comforting meal that requires just 30 minutes from start to finish. Chicken breasts are simmered in a garlicky cream sauce that feels rich but doesn’t take much effort to make. You can serve it over rice or veggies, and it’s all done in one skillet, so you don’t have to worry about a big cleanup afterward. This recipe is great for busy nights when you want something that feels a little heartier. It’s an easy, reliable meal that will fill you up and make the end of the day feel just a little bit easier.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup is a quick, comforting meal ready in just 30 minutes. Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes combine to make a hearty, flavorful broth that feels like a treat without much effort. This soup is perfect for those nights when you need something that feels filling but doesn’t require much work. It’s the meal that gives you a little break from the day without adding stress — a simple, quick option when you want dinner to be one less thing to worry about.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a great option for a quick, filling meal. Ground beef, mushrooms, and cauliflower rice are cooked in a creamy sauce and ready in just 30 minutes. This dish is light but hearty enough to keep you full, making it perfect for nights when you want something filling but don’t have the energy for complicated recipes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Leave a Reply