13 Low-Effort Dinners for the Busy Days Before Thanksgiving

The days leading up to Thanksgiving can feel like a chaotic marathon of grocery runs, table-setting debates, and figuring out how to cook a turkey without it resembling shoe leather. The last thing you want to do is spend hours making dinner when your kitchen is already a war zone of pie tins and cranberry sauce experiments. That’s where these low-effort dinners come in to save your sanity. They’re quick, easy and your pre-holiday survival kit for getting a decent dinner on the table.

Cheddar Chicken Bake

Utilize leftover chicken for this cheddar chicken quinoa bake. It’s an easy, healthy choice for busy nights, combining convenience with taste for a meal that’s both satisfying and simple to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Whip up this ground beef stir fry when you’re short on time. It’s a one-pan meal that combines fresh veggies with a homemade stir fry sauce, delivering a healthier and faster alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Blackened Cod

Blackened cod is a quick and easy option, using simple pantry seasonings for a flavorful meal. It’s perfect for lazy nights when you want something light yet satisfying with minimal kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Greek Shrimp Skillet

This Greek shrimp skillet is a 30-minute marvel, bursting with Mediterranean flavors. It’s quick, packed with fresh ingredients, and requires minimal effort, making it a top pick for a flavorful yet easy weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

For a quick, no-fuss dinner, try frozen salmon in the air fryer with maple mustard sauce. Cooking straight from the freezer, it’s an ideal solution for busy evenings when time is limited but you still crave something savory.
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Set and forget this slow cooker honey garlic chicken, a perfect lazy weeknight meal. It combines sweet, sticky sauce with tender chicken, requiring minimal effort for a deliciously satisfying dinner that beats any takeout.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Brisket Chili

Brisket chili is a comforting choice, especially for using up leftover meat. It’s a hearty meal that’s easy to assemble, perfect for cozy, lazy evenings when you want something warming and flavorful with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Burger Bowls

For a lazy weeknight, these burger bowls are a go-to. Quick to assemble with a homemade sauce, they offer all the flavors of a classic burger without the hassle. Perfect for when you want something tasty but effortless.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Air fryer salmon bites are a simple yet flavorful weeknight fix. Marinated and cooked to perfection, they pair wonderfully with a dip, offering a gourmet experience with little effort – ideal for those lazy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

These quesadillas, filled with smashed white beans and kale, are a quick, tasty choice for meatless nights. Oozing with melted cheese and topped with a creamy sauce, they offer maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a straightforward, classic dish, perfect for a low-effort yet indulgent dinner. With just a few ingredients, it’s an ideal choice for those nights when you want something delicious but easy.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

For a quick and easy dinner, try the ground beef and cabbage skillet. Inspired by Asian stir-fry, it brings together aromatic spices in a light savory sauce, offering a fulfilling meal with minimal cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

This one-pan meal of chicken and sweet potatoes is ideal for when you’re short on time but crave something hearty. With minimal prep and caramelized pecans for an extra kick, it’s a hassle-free, flavor-packed dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes