Cooking dinner doesn’t have to be a chore, especially when you can barely tell a spatula from a spoon. These recipes are perfect for anyone who thinks they can’t cook—or just doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. We’re talking simple, straightforward meals that even the most kitchen-phobic can handle. From one-pan wonders to easy skillet dinners, these recipes are here to save the day (and your sanity).
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken is a simple weeknight meal. Juicy chicken breasts, baked with salsa, corn, and cheddar, make a great family-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms come together in this quick stir fry. A great choice for a fast, easy dinner with an Asian-inspired flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Bucatini cacio e pepe is a simple pasta dish made with just five ingredients. A great go-to when you want something easy yet satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Kale and Feta Egg Bake
A handful of ingredients and you’ve got a perfect, lazy dinner. These individual egg bakes are simple, tasty, and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Feta Egg Bake
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
A 20-minute, one-pan dinner with garlic chicken bites, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Simple, flavorful, and great for a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Taco seasoning turns ground beef into a flavorful, one-pan dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. Simple and great for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Vegetable Bean Skillet
Fresh veggies and two kinds of beans make this skillet a quick, hearty meal. Perfect for a no-fuss, meatless dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan meal with ground beef and sweet potatoes is a hit for dinner. Easy to make and great for leftovers too.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Ground beef and pasta, ready in under 30 minutes. This skillet dish tastes like it’s been cooking all day—perfect for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Burger Bowls
All the flavors of a fast food burger, minus the bun. This easy-to-make bowl is great for anyone wanting a healthier dinner without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables
Throw tofu and veggies on a sheet pan, add BBQ sauce, and you’re done. This quick and easy dinner is perfect for anyone who thinks cooking is hard.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu & Vegetables
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
These quesadillas are packed with smashed beans and kale, oozing with melted cheddar. A great meatless dinner that’s easy to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Chicken and sweet potatoes, all on one pan. This dinner is ready in no time and is perfect when something simple and tasty is all you need.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage make this skillet dinner a quick, tasty meal. Packed with flavor and ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Pesto Salmon
Pesto salmon is an easy, oven-baked dinner that’s ready in less than 25 minutes. Great for a quick, healthy meal that’s full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
