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    Home » Uncategorized

    29 Easy Lazy Dinners That Hit the Spot

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 10, 2025, updated August 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 29 easy lazy dinners are perfect for those nights when you want something satisfying without the fuss. From quick pasta dishes to simple stir-fries, these meals will hit the spot and leave you feeling content.

    Thai Chicken and Rice

    Thai Chicken and Rice (One Pan)
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This chicken and rice dish offers a fun twist on a classic favorite. It's packed with flavor and comes together quickly in just one pan, making it a great option for meal prep. This is a good dinner choice for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thai Curry Fried Rice is a quick and simple meal that you can whip up at home in just 15 minutes, including prep time. It features genuine Thai flavors from ingredients like fish sauce, Thai curry paste, cashew nuts, lime, and cilantro. If you like a bit of heat, you can easily add some Sriracha sauce to spice things up.

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    Creamy Mushroom Soup

    Creamy Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This soup is quick to make, taking less than 30 minutes, and uses basic ingredients that everyone has on hand. It's a great option for a simple dinner when the weather gets chilly. Once you try this, you'll want to skip the store-bought soups for good.

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    Balsamic Chicken

    Balsamic chicken on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Balsamic chicken is a simple and flavorful choice for dinner. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending too much time cooking. The tangy balsamic glaze gives it a nice kick that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

    Chicken broccoli alfredo with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

    This one-pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is simple to prepare and great for family dinners. With chicken and broccoli mixed in, this pasta dish is a complete meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Korean Beef Bowls

    Korean Ground Beef Bowl.
    Photo credit: I Heart Naptime.

    This Korean ground beef bowl is a quick and tasty option for weeknight dinners, taking just 15 minutes to prepare. It's an easy recipe that won't break the bank, featuring a delicious sweet and savory sauce that packs a lot of flavor. You'll be surprised at how simple it is to whip up such a satisfying meal.

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    Crockpot Steak Fajitas

    Crockpot Steak Fajitas Recipe
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With my 3 Sons.

    Crockpot Steak Fajitas offer a simple way to enjoy a delicious Tex-Mex meal any night. The steak cooks slowly with peppers and onions in a tasty fajita sauce, resulting in tender and juicy bites. Wrapped in warm tortillas, these fajitas are not only easy to prepare but also a delight to eat.

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    Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad

    Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Health Starts in the Kitchen.

    This Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad combines the rich flavors of a classic Caesar salad with the heartiness of pasta and grilled shrimp. It's a satisfying dish that not only fills you up but also brings a fresh twist to your meal. Perfect for a quick dinner, this salad is both delicious and easy to prepare.

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    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This tortellini dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It's cooked in a skillet with fresh lemon, garlic, basil, and olive oil, creating a delicious meal without much effort. Perfect for busy nights, this dinner is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Ricotta Pesto Pasta

    Ricotta Pesto Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    This quick 20-minute ricotta pesto pasta is a fantastic vegetarian dinner option. It features a creamy, garlicky sauce packed with herbs, making it both tasty and satisfying. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great option for a quick meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying dish on its own. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata cheese on top takes it to the next level.

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    Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Sliced panko crusted chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken is a simple dish that comes together in about 15 minutes with just a few basic ingredients. It's quick to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great option for busy weeknights. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    One-Pot Pasta

    One-Pot Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Greek Foodie.

    This easy one-pot pasta features juicy cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, onion, and olive oil. At the end, creamy buffalo mozzarella is stirred in for a delicious cheesy finish. Everything cooks together in one pan, creating a flavorful sauce in just about 25 minutes.

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    Penne Napoli

    Penne Napoli.
    Photo Credit: Delicious by Design.

    Penne Napoli is a great dish that highlights the goodness of fresh, simple ingredients. With garlic, onions, and basil mixed into a rich tomato sauce, it creates a comforting and filling meal that you can whip up in no time. This pasta is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is packed with vegetables, making it a healthier option that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple and satisfying meal that brings together fresh ingredients in a delicious way. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to prepare and full of flavor.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish, with only 15 minutes of actual cooking time. It's loaded with vegetables and flavor, making it a satisfying meal. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, and it tastes great whether served hot or cold.

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    Ham Fried Rice

    Ham Fried Rice.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Make this easy Ham Fried Rice for a meal that the whole family will love! This takeout-style fried rice pairs well with so many dishes and is ready in a flash - and a great way to repurpose any leftover ham.

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    Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

    Ground beef lettuce wraps.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a simple and delicious option for a weeknight dinner, ready in just 20 minutes. They offer a fresh and light way to enjoy a meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy evenings, these wraps are satisfying and easy to prepare.

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    Naan Pizza

    Easy 15-Minute Naan Pizza
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Naan pizza is a quick and simple meal that only needs three ingredients and a few minutes to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. This dish is perfect for a fast dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

    Garlic parmesan chicken and pasta.
    Photo Credit: Deliciously Homecooked.

    Creamy Garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is a simple dish that's full of flavor and great for any meal. It features tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta mixed in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table and might even have them coming back for more.

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    Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Air fryer salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon cooked this way turns out just right, bursting with lemon flavor. It's a simple dish that's just as delicious as fresh salmon. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

    A serving of Bruschetta Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: On My Kids' Plate.

    Bruschetta chicken pasta is a simple weeknight meal that's loaded with chicken, cherry tomatoes, and fresh flavors. It's versatile enough to be enjoyed hot or as a chilled pasta salad. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Pasta Puttanesca

    Pasta Puttanesca.
    Photo Credit; The Urben Life.

    This vegan puttanesca is a tasty Italian pasta dish featuring a rich sauce made from tomatoes, olives, capers, and garlic. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying meal. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish packs a punch of flavor without requiring much effort.

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    30 Minute Instant Pot Chicken Chili

    30 Minute Instant Pot Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Chili is quick and easy, ready in just 30 minutes with only 5 minutes of prep. It's a creamy southwest chili that stays warm in the pot, so everyone can serve themselves whenever they're hungry. Perfect for busy nights filled with activities like soccer practice and volleyball games.

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    Lemon Pesto Pasta

    Lemon Pesto Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Delicious by Design.

    Lemon enthusiasts will enjoy a fresh twist on Italian cuisine with this creamy lemon pesto served over angel hair pasta. The sauce is bright and flavorful, made from easy-to-find ingredients and combined with a bit of pasta water to create a smooth, rich texture. It's a delightful dish that brings a burst of flavor to your dinner table.

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    Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta

    Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    This Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta is a simple and delicious dish that you'll want to make again and again. It's rich and satisfying, yet quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights. After just one taste, you'll understand why it's become a favorite in my kitchen. It's so good, I've already made it twice in one week!

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    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are quick and simple to prepare, taking only 6-8 minutes to cook. Made with fresh salmon and flavored with powdered seasonings, they are full of taste without the need for any chopping. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple and quick to prepare, using everyday ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. It's a great option for a weeknight meal when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few steps, you can have a delicious dinner ready in no time.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping at the beginning, it's mostly hands-off and comes together easily. You'll have delicious chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked in one pan.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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