The holidays are over, and the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen again. Dinner needs to be quick, simple, and low effort while still hitting the spot. These recipes are all about getting you through post-holiday recovery mode with one-pan meals, slow cooker options, and minimal cleanup required.
Bomb Meatloaf
This meatloaf is tender, juicy, and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze that makes every bite irresistible. Easy to prep and bake, it’s a great choice for when you want comfort food without a lot of work. Leftovers are a bonus.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf
Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta
Bright lemon, creamy feta, and fresh spinach come together for a quick and easy dinner that feels like a break from heavy holiday meals. Add leftover chicken for extra protein and call it a night.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Pork chops, cabbage, potatoes, and apples all roast together in one pan, cutting down cleanup while delivering a flavorful and complete meal. Perfect for when you need a no-stress dinner after holiday madness.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet, sticky honey garlic chicken with pineapple cooks up easily in the slow cooker. It’s perfect for when you’re too tired to deal with the stove but still want something that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Vegetable Bean Skillet
Loaded with fresh vegetables and hearty beans, this one-skillet meal is quick, healthy, and satisfying. It’s a great option for meatless nights that still leave you feeling full and happy.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet
Cheddar Chicken Bake
Rotisserie chicken, creamy quinoa, and cheddar come together in this easy casserole. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for busy nights when you need something hearty without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Bite-sized chicken pieces with garlic, mushrooms, onions, and peppers all cook together in one skillet in just 20 minutes. It’s a great weeknight option that’s both quick and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan dinner mixes ground beef, sweet potatoes, and southwestern spices for a hearty, comforting dish. It’s easy to make and the leftovers are just as great, making it perfect for meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Ground beef and your favorite pasta come together in under 30 minutes for a dish that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. A great way to feed the family without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Ground Beef Stir Fry
This quick stir fry is packed with fresh veggies and coated in a garlic-ginger sauce. It’s a better-than-takeout dinner that’s fast, flavorful, and ready in one pan—perfect for those post-holiday busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms are tossed in an Asian-inspired sauce for a quick, no-fuss meal. Perfect for when you’re short on time but still want something that feels fresh and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
This skillet dinner pairs ground beef with cabbage and a light, savory sauce. It’s easy, quick, and makes a great weeknight meal when you need something filling without a ton of work.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
With just five ingredients, this creamy Italian pasta is both simple and indulgent. It’s perfect for when you want comfort food that feels special but doesn’t take much effort to pull together.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Pesto Salmon
Oven-baked salmon topped with pesto is a quick, healthy dinner that’s ready in under 25 minutes. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need something easy.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Salsa Chicken
Juicy chicken breasts baked with salsa, corn, and cheddar cheese make for an easy and flavorful dinner that’s ready in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for when you want big flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
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.
