The week between Christmas and New Year’s is its own weird little limbo. You’re full of leftovers, possibly still in pajamas, and definitely not interested in cooking anything complicated. But you’ve got to eat, right? That’s where these lazy dinner ideas come in. They’re quick, simple, and way better than yet another sandwich cobbled together from yesterday’s ham.
Burger Bowls
Skip the bun and throw all your favorite burger toppings into a bowl. With a homemade special sauce, it’s a great way to make burgers a little different without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Cream Cheese Chicken
Creamy, flavorful chicken seasoned with just five spices. It’s the perfect dish for nights when you want something easy but still crave big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken
Ground Beef Stir Fry
A quick stir fry made with ground beef and fresh veggies in a garlic-ginger sauce. One pan, one happy family, and zero takeout menus needed.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Healthier Sloppy Joes
A lighter spin on the classic, these Sloppy Joes keep the same nostalgic flavor while cutting back on extras you don’t need. Perfect for when you want comfort food that feels just a bit smarter.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms cooked in an easy Asian-inspired sauce. A fast, no-fuss dinner for nights when you just need something good on the table.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Salsa Egg Tacos
These tacos are fast, simple, and pack plenty of flavor with just a few ingredients. Eggs, salsa, and tortillas make a perfect lazy dinner when cooking anything complicated feels like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Egg Tacos
Tuna Pasta With Pesto
Tuna and pesto come together in this no-nonsense pasta dish that’s ready in 20 minutes. It’s the kind of recipe that saves the day when you just can’t.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta With Pesto
Tahini Pasta
Creamy tahini sauce coats your pasta in nutty, tangy goodness, and the whole thing is done in 20 minutes. Dinner that’s fast, easy, and actually good? Yes, please.
Get the Recipe: Tahini Pasta
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
This casserole is as simple as throwing biscuit pieces, pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings into a dish. Oven-ready in minutes, it’s pizza night with way less effort.
Get the Recipe: Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
Frito Taco Bake
Think taco night meets casserole. Ground beef, cheesy sauce, and crunchy Fritos come together for a low-effort, flavor-packed dinner that feels just right for lazy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Frito Taco Bake
Baked Ravioli Casserole
Grab some ravioli, sauce, and cheese, toss it in a dish, and let the oven do its thing. It’s a great way to feed the crew without lifting a finger too much.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli Casserole
Pesto Ricotta Pasta
This pasta keeps it simple and delicious with ricotta and pesto, giving you a dinner that’s easy to whip up but tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Ricotta Pasta
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter Sauce
Butternut squash ravioli dressed in sage-butter sauce sounds fancy, but this recipe gets it done in 20 minutes flat. A shortcut dinner that feels like a treat without the extra work.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter Sauce
Sloppy Joes with Heinz Chili Sauce
Sloppy Joes are a throwback favorite, and this version with Heinz chili sauce makes them even better. Done in under 30 minutes, it’s a no-brainer for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes with Heinz Chili Sauce
Chicken & Pasta Casserole
This crockpot casserole combines chicken, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce for a dinner that practically cooks itself. It’s great when you’ve got other things to do and need a meal that handles itself.
Get the Recipe: Chicken & Pasta Casserole
Salsa Chicken
Just three ingredients—chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning—make this dish a slow-cooker dream. Throw it together, and let the magic happen while you relax.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Mediterranean Baked White Fish
Lemon, garlic, and herbs brighten up this baked fish that’s ready in 30 minutes. A solid choice when you need a quick dinner that doesn’t taste like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Baked White Fish
Lasagna Soup With Cottage Cheese
All the comfort of lasagna without the layers or the time commitment. This 30-minute soup hits the spot, especially when topped with whipped cottage cheese for an extra creamy kick.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup With Cottage Cheese
Dutch Oven Barbacoa
Seasoned beef cooked low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender. Use it for tacos, burritos, or whatever you’re craving. The best part? The oven does most of the work.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Barbacoa
Hamburger Helper Lasagna
A one-pot meal that’s a fresh take on the boxed classic, this lasagna-style dish is ready in less than an hour. Perfect for when you’re feeding the family and don’t want to be stuck cleaning up.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Helper Lasagna
One Skillet Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
This cabbage casserole skips the rolling and stuffing, but still gives you that hearty, saucy vibe. One skillet, done fast, and no unnecessary effort.
Get the Recipe: One Skillet Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Baked Spinach Mushroom Quesadillas
Baking these quesadillas means you can make a bunch at once, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd with minimal hassle. Spinach and mushrooms keep it wholesome without any extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spinach Mushroom Quesadillas
Taco Pockets
Taco night made even easier. These taco pockets are packed with your favorite fillings and baked to perfection. They’re great for kids, adults, and anyone who wants tacos with less cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Taco Pockets
Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
These noodles are fast, fiery, and ready in 10 minutes. Garlic and chili oil bring the heat while the simplicity makes it a dinner winner for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
Broccoli Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese meets broccoli for a dish that’s equal parts comfort and convenience. Dinner in one pot and on the table before anyone gets too hangry.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Mac And Cheese
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.
